Grooving tool and work station for preparing pipe stock

Abstract

A work station having a number of tools used to prepare pipe stock for accepting mechanical pipe couplings is disclosed. The work station has a chuck for rotating the pipe. A movable carriage on which the tools are pivotally mounted is mounted adjacent to the chuck. The tools include a pipe cutter, a reamer and a grooving tool. The grooving tool is for forming circumferential grooves externally around the pipe. The grooving tool has a grooving roll which cooperates with an oppositely disposed back-up roll to deform the pipe and create the groove. The grooving tool is pivotally mounted on the carriage via a spring-biased pivot arm having longitudinal slots engaging set screws which permit the position of the grooving tool to be adjusted to engage pipes of various diameters.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] This invention concerns a pipe grooving tool for the preparation of pipe stock to be used with a mechanical pipe coupling system, and especially a grooving tool which is adapted to be used in combination with other tools on a single work station at which all steps necessary for pipe stock preparation can be performed.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Mechanical pipe coupling systems which do not require welding, brazing or soldering for joining piping, find widespread use throughout industry, especially in petroleum and chemical applications where it may be hazardous and/or forbidden to use an open flame or an electrical arc. Such mechanical coupling systems are also more conveniently employable in the field or in remote locations where primitive environmental conditions and a lack of access to services and supplies such as electricity or acetylene gas and oxygen inhibit traditional arc or gas welding techniques.

[0003] FIG. 1 shows an example of one mechanical pipe coupling system wherein pipes 20 and 22 are joined together by a coupling 24. Coupling 24 comprises segmented semi-circular collar segments 26 and 28 which are clamped together around the pipe ends. Each collar segment is roughly U-shaped in cross section as shown, the ends of the “U” forming a pair of flanges 30 and 32 which engage grooves 36 formed circumferentially in the pipe wall 38 on each pipe end. A pressure energized elastomeric seal 40 is positioned within the coupling to effect a fluid tight joint between the pipe ends.

[0004] Before pipes are joined together using a mechanical coupling system as exemplified above, pipe stock of a particular diameter must be prepared to receive the couplings. The preparation steps include, at a minimum, cutting the pipe stock to a desired length, reaming the cut pipe stock to remove burrs or sharp edges formed by the cutting step, and forming circumferential grooves 36 at the proper distance from the ends of the pipe stock.

[0005] Throughout industry, these steps are usually performed by separate tools mounted on different work stations. For example, the pipe cutter and the reamer might be mounted on a first work station and the pipe grooving tool on a second, separate work station. This separation of tools among different work stations in the preparation of pipe stock requires that extra steps be performed because, after the stock has been cut and reamed at the first work station, it must be removed from this station, brought to the second work station, mounted on the second work station and engaged with the grooving tool. These extra steps lead to inefficiencies which become significant when large quantities of pipe stock must be prepared for joining.

[0006] There clearly is a need for a grooving tool which can be readily mounted on a work station having other tools, such as a pipe cutter and a reamer, thereby providing a single work station having a combination of tools which can be used to efficiently perform all of the necessary steps required for the preparation of pipe stock to be joined by a mechanical coupling system.

SUMMARY AND OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

[0007] The invention concerns a grooving tool for forming an external circumferential groove of a desired outer diameter in a pipe, the grooving tool being mountable on a work station with other tools used to prepare the pipe to accept mechanical couplings for joining lengths of pipe together.

[0008] The grooving tool has a body portion and a jaw portion mounted on the body portion and movable relatively thereto. A grooving roll is preferably mounted on the jaw portion and rotatable about a first axis of rotation. The grooving roll has a circumferential surface engageable with the external surface of the pipe. A back-up roll is mounted on the body portion and rotatable about a second axis, preferably parallel to the first axis of rotation of the grooving roll. The back-up roll has a circumferential surface engageable with the internal surface of the pipe opposite to the grooving roll. The tool has means for moving the grooving roll and the back-up roll relatively toward one another for yieldably deforming the pipe therebetween and forming the external circumferential groove in the pipe upon rotation of the pipe about its longitudinal axis. Preferably, the moving means comprises a jack screw which is mounted in the body portion and operatively associated with the jaw portion to move the jaw relatively to the body portion when the jack screw is rotated. Other moving means, such as hydraulic or pneumatic actuators are also feasible.

