Tube & Pipe Handling Equipment
Automated Solutions Incorporated (ASI) manufactures various industrial tube and pipe handling equipment. We provide Mill Exit Handling equipment such as tape bundling (tube bundling), copper tube, aluminum tube, cap & coupling applicators and tube packaging. Various styles of tube packaging are available such as round, square and rectangular tubing. Automatic or manual strapping options are available. We also offer automatic board, batten, or stringer placement. Additional options are available such as strapping equipment, weighing control systems and bar code applicators.
Mill Exit Handling Equipment
Tape Bundling Equipment (Tube Bundling)
Bulk quantities of tube are placed into this machine or fed directly from a tube mill. The Bundler processes 1/2" conduit through 2" diameter conduit. 1/2" x 10 feet long conduit can be processed in excess of 100 pieces per minute, allowing tube mill speeds of 1000 feet per minute. Depending on tube size being processed, tubes are processed from bulk, counted into "sub-bundles", and taped using filament type tape. Sub-bundles of tubes are then accumulated into master bundles of tubes containing several hundred pieces of tube and these master bundles are in turn strapped with steel strapping for storage or delivery to customers.
Copper Tube Bundling
Bulk quantities of copper tube are placed into a vertical scissor lift type hopper. Depending on tube size being processed, tubes are processed from bulk, counted into "sub-bundles", and taped using filament type tape. Sub-bundles of tubes are then accumulated into master bundles of tubes containing several hundred pieces. The master bundles are then in turn strapped with steel strapping for storage or delivery to customers. Current machine designs are available for 3/8" diameter copper tubing up to 2 1/8" diameter, bundling sub-bundles from 30 pieces/bundle down to 3 pieces/bundle.
Aluminum Tube Bundling
Automated bulk tube hoppers are used for tube storage, designed to store and feed aluminum tubes to be processed in the system. Threader feed systems move tubes from the hoppers to the input point of threaders. An indexing conveyor moves tubes through cap and coupling application stations, after which bar code labels are applied to the outside diameter of the tubes. A tube rotation mechanism picks up every other tube from the conveyor, rotating it end for end, and places it back on the Indexing Conveyor. This ensures that the cap end and coupling end of the tubes are alternated when bundled for neater bundles. Tubes are then counted into sub-bundles where tape is applied to hold the bundles together. After taping, the tubes are staged and stacked in square or rectangular bundles for banding. Wood battens hold the shape of the package and protect the aluminum from marring or scratching of the surfaces. Flight chain conveyors are used to accumulate master bundles of processed tube for pick up by forktruck or overhead crane.
Tube Cap & Coupling Applicators
Cap and Coupling Systems or Cap and Cap systems are available for virtually any type of tube production. Caps and Couplings are usually fed from vibratory parts feeders to the application point. With a tube in position, it is lifted, located, and clamped securely for application of the cap and coupling.
Couplings are applied with an electric drive tool while caps are usually applied using an air cylinder. Caps are pushed through an interchangeable funnel die to remove any deformities or irregularities that are sometimes present in the molded parts.
Optional Equipment
Strapping Equipment
- Automatic Strapping Equipment
- Strap sizes of 1/2" through 2"
- Plastic or steel strap
- Custom strap chutes
- Options for applying boards (or battens) to the sides, top, or bottom
Weighing Control Systems
- Used for ensuring piece count within sub-bundle packages or master bundle packages is correct
- Can be used for"check weights" on wall thickness for copper or aluminum tube
- Information can be stored locally or immediately transferred to MIS
Bar Code Applicators
- Integration of automatic labelers for single piece labeling or for bundle labeling
- Systems for pre-printed or print and apply label systems