摘要 |
<p>A panelizing machine assembly for clamping elongated structures such as tubes at spaced intervals and then welding the structures. The machine includes an elongated main frame having connecting cross members, and provided with at least two bed plates each having a plurality of notches on their upper side, and at least two carriage structures which are self-supporting and longitudinally movable on the main frame. Each carriage is equipped with at least one contoured clamping plate which is vertically movable by pressurized piston means and have notches on their lower sides adapted for clamping the tubes onto the bed plates prior to the welding operations. Each carriage is independently movable along the main frame on rollers engaging rails attached to the elongated frame, and carriage movement is electrically controlled by photoelectric cells and brakes for accurate positioning, and operate in cooperation with a welding robot attached to the upper part of the central movable carriage. The invention also includes a method for operation of the panelizing machine to perform programmed longitudinal welding operations on elongated structures such as tubes to produce a monolithic welded tubular panel.</p> |