[0009] The grooving tool also has an elongated pivot arm for mounting it on the work station. The pivot arm has one end attached to the body portion and another end pivotally attachable to the work station for pivotally mounting the grooving tool thereto. Preferably, the pivot arm has an elongated slot arranged lengthwise to it and positioned proximate to the end attached to the body portion of the tool. The slot receives a set screw, which extends through the slot to engage the body portion. The set screw has an enlarged head engageable with the pivot arm for retaining the body portion to it. The set screw is movable lengthwise within the slot, allowing the body portion to move lengthwise relatively to the pivot arm to permit motion of the tool substantially perpendicular to its pivot axis.

[0010] The pivot arm also has means for biasing it toward the pivot axis. The biasing means preferably comprises a spring located at the end of the pivot arm which is attachable to the carriage. The spring is located within a slotted aperture through the pivot arm, the slotted aperture being adapted to receive a pin for rotatably mounting the pivot arm to the carriage. The pin is mounted on the carriage and arranged coaxially with the pivot axis of the pivot arm. The slotted aperture is oriented substantially lengthwise to the pivot arm and allows it to move on the pin lengthwise perpendicularly to the pivot axis. The spring is located within the slotted aperture between the pin and the end of the pivot arm.

[0011] The invention also concerns a work station for performing all of the steps required to prepare pipe stock for receiving mechanical couplings. The preparation steps include cutting the pipe, reaming the pipe, and forming an external circumferential groove of a desired outer diameter in the pipe.

[0012] The work station has a chuck adapted to receive the pipe. The chuck is rotatable about an axis of rotation coincident with the longitudinal axis of the pipe when the pipe is received within the chuck. There is also a means, such as an electric motor, for rotating the chuck.

[0013] Preferably, a carriage is positioned adjacent to the chuck, the carriage being slidably movable toward and away from the chuck in a direction substantially parallel to the axis of rotation of the chuck. The carriage provides a mounting platform for the tools necessary to pipe preparation. The tools include a pipe cutter, a reamer, and a grooving tool, each of which is described below.

[0014] The pipe cutter is pivotally mounted on the carriage for rotation about a first pivot axis substantially parallel to the axis of rotation of the chuck. The pipe cutter is pivotally movable toward the axis of rotation for positioning the pipe cutter in engagement with the pipe for cutting the pipe when the pipe is received within the chuck and rotated. Preferably the pipe cutter has a circular cutting blade arranged opposite to a pair of support rollers. The pipe is positioned between the blade and the rollers and the blade is advanced into the pipe as it is rotated by the chuck to effect the cut at a desired location along the length of the pipe.

[0015] The reamer is also pivotally mounted on the carriage for rotation about a second pivot axis substantially parallel to the axis of rotation of the chuck. This allows the reamer to be pivotally movable into coaxial alignment with the axis of rotation of the chuck. The reamer is also slidably movable toward the chuck for positioning it in engagement with the internal edge of the pipe when the pipe is received within the chuck. The reamer preferably has a conical surface on which cutting edges are positioned. The cutting edges engage the internal edge of the pipe and remove burrs and sharp edges caused by the cutting process.

[0016] The grooving tool is used to form the circumferential groove in the pipe. The grooving tool is pivotally mounted on the carriage for rotation about a third pivot axis substantially parallel to the axis of rotation of the chuck. This allows the grooving tool to engage the pipe when the pipe is received within the chuck. Preferably, the grooving tool is as described above and is mounted to the work station by means of the aforementioned pivot arm.

