Importance

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Abstract

The invention provides a machine and methods for automated manufacture of tapered adjustable ducts, and particularly tapered adjustable take offs. A tube of material is cut into gores of predetermined configuration, coupling beads are formed in the gores and the gores are adjustably interconnected to one another to form the finished take off duct in an automated fashion. The apparatus for forming an adjustable duct member may include a housing including at least one work station formed therein. A die associated with the work station is selectively positioned at a predetermined location relative to a work piece positioned in association with the work station. A cutting and forming assembly associated with the work station cooperates with the die to selectively cut the work piece to form first and second members and to form a coupling bead in the first and second members which cooperate to reconnect the first and second members together at a predetermined angle. A positioning system positions the work piece at a predetermined position for cutting and forming the coupling beads in at least two predetermined locations in the work piece, and a control system is provided for at least selective control of the cutting and forming assembly associated with the work station, or of other characteristics of the apparatus as desired. A method of manufacturing an adjustable duct member may include the steps of providing a tube of material having a tapered configuration and predetermined dimensional characteristics for forming the duct member. The tube is positioned in a work station at a first predetermined position relative to a cutting and forming assembly of the work station. The tube is then cut at a first predetermined position to form first and second members, and these members are then positioned in overlapping relationship to one another. A bead is formed in the first and second members at a position to cooperate with one another to allow relative rotation of the first and second members and to interlock these members. The tube is then repositioned in a work station at a second predetermined position relative to a cutting and forming assembly. The tube is cut at a second predetermined position to form first and second members, and these members are positioned in overlapping relationship to one another. A bead is formed in the first and second members at a predetermined position to cooperate with one another to allow relative rotation of the first and second members and interlock these members.

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First Claim