Uponor N.v.

Pauli Sillanpaa

Jyri Jaakko Jarvenkyla

A method and apparatus for producing a pipe transports first and second sets of chill moulds respectively along first and second endless paths, the chill moulds of each set being so transported one after another, and the endless paths being positioned such that junction faces of the respective chill moulds of the respective sets are positioned against each other in a pipe moulding zone of the endless paths. So positioning the respective chill moulds of the respective sets also defines outer surfaces thereof that are opposite the junction faces and outer surfaces that extend along edges of the junction faces at least generally in the direction of the transporting of the chill moulds. The chill moulds are locked together in the pipe moulding zone with locking surfaces respectively on the outer surfaces of the chill moulds that extend along edges of the junction faces, locking pieces having substantially the same lengths as the chill moulds and U-shaped cross sections, and locking piece transporting means for transporting first and second sets of the locking pieces one after another respectively along two locking-pipe endless paths at the same rate as the chill moulds are transported. The locking-piece endless paths are positioned in the pipe moulding zone such that insides of the U-shapes of the locking pieces engage and lock together the locking surfaces of the chill moulds in the pipe moulding zone. The outer surfaces of the chill moulds that are opposite the junction faces thereof are also pressed while the chill moulds are in the pipe moulding zone for pressing the chill moulds together in a direction perpendicular to the junction faces of the chill moulds.

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Lahti, Finland

Pauli Sillanpaa