[0017] It is an object of the invention to provide a grooving tool which may be mounted on a work station and used in combination with other tools to efficiently perform the steps necessary for preparing pipe stock to accept mechanical couplings.

[0018] It is another object of the invention to provide a grooving tool which may be adapted for use on pipe stock of various materials, diameters and wall thicknesses.

[0019] It is again another object of the invention to provide a work station having a plurality of tools for preparing pipe stock to accept mechanical couplings.

[0020] It is yet another object of the invention to provide a single work station wherein all of the steps required to prepare pipe stock to accept mechanical couplings may be efficiently performed.

[0021] These and other objects and advantages of the invention may be discerned upon consideration of the following drawings and detailed description of preferred embodiments of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0022] FIG. 1 is a partial sectional longitudinal view of a pipe joint formed by a mechanical coupling system;

[0023] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a work station according to the invention;

[0024] FIG. 3 is a partial side view of the work station shown in FIG. 2 on an enlarged scale;

[0025] FIG. 4 is a partial view of the work station taken along lines 4-4 in FIG. 3;

[0026] FIG. 5 is a partial view of the work station taken along line 5-5 in FIG. 3;

[0027] FIG. 6 is a partial side view of the work station shown in FIG. 2 on an enlarged scale;

[0028] FIG. 7 is a partial view of the work station taken along lines 7-7 in FIG. 3;

[0029] FIG. 8 is a sectional view taken along lines 8-8 of FIG. 2;

[0030] FIGS. 9 and 10 are partial sectional views showing portions of FIG. 8 in detail;

[0031] FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a pipe prepared for use with the mechanical pipe coupling system of FIG. 1; and

[0032] FIG. 12 is a side view of a grooving tool mountable on the work station shown in FIG. 2.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0033] FIG. 2 shows a work station 50 according to the invention having a pipe cutter 52, a reamer 54 and a grooving tool 56. As described in detail below, the grooving tool 56 is adapted for mounting on the station 50 to be used in combination with the other tools to efficiently process pipe stock by performing, at one work station, all steps necessary to prepare the pipe stock for use with a mechanical coupling system.

[0034] Work station 50 includes a chuck 58 mounted for rotation about an axis 60. Chuck 58 has radially adjustable jaws 62 which allow the chuck to be adapted to receive pipe stock 20 having various diameters. When pipe stock 20 is received within chuck 58, the chuck axis of rotation 60 is coaxial with the longitudinal axis 64 of the pipe stock, and the pipe stock is rotatable with the chuck about these axes.

[0035] Preferably, chuck 58 is mounted on a housing 66 which encloses an electric motor (not shown) or other means operatively associated with the chuck to effect its rotation about axis 60. The housing may be mounted on a tripod 68 for convenience of use of the work station by an operator.

[0036] A carriage 70 is mounted on housing 66 adjacent to chuck 58 on a pair of elongated arms 72 which extend from the housing in spaced relation to one another substantially parallel to the chuck axis of rotation 60. Carriage 70 is slidable lengthwise along arms 72 toward and away from chuck 58 as illustrated by the double headed arrow 74. A handle 76 is provided which facilitates manual adjustment of the carriage's position relatively to the chuck 58 for processing of the pipe stock 20 as described below.

[0037] The following tools are preferably mounted on the carriage 70: the pipe cutter 52; the reamer 54; and the pipe grooving tool 56. As best shown in FIG. 3, each tool is pivotally mounted on the carriage 70 for pivoting motion about a respective pivot axis 78, 80 and 82. Pivot axes 78, 80, and 82 are preferably parallel to the chuck axis of rotation 60, and, as shown respectively in FIGS. 4, 5, and 7, allow each tool to pivot through a respective arc 84, 86, and 88 as needed to bring the particular tool to bear on the pipe stock 20.

Work Station Operation

[0038] Work station 50 is operated to efficiently cut pipe stock 20 to a desired length, ream the cut pipe to remove burrs or sharp edges which result from the cutting process, and form an external groove 36 (see FIG. 11) of a desired outer diameter in the wall 38 of the pipe without having to remove the pipe from the work station.

