Method and Machine Tool for Manufacturing Exhaust Gas Cleaning Devices

Abstract

A machine tool for manufacturing exhaust gas cleaning devices, in particular diesel particulate filters and catalysts that have a housing and a gas-traversed insert clamped in the housing, comprises at least one tool, in which the insert is clamped in the housing. A heating device that heats the housing is integrated in the tool. In a method for manufacturing exhaust gas cleaning devices, the heated housing is plastically deformed in a machine tool, and the insert is inserted into the housing.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method for manufacturing exhaust gas cleaning devices that include a housing and a gas-traversed insert clamped in the housing, the method comprising the following steps:
 a. wrapping the gas-traversed insert with an insulation mat to form a wrapped insert;   b. starting to heat the housing in a machine tool to increase the temperature of the housing; and   c. arranging the wrapped insert in the housing having an increased temperature.   
     
     
         2 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the machine tool includes a funnel part, and including resting the one end of the housing against the funnel part and introducing the wrapped insert into the one end of the housing through the funnel part. 
     
     
         3 . The method according to  claim 2 , wherein the machine tool includes an induction element, and including surrounding the housing with the induction element to heat the housing while the wrapped insert is inserted into the heated housing through the funnel part. 
     
     
         4 . The method according to  claim 1 , including measuring an insert characteristic of the gas-traversed insert and bringing the housing to a desired dimension based on the insert characteristic prior to step (b), and wherein the desired dimension increases to a greater size during step (b). 
     
     
         5 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the wrapped insert is arranged in the housing while the housing is heated in the machine tool. 
     
     
         6 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the housing is heated to at least 150° C. 
     
     
         7 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the housing is heated to not more than 630° C. 
     
     
         8 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the housing is heated to temperatures between 300° C. and 500° C. 
     
     
         9 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein heating the housing is effected by induction. 
     
     
         10 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the housing is heated to a first temperature during step (b) and wherein step (c) is performed at a second temperature that is equal to or less than the first temperature, the second temperature being at least 150° C. 
     
     
         11 . A machine tool for manufacturing exhaust gas cleaning devices that include a housing, a gas-traversed insert positioned in the housing, and an insulation mat wrapped around the gas-traversed insert to form a wrapped insert, the machine tool comprising:
 at least one tool in which the wrapped insert is clamped in the housing; and   a heating device integrated in the tool to increase a temperature of the housing to a first temperature, and wherein the wrapped insert is arranged in the housing having the first temperature.   
     
     
         12 . The machine tool according to  claim 11 , wherein said heating device includes at least one induction element and wherein the machined tool includes a funnel part, and wherein the housing is surrounded by the induction element while the wrapped insert is inserted into one end of the housing through the funnel part. 
     
     
         13 . The machine tool according to  claim 11 , including heating ducts in said at least one tool through which a heating fluid flows. 
     
     
         14 . The machine tool according to  claim 11 , wherein said at least one tool includes a thermal insulation of said heating device. 
     
     
         15 . The machine tool according to  claim 11 , including a cooling device adjacent to said heating device. 
     
     
         16 . The machine tool according to  claim 11 , wherein said at least one tool is a calibrating tool that reduces the outside dimensions of the housing. 
     
     
         17 . The machine tool according to  claim 11 , wherein said at least one tool is one of a stuffing tool in which said gas-traversed insert is stuffed into the heated housing and a wrapping tool in which the gas-traversed insert is wrapped by a heated sheet metal. 
     
     
         18 . The machine tool according to  claim 11 , wherein the wrapped insert is arranged in the housing when the housing is at a second temperature that is equal to or less than the first temperature, the second temperature being at least 150° C. 
     
     
         19 . The machine tool according to  claim 11 , wherein said heating device is constructed such that the housing is maximally heated to temperatures of 630° C. 
     
     
         20 . The machine tool according to  claim 11 , wherein said heating device is constructed such that the housing is heated to temperatures between 300° C. and 500° C.