DE102018005847A1 - Manufacture of thermoplastic ventilation / air conditioning pipes for an aircraft - Google Patents

Abstract

Tool (2) for positioning for the purpose of connecting two edge areas (20a, b) thermoplastic partial walls (22a, b) of a tube (14) with overlap (Ü) to one another, with two guideways (4a, b) with a fixed relative position (R) for the Edge areas (20a, b) in a transport direction (8), with a contact surface (10) for the overlapped edge areas (20a, b), which continues the first guideway (4a) in the transport direction (8), the guideways (4a, 4b) on the contact surface (10) overlap with the overlap (Ü) and there is no distance (A) from one another. Device (30) with the tool (2) and a feed means (32) for the tool (2) along one Feed curve (36), according to the location of the contact surface (10) for different feed positions. Pipe arrangement (40), with the tool (2) or the device (30) and the partial walls (22a, b). Method for connecting the edge areas (20a, b) in which the part walls (22a, b) are held in a holder (42), di e edge regions (20a, b) are positioned with the aid of the tool (2) or the device (30) with the overlap (Ü) and are thermally connected to one another there.

Description

The invention relates to the positioning of two edge regions of two thermoplastic partial walls of a pipe to be manufactured as intended with an overlap in the circumferential direction of the pipe to one another. The purpose of the positioning is to be able to connect the edge areas to one another in the positioned position.

In the aviation sector or aircraft construction, pipes for air routing in the form of ventilation or air conditioning pipes are often required. It is known from practice to produce such pipes in fiber composite construction by means of an elaborate manual lamination process. Fiber prepregs are laminated in several layers using a mold.

The object of the present invention is to improve the manufacture of pipes for the stated purpose.

The object is achieved by a tool according to claim 1. This is used to position two edge regions of two thermoplastic partial walls of a thermoplastic pipe to be produced as intended. The pipe material is therefore a thermoplastic. The positioning is carried out in such a way that the edge regions positioned relative to one another overlap or overlap each other with an overlap in the circumferential direction of the tube. The positioning serves to be able to connect the partial walls or edge regions to one another after correct positioning in the corresponding relative position to one another, in particular by heating, in particular welding.

The partial walls can be sections of pipe sections or entire pipe sections or wall sections, e.g. in the form of two half-shells, which are then joined together with a seam at the edge areas. With two half-shells, two pipe seams are then required to manufacture the pipe. If there are several individual parts, several seams are necessary. However, the partial walls can also be sections of a single tube wall, which are then formed into the tube in its entirety. The tube is therefore made from a single tube wall that is or is rolled or rolled "end to end", i.e. a tube with a single longitudinal seam is created.

The tool is therefore set up or designed or designed and dimensioned with the aim of producing certain pipes or certain pipe types as intended. It is therefore adapted to certain boundary conditions of the pipe to be created according to the “key-lock principle”, in particular its dimensions and shape at certain points. The properties of the pipe are therefore also shown in the tool. For the sake of simplicity, reference is made below to these properties in relation to the pipe to be manufactured as intended (that is, the corresponding geometry specifications) in order to describe tool properties. For example, Certain directions of the tool are oriented or defined on the pipe to be created: For the intended purpose, the partial walls are guided on (spatial, defined by the intended use of the partial walls in the tool) guideways and a contact surface in a fixed orientation that corresponds to the orientation of the pipe to be created. The guideways and contact surface reflect the flat alignment of the partial walls or the pipe. This alignment is due to the special shape of the sheets and surfaces, e.g. flat shape, guide lines, points etc. defined. This creates leadership structures that define or define the corresponding directions. In general, the "contact surface" does not necessarily have to be a continuous surface, but can also have point or line elements that define a common contact surface at specific points or lines. This also applies to guiding structures for guideways.

The edge areas are to be positioned in such a way that they have an overlap in the circumferential direction of the tube in the relative position. Such an overlap measures in particular 1mm to 15mm in the circumferential direction of the tube, in particular 2mm-10mm or 5mm. The partial walls are in particular sheets with glass fibers with a thickness of 0.1 to 0.5 mm, in particular 0.2 mm. The partial walls can also be one or parts of an organic sheet, in particular if only a single wall piece is rolled into a tube.

