We have to create a device that can make pulling apart pipes (such as those found in older exhaust systems).
Everyone I talk to asks, "Why don't you just cut them?" Well, we can't cut. We have to pull apart like we're salvaging the system to reuse.

What I'm thinking of is something like a ratchet or even a floor jack. One side would stay stationary while the other moves away.
Each side would be connected to a half circle with rubber, or some high-friction material, on the inside to grip the pipe. Another half would be connected on the other side of the pipe, they'd be connected by two bolts you can tighten for increased grip.
Then you'd move the ratchet/arm to pull them apart.

The device has to be fairly light weight (at least portable). I'm thinking less than 20 lbs. One person should be able to operate it alone.

What do you think of this idea?

After coming up with the design, we have to either make a solid model of it, or a Visio drawing (I'm not sure how you would make a Visio drawing of something like this, I guess just like an exploded view?)
I'm kind of worried about this as I'm very bad with CAD software, and I don't even know how floor jacks work, or how I would create one (or a ratchet, if that's a viable option).

Could someone maybe link me to a site that explains how jacks or a ratchet (on this scale) would work? I can't really find anything in depth with visuals and all.


Any help/suggestions are greatly appreciated!
Please comment if I can give any more details.

Thanks.

How about you just use a store bought hydrolic jack (like for changing a car tire) to push the 2 brackets apart. Or do you have to design that part as well?

That's kind of the idea I'm going off of.
I don't need to make the product, I need to design it in a CAD program.

Any help?

I've just been doing a little more research, and I am thinking about making a kind of scissor jack or jack screw.
They seem pretty easy to design and would probably do the trick. Just attach to each end something to hold the pipes.

Any suggestion on how to do the pipe-holders?
They have to be able to vary, holding anywhere from 3-6in (diameter I'm guessing).

I guess honestly the hardest part is the attachment to the pipe
I really hope it's not a 3-6 inche range,rofl
That's a very wide range in my opinion, at least for a rigid holding attachment

but, do you know what/where you are pulling?
A picture would be nice


This post was edited by saber_x3 on Apr 4 2013 10:17am

I actually think it's a 2 inch range, not 3. But I could probably make multiple ones that can be attached to the arm or w/e I'd call it.

The only picture he gave us is this, the parts with a red box are when we have to take apart (all other joints have gaskets and don't have one pipe inside the other)



Here are some of the requirements.
 Adaptable to a variety of exhaust system geometries and/or diameters
 One-person operation
 Causes no significant damage to the exhaust system component
 No need for electrical power outlets or power tools (optional use of cordless power tools is permissible but must not be mandatory for using the device)
 Lightweight
 Cost consistent with the savings expected from the use of the device
Your puller must accept or adapt to fit exhaust tubing from 1 1/8” to 3” in outside diameters in the following steps: 1 1/8, 1 ¼, 1 ½, 1 ¾, 2, 2 ½ and 3 inches.

"The biggest obstacle to recovering exhaust system parts is disassembling the components. Some joints are welded. Others are held together with clamps (Figure 1). The clamps are easy to remove, but the joints they hold together tend to seize due to corrosion or plastic deformation of the pipes due to the clamping force."

Are we talking about trying to pull it while under the car?
Or with the whole exhaust system detached and in open space

While under a car =/

since cost is important, i would abandon the store bought hydraulic jack idea

Maybe put a large threaded bolt between the 2 clamps and use some kind of large ratchet/wrench to turn the bolt (separate the clamps).