Flipping a rubber extruded profile 1

[CezarAndrei]

I have a spiral cross section of an extruded silicone profile of about 50ft. I want to flip it and the smaller radius end to be on top. Can be done manually but takes a lot of effort and time.

Anyone has any idea?

I'll try to use a cone to open the profile and try to close it starting with the bigger radius.

Thank you

 

[GregLocock]

for all i

z(i):=-z(i)

next i

alternatively
what on Earth are you talking about?



Cheers

Greg Locock

Please see FAQ731-376 for tips on how to make the best use of Eng-Tips.

 

[CezarAndrei]

Looks like a long rubber hose. The cross section is actually a spiral. The extrusion die has a spiral opening.

Now a spiral has to one end a large radius (on the exterior) and a small radius (on the inside).
Don't forget it is rubber.

I have to flip profile so the small radius end to get on the outside. In this case the "hose" will be tight.
By hand you have to open this profile flat, and roll it starting with the larger radius end.

It is used to protect cables

 

[MikeHalloran]

I'm thinking you could make a polished metal shoehorn and walk it from one end to the other with the extrusion laid out on a bench. Maybe it would need to have cam surfaces as found on some tire changing machines, or maybe something as simple as a manual tire iron would suffice.



Mike Halloran
Pembroke Pines, FL, USA

 

[CezarAndrei]

mike, thank you. first for understanding what i'm talking about, and for the idea. i'll think to automate this idea by pulling one end of the "hose"

thanks again, man