TCC-50 tube cutting machine for tubes from Coil

T-DRILL TCC-50 automatic tube cutting machine

The typical application areas of TCC-50 automatic cut-off machine are aumotive industry and heat exchanger industry (solar).

TCC-50 cuts tubing from either straight lengths from the Rackloader (see TCC-50 RL) or coiled tube from a Double Coil Holder. Here we concentrate on coiled tubing only.

The tube is pulled into the TCC-50 automatically by a pneumatically operated hitch feed mechanism. Max. stroke length is 710 mm. The maximum cut length, 10650 mm, can be achieved with multifeed operation. Standard multifeed is 15 strokes.

The tube is fed to the desired length and clamped on both sides of the cutting head, which rotates around the tube. There are special back-up rollers which support the tube, when the cutter penetrates the sidewall and performs cutting operations.

There are three different cutting methods available:

The Pull-apart method is the most advanced cut-off method: first the cutting disk penetrates the tube wall by approximately 90%. The cut-length is then separated by pulling it apart. This eliminates the I.D. reduction that could occur, if the blade was to completely cut through the tube wall.

With the Pull-apart method secondary operations such as endforming, and mandrel bending, are easier to carry out as the cut quality is usually good enough to allow these operations without having to deburr.

The Cut & Break method is possible when tube piece length is under 70 mm. The blade is set to penetrate approximately 95 % through the tube wall, at which point the clamping fixture breaks the tube sideways. This method is only available on the T-DRILL TCC-50 Cutting Machine.

The throught cut method is the most fundamental method of cutting tubes by using rotary cutting disks. This method is used for cut lengths of 30 mm and longer by basic equipments. This method can be used in cases where some reduction in the internal diameter is acceptable.

The machine is equipped with a predetermining batch counter, which turns the system off after the preset number of cuts has been completed.

T-DRILL standard decoiling system includes double decoiler and tension unit: additional information, please see 'Options'.

• Coil equipment:
  T-DRILL Standard decoiling system includes a double decoiler and a tension unit. Tension unit is the heart of the system as it constantly monitors feeding speed of the machine and then controls the motor of the decoiler. In this way the coil will not be loose at any time and the risk for coil jamming is eliminated. The double coil holder system enables that the operator can load a new coil to the other side, when the other coil is in operation. Thus the coil change over time can be shortened.
  
• Straighteting equipment:
  When tubing is fed from coil, a straightening operation is needed before cut-off can take place. The standard straighteners have either 7 + 7 rolls (vertical and horizontal) or 9 + 9 straightening rolls, thus providing a commercial level of straightening. Every tube diameter requires a corresponding set of straightening rolls. Which straightener should be used, depends on tube diameter as follows:
  • O.D. 1.5 – 10.35 mm 9+9 Rolls
  • O.D. 4.75 - 22 mm 7+7 Rolls

• Pinch Roll Station
  If tube is being fed from coil and it has O.D. larger than 12 mm, it might require an operation that guarantees the roundness of the tube. This operation is carried out by a Pinch Roll (Calibration) Station, which can be installed in the Straightener. It has two opposing rolls and an adjustment screw. Every tube diameter requires corresponding set of pinch rolls.
  
• Run-out table
  The purpose of the run-out table is to receive the cut tubes minimizing the bending or damages of them. The lengths of the tables are between 1100 mm and 6600 mm.

  
  

An example for TCC-50 layout: