Patent ID: 8720026
Filing Date: 2014-05-13
Classification: B21D,E06B,Y10T

Abstract:
1. An apparatus comprising a plurality of work stations and a programmable controller for co-ordinating operation of the plurality of work stations to fabricate elongated spacer frame members for supporting spaced apart glass panes in a window or door comprising: a) a supply work station loaded with a supply of sheet metal stock; b) a stamping work station that receives the sheet metal stock from the supply station and stamps the sheet metal stock to define a scrap length of stock coupled to multiple inter-connected spacer frame defining lengths of stock; c) a roll forming work station that roll forms the scrap length of stock and then roll forms the inter-connected spacer frame defining lengths of stock to produce a rigid, linearly extending scrap element having opposite side walls and a base wall coupled to a plurality of interconnected rigid linearly extending spacer frame members having opposite side walls and a base wall; d) a severing work station that first severs a connection between the scrap element and a first spacer frame member of the interconnected rigid linearly extending spacer frame members and then separates the interconnected spacer frame members from each other; and e) a scrap discharge work station downstream from the severing station including an actuator responsive to control signals from the programmable controller to selectively discharging the scrap element and then allow other spacer frame elements to pass through the scrap discharge station for additional processing.