SEMI AUTOMATIC NOTCHING MACHINE
Abstract
The process of notching is seen in most of the day to day applications. Failing to carry out notching properly will put the products life. Notching is carried at many places eg. in fabrication of roll cages of vehicles, bicycle frames , stair case frames etc. Notching is a metal-cutting process used on sheet metal or thin bar stock, sometimes on angle sections or tube. The process of tube notching is carried out in most of the application. At first notching process was carried out using punches but it was not economical as the dies were costly and then process required powerful motor to apply large force, vertically. The above process required skilled labour and time. The notching process is carried out to save the weld filler material. Without notching a lot time is wasted in welding tubes. The tubes cannot be properly weld and the joint will not withstand heavy stresses and strains if notching is missed. When notching is carried out properly then the tube sits over the other perfectly and then it is easily weld without the wastage of the filler material. As time passes most of the products are redesigned to improve their efficiency especially automobiles. The roll cages of recent cars are designed in such a way that the tubes are intersecting at angles other than 45 degrees. These tubes of the roll cages are also required to be weld and are to withstand heavy stresses and strains for which there is no proper machine to satisfy the needs.
The objective of the work is to fabricate a notching machine that can overcome the difficulties and carry out notching easily. Notching is not about cutting the tubes properly, but it is the base for welding two tubes. The machine that is developed has been fabricated at a minimum cost and can notch mild steel pipes. It notches at wide 2 range of angles. This machine is made light in weight so that it is portable and be carried to place of work. The machine is dismantled easily in case of, error in the machine or during maintenance. The cutter is threaded into the driller which can be changed easily in case of wear. It also consists of armature powered motor that provides more force to the cutter and helps to notch easily. It also consists of a lead screw that helps in the motion of the tool laterally to spot the notch. The lead screw is separately powered by motor and is connected to the motor using a pulley. The whole setup is welded over the steel frame that supports heavy vibrations