Method for making a tube joint in an agricultural implement frame

摘要

An agricultural implement frame having at least one beam welded to additional components is formed by cutting the beam into a first tube member and a second tube member having an overlaying portion formed by overlaying ends of the first and second tube members. Each overlaying end has an overlaying wall and a base wall connected by opposing interface side walls. The laser cut forms interface surfaces in the interface side walls. The cut forms a plurality of interlocking load transfer teeth in the interface surfaces. Micro tabs are left uncut in the interface side walls to keep the first and second tube members aligned. The beam is then welded to other components of the implement frame. The micro tabs are broken to separate the first and second tube members so the frame may be folded. When joined, the interface surfaces contact and the interlocking load transfer teeth mesh.

主权项

1. A method for making an agricultural implement frame having at least one beam welded to additional components of the implement frame, the method comprising:
partially cutting said beam with a laser into a first tube member and a second tube member while leaving uncut micro tabs connecting said first tube member and said second tube member, the beam having an overlaying portion comprising overlaying ends of the first and second tube members, each overlaying end having an overlaying wall and a base wall connected by opposing interface side walls, wherein the laser cut forms interface surfaces in the interface side walls, each interface surface extending from a lip at a distal end of its overlaying wall to a foot in its base wall, and wherein the cutting of the beam forms a plurality of interlocking load transfer teeth in said interface surfaces; maintaining alignment of the first and second tube members with the uncut micro tabs; welding said beam to components of the implement frame; breaking the micro tabs to separate the first and second tube members of said beam so the implement frame may be folded; joining the first and second tube members in a tube joint such that the interface surfaces in the interface side walls of the first and second tube members contact and the interlocking load transfer teeth mesh; and clamping said first and second tube members together such that the interlocking load transfer teeth in the interface surfaces transfer load between the first and second tube members of the beam.