The tool has a first guideway for guiding the first edge region. The guidance takes place as intended in a transport direction. In normal operation, the edge area runs through the guideway in the transport direction. The tool has a second guideway for guiding the second edge region in the transport direction, the second guideway having a fixed position relative to the first guideway. When the edge regions are guided as intended in the guideways, they are therefore also guided in the given relative position to one another. The direction of transport is defined or is created by advancing the device along the tube or vice versa in order to successively position the partial walls over their entire length along the tube to be created in the desired relative position to one another.

The tool also contains a contact surface. The contact surface serves to position the overlapping or positioned edge areas (based on the guideways as desired). The system is carried out in the radial direction of the pipe to be created, that is to say transversely to the local extension plane of the contact surface and thus of the partial walls or edge regions, which in turn lie flat against the contact surface. The contact surface continues the first guideway in the transport direction. The first edge region guided in the first guideway is accordingly continued on the contact surface. Both guideways overlap at least at an opening in the contact surface with the overlap in the circumferential direction of the pipe to be created. The "confluence" is to be understood in the sense of the direction of transport, since when the edge areas are fed properly, they enter the contact surface at the confluence. The edge regions positioned as intended then rest relative to one another. The circumferential direction is the tangential direction to the webs, since the edge regions lie flat against them, as explained above. In the radial direction of the pipe to be created (see above), the two guideways are not spaced apart. The edge regions guided on these tracks therefore rest flatly against one another there without any distance from one another. “Without spacing” is to be understood in such a way that there is no noticeable, noticeable distance between the tracks and thus between the guided edge areas. Tolerances, insignificant distances, permitted play, etc. are not taken into account. These are used, for example, to compensate for tolerances in the wall thickness of the partial walls without leading to jamming in the tool. In particular, the guideways run flat parallel to one another in the region of the junction, ie the partial walls are guided flat parallel there.

The guideways and contact surface can be understood as a movement space or movement surface for partial walls or edge areas to be processed as intended. In operation, the corresponding “web” is therefore filled out by a certain edge area or this moves within the respective web or the web space.

In the abovementioned sense, the contact surface in particular also continues the second guideway in the direction of transport, in that the second partial wall is also placed in this area. The intermediate layer of the first partial wall is used. In particular, the second partial wall is then guided indirectly - by the first partial wall lying against the contact surface - lying flat on the first partial wall and thus on the contact surface.

The connection of the two edge areas is carried out as intended in the area of the overlap in the form of a pipe seam. The pipe seam can in particular fill the entire overlap area, i.e. there is a flat, strip or band-shaped connection of the part walls.

The tubes considered in the context of the present application are exclusively ventilation or air conditioning tubes for air guidance in or for installation in an aircraft or its passenger cabin and thus have the correspondingly customary features.

The invention is based on the basic idea of using thermoplastic technology for said pipes, i.e. Manufacture pipes from thermoplastic material. It is conceivable to produce the tubes from half shells (each half shell is a partial wall). For a secure and simple connection, it would be conceivable to connect pressed half-shells to one another with the aid of an outward-lying flange. Climate tubes made from long fiber reinforced thermoplastic semi-finished products could be thermoformed with a two-part tool in order to obtain the half-shells. After heating, the semi-finished product is pressed into the cavity with a stamp and then removed from the mold. The shaped half-shells are then placed in a welding tool, where both shells are joined together.

According to the invention, however, it is possible to connect corresponding pipes from partial walls without a flange. A flange can therefore be omitted, so that less installation space is required. It is therefore sufficient, for example, to produce simpler half-shells that do not require a flange. This simplifies the pressing process. Thanks to the invention or the contact surface, it is possible to apply pressure to the joint (overlapped edge areas in the area of the overlap) without having to build up internal pressure inside the pipe to be produced. The connection, in particular welding in the area of the overlap, can be carried out as a manual process, semi-automatically (guiding the tool, in particular along a resting rail with the part walls / tube at rest) or fully automated (guiding the tool and connecting the resting part walls, in particular with the aid of a robot) , With the tool, both half-shells (two pipe seams) and complete pipes (part walls are part of a single pipe wall, only one pipe seam) can be connected, in particular welded, at the overlap.

The partial walls can be cut and joined in the same holder (in which the partial walls are held so that they can be processed with the tool).

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the guideways have a spacing from one another in the radial direction of the tube, at least in sections, outside the junction. The radial direction corresponds here in particular to the surface normal of the contact surface. At the confluence, the radial spacing of the guideways is - as explained above - zero, otherwise not equal to zero, in particular not decreasing, in particular increasing. In particular, the guideways thus move away from each other against the direction of transport. In particular, they have a maximum distance at their ends lying opposite to the transport direction. It is thus possible to gradually bring the partial walls or edge areas within the guideways closer together as they move in the transport direction through the guideways.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the guideways also have an overlap in the circumferential direction with respect to one another, at least in sections, outside or at a distance from the junction. In particular, the overlap thus extends against the transport direction, starting at the junction, along the entire common length of the guideways. The overlap is variable or constant, in particular the same as the overlap at the junction or contact surface. The partial walls or edge areas are already fed to one another with the overlap in the guideways. In particular, the partial walls can be fed to one another without tension.

In a preferred embodiment, at least one of the guideways and / or the contact surface is formed at least in sections with an actually continuous surface for flat contact for the edge regions in the radial direction and / or circumferential direction. In other words, there is a flat one-sided or two-sided, and thus particularly safe and gentle guidance of the edge regions in the guideways and / or the contact surface.

In a preferred embodiment, at least one of the guideways and / or the contact surface has, at least in sections, a shape which is curved in accordance with the circumferential profile of the cross section of the tube to be produced, in particular the shape of the tube or of the partial walls at the point in question. The guide means and / or the contact surface therefore have a curvature in a plane transverse to their course along the transport direction, which corresponds to that of the pipe to be manufactured as intended. This ensures particularly gentle and flat guidance of the partial walls or edge areas.

In a preferred embodiment, at least one of the guideways is a slot in a guide body and / or the contact surface is a surface of the guide body. In this context, “surface” is to be understood as a surface that points toward the outside or towards the surroundings, that is to say an outer surface that is visible, accessible or uncovered from the outside. The guide body can in particular be divided into partial bodies. The corresponding path or surface can thus be implemented particularly easily in the tool. In particular, the tool then consists solely of the guide body or bodies.

In a preferred variant of this embodiment, the guide body is made in one piece. In particular, the tool then consists solely of the guide body.

In a preferred variant of this embodiment, the first slot (that of the first guideway) continues on one side into the contact surface and the second slot (that of the second guideway) ends at the contact surface. This results in a particularly simple tool.

In a preferred embodiment, the tool contains a heat source for the thermal connection (in particular welding) of the partial walls positioned on the basis of the tool in the desired relative position with the overlap in the region of the overlap. With such a tool, integrative machining of the part walls or the tube, namely the relative positioning of the edge regions with overlap and their connection, is possible in a single work step by guiding the tool along the part walls or the tube.

In a preferred embodiment, the tool contains a pressure medium for pressing the partial walls positioned on the basis of the tool in the desired relative position with the overlap with respect to one another in the region of the overlap against the contact track. A corresponding pressure is required in particular to connect the partial walls in the area of the overlap or at least serves for a better connection. In combination with the above-mentioned embodiment, the pressure medium is arranged in particular in the thermal effective range of the heat source. In this way, the pressure at the point necessary for the connection (in particular the welding area) is introduced into the part walls or edge areas to be connected or connected.

The object of the invention is also achieved by a device according to claim 11, with a tool according to the invention and with a feed means for feeding the tool along a feed curve. The feed curve corresponds to a local course of the contact surface for different feed positions (location positions along the feed curve).

The feed curve thus also corresponds to an intended course of the edge regions to be positioned or positioned relative to one another. "Corresponds" means in particular that the feed curve is identical or parallel to the positioned edge areas. The feed means, in particular a guide rail, can be inside or outside the pipe to be manufactured. This enables partial automation of the positioning and overlapping of the edge areas through forced guidance of the tool.

The device and at least some of its embodiments and the respective advantages have already been explained in connection with the tool according to the invention.

In a preferred embodiment, the feed means is a (guide) rail along which the tool can be moved one-dimensionally. This results in a particularly simple embodiment of the device.

In a preferred embodiment, the feed means is a robot arm that is set up to feed the tool along the feed curve. “Set up” means that the robot arm is designed to follow the feed curve, in particular a controller is assigned to the robot arm in which the corresponding feed curve is forcibly specified as a movement path for the robot arm or the tool guided by it, in particular by programming.

