Burnishing machine

Abstract

An apparatus for burnishing a tube includes a housing having an inner surface defining a passage. A shaft provided in the passage is rotatable therein. An eccentric cam extends from the shaft and is rotatable therewith. The tube is configured for positioning within the passage and around the cam such that rotation of the cam simultaneously removes burrs from inner and outer surfaces of the tube.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An apparatus for burnishing a tube, comprising:
 a housing having an inner surface defining a passage; and   a shaft provided in the passage and being rotatable therein, an eccentric cam extending from the shaft and being rotatable therewith, the tube being configured for positioning within the passage and around the cam such that rotation of the cam simultaneously removes burrs from inner and outer surfaces of the tube.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus recited in  claim 1 , wherein the eccentric cam includes a lobe having an elliptical rotational path about an axis of the shaft. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus recited in  claim 1 , further comprising at least one spring for connecting the housing to a base and allowing for vertical movement of the housing relative to the base during burnishing of the tube. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus recited in  claim 1 , further comprising a tube guide aligned with the housing for guiding the tube into the passage. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus recited in  claim 4 , further comprising a proximity sensor positioned between the housing and the tube guide for sensing the presence of a tube to be burnished. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus recited in  claim 4 , further comprising at least one spring for connecting the tube guide to a base and allowing for vertical movement of the tube guide relative to the base during burnishing of the tube. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus recited in  claim 1 , further comprising at least one fluid nozzle for supplying pressurized fluid to the passage of the housing. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus recited in  claim 1 , further comprising a motor for rotating the shaft at a speed of at least 1500 RPM. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus recited in  claim 1 , wherein the housing includes a hard stop within the passage for locating the tube relative to the cam within the housing. 
     
     
         10 . A system for burnishing a tube comprising:
 the apparatus of  claim 1 ;   an outer frame defining an interior space for receiving the apparatus; and   suspension members connecting the apparatus to the outer frame for damping vibrations therebetween.   
     
     
         11 . An apparatus for burnishing a tube, comprising:
 a housing having an inner surface defining a passage and a hard stop within the passage for locating the tube within the housing; and   a shaft provided in the passage, an eccentric cam extending from the shaft and including a lobe having an elliptical rotational path about an axis of the shaft when the shaft and cam rotate together within the passage, wherein the tube is configured for positioning within the passage and around the cam such that rotation of the cam simultaneously removes burrs from inner and outer surfaces of the tube.   
     
     
         12 . The apparatus recited in  claim 11 , further comprising at least one spring for connecting the housing to a base and allowing for vertical movement of the housing relative to the base during burnishing of the tube. 
     
     
         13 . The apparatus recited in  claim 11 , further comprising a tube guide aligned with the housing for guiding the tube into the passage. 
     
     
         14 . The apparatus recited in  claim 13 , further comprising a proximity sensor positioned between the housing and the tube guide for sensing the presence of a tube to be burnished. 
     
     
         15 . The apparatus recited in  claim 13 , further comprising at least one spring for connecting the tube guide to a base and allowing for vertical movement of the tube guide relative to the base during burnishing of the tube. 
     
     
         16 . The apparatus recited in  claim 11 , further comprising at least one fluid nozzle for supplying pressurized fluid to the passage of the housing. 
     
     
         17 . The apparatus recited in  claim 11 , further comprising a motor for rotating the shaft at a speed of at least 1500 RPM. 
     
     
         18 . The apparatus recited in  claim 11 , wherein the housing includes a hard stop within the passage for locating the tube relative to the cam within the housing. 
     
     
         19 . A system for burnishing a tube comprising:
 the apparatus of  claim 11 ;   an outer frame defining an interior space for receiving the apparatus; and   suspension members connecting the apparatus to the outer frame for damping vibrations therebetween.   
     
     
         20 . A method for burnishing a tube, comprising the steps of:
 providing a housing having an inner surface defining a passage;   providing a shaft having an eccentric cam extending therefrom within the passage such that rotation of the shaft about an axis results in an elliptical rotational path of the cam about the axis; and   inserting a tube having burrs between the rotating cam and the inner surface to simultaneously remove burrs from inner and outer surfaces of the tube.