Tube thread forming apparatus and method

1. A partial thread forming apparatus for forming partial threads on a tube, the apparatus comprising:

a base having a first arm and a second arm spaced from the first arm;

a prime motive apparatus fixed relative to the base and having a controllable shaft extending therefrom; and

a thread forming assembly located generally between the first arm and the second arm and including a first end plate connected to and movable by the controllable shaft, a second end plate affixed to the second arm, an internal die located between the first and second end plates and sized to be insertable within the tube, a first external die mounted to the first end plate and having a first flange with a first forming surface extending toward the internal die, a second external die mounted to the second end plate and having a second flange with a second forming surface extending toward the internal die, a first stripper piece elastically coupled to the first end plate and including a first securing surface extending adjacent to the first forming surface and adapted to support the tube, and a second stripper piece elastically coupled to the second end plate and including a second securing surface extending adjacent to the second forming surface and adapted to support the tube.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the first securing surface extends adjacent to the first forming surface on opposed sides of the first flange such that the first securing surface is adapted to support the tube along two sides of the first forming surface.

3. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the second securing surface extends adjacent to the second forming surface on opposed sides of the second flange such that the second securing surface is adapted to support the tube along two sides of the second forming surface.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the elastic coupling of the first tripper piece to the first end plate includes a gas spring.

5. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein the elastic coupling of the second stripper piece to the second end plate includes a gas spring.

6. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the internal die includes a first half and a separate second half, and the thread forming assembly further includes a mandrel located between the first half and the second half and adapted to be operable to move the first and second halves in opposed directions into contact with the tube.

7. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the thread forming assembly further includes a support plate extending around the internal die and adapted to support the tube thereon.

8. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein the support plate and the internal die are movable by the first end plate.

9. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the prime motive apparatus includes a pneumatic cylinder operatively engaging the controllable shaft.

10. A partial thread forming apparatus for forming partial threads on a tube, the apparatus comprising:

a base having a first arm and a second arm spaced from the first arm;

a prime motive apparatus fixed relative to the base and having a controllable shaft extending therefrom; and

a thread forming assembly located generally between the first arm and the second arm and including a first end plate connected to and movable by the controllable shaft; a second end plate affixed to the second arm; an internal die located between the first and second end plates and sized to be insertable within the tube, with the internal die including a first half and a separate second half; a mandrel located between the first half and the second half and adapted to be operable to move the first and second halves in opposed directions into contact with the tube, wherein the internal die and the mandrel are movable by the first end plate; a first external die mounted to the first end plate and having a flange extending toward the internal die; a second external die mounted to the second end plate and having a flange extending toward the internal die; a first stripper piece coupled to the first end plate and including a first securing surface adapted to support the tube; and a second stripper piece coupled to the second end plate and including a second securing surface adapted to support the tube.

11. The apparatus of claim 10 wherein the thread forming assembly further includes a support plate extending around the internal die and adapted to support the tube thereon.

12. The apparatus of claim 11 wherein the support plate, the internal die, and the mandrel are movable by the first end plate.

13. A method of forming partial threads in a tube having an inner surface and an outer surface, the method comprising the steps of:

locating a portion of the tube around an internal die having a first half and an opposed separate second half and partial teeth forming recesses located thereon;

moving the first half and the second half apart and into contact with the inner surface of the portion of the tube;

engaging the outer surface of the portion of the tube with support surfaces of a pair of opposed stripper pieces, wherein the support surfaces are elastically engaged with the outer surface of the portion of the tube;

engaging the outer surface of the portion of the tube, with a first and a second forming surface of a respective first and opposed second external die, adjacent to the corresponding support surfaces of the pair of stripper pieces to thereby form partial threads in the tube; and

releasing the tube from the first and second external dies, the pair of stripper pieces and the internal die.

14. The method of claim 13 wherein the method is further defined by the tube being a fuel filler tube.

15. The method of claim 13 wherein the step of moving the first half and the second half apart is further defined by inserting a mandrel between the first half and the second half to thereby cause the first half and the second half to move apart.

16. The method of claim 13 wherein the elastic engagement is accomplished by supporting the stripper pieces with a plurality of springs.

17. The method of claim 13 wherein the steps of engaging the outer surface of the portion of the tube with support surfaces of a pair of opposed stripper pieces and engaging the outer surface of the portion of the tube with a first and a second forming surface of a respective first and opposed second external die are further defined by the engagements being generated by actuating a shaft of a pneumatic cylinder assembly.

18. The method of claim 13 further including the step of detecting a tube parameter after engaging the outer surface of the portion of the tube with support surfaces of a pair of opposed stripper pieces and prior to forming partial threads in the tube.