[0039] In operation, as shown in FIG. 2, the pipe 20 is received in chuck 58 and the jaws 62 of the chuck are adjusted by means well known in the art to hold the pipe with its longitudinal axis 64 coaxial with chuck axis of rotation 60. using handle 76, carriage 70 is moved along arms 72 in the direction of arrow 74 toward or away from the chuck 58 to position pipe cutter 52 at a point along pipe 20 where it is desired to effect a cut. As shown in FIG. 4, pipe cutter 52 is pivoted through arc 84 about its respective pivot axis 78 from its original position (shown in phantom line) into engagement with pipe 20. Preferably the pipe cutter is of the variety having a circular cutting blade 90 arranged opposite to a pair of support rollers 92, the blade and rollers being movable toward each other by a jack screw 94. With the pipe positioned between the blade 90 and the rollers 92, the chuck 58 is rotated by the aforementioned electric motor, also rotating the pipe 20. The jack screw 94 is turned to force the blade 90 into the pipe 20 effecting the cut. Preferably, the pipe cutter is slidably movable relatively to carriage 70 along a line of motion indicated by arrow 96 which pivots with the pipe cutter and is, thus, always substantially perpendicular to pivot axis 78. Sliding motion of pipe cutter 52 is enabled by a sleeve 98 positioned at the base of the tool which receives a shaft 100 which projects from the pivot axis 78, the sleeve 98 sliding relatively to the shaft 100. Motion along line 96 allows the pipe cutter 52 to be readily adjusted for engaging different diameter pipes and also allows the cutting blade 90 to move relatively to the support rollers 92, as well as pivot axis 78, while the cutting circle of the cutter remains centered on the chuck axis of rotation 60.

[0040] After the cut has been completed, the cut piece of the pipe falls away and the pipe cutter 52 is pivoted away from the pipe to its original position shown in phantom line in FIG. 4. Next, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the reamer 54 is brought into action. Reamer 54 includes a conical reamer head 102 having cutting edges 104 arranged along its surface. Reamer head 102 is mounted on the end of a shaft 106 which is slidably mounted on an arm 108 and movable in the direction of double headed arrow 110 parallel to the chuck axis of rotation 60. Arm 108 pivots through arc 86 about pivot axis 80 allowing the reamer to be moved from its original position shown in phantom line in FIG. 5 to a position coaxially aligned with the longitudinal axis 64 of the pipe 20 as shown in FIG. 6. Once coaxially aligned, reamer head 102 is moved toward the pipe by sliding shaft 106 over the full extent of its travel relatively to arm 108. The reamer may be temporarily fixed in this fully extended position by a detent mechanism (not shown). Next, using handle 76, carriage 70 is moved toward the chuck 58 to move the reamer head 102 into engagement with the rotating pipe 20. As shown in FIG. 6, the cutting edges 104 on the reamer head engage the internal edge 21 of pipe 20, removing any burrs or sharp edges as is common practice in the art. After reaming, the reamer is moved out of engagement with the pipe and the arm 108 is pivoted back into the original position shown in phantom line in FIG. 5.

[0041] With the pipe 20 cut and reamed, the groove 36 (see FIG. 11) may next be formed. Grooves such as 36 are preferably formed by cold working the material comprising the pipe wall 38 beyond the yield point. Such grooves are most advantageously formed in the pipes by means of the grooving tool 56, shown in FIGS. 7 and 8.

[0042] Grooving tool 56 has a body portion 112 on which is mounted a relatively movable jaw portion 114. Preferably a grooving roll 116, having a circumferential surface 117, is mounted on the movable jaw portion 114 and is rotatable about an axis 118 substantially parallel to the chuck axis of rotation 60. A back-up roll 120 having a circumferential surface 121 is mounted on the body portion 112 and is rotatable about an axis 122 also substantially parallel to the chuck axis of rotation 60. Motion of the movable jaw portion 114 relatively to the body portion 112 is effected by means of a jack screw 124. Rotation of jack screw 124 allows the grooving roll 116 and the back-up roll 120 to cooperate as described below to form the groove 36 in the pipe 20.