The object of the invention is also achieved by a pipe arrangement according to claim 14 with a tool according to the invention or the device according to the invention and with the partial walls mentioned. The tube arrangement thus represents the above-mentioned partial walls or the above-mentioned tube resulting therefrom during manufacture with the tool. The partial walls are unconnected or partially connected to a part of the tube or completely connected to the tube, depending on the time of consideration. The part walls can therefore already be at least partially connected to the tube, which is then also part of the tube arrangement.

The tube arrangement and at least some of its embodiments and the respective advantages have already been explained analogously in connection with the tool according to the invention and the device according to the invention.

The object of the invention is also achieved by a method according to claim 15 for connecting two edge regions of two thermoplastic partial walls of a pipe to be produced as intended with an overlap in the circumferential direction of the pipe to one another. In the method, the partial walls are held in a holder, the edge regions are positioned with the overlap with the aid of the tool according to the invention or the device according to the invention, and the edge regions are thermally connected to one another in the region of the overlap so that they have the overlap. Optionally, the connection is made with pressure, in particular using the pressure medium mentioned above, in particular the tool. The connection is optionally carried out by heating, in particular using the heat source mentioned above, in particular the tool.

In particular, the method is carried out with the pipe arrangement according to the invention.

The method and at least some of its embodiments and the respective advantages have already been explained in connection with the tool according to the invention, the device according to the invention and the pipe arrangement according to the invention.

The invention is based on the following findings, observations and considerations and also has the following embodiments. The embodiments are sometimes also called “the invention” for simplicity. The embodiments can also contain or correspond to parts or combinations of the above-mentioned embodiments and / or possibly also include embodiments not previously mentioned.

According to the invention, half-shells are produced in particular in a thermoforming process. These half-shells are placed in a joining tool (holder) and optionally cut to the required size. A second process step follows: The tool according to the invention travels the contour (edge areas, feed curve), in particular guided on a guide rail, and joins them together (the edge areas with overlap) without flanges. There are several options for joining, in particular ultrasound, laser or thermal elements. The guide rail can be inside or outside the pipes.

According to the invention, in particular climate tubes are manufactured from thermoplastic semi-finished products by thermoforming.

The half-shells (or their edge areas) are inserted into the tool in the front area (entrance opening of the guideways upstream of the transport direction) and into the tool brought to a minimum to each other (distance equal to zero, see above). At the other end of the tool (on the contact surface), a pressure medium (in particular a stamp) exerts additional pressure on the half-shells, so that they rest on one another without a gap. The pressure medium (stamp) and a heat source (welding unit) weld the two half-shells together. The welding can be done as a manual process, semi-automated or fully automated.

• 1 das erfindungsgemäße Werkzeug in a) Rückansicht, b) Draufsicht, c) Vorderansicht, d) Seitenansicht und e) isometrischer Ansicht,
• 2 eine erfindungsgemäße Vorrichtung mit dem Werkzeug aus 1 bei der Fertigung eines Rohres aus zwei Halbschalen in a) isometrischer Ansicht, b) Draufsicht, c) Seitenansicht, d) Draufsicht im Schnitt, und
• 3 die Vorrichtung aus 2, allerdings bei der Fertigung des Rohres aus einem einzigen Organoblech in Vorderansicht.

Further features, effects and advantages of the invention result from the following description of a preferred exemplary embodiment of the invention and the attached figures. Here, each in a schematic sketch:

• 1 the tool according to the invention in a) rear view, b) top view, c) front view, d) side view and e) isometric view,
• 2 a device according to the invention with the tool 1 in the manufacture of a tube from two half-shells in a) isometric view, b) top view, c) side view, d) top view in section, and
• 3 the device 2 , however, when manufacturing the tube from a single organic sheet in front view.

1 shows a tool 2 in different views. The views are in 1e each indicated by arrows with Roman numerals. The tool 2 has a first guideway 4a and a second track 4b , each in the form of a slot 6 in a one-piece guide body 7 of the tool 2 , on. The guideways 4a, b each run along a transport direction 8th and have a fixed relative position R to each other.

The tool 2 also contains a contact surface 10 , This sets the first guideway 4a in the direction of transport 8th continued. Both guideways 4a, b flow into a confluence 12 in the contact surface 10 on.

The tool 2 is intended for the manufacture of a particular, in the 2 and 3 shown tube 14 provided and coordinated with it constructively. The intended pipe 14 has a circumferential direction 16 and one or respective radial directions 18 on. The pipe 14 is made up of two partitions 22a, b to produce half shells here.

