Device For Forming A Work Piece

Abstract

A device and method for twisting a work piece about an axis. The device includes first and second linear actuators attached to opposite sides of a shaft. The device also includes a first clamp attached to the shaft and a second clamp aligned with the first clamp along the axis. The first clamp is disposed between the linear actuators and the second clamp. Movement of the first and second linear actuators causes the shaft and first clamp to rotate about the axis while the second clamp remains in a fixed position. The method includes the steps of retaining a work piece within the first and second clamps, activating the first and second linear actuators in opposite directions causing the first clamp to rotate about the axis, and maintaining simultaneously the second clamp in a first position, whereby the work piece is twisted along the axis.

1 . A device for forming a work piece, the device comprising:
 first and second linear actuators disposed within a plane and movably attached to opposite sides of a shaft having an elongated axis that extends out from the plane;   a first clamp attached to the shaft, the first clamp being spaced from the plane along the axis;   a second clamp aligned with the first clamp along the axis, wherein the first clamp is disposed between the linear actuators and the second clamp;   wherein movement of the first and second linear actuators causes the shaft and first clamp to rotate about the axis while the second clamp remains in a fixed position.   
     
     
         2 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein first and second bushing supports rotatably retain the shaft in alignment along the axis, wherein the first and second actuators are disposed between the first and second bushing supports, and wherein the first bushing support is disposed between the first and second actuators and the first clamp. 
     
     
         3 . The device of  claim 2 , wherein the first bushing support comprises a top half and a bottom half and the two halves are bolted together. 
     
     
         4 . The device of  claim 2 , wherein the first and second actuators comprise hydraulic cylinders. 
     
     
         5 . The device of  claim 2 , wherein the second clamp is fixedly attached to a carriage and the carriage is movable along the axis. 
     
     
         6 . The device of  claim 5 , further comprising a frame having a vertical portion and a horizontal portion, wherein the first and second actuators are carried by and hang down from the vertical portion. 
     
     
         7 . The device of  claim 6 , wherein the bushing supports are fixedly carried by the horizontal portion. 
     
     
         8 . The device of  claim 6 , wherein the horizontal portion includes parallel tracks and wherein a third actuator is attached to the frame and the carriage such that activation of the third actuator causes the carriage to slide along the tracks. 
     
     
         9 . The device of  claim 8 , wherein the third actuator comprises a hydraulic cylinder. 
     
     
         10 . The device of  claim 6 , wherein a jib crane is attached to the top portion of the frame, wherein the jib crane lifts a work piece for placement into one of the first clamp and second clamp. 
     
     
         11 . The device of  claim 10 , further comprising a laser aligned with the axis, wherein activation of the laser enables a user to align the work piece with the axis. 
     
     
         12 . The device of  claim 11 , further comprising an inclinometer, wherein the inclinometer provides information regarding the angular degree at which the work piece is being twisted. 
     
     
         13 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the shaft extends perpendicularly out from the plane. 
     
     
         14 . The device of  claim 13 , wherein the first clamp is fixedly attached to an end of the shaft. 
     
     
         15 . A method of twisting a work piece with a device, the device comprising first and second linear actuators disposed within a plane and movably attached to opposite sides of a shaft having an elongated axis that extends out from the plane, a first clamp attached to the shaft, the first clamp being spaced from the plane along the axis, a second clamp aligned with the first clamp along the axis, wherein the first clamp is disposed between the linear actuators and the second clamp, the method comprising the steps:
 retaining a work piece within the first clamp;   retaining the work piece within the second clamp;   activating the first and second linear actuators, wherein the first and second actuators move in opposing directions thereby causing the first clamp to rotate about the axis; and   maintaining simultaneously the second clamp in a first position;   whereby the work piece is twisted along the axis between the first and second clamps.   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 14 , further comprising the step of retaining the shaft within first and second bushings supports. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the second clamp is attached to a carriage, the method further comprising the step of moving the carriage along the axis from a first position to second position. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 16 , the device further comprises a frame having a vertical portion and a horizontal portion, the horizontal portion including tracks, wherein a third actuator is attached to the carriage and the vertical portion, the step of moving the carriage further comprises the step of activating the third actuator. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 17 , the step of moving the carriage further comprises the steps of moving the carriage back to the first position after the work piece is twisted; and removing the work piece.