DESCRIPTION

[0001]The present invention relates to the field of radial presses, and particularly relates to a radial press assembly for connecting flexible tubes.

[0002]As is known, in order to press items having a different diameter, radial presses are provided with just as many interchangeable sets of tools, also referred to as clamps, substantially consisting of blocks, for example having a circular-sector section, to be applied to respective radial jaws, or clamp-holders, of the press. A toolholder clamp is used to facilitate and speed up the tool-changing operations, configured to simultaneously take, from a toolholder store, all the tools adapted to press a tube having a given diameter in order to mount them on the press with a single operation and, vice versa, disassemble them from the press just as quickly and simultaneously in order to put them back into the store. [0003]In an embodiment, such a toolholder clamp comprises a grip handle and a toolholder disc provided with a plurality of support rods arranged along an annulus of the disc, each suitable to support a respective tool, possibly with the aid of magnets fastened to the disc. [0004]In order to be mounted on the jaw, each tool is provided with a radial pin intended to be inserted and blocked in a respective seat provided in the jaw. Once the clamp is placed in the pressing compartment of the press, the jaws are controlled to close thereon until the radial pins are completely inserted into the respective seats.

[0005]During the normal operation of a radial press, the mounting and disassembly operations of the set of tools occur in succession according to the diameter of the tube to be pressed.

[0006]The operator onboard the machine charged with the press tooling operations often mounts the wrong sets of tools due to fatigue, distraction, or haste. If the operator is fortunately able to correct such an error prior to starting the pressing operations, the carelessness results only in an increase of dead tooling times. If instead the pressing operations begin and the operator realizes his/her error only later, such a carelessness results in serious economic damage for the company because tubes are pressed at the wrong diameter. [0007]Therefore, it is of fundamental importance to attempt to reduce the dead times associated with the machine tooling operations, i.e., mounting and disassembling the set of tools, and at the same time to avoid the occurrence of circumstances in which the wrong set of tools is mounted and the pressing operations are started with the incorrect tooling.

[0008]It is the object of the present invention to suggest a radial press assembly capable of solving the problem associated with the distraction of the operator onboard the machine, i.e., reducing the dead tooling times and preventing the pressing operations from starting with a wrong set of tools.

[0009]Such an object is achieved by a radial press assembly according to claim 1 and by a tooling method according to claim 14. The dependent claims describe preferred or advantageous embodiments of the radial press assembly and method.

[0010]The features and advantages of the radial press assembly according to the invention will however become apparent from the following description of preferred embodiments thereof, given by way of non-limiting, indicative example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: [0011]- Figure 1 shows an embodiment of a radial press assembly;

[0012]- Figure 2 shows a perspective view of a set of tools housed in a reading unit;

[0013]- Figure 3 shows a side view of the set of tools being positioned in the reading unit; and [0014]- Figure 3a shows a longitudinal section of Figure

3, along section plane A-A;

[0015]- Figure 4 shows a side view of the set of tools housed in the reading unit; and [0016]- Figure 4a shows a longitudinal section of Figure

4, along section plane B-B;

[0017]- Figure 5 shows a front view of a toolholder clamp; [0018]- Figure 6 shows a front view of the toolholder clamp which supports the set of tools; [0019]- Figure 6a is a side view of Figure 6;

[0020]- Figure 7 shows a front view of a toolholder store;

[0021]- Figure 7a is a side view of Figure 7; and

[0022]- Figure 7b is a sectional view of Figure 7a, along plane C-C. [0023]A radial press assembly according to the invention is indicated as a whole in said drawings by numeral 1. [0024]In a general embodiment, the radial press assembly 1 for connecting flexible tubes is suggested, which comprises a plurality of sets of tools 2, a reading unit 4, and processing means 6.

[0025]Each set of tools 20 of such a plurality of sets of tools 2 is suitable to press a flexible tube when it is mounted on respective jaws 11 of a radial press 10.

Moreover, at least one tool 21 of each set of tools 20 is provided with identification means 3 for the set of tools.

[0026]The reading unit 4 has a tool seat 40 adapted to selectively receive each set of tools 20 of such a plurality of sets of tools 2. Such a reading unit further comprises reading means 5 configured to interact with the identification means 3 so as to identify the set of tools

20 received in the tool seat 40.

[0027]The processing means 6 are configured to compare information relating to the set of tools 20 identified by the reading means 5 with corresponding information relating to the work to be carried out by means of one of such a plurality of sets of tools 2.

[0028]According to an embodiment, the identification means 3 comprise at least one electronic tag, for example an RFID tag or a transponder, fixed to the at least one tool

21 in each set of tools 20.

[0029]In an embodiment, the reading means 5 comprise an antenna and/or an RFID reader.

[0030]According to one embodiment, the identification means 3 and the reading means 5 interact with one another without touching one another. In other words, the interaction between the identification means 3 and the reading means 5 is contactless.