The tool 2 serves two border areas 20a, b of the partial walls 22a, b of the pipe 14 with a given overlap Ü in the circumferential direction 16 to position. After positioning, the edge areas 20a, b connected to each other, here in the form of a pipe seam 48 welded. The partial wall 22a provides a lower shell, the partial wall 22b represents an upper shell.

The guideways 4a , b overlap at the junction 12 in the circumferential direction 16 with the overlap Ü and face each other in the radial direction 18 no distance A or a distance A equal to zero. The overlap Ü in the circumferential direction 16 point the guideways 4a, b however, along its entire length in the direction of transport 8th on.

Both the guideways 4a, b as well as the contact area 10 have continuous areas 24 (in 1e hatched) for the flat contact of the edge areas 20a, b or partial walls 22a, b in the guideways 4a, b or on the contact surface 10 on. All areas 24 here have a curved shape, each of the circumferential course or the circumferential direction 16 follows, so the circumferential course of the cross section of the pipe to be manufactured 14 equivalent.

The slots 6 are in the guide body 7 brought in. The contact surface 10 is through a surface 11 of the guide body 7 educated. The guide body 7 is made in one piece. The contact surface 10 or the surface 11 sets the first slot 6 the first guideway 4a at the confluence 12 or their one (side) surface 24 continued. The second slot 6 the second guideway 4b ends at the confluence 12 ,

The 2 and 3 show the tool 2 as part of a device 30 which in addition to this also a feed 32 , here in the form of a rail 34 or guide rail. The different viewing directions are in 2a symbolized by arrows with Roman numerals. 2d shows a section along the plane IId-IId , The feed medium 32 serves to feed the tool 2 along a feed curve 36 , here a straight line that corresponds to the location of the contact surface 10 of the tool 2 for different feed positions on the feed means 32 equivalent. The tool 2 is so on the feed 32 one-dimensionally displaceable.

The 2 and 3 also show a pipe arrangement 40 who the tool 2 or the device 30 and the thermoplastic part walls 22a , b, or the already partially manufactured pipe 14 contains. The 2 and 3 show the tool 2 or the device 30 in operation, ie during the manufacture of the pipe 14 from the part walls 22a, b ,

The manufacturing process is as follows: First, the partial walls 22a, b in a just symbolically in 2c indicated bracket 42 held. Using the tool 2 become the border areas 20a , b with the overlap Ü positioned to each other. In this relative position to one another, they are thermally connected to one another. To do this, the tool contains 2 a source of heat 44 , here in the form of a welding unit. The welding is carried out, for example, with ultrasound, laser (eg “Globo” laser from Leister Technologies AG, Kägiswil / Switzerland) or a thermocouple. In addition, pressure (symbolically represented by an arrow) is applied to the edge areas during welding 20a , b exercised so that they are in contact with each other with pressure. To do this, the tool contains 2 a leverage 46 , here is a stamp that shows the two bordered areas 20a , b against the contact surface 10 suppressed. The welding is in 2 only symbolically indicated by lightning. Around the pipe 14 to manufacture is the tool 2 in one direction 47 at in the bracket 42 dormant partitions 22a , b and stationary feed 32 along the feed means 32 postponed. This results in the direction of transport 8th for the border areas 20a , b relative to the tool 2 in the opposite direction to the running direction 47 ,

Becoming successive in a continuous process by moving the tool along 2 the entire border areas 20a , b welded together to form a weld seam or pipe seam 48 to form and so the pipe 14 manufacture.

In an alternative embodiment of the device 30 , in the 2a is indicated, the rail is omitted 34 as a feed 32 , The tool 2 is instead of a robot arm that can be moved in several degrees of freedom 50 as a feed 32 guided. However, the guidance takes place on the same feed curve 36 , A corresponding program in a control of the robot arm, not shown 50 is programmed so that the tool 2 is moved accordingly.

In 2d is the course of the guideways 4a , b or the slots 6 inside the guide body 7 to recognize. In particular, it can be seen how in the direction of transport 8th the initial distance A between the guideways 4a, b from entering the guide body 7 to the confluence 12 decreases to zero.

