| 主权项 |
1. A method for fitting caps (1a,2a) using an automatic apparatus onto at least one end of a pipe (1,2) fed in a longitudinal direction (X-X) from a pipe-feeding machine (E), the apparatus being movable alternately: in both senses of the longitudinal direction (X-X) between two opposite ends including a rear end (10b) facing the feeding machine (E) and a front end (10a) opposite to the rear end, the apparatus comprising:
a rear unit (20) for driving the pipe (1, 2) supplied from the pipe-feeding machine (E); a gripping unit (30) for gripping the pipe (1,2); a cutting unit (40) for cutting the pipe (1,2); an inserting unit (50) for inserting the caps (1a,2a) into a path of the pipe and fitting the caps onto the ends of the pipe (1,2); wherein the method comprises: a) arranging, in a rear end-of-travel position (10b), of the automatic apparatus between the output end of the pipe-feeding machine (E) feeding plastic pipes and the input end of a pipe bundling machine (A); b) presetting said rear unit (20) for driving and said gripping unit (30) for gripping the pipe (1,2) in an open condition in a transverse direction (Y-Y) in a position for disengagement from the pipe (1,2), the cutting unit (40) being raised in the rest position, and the inserting unit (50) for fitting the caps (1a,2a) in a cap pick-up position outside the apparatus in the transverse direction (Y-Y); c) feeding of the pipe (1,2) to the automatic apparatus by the pipe-feeding machine (E); d) receiving, by the apparatus, of a signal for alignment, in the longitudinal direction (X-X) of a designated point of the pipe for cutting with the cutting unit (40); e) closing, in the transverse direction (Y-Y), of the gripping unit (30) from the position for disengagement from the pipe (1,2) into a position for gripping and retaining the pipe in the position for relative alignment of the designated cutting point and the cutting unit (40); f) starting displacement of the apparatus in the longitudinal direction (X-X) from the rear end-of-travel position (10b) towards the front end-of-travel position (10a) and at a predefined speed; g) operation of the cutting unit (40) for cutting the pipe (1,2) at the designated cutting point; h) opening, in the longitudinal direction (X-X), of the gripping unit (30) from a position where it retains the pipe in the cutting position into a position, at a distance therefrom, where it does not interfere with the cap fitting unit (50); i) operating of the cap fitting unit (50), from the position for gripping the caps (1a,2a), into a position for axial alignment of the cap gripping and fitting means (52) with a respective cut end of the pipe (1,2); l) operating of the gripping and fitting means (52) for gripping and fitting the caps (1a,2a) so as to fit a respective cap onto the at least one end of the pipe (1,2) present inside the apparatus; m) opening, in the transverse direction (Y-Y), the gripping unit (30) into the position for disengagement from the pipe (1,2); n) operating the rear unit (20) for driving the pipe (1,2) until the capped front end of the pipe engages with a pipe recall means associated with the bundling machine (A); o) receiving, by the apparatus, a signal indicating engagement with said pipe recall means associated with the bundling machine (A); p) disengaging of the driving unit (20) from the pipe (1,2) and returning of the automatic apparatus into the rear end-of-travel position (10b) with simultaneous return of all the units into the cycle start condition. |