[0031]According to an embodiment, the RFID tag on at least one tool 21 of each set of tools 20 interacts with the antenna of the reading unit 4. The antenna detects the information relating to the set of tools and the processing means 6 compare such information with corresponding information concerning the work to be carried out.

[0032]In an embodiment, the radial press assembly comprises a user interface 12 suitable to receive the corresponding information relating to the work to be carried out. For example, the user interface 12 comprises a PC or a PLC, a calculator, a tablet, or a smartphone. Preferably, the operator communicates the information relating to the work to be carried out to the processing means 6 by means of the user interface 12.

[0033]The user interface 12 comprises a control unit suitable to monitor and manage the operation of the radial press assembly.

[0034]According to an embodiment, the processing means 6 also comprise signaling means 7 suitable to signal to the operator whether the information relating to the set of tools 20 identified matches the corresponding information relating to the work to be carried out.

[0035]In an embodiment, the reading means 5 comprise the processing means 6.

[0036]According to an embodiment, the processing means 6 comprise the reading means 5. [0037]According to one embodiment, the signaling means 7 comprise acoustic, visual, or tactile signals, or a combination thereof.

[0038]According to one embodiment, the signaling means 7 are fastened to the reading unit 4, the signaling means comprising a pair of warning lights having different color so that when a first warning light turns ON, it defines a match between the information relating to the sets of tools identified and the corresponding information relating to the work to be carried out, and when a second warning light turns ON, it defines a non conformity between the information relating to the set of tools identified and the corresponding information relating to the work to be carried out. [0039]According to an embodiment, the radial press assembly further comprises a toolholder clamp 13. Such a toolholder clamp 13 in turn comprises a toolholder disc 14 provided with a plurality of support rods 15. The support rods 15 are arranged along an annulus and are suitable to be inserted into corresponding holes 22 made in each tool 21 of each set of tools 20.

[0040]In an embodiment, one support rod 15' of such a plurality of support rods 15 has a different angular spacing from the two adjacent support rods. [0041]The support rod 15' defines a preferred supporting direction S of the sets of tools 20 by means of such a different angular spacing. In particular, the support rod 15' is at a higher height than the remaining support rods of such a plurality of support rods in the preferred supporting direction S. Considering the ground, or a supporting surface, as origin for measuring the heights, the support rod 15' is at a higher height than that of the other support rods.

[0042]According to an embodiment, at least one tool 21 of each set of tools 20 is provided with a plug 23. Moreover, the tool seat 40 of the reading unit 4 comprises a seat back flange 41 which closes the tool seat 40 at the back.

[0043]At least one centering hole 42 for receiving the at least one plug 23 is made in the seat back flange 41. The engagement of plug 23 in the respective centering hole 42 determines a preferred receiving direction L of the set of tools 20 in the tool seat 40 such that the identification means 3 face the reading means 5. [0044]Optionally, the preferred supporting direction S coincides with the preferred receiving direction L. In other words, by gripping the toolholder clamp 13 according to the preferred supporting direction S, the support rod 15' engages in the respective hole of tool 21. The engagement of plug 23 in the centering hole 42 determines the axial collinearity between the preferred supporting direction S and the preferred receiving direction L.

[0045]According to an embodiment, by gripping the toolholder clamp 13 according to the preferred supporting direction S, the support rod 15' is higher than the remaining rods of such a plurality of support rods 15. When the toolholder clamp 13 supports the set of tools 20, the support rod 15' is engaged in the respective hole of tool 21. When transporting the set of tools 20 from the toolholder store 8 to the reading unit 4, the toolholder clamp 13 is to be gripped while keeping the preferred supporting direction S, i.e., without rotating the toolholder clamp. When the set of tools 20 is inserted into the tool seat 40, the toolholder clamp 13 is to be inserted along the preferred receiving direction L so that such a preferred receiving direction L coincides with the preferred supporting direction S. When the set of tools 20 is housed in the tool seat 40, it slides along a tool set insertion axis I so as to approach the identification means 3 to the reading means 5. Preferably, such a tool set insertion axis I coincides with the preferred receiving direction L in turn coinciding with the preferred supporting direction S. The collinearity between the tool set insertion axis I, the preferred receiving direction L and the preferred supporting direction S defines a single axial direction for taking the set of tools 20 from the store, for transporting the set of tools and for inserting such a set of tools 20 into the tool seat 40. Thereby, once the set of tools has been taken with the toolholder clamp, the operator does not have to rotate the clamp, rather the way the set of tools was taken is the way it is to be inserted into the tool seat 40. [0046]In an embodiment, the tool seat 40 is delimited at the front by a tool inlet opening and at the back by the seat back flange 41. Circumferentially, the tool seat is delimited by a cylindrical wall in which a plurality of pin seats suitable to receive a respective plurality of radial pins is axially made. Such radial pins protrude from each tool 21 and are substantially orthogonal to the preferred receiving direction L.