[0043] Grooving tool 56 is pivotally mounted on carriage 70 by means of a pivot arm 126 designed to adapt the grooving tool for mounting on the work station 50. One end of the pivot arm, denoted 126a, is attached to the body portion 112, the other end, denoted 126b, is pivotally attached to the carriage 70 for pivoting motion about pivot axis 82, allowing the grooving tool 56 to pivot through arc 88 as described below.

[0044] As shown in FIG. 12, end 126a of pivot arm 126 is adjustably attached to body portion 112 preferably by means of slots 127 which receive set screws 129 extending outwardly from body portion 112. Slots 127 are arranged lengthwise along the pivot arm, and screws 129 are movable lengthwise along slots 127 thereby allowing the grooving tool 56 to move relatively perpendicularly to the pivot axis 82 in the direction indicated by arrow 130 in FIG. 7. The position of the grooving tool 56 relative to the pivot axis, and also the pipe end 20, may be fixed by tightening the set screws 129, the set screws each having an enlarged head 131 which retains the pivot arm 126 to the body portion 112 by clamping action. Preferably, as shown in FIG. 12, there is an alignment mark 133 on the pivot arm 126 and a plurality of alignment indices 134 positioned on the body portion 112 adjacent to the pivot arm. The alignment marks and indices allow the position of the grooving tool 56 to be conveniently preset to properly receive a pipe end 20 of a particular diameter as described below.

[0045] To form the groove 36 in the pipe end 20, the position of grooving tool 56 relatively to its pivot axis 82 is set by loosening set screws 129 and sliding the grooving tool lengthwise along the pivot arm 126 until the alignment mark 133 is adjacent to one of the indices 134 appropriate for the particular diameter pipe which is to be grooved (see FIG. 12). The set screws are then tightened to fix the grooving tool at that position relatively to the pivot arm. Presetting the position of the grooving tool positions the back-up roll 120 in the proper location adjacent to the pipe inside surface 128 when the grooving tool 56 is moved into engagement with the pipe 20 as described below.

[0046] Using jack screw 124, the grooving roll 116 is spaced from the back-up roll 120 by a distance greater than the thickness of pipe wall 38. As shown in FIG. 7, the pipe grooving tool 56 is then pivoted through arc 88 about its pivot axis 82 to position the grooving tool 56 against a support stop 48 and in alignment with pipe 20. The support stop is pivotally mounted on carriage 70 to properly position and support the grooving tool relative to the pipe.

[0047] The grooving tool is then moved toward pipe 20 using handle 76 to slide carriage 70 to position the back-up roll 120 within the pipe 20 abutting pipe stop surface 119, as shown in FIG. 8. The back-up roll 120 clears the internal edge 21 of pipe end 20 (see FIG. 9) due to the fact that its position relative to the pipe end was preset using the alignment mark 133 and indices 134 as described above. Preferably, the preset initially positions the back-up roll within about an eighth of an inch of the pipe inside surface 128.

[0048] Next, the jack screw 124 is rotated to bring the circumferential surface 117 of grooving roll 116 into contact with pipe 20. Once the grooving roll and pipe are in contact, continued rotation of the jack screw tends to draw the circumferential surface 121 of the back-up roll 120 into contact with the inside surface 128 of pipe 20. As shown in FIG. 7, this motion of the back-up roll toward pipe 20 is enabled by mounting end 126b of pivot arm 126 on a pin 138 in a slotted aperture 140 arranged lengthwise along the pivot arm. The pin 138 is fixed to the carriage 70 and allows the pivot arm 126 to pivot about axis 82, and the slotted aperture 140 allows a limited degree of motion of the pivot arm relatively to the axis 82, permitting the jack screw to draw the back-up roll into engagement with the pipe as shown in FIG. 9. Preferably, the pivot arm 126 along with grooving tool 56 is biased toward the pivot axis 82 by a spring 142 arranged within a slot 141 positioned between the end of the pivot arm and slotted aperture 140. Spring biasing eliminates the sloppiness in the joint which would otherwise cause misalignment between the back-up roll and the pipe, and yet allows a limited range of motion of the pivot arm relatively to the pin 138 to place the back-up roll in contact with the pipe.

