Abstract: A machine to form a plurality of perforations in an elongate strip of material is provided. The machine includes opposed first and second wheels that receive the strip therethrough. The first wheel has a plurality of spaced teeth each disposed at a lateral position about the circumference of the first wheel with consistent spacing therebetween. The second wheel has two or more radial projections that each are disposed outboard of the plurality of spaced teeth in the first wheel. The interaction of the plurality of teeth and radial projections upon the elongate strip forms a plurality of perforations in the strip. Opposed third and fourth wheels are provided after the first and second wheels. The fourth wheel includes at least one indented portion that is aligned to interact with flared portions from the elongate strip and urge the flared portions toward the remaining surface of the elongate strip.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: An improved filter pipe is disclosed, and also an improved apparatus is disclosed for making the improved filter pipe. The apparatus is meant for perforating, forming and cutting spirally formed pipe, particularly spiral pipes having a diameter of approximately one inch or more. The filter pipe has a unique corrugated or fluted configuration that adds section modulus to the pipe, potentially allowing for the use of thinner sheet metal in manufacturing such pipes and in filters made from such pipes. A machine for manufacturing the spiral pipe may include special machinery for forming the unique corrugated or fluted configuration.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: A pipe cutter having non-rotating, overlapping knives is provided. Also provided is a pipe cutter having non-rotatable overlapping knives wherein one of the knives is continuously reciprocated.

Abstract: A pipe cutter having dual outer knives and a method of using the same is disclosed. The outer knives are mounted on knife positioners capable of swinging the outer knives into a pipe in an arc to overlap with a knife positioned inside the pipe. The method includes the step of simultaneously swinging the outer knives into a continuously rotating pipe in an arc having a rotational direction opposite the rotational direction of the pipe.

Abstract: An improved apparatus for forming and cutting spirally formed pipe, particularly spiral pipes having a diameter of approximately one inch or less, is disclosed. The device for slitting the spiral pipe into sections includes a first knife that is positioned inside the spiral pipe and a second knife positioned outside of the pipe. A support sleeve is also positioned outside of the pipe and is in a fixed radial position with respect to the pipe. The inner and outer knives and the support sleeve move axially with the pipe as the pipe is severed.

Abstract: An apparatus for simultaneously cutting and notching a pipe includes an upper knife assembly having a pipe cutting knife and notch cutting knives with cutting edges adjacent a surface of the pipe and a lower knife assembly having a pipe cutting knife and notch cutting knives with cutting edges adjacent an opposite surface of the pipe. A method for cutting and notching a pipe includes stopping the axial and rotational movement of a pipe and moving the lower knife assembly into an overlapping relation with the upper knife assembly. The notch cutting knives are also moved into a cutting position and the axial and rotational pipe movement is resumed.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided for cutting a sheet of material into a plurality of segments having curved edges. A sheet of material is placed on a frame having a horizontal support member. A clamping device secures the sheet and a first mechanism moves the clamping device and sheet in an axial direction. A cutting head assembly is provided with a passively rotatable knife adapted to cut the sheet as the sheet moves in an axial direction past the knife. The cutting head assembly is rotatable about a vertical axis and movable in a lateral direction perpendicular to the axial motion of the sheet. A second mechanism moves the cutting head assembly in said lateral direction, and a third mechanism rotates the cutting head assembly. To produce a continuous cutting line, a controller sends a signal to the first, second, and third moving mechanisms which simultaneously moves the corresponding components at a desired rate and distance.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for cutting a pipe includes first knife means having a cutting edge adjacent a surface of the pipe and second knife means having a cutting edge adjacent an opposite surface of the pipe. To cut the pipe, the first knife means is moved into an overlapping relation with the second knife means such that a first portion of the pipe is cut, the first knife means is retracted and rotated about the axis of the pipe into a position adjacent a second uncut portion thereof, and the first knife means is again moved into an overlapping relation with the second knife means such that a second portion of the pipe is cut.

Abstract: An apparatus for cutting spirally formed pipe is disclosed. The pipe cutting apparatus has an inner knife positioned inside a pipe and an annular outer knife positioned outside the pipe. The inner knife moves from an inner position within the pipe to an outer position where the knife contacts an interior surface of the pipe during the cutting operation. The inner knife also revolves in an annular pattern about the centerline of the pipe such that a cutting edge of the inner knife contacts the entire interior periphery of the pipe during the cutting operation. The annular outer knife has a cutting edge adjacent an exterior surface of the pipe. The outer knife cutting edge surrounds the pipe and is in a position to overlap the inner knife cutting edge. The inner and outer knives move in the axial direction of the pipe during the cutting operation, and the inner knife cooperates with the outer knife to cut the pipe.

