Tube Material Handling Equipment

Tube Material Handling

Criterion offers a number of standard Tube Material Handling components and assemblies.

In order to automate the tube fabrication process, several of the following Tube Handling and Tube Feeder Assemblies are often required:

Tube Bundle Unscramblers

Tubes are most often loaded into an automated machine in cut-to-length bundles. We provide 2 different types of Tube Bundle Unscramblers:

a. Tube Bundle Ramp with Tube Unscrambling Elevator. This device is very effective for round tubing applications. Tubes automatically unscramble, elevate, and are aligned for escapement into the machine. This unit can be reloaded while it is still partially full, thus saving downtime. This assembly is available in many sizes.

	01: Two Different Size Tube Bundle Unscrambling Elevator Assemblies The capacity of the small elevator assembly is 1/2" [12.5mm] diameter tube, and the capacity of the larger elevator assembly is 2.5" [63.5mm] diameter tube. More >>
	02: Tube Bundle Ramp, Unscrambling Elevator, 2 Escapements, and Weld Seam Detection Station This Tube Handling System can be used to feed tubing to many different types of machinery, from presses, to benders, and in-line transfer machines. More >>

b. Belt Type Unscrambler. This unscrambler is utilized wherever square or rectangular tubes in bundles must be unscrambled.

	03: Belt Type Tube Bundle Unscrambler Handling 20' Long Tube Bundles Belt Type Tube Bundle Unscramblers are primarily used for long bundles 20' and/or square or rectangular tubing. More >>

We offer several styles of Tube Escapements.

a. Criterion Flexible Tube Escapement Assemblies are adjustable for tube length and tube diameter. This style is utilized for round tubes only.

b. Combination Tube Feeder Arm/Escapement Assemblies are utilized to feed 2 tubes per cycle, or square or rectangular tubing. An example of this is shown in the video at the bottom of this page [See video showing Unscrambling Elevator and Combination Tube Feeder Arm/Escapement].

	04: Two Flexible Tube Escapements This Tube Escapement Assembly includes Weld Seam Detection, 2 Flexible Tube Escapements, and Tube Unscrambling Elevator. More >>

After tube bundle unscrambling and escapement, the next step in Tube Material Handling usually requires Weld Seam Detection and Tube End Alignment.

Placing the weld seam in a consistent radial location is usually required for:

a. Bending operations requiring repeatable bends. Weld seam location can affect the rate of material spring-back by as much as 0.5 degrees per bend.

b. Tubes that require insertion of an ID mandrel during tube punching, notching or other forming operations.

Typically, the tube is rotated until the seam location is sensed. An example of this is shown in the video at the bottom of this page [See video showing Tube Handling System for a 3-Station Transfer Machine]. The type of weld seam sensing equipment utilized varies with:

a. Type of Tube Material
b. Thickness
c. Surface Coating

After Weld Seam Orientation, tubes are then automatically loaded into a machine, and/or conveyed through a multiple station Tube Fabrication Machine by one of the following:

a. Pick & Place Transfers are used when "plane orientation" of the part is required. Criterion Pick & Place Transfers consist of one or more 2-axis Carriages mounted on a linear rail, and driven by a common servo drive. Typically, 2 Pneumatic Parallel Grippers per Carriage engage the tube during transfer operations.

	05: 2-Axis CNC Tube Pick & Place Assembly 2-Axis CNC Pick & Place Transfer with 4 pneumatic grippers which can transfer 2 tubes per cycle. More >>

b. Walking Beam Transfers are simpler, less costly, and quicker alternatives to Pick & Place Transfers. Walking Beams, however, are only utilized when "plane orientation" of the tube is not a process requirement. One exception to this is the conveyance of square or rectangular tubing, which can be "plane oriented" by the Walking Beam tooling.

	06: Walking Beam Transferring 2 Tubes per Cycle The Walking Beam conveys 2 tubes per cycle through a Pierce Machine. More >>

	07: Tube Handling System for a 3-Station Transfer Machine Criterion material handling assemblies shown are Unscrambling Elevator, 2 Flexible Tube Escapements, Weld Seam Detection, and a 3-Station Pick and Place Transfer. More >>
	08: Unscrambling Elevator and Combination Feed Arm/Escapement This material handling assembly can feed 2 tubes per cycle to a 2-Axis CNC Pick & Place Transfer Assembly. More >>
	09: Belt Type Tube Bundle Unscrambler A Belt Type Tube Bundle Unscrambler can hande 20' bundles of 1/2" square tubing. More >>
	10: Tube Walking Beam Transfers Both of these examples of Tube Walking Beam Transfers can transfer 2 tubes per cycle. More >>