[0049] Once back-up roll 120 engages the inside surface 128 of pipe 20, the pipe is rotated by the chuck 58, and the grooving roll 116 is advanced toward back-up roll 120 by rotating jack screw 124. Pipe rotation is clockwise when viewed in FIG. 7 to ensure that the grooving tool 56 is forced against support stop 48. As shown in FIG. 10, the circumferential surface 117 of grooving roll 116 engages and deforms pipe wall 38, thereby forming groove 36. Preferably, the grooving roll is advanced gradually in stages as the pipe is rotated. Once the groove has the desired outer diameter appropriate for the particular coupling to be used, rotation of the pipe 20 is stopped and the jack screw 124 is rotated to move movable portion 114 away from pipe 20 along the direction indicated by arrow 130 in FIG. 7. Initially, due to this motion of movable portion 114 and the biasing action of spring 142, pivot arm 126 moves relatively to pin 138, drawing back-up roll 120 away from the pipe inside surface 128, thus, allowing the back-up roll to clear the bump 37 of the groove 36 (see FIG. 10). Once the pivot arm 126 reaches the end of its travel as permitted by slotted aperture 140, further rotation of jack screw 124 draws the grooving roll 116 out of engagement with groove 36. Once the back-up roll is clear of the bump 37 and the grooving roll is clear of the groove 36, the grooving tool 56 is then moved away from pipe 20 by sliding carriage 70 away from the pipe via handle 76. The grooving tool is then pivoted through arc 88 back to the position shown in phantom line in FIG. 7 and the pipe is removed from the chuck.

[0050] The grooving tool and work station according to the invention allow pipe stock to be prepared for accepting mechanical couplings efficiently by performing all of the necessary preparatory steps at one station, and eliminating the extra steps of mounting and dismounting the pipe stock onto and off of multiple stations. Significant time and cost savings are foreseen with the use of the invention, especially when large quantities of pipe stock are to be processed.

Claims

1. A work station for forming an external circumferential groove of a desired outer diameter in a wall of a pipe, the pipe having an internal surface, an external surface, and a longitudinal axis, said work station comprising:

a chuck adapted to receive said pipe, said chuck being rotatable about an axis of rotation coincident with the longitudinal axis of said pipe when said pipe is received within said chuck;

a means for rotating said chuck about said axis of rotation;

a grooving tool mounted adjacent to said chuck for forming said groove, said grooving tool comprising:

a grooving roll rotatable about a first axis, said grooving roll having a circumferential surface engageable with the external surface of said pipe;

a back-up roll rotatable about a second axis, said back-up roll having a circumferential surface engageable with the internal surface of said pipe opposite said grooving roll; and

means for moving said grooving roll and said back-up roll relatively toward one another for yieldably deforming said wall therebetween and forming said external circumferential groove in said wall upon rotation of said pipe when said pipe is received within said chuck.

2. A work station according to claim 1, further comprising a carriage positioned adjacent to said chuck, said carriage being movable toward and away from said chuck, said grooving tool being mounted on said carriage and thereby movable relatively to said chuck to facilitate engagement of said grooving and back-up rolls with said pipe.

3. A work station according to claim 2, wherein said carriage is slidably movable in a direction substantially parallel to said axis of rotation of said chuck.

4. A work station according to claim 2, further comprising an elongated pivot arm having one end attached to said grooving tool and another end pivotally attached to said carriage for pivotally mounting said grooving tool to said carriage, said grooving tool being pivotable toward and away from said axis of rotation of said chuck for engaging said grooving tool with said pipe when said pipe is received within said chuck.

