Importance

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Abstract

A tube end preparing apparatus for precisely preparing the ends of tubes, including bent tubes. The apparatus includes a reference mechanism, a tube clamping mechanism, a cutting mechanism, and cutting head control mechanisms. The reference mechanism and tube clamping mechanism combine to precisely locate a flow tube with respect to defined reference indicia. The entire locating and clamping process not only provides accuracy and symmetry in aligning and clamping the flow tube relative to the desired reference indicia but can be accurately repeated with speed. The cutting mechanism includes a rotating cutting head mounted for longitudinal movement on a carriage. A control system controls the feeding movement of the carriage as the cutting head nears the end of the flow tube. A first stop mechanism causes a plunger to contact a micro-switch to stop the longitudinal movement of the carriage. A second stop uses a hard stop to prevent the carriage from overtravel due to momentum. A return mechanism returns the carriage to the original operating position after the tube end is precisely prepared. A rotating cutting head mechanism that is adjustable for different tube diameters and bevels and incorporates indexable carbide cutting inserts to provide multiple cutting edges.

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First Claim