3 shows the front view of the basic situation 2 in the direction of the arrow III (please refer 2a) , However, the only variation here is too 2 the pipe 14 not from two partitions 22a , b made in the form of half shells, but a single wall in the form of an organic sheet. The partial walls 22a , b here are subsections of the integrally connected organic sheet. Using the tool 2 is therefore only a single pipe seam 48 manufactured. Otherwise there are no changes regarding 2 ,

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

2

Tool

4a

first guideway

4b

second guideway

6

slot

7

guide body

8th

transport direction

10

contact surface

11

surface

12

junction

14

pipe

16

circumferentially

18

radial direction

20a, b

border area

22a, b

partial wall

24

area

30

contraption

32

advancing means

34

rail

36

feed cam

40

pipe arrangement

42

bracket

44

heat source

46

lever

47

direction

48

pipe seam

50

robot arm

R

relative position

Ü

overlap

A

distance

Claims (15)

Tool (2) for positioning two edge regions (20a, b) of two thermoplastic partial walls (22a, b) of a pipe (14) to be manufactured as intended in the form of a ventilation / air conditioning pipe for an aircraft with an overlap (Ü) in the circumferential direction (16) of the Pipe (14) to each other to connect the edge areas (20a, b) to each other, - with a first guide track (4a) for guiding the first edge area (20a) in a transport direction (8), - with a second guide track (4b) Guiding the second edge area (20b) in the Transport direction (8), the second guideway (4b) having a fixed position (R) relative to the first guideway (4a), - with a contact surface (10) for abutting the overlapped edge areas (20a, b) in the radial direction (18) of the tube (14), - the contact surface (10) continuing the first guideway (4a) in the transport direction (8) - and both guideways (4a, 4b) at least at the junction (12) into the contact surface (10) with the overlap ( Ü) overlap in the circumferential direction (16) and there are no distances (A) from one another there in the radial direction (18) of the tube (14). Tool (2) after Claim 1 , characterized in that the guide tracks (4a, 4b) outside of the junction (12) are at least in sections at a distance (A) from one another in the radial direction (18). Tool (2) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the guide tracks (4a, 4b) outside of the junction (12) at least in sections have the overlap (Ü) in the circumferential direction (16) to one another. Tool (2) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one of the guideways (4a, 4b) and / or the contact surface (10) at least in sections with a continuous surface (24) for flat contact for the edge regions (20a, b ) is formed in the radial direction (18) and / or circumferential direction (16). Tool (2) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one of the guideways (4a, b) and / or the contact surface (10) has, at least in sections, a shape which is curved in accordance with the circumferential profile of the cross section of the tube (14) to be produced. Tool (2) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one of the guideways (4a, 4b) is a slot (6) in a guide body (7) and / or the contact surface (10) is a surface (11) of the guide body (7) is. Tool (2) after Claim 6 , characterized in that the guide body (7) is made in one piece. Tool (2) according to one of the Claims 6 to 7 , characterized in that the first slot (6) continues on one side in the contact surface (10) and the second slot (6) ends on the contact surface (10). Tool (2) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that there is a heat source (44) for thermally connecting the partial walls (22a, b) positioned with respect to one another on the basis of the tool (2) with the overlap (Ü) in the region of the overlap (Ü ) contains. Tool (2) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that there is a pressure means (46) for pressing the part walls (22a, b) positioned with respect to one another by means of the tool (2) with the overlap (Ü) in the region of the overlap (Ü) against the investment track. Device (30) with a tool (2) according to one of the preceding claims and with a feed means (32) for feeding the tool (2) along a feed curve (36), which corresponds to a local course of the contact surface (10) for different feed positions. Device (30) after Claim 11 , characterized in that the feed means (32) is a rail (34) along which the tool (2) can be moved one-dimensionally. Device (30) according to one of the Claims 11 to 12 , characterized in that the feed means (32) is a robot arm (50) which is set up to feed the tool (2) along the feed curve (36). Pipe arrangement (40), with a tool (2) according to one of the Claims 1 to 10 or with a device (30) according to one of the Claims 11 to 13 and with the part walls (22a, b). Method for connecting two edge regions (20a, b) of two thermoplastic partial walls (22a, b) of a pipe (14) to be produced as intended with an overlap (Ü) in the circumferential direction (16) of the pipe (14) to one another, in which: - the partial walls ( 22a, b) are held in a holder (42), - the edge regions (20a, b) using a tool (2) according to one of the Claims 1 to 10 or a device (30) according to one of the Claims 11 to 13 are positioned relative to each other with the overlap (Ü), - the partial walls (22a, b) are thermally connected to one another in the region of the overlap (Ü).

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