5. A work station according to claim 4, wherein said pivot arm is pivotable about a pivot axis substantially parallel to said axis of rotation of said chuck.

6. A work station according to claim 4, wherein said chuck is adaptable to receive a plurality of different diameter pipes, said work station further comprising means for slidably mounting said grooving tool on said pivot arm, said grooving tool being slidably movable lengthwise along said pivot arm to facilitate engagement of said grooving tool with any one of said plurality of different diameter pipes receivable within said chuck.

7. A work station according to claim 1, wherein said grooving tool comprises a body portion and a movable jaw mounted on said body portion and slidably movable relatively thereto, said back-up roll being mounted on said body portion and said grooving roll being mounted on said jaw, said means for moving said grooving roll and said back-up roll relatively toward one another comprising a jack screw rotatably mounted on said body portion and engaging said jaw, said jaw being movable relatively to said body portion upon rotation of said jack screw.

8. A work station according to claim 6, further comprising a pipe cutter pivotally mounted on said carriage, said pipe cutter being pivotally movable toward and away from said axis of rotation of said pipe for positioning said pipe cutter in engagement with the wall of said pipe for cutting said pipe when said pipe is received within said chuck and rotated thereon.

9. A work station according to claim 6, further comprising a reamer pivotally mounted on said carriage, said reamer being pivotally movable into coaxial alignment with said axis of rotation of said pipe and slidably movable toward said chuck for positioning said reamer in engagement with an internal edge of said pipe when said pipe is received within said chuck.

10. A work station for performing a plurality of operations on a pipe, said pipe having an internal surface, an external surface, and a longitudinal axis, said work station comprising:

a chuck adapted to receive said pipe, said chuck being rotatable about an axis of rotation coincident with the longitudinal axis of said pipe when said pipe is received within said chuck;

a means for rotating said chuck about said axis of rotation;

a carriage positioned adjacent to said chuck, said carriage being slidably movable toward and away from said chuck in a direction substantially parallel to said axis of rotation of said chuck;

a grooving tool for forming a circumferential groove of a desired outer diameter in the external surface of said pipe, said grooving tool being mounted on said carriage and having a grooving roll rotatable about a first axis, said grooving roll having a circumferential surface engageable with the external surface of said pipe, said grooving tool also having a back-up roll rotatable about a second axis, said back-up roll having a circumferential surface engageable with the internal surface of said pipe opposite said grooving roll, said grooving tool further comprising a means for moving said grooving roll and said back-up roll relatively toward one another for yieldably deforming said pipe between said grooving and said back-up rolls to form said circumferential groove in said pipe upon rotation of said pipe received within said chuck; and

an auxiliary tool pivotally mounted on said carriage, said auxiliary tool being pivotally movable toward said axis of rotation and into engagement with said pipe when said pipe is received within said chuck, wherein said auxiliary tool is selected from the group consisting of a pipe cutter and a reamer.

11. A work station according to claim 10, wherein said auxiliary tool is a pipe cutter.

12. A work station according to claim 10, wherein said first axis is substantially parallel to said axis of rotation of said chuck.

13. A work station according to claim 10, wherein said second axis is substantially parallel to said axis of rotation of said chuck.

14. A work station according to claim 10, wherein said grooving tool is pivotally mounted on said carriage for rotation about a pivot axis substantially parallel to said axis of rotation of said chuck.