Abstract: An apparatus for forming and slitting spirally formed pipe, particularly spiral pipes having a diameter of approximately one inch or less, is disclosed. The pipe forming apparatus includes an enclosed forming head and a mandrel. A continuous strip of metal is driven around the mandrel and inside a lateral bore in the forming head in a helical manner. First and second rollers mounted in the forming head partially form a spiral lockseam. A third roller mounted in the upper portion of the forming head closes the spiral lockseam. The mandrel is both rotatable and pivotable. The device for slitting the spiral pipe into sections includes a first knife that is positioned inside the spiral pipe. This knife is mounted at the endd of a rotatable boom, that extends through the mandrel and is positioned inside of the spiral pipe. A second rotatable knife is positioned outside of the pipe. A rotatable support roller is also positioned outside of the pipe, and opposite the outer knife.

Abstract: An apparatus for flattening irregular circumferential surfaces in spirally formed pipe and for cutting such pipes is disclosed. The apparatus includes a pipe surface flattening assembly and a rotating knife assembly. The pipe surface flattening assembly includes an upper roller and a lower roller which are brought into flattening contact with the surface of the pipe in the area to be cut. The rollers move axially with the pipe and cooperate with an inner roller located inside the pipe to flatten any raised surface irregularities on the inside and outside surface of the pipe as the pipe rotates between the rollers. The rotating knife assembly includes an inner knife located inside the pipe and an outer wire positioned outside the pipe. A rotatable support roller is positioned outside the pipe, and opposite the outer knife. To cut the pipe, the outer knife punctures the pipe in the area previously flattened. The outer knife overlaps the inner knife and the support roller abuts the opposite side of the pipe.

Abstract: An apparatus for forming and slitting spirally formed pipe, particularly spiral pipes having a diameter of approximately one inch or less, is disclosed. The pipe forming apparatus includes an enclosed forming head and a mandrel. A continuous strip of metal is driven around the mandrel and inside a lateral bore in the forming head in a helical manner. First and second rollers mounted in the forming head partially form a spiral lockseam. A third roller mounted in the upper portion of the forming head closes the spiral lockseam. The mandrel is both rotatable and pivotable. The device for slitting the spiral pipe into sections includes a first knife that is positioned inside the spiral pipe. This knife is mounted at the end of a rotatable boom, that extends through the mandrel and is positioned inside of the spiral pipe. A second rotatable knife is positioned outside of the pipe. A rotatable support roller is also positioned outside of the pipe, and opposite the outer knife.

Abstract: An apparatus for crimping the leading edge of continuously produced spiral pipes is disclosed. The apparatus includes upper and lower passive crimping rollers, which are rotatably mounted adjacent each other in a holder. The holder is carried by a guide rail system which slides in the axial direction of the spirally moving pipe. The holder and rollers are rotated between a down position, where the continuously produced pipe will move freely over the crimping apparatus, and an up position where the leading edge of the pipe will pass between the upper and lower crimping rollers. When the crimping apparatus is in the up position and the leading edge of the pipe is between the crimping rollers, the lower roller is raised until the rollers cooperate to crimp the leading edge of the pipe. The spirally moving pipe will exert a force on these rollers, which causes the guide means, which carries the rollers, to move axially with the pipe.

Abstract: An apparatus for cutting hollow, metal, spirally formed pipes is disclosed. The apparatus uses two passive, rotatable knife blades to cut the pipe. An upper knife blade is positioned inside the pipe so that its cutting edge is adjacent to the inner pipe surface. A lower knife blade is positioned outside of the pipe so that its cutting edge is adjacent to the cutting edge of the upper knife blade in the lateral direction, but is clear of the pipe and upper knife blade in the longitudinal direction. To cut the pipe the lower knife blade is raised until its cutting edge overlaps the cutting edge of the upper knife blade. The knife blades then puncture the pipe. The pipe is rotated through the overlapping blades to completely cut the pipe. Since the pipe moves spirally (i.e., it moves forward while it rotates), the knife blades are adapted to move in the direction of the pipe during the cutting process. This permits the overlapping knife blades to cut the pipe rectangularly.