Abstract: In conventional fabrication manufacture the thickness of the steel plates are often determined by the metal section required at the weld joints. The subject apparatus and method overcomes this problem by selectively forming a thickened edge along the edge of a thinner steel plate which can now be limited to the thickness required to withstand the stresses on the fabrication. The thickened edge is produced by forcing a plate supported by a table, by passing the plate through a forming apparatus comprised of a combination of rollers. The forming apparatus and table are automatically controlled to produce a thickened edge of constant shape along a non-linear edge of the plate.

Abstract: Automatic cutting machines carry flame cutting torches in close proximity of a work piece and can force the torch into contact with an upturned cut away piece from the work piece, causing considerable damage to the cutting apparatus. The subject apparatus provides a break away torch holder having a housing surrounding a torch tube which is mounted in an adaptor. The adaptor has a pilot that matches a pilot seat in the housing. The pilot is held in the pilot seat by resilient means that allows the torch tube to move with respect to the housing when the torch strikes an upturned cut away piece. A switch means is provided to shut the cutting machine down when the torch tube means is in the housing. Sealing means is also provided to protect the piloting apparatus and switch means from the debris of the cutting action.

Abstract: A method of joining a tube to a flange or wall member includes the steps of moving a plurality of circumferentially spaced workpiece contact surfaces into controlled pressure contact with the inner surface of a tube and maintaining a force against the inner tube surface sufficient to form an outer surface of the tube to a predetermined shape with respect to an opening surrounding the tube. The apparatus for expanding the tube has a plurality of radially movable segments, each of which have a pair of circumferentially offset and longitudinally spaced workpiece contact surfaces disposed thereon. The method and apparatus advantageously expands a tube by an amount sufficient to form a secure mechanical joint with a flange or wall member irrespective of nominal variations in the tube diameter and wall thickness. Furthermore, the method and apparatus form a uniformly smooth finish on the internal surface of the tube thereby eliminating the need for post-forming treatments to remove undesirable surface particles.