15. A work station for cutting a pipe, reaming the pipe, and forming an external circumferential groove of a desired outer diameter in the pipe, the pipe having an internal and an external surface and a longitudinal axis, said work station comprising:

a chuck adapted to receive said pipe, said chuck being rotatable about an axis of rotation coincident with the longitudinal axis of said pipe when said pipe is received within said chuck;

a means for rotating said chuck;

a carriage positioned adjacent to said chuck, said carriage being slidably movable toward and away from said chuck in a direction substantially parallel to said axis of rotation of said chuck;

a pipe cutter pivotally mounted on said carriage for rotation about a first pivot axis substantially parallel to said axis of rotation of said chuck, said pipe cutter being pivotally movable toward said axis of rotation for positioning said pipe cutter in engagement with said pipe for cutting said pipe when said pipe is received within said chuck;

a reamer pivotally mounted on said carriage for rotation about a second pivot axis substantially parallel to said axis of rotation of said chuck, said reamer being pivotally movable into coaxial alignment with said axis of rotation of said chuck and slidably movable toward said chuck for positioning said reamer in engagement with said internal surface of said pipe when said pipe is received within said chuck;

a grooving tool for forming said circumferential groove, said grooving tool being pivotally mounted on said carriage for rotation about a third pivot axis substantially parallel to said axis of rotation of said chuck, said grooving tool being pivotally movable toward said axis of rotation for engaging said pipe when said pipe is received within said chuck, said grooving tool comprising:

a grooving roll rotatable about a first axis, said grooving roll having a circumferential surface engageable with the external surface of said pipe;

a back-up roll rotatable about a second axis, said back-up roll having a circumferential surface engageable with the internal surface of said pipe opposite said grooving roll;

means for moving said grooving roll and said back-up roll relatively toward one another for yieldably deforming said pipe therebetween and thereby forming said external circumferential groove in said pipe upon rotation thereof when said pipe is received within said chuck.

16. A grooving tool for forming an external circumferential groove of a desired outer diameter in the pipe, said pipe having an internal and an external surface and a longitudinal axis, said grooving tool being mountable on a work station and comprising:

a body portion;

a jaw portion mounted on said body portion and movable relatively thereto;

a grooving roll mounted on one of said jaw and body portions and rotatable about a first axis, said grooving roll having a circumferential surface engageable with the external surface of said pipe;

a back-up roll mounted on the other of said jaw and body portions and rotatable about a second axis, said back-up roll having a circumferential surface engageable with the internal surface of said pipe opposite said grooving roll;

means for moving said grooving roll and said back-up roll relatively toward one another for yieldably deforming said pipe therebetween and forming said external circumferential groove in said pipe upon rotation of said pipe about said longitudinal axis; and

an elongated pivot arm having one end attached to said body portion and another end pivotally attachable to said work station for pivotally mounting said grooving tool thereto.

17. A grooving tool according to claim 16, wherein said first and said second axes are substantially parallel to said longitudinal axis of said pipe.

18. A grooving tool according to claim 16, wherein said tool is pivotable when mounted on said work station about a pivot axis oriented substantially parallel to said longitudinal axis.

19. A grooving tool according to claim 18, further comprising means for moving said tool relatively to said work station in a direction substantially perpendicular to said pivot axis.

20. A grooving tool according to claim 19, wherein said tool moving means comprises:

an elongated slot arranged lengthwise along said pivot arm proximate to said one end thereof; and

a set screw extending through said slot, one end of said set screw engaging said body portion, the opposite end having an enlarged head engageable with said pivot arm for retaining said body portion thereto, said set screw being movable lengthwise along said slot thereby guiding movement of said body portion lengthwise relatively to said pivot arm permitting motion of said tool substantially perpendicular to said pivot axis.

21. A grooving tool according to claim 18, further comprising means for biasing said pivot arm toward said pivot axis, said biasing means being located at said other end of said pivot arm.

22. A grooving tool according to claim 21, wherein said carriage has an elongated pin mounted thereon and arranged coaxially with said pivot axis of said pivot arm;

said other end of said pivot arm has a slotted aperture therethrough adapted to receive said pin for rotatably mounting said pivot arm to said carriage, said slotted aperture being oriented substantially lengthwise to said pivot arm and allowing said pivot arm to move lengthwise perpendicularly to said pivot axis; and

said pivot arm biasing means comprising a spring located within said slotted aperture between said pin and said other end of said pivot arm.