Lindab Ab

Helix International, Inc.

Wilhelmus P H Castricum

An apparatus for expanding metal and forming tubing combines two metal-forming operations into a single process. Tubing, such as that used for filters, is desirably expanded so that air or liquid may pass thru 'diamonds' formed in the tubing. Expanding metal and forming tubing is accomplished in a single, continuous process by first slitting and expanding the metal, and then locking its seams to form a spiral pipe. This avoids depending on vendors for delivery of expanded metal at fluctuating prices, eliminates intermediate steps of handling the coils, and eliminates rusting while the expanded steel coils await formation into tubing. Tubing made from expanded metal may be used for air filters, oil filters, water filters, separators and other types of filters. Double-wall HVAC ducting systems or silencers can also use expanded material for reducing heat transfer and noise. IG

Machine to produce expanded metal spirally lock-seamed tubing from solid coil stock

An apparatus for expanding metal and forming tubing combines two metal-forming operations into a single process. Tubing, such as that used for filters, is desirably expanded so that air or liquid may pass thru 'diamonds' formed in the tubing. Expanding metal and forming tubing is accomplished in a single, continuous process by first slitting and expanding the metal, and then locking its seams to form a spiral pipe. This avoids depending on vendors for delivery of expanded metal at fluctuating prices, eliminates intermediate steps of handling the coils, and eliminates rusting while the expanded steel coils await formation into tubing. Tubing made from expanded metal may be used for air filters, oil filters, water filters, separators and other types of filters. Double-wall HVAC ducting systems or silencers can also use expanded material for reducing heat transfer and noise.

A method and apparatus for cutting spiral pipe is disclosed. The pipe cutting apparatus includes a driving mechanism that imparts rotation to a knife located inside the spiral pipe via a drive element, such as a drive shaft. The method includes forming a spiral pipe from a strip of material received at a forming head of a spiral pipe former, engaging a driving mechanism attached to a first knife positioned substantially inside the inner circumference of the pipe forming head to impart rotation to the first knife, and cutting the spiral pipe with the first knife by bringing a second knife positioned substantially outside the outer circumference of the forming head into overlapping contact with the first knife.

Spirally formed pipe cutter with driving mechanism to actively rotate inner knife

A method and apparatus for forming corrugated pipe is disclosed. The pipe forming apparatus includes a selectively operable corrugation module having an inner corrugation roller movably mounted relative to an outer corrugation roller via a cylinder assembly. The method includes forming a length of spiral pipe without corrugations, engaging a corrugation module to introduce a desired length of corrugated pipe, and retracting the corrugation unit to allow a second length of uncorrugated pipe to form. The uncorrugated portion of the pipe is then severed cleanly using overlapping inner and outer cutting knives.

Growing community of inventors

Ormond Beach, FL, United States of America

Wilhelmus P H Castricum