Method and plant for the production of profiled tubes

Abstract

The method comprises: a step, in which all the processing data are set; a step, in which the processing cycle is processed with one or more processing steps; a step, in which the processing cycle is controlled, which consists in controlling the rotation of a tube ( 2 ) around its longitudinal axis and the contact of the outer face of the tube ( 2 ) with at least one tool ( 18 and 31 ) along part or the entire longitudinal length of the tube ( 2 ), while performing a continuous or timed comparison of the result reached during the processing cycle; and a step in which the end of the processing cycle is signaled if the final configuration of the profiling (corrugation or deformation) of the tube 2 is detected.

1 . A method for the production of profiled tubes ( 2 ) (corrugated or deformed tubes), characterized in that it comprises:
 a first step, in which all the processing data are set, such as the final configuration to be obtained, the type of material of which said tube ( 2 ) is made, and the dimensional data of said tube ( 2 );   a second step, in which the processing cycle is processed with one or more processing steps;   a third step, in which the processing cycle is controlled and which consists in controlling the rotation of said tube ( 2 ) around its own longitudinal axis and the contact of the outer face of said tube ( 2 ) with at least one tool ( 18  and  31 ) along part of the longitudinal length of said tube ( 2 ) or along the entire longitudinal length of said tube ( 2 ), while performing a continuous or timed comparison of the result obtained and/or reached during the processing cycle; and   a fourth step, in which, based on what has been detected during the comparison and/or if the final configuration of the profiling (corrugation or deformation) of said tube ( 2 ) has been detected, the processing cycle is caused to end.   
     
     
         2 . A method according to  claim 1 , characterized in that an intermediate step is provided between said first and second step, during which the operator checks whether the final configuration to be obtained is already stored in a memory unit ( 52 ) or has to be processed in a processing unit ( 54 ). 
     
     
         3 . A method according to  claim 1 , characterized in that an intermediate step is provided between said second and third step, during which the operator selects the tools to be used for part of the processing cycle or for the entire processing cycle. 
     
     
         4 . A plant for the production of profiled tubes ( 2 ) (corrugated or deformed tubes), characterized in that it comprises:
 a working surface ( 4 ), which is defined on a horizontal plane;   first means ( 6  and  7 ) to support a tube ( 2 ) along said working surface ( 4 );   second means ( 9 ), which are suited to determine the rotation of said tube ( 2 ) around its own longitudinal axis;   at least one first organ ( 17 ), which is defined by a first tool ( 18 ,  31 ) and by a first device ( 21 ), which is suited to control the translation of said tool ( 18 ,  31 ) against said tube ( 2 ) until it comes into contact with the latter; and   third means ( 16 ), which are suited to determine the translation of said first organ ( 17 ) along an axis that is parallel to the longitudinal axis of the tube ( 2 ).   
     
     
         5 . A plant according to  claim 4 , characterized in that it comprises at least one second organ ( 24 ), which is defined by a second contrast tool ( 25 ) and by a second device ( 26 ), which is suited to control the translation of said second contrast tool ( 25 ) against said tube ( 2 ) until it comes into contact with the latter; said second organ ( 24 ) being supported by a first carriage ( 11 ), which is moved by said third means ( 16 ) and also supports said first organ ( 17 ), and said second contrast tool ( 25 ) being coaxial to said first tool ( 18 ) and being arranged on the opposite side with respect to said tube ( 2 ). 
     
     
         6 . A plant according to  claim 4 , characterized in that it comprises at least one second organ ( 24 ), which is defined by a third tool ( 31 ), which is equal to said first tool ( 31 ), and by a second device ( 26 ), which is suited to control the translation of said third tool ( 31 ) against said tube ( 2 ) until it comes into contact with the latter; said second organ ( 24 ) being supported by a first carriage ( 11 ), which is moved by said third means ( 16 ) and also supports said first organ ( 17 ), and said third tool ( 31 ) being coaxial to said first tool ( 31 ) and being arranged on the opposite side with respect to said tube ( 2 ). 
     
     
         7 . A plant according to  claim 4 , characterized in that it comprises fourth means ( 22 ,  23  and  27 ), which are suited to detect the profiling (corrugation or deformation) defined on said tube ( 2 ) during the processing cycle. 
     
     
         8 . A plant according to  claim 4 , characterized in that it comprises fifth means ( 41 ), which are suited to warm up the section of said tube ( 2 ) while the latter is being processed. 
     
     
         9 . A plant according to  claim 4 , characterized in that it is provided with an electronic control unit ( 51 ) comprising:
 a unit ( 52 ), in which the data for the processing of said tube ( 2 ) according to different possible configurations of the profiling (corrugation or deformation) are stored;   a data setting unit ( 53 ), in which the operator can select a profiling (corrugation or deformation) configuration stored or set a new configuration and set the dimensional data of said tube ( 2 );   a data processing unit ( 54 ) to process the data necessary to process said tube ( 2 );   a control unit ( 55 ) to control the different organs, devices and means installed in the plant;   a unit ( 56 ), which receives the data and the measures detected during the processing cycle; and   a displaying unit ( 57 ) to display the profiling (corrugation or deformation) configuration selected or set and the measures detected during the processing cycle of said tube ( 2 ).