Tube punching and collaring system, device and method

Abstract

A tube punching system for punching at least one hole into a tube, said system comprising: a punch, an external mold and a counter die. The mold and punch are positioned relative to each other such that the mold exerts a counterforce onto the tube when the hole is punched; and wherein the mold subsequently forms a collar as a result of the force applied by punch against the tube.

1 . A method for punching at least one hole in a tube comprising the steps of:
 providing a system comprising a punch and a mold,   placing the tube on the system such that the tube extends along a system axis, the punch is located within the tube and the mold is located outside of the tube;   biasing the punch along a punch axis which is transverse to the system axis to make a hole in a wall of the tube; wherein at least a portion of the wall adjacent the hole is pressed between the punch and the mold to form a collar.   
   
   
       2 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the collar is formed about the punch axis. 
   
   
       3 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein during the biasing of the punch to make the hole the mold at least partially abuts the wall of the tube from the outside. 
   
   
       4 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the mold comprises a cavity that extends along an axis substantially coaxial with the punch axis and opens out towards the tube, wherein at least a portion of the punch enters the cavity when making the hole in the tube. 
   
   
       5 . The method according to  claim 4 , wherein the at least portion of the wall adjacent the hole that forms the collar is pressed between the punch and the cavity of the mold. 
   
   
       6 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the system comprises a counter die and at least a portion of the counter die is located within the cavity of the mold. 
   
   
       7 . The method according to  claim 6 , wherein the system comprises a biasing means that constantly biases the counter die towards the tube. 
   
   
       8 . The method according to  claim 6 , wherein at least a portion of the wall of the tube is pressed between the punch and the counter die when forming the hole. 
   
   
       9 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the external faces of the collar and tube merge via a radius. 
   
   
       10 . The method according to  claim 9 , wherein in a cross section including the system and punch axes, the radius is smaller than 1 millimeter. 
   
   
       11 . The method according to  claim 9 , wherein in a cross section including the system and punch axes, the radius is smaller than 0.8 millimeter. 
   
   
       12 . The method according to  claim 9 , wherein in a cross section including the system and punch axes, the radius is smaller than 0.5 millimeter. 
   
   
       13 . A system for forming at least one hole in a tube, the system comprising a punch and a mold, the tube when placed on the system extending along a system axis, the punch being located within the tube and being adapted to move along a punch axis that is transverse to the system axis, the mold being located outside of the tube. 
   
   
       14 . The system according to  claim 13 , wherein the mold comprises a cavity that extends along an axis that is substantially coaxial with the punch axis. 
   
   
       15 . The system according to  claim 14 , comprising a counter die wherein at least a portion of the counter die is located within the cavity. 
   
   
       16 . The system according to  claim 15 , comprising a biasing means that constantly biases the counter die towards the tube. 
   
   
       17 . The system according to  claim 13 , wherein the punch comprises an elliptical cutting edge wherein the major axis of the ellipse extends along the system axis. 
   
   
       18 . The system according to  claims 13 , wherein the mold is adapted to be biased towards and away of the tube. 
   
   
       19 . The system according to  claim 15 , wherein the counter die comprises a cavity extending along an axis substantially coaxial with the punch axis. 
   
   
       20 . The system according to  claim 19 , wherein the punch comprises a cutting edge, the cutting edge being adapted to be received within the cavity of the counter die.