[0047]According to an embodiment, the seat back flange 41 is mounted on linear guides 43, for example ball sleeves or runner sleeves, to slide the tool seat 40 along a tool set insertion axis I. The interaction between the identification means 3 and the reading means 5 is allowed due to such a sliding, irrespective of the axial length of each set of tools 20. In other words, the translation of the tool seat 40 along the tool set insertion axis I allows the different axial length of the plurality of sets of tools 2 to be possible.

[0048]Preferably, the tool set insertion axis I coincides with the preferred receiving direction L. [0049]According to one embodiment, the reading unit 4 comprises a wall 44 provided with reading means 5 and facing the seat back flange 41.

[0050]Preferably, wall 44 is fixed.

[0051]According to one embodiment, the reading unit 4 is fixed to the radial press 10.

[0052]According to an embodiment, the radial press assembly further comprises a toolholder store 8 for storing the plurality of sets of tools 2. Such a toolholder store 8 in turn comprises a plurality of housings 80 for the respective plurality of sets of tools 2. Each housing of such a plurality of housings 80 has a different depth suitable to receive a respective set of tools. Each housing is also closed at the back by a housing back wall 82 in which a slot 83 suitable to receive plug 23 of the sets of tools 20 is made.

[0053]In detail, each housing is delimited at the front by a tool insertion opening and at the back by the housing back wall 82.

[0054]In a preferred embodiment, the tooling method of the radial press 10 by means of a radial press assembly 1 in which the toolholder store 8 for storing the plurality of sets of tools 2 is embedded, includes the following steps:

[0055]- taking a set of tools 20 from the toolholder store 8;

[0056]- positioning such a set of tools 20 in the tool seat 40 of the reading unit 4;

[0057]- identifying, by means of the reading means 5, the set of tools 20 received in the tool seat 40; [0058]- comparing, by means of the processing means 6, the information relating to the set of tools 20 identified by the reading means 5 with the corresponding information relating to the work to be carried out;

[0059]- tooling the radial press 10 with the set of tools 20 if the information relating to the set of tools 20 identified and the corresponding information relating to the work to be carried out match.

[0060]According to an embodiment, the set of tools 20 is put back into the toolholder store 8 if the information relating to the set of tools 20 identified and the corresponding information relating to the work to be carried out does not match.

[0061]Optionally, if the information relating to the set of tools 20 identified and the corresponding information relating to the work to be carried out matches, the processing means 6 actuate the first warning light, e.g., green in color.

[0062]Alternatively, if the information relating to the set of tools 20 identified and the corresponding information relating to the work to be carried out does not match, the processing means 6 activate the second warning light, e.g., red in color.

[0063]According to an embodiment, if the information relating to the set of tools 20 identified and the corresponding information relating to the work to be carried out does not match, the processing means 6 send a signal to deactivate the radial press 10. In other words, the radial press is locked and cannot carry out the pressing operations. [0064]In an embodiment, if the step of tooling the radial press 10 is carried out past a predetermined time period measured from when the step of comparing the information relating to the set of tools 20 identified and the corresponding information relating to the work to be carried out finishes, the processing means 6 send a signal to deactivate the radial press 10.

[0065]Innovatively, the radial press assembly achieves the set object.

[0066]Advantageously, the radial press assembly allows to easily identify the correct set of tools, thus avoiding tooling the radial press with a wrong set of tools which does not match the pressing operations to be carried out. [0067]According to an advantageous aspect, the radial press assembly allows a reduction of the dead tooling times because it allows to quickly identify whether the set of tools matches the pressing operation to be carried out. Once the correct set of tools is identified with certainty, the machine is tooled.

[0068]According to a further advantageous aspect, the radial press assembly is structurally simple because the correct identification of a set of tools is achieved by reading an electronic tag by means of an antenna, taking advantage of RFID technology.

[0069]Advantageously, the radial press assembly comprises signaling means which allow the operator to recognize, with accurate sensorial stimulation (visual, acoustic, etc.), whether the set of tools matches or not.

[0070]According to an advantageous aspect, the toolholder clamp allows to identify a preferred supporting direction with which to grip the toolholder clamp and insert it into the tool seat by virtue of the support rod not angularly equally spaced from the two adjacent support rods.

[0071]According to a still further advantageous aspect, the axial alignment between the preferred supporting direction and the preferred receiving direction defines a unique direction for taking the set of tools from the store, transporting it, inserting it into the tool seat, and tooling the radial press. [0072]Those skilled in the art may make changes and adaptations to the embodiments of the radial press assembly and the tooling method according to the invention or can replace elements with others which are functionally equivalent in order to meet contingent needs without departing from the scope of protection of the following claims. All of the features described as belonging to a possible embodiment can be achieved irrespective of the other embodiments described.