MACHINE FOR LONGITUDINAL CORRUGATING OF SHEET MATERIAL

Abstract: Machine for longitudinal corrugating of sheet material, comprising profiling sets (4A, 4B) and drive roller set, separated in the profiling direction. The profiling sets each comprise of at least two sets of cooperating roller pairs (4A, 4B) which can pivot laterally, so that the one or the other of the two sets can engage in the profiling path. Alternatively, the two cooperating sets of roller pairs can be situated two sets by two sets on displaceable carriers, for linear displacement into and out of the profiling path.

Description: MACHINE FOR LONGITUDINAL CORRUGATING OF SHEET MATERIAL The invention relates to a machine according to the introduct ion of claim 1 , f or longitudinal corrugat ing of a sheet material , with opt ion between dif f erent , predetermined prof i le patterns . Background : The roll-forming technique concerned , has already been described in Norwegian patent specif icat ion No . 160.287. Object : It is a main object of the present invention to provide a corrugating machine, which is making the change-over from one profile design to another substantially easier and less expensive than for the machine of Norwegian Patent Specification 160.287. It is a particular object to provide a machine that can be provided with simple auxiliary equipment for powered, e.g. automatically controlled, change-over. The inventive priciple: The main object of the invention can be achieved by a machine designed according to claim 1. Additional features are disclosed in the dependent claims, The machine according to the present invention is superior to any known roll-forming machine, regarding the change-over from one profile design to another predeter¬ mined profile, as change-over is substantially quicker. Furthermore, the machine according to the present invention is much simpler and quicker to manufacture than conventional rollforming machines and accordingly, the total building costs will be at a fraction of the corresponding costs of any other conventional machine or production facility providing the same number of equivalent profile designs. The change-over may be operated manually by only one operator, no matter which change-over method is used (manual, mechanic, or automatic; depending on mode of design) . Regarding both structure and costs, as well as related usability, the machine according to the present invention will differ greatly from known solutions. Examples: The invention will become clear by the following detailed description with drawings; where fig. 1 shows a schematic side view of a section of the profiling part of a machine, with typical arrangement of integrated revolvable units incorporating fixed profiling sets, and corresponding counter-roller sets in the drive-stand, each rotor correspondingly having four operative positions for different profiles, fig. 2 shows a corresponding side view, but with two-piece profiling sets, and with two separated complete profiling sets having an upper and a corresponding lower row of forming rollers, arranged on an upper and a corresponding lower revolvably displaceable common unit, fig. 3 shows still another corresponding side view, with vertically displacable units, fig. 4 shows a schematic side view of a side girder, as in fig. 1, and a section of the corresponding bottom part, fig. 5 shows a schematic top view corresponding to the side view in fig. 4, fig. 6 shows a schematic plan view in the central part of the machine corresponding to the side view in fig. 4, fig. 7 shows a schematic side view on the inner side of a side girder, corresponding to fig. l, and a section of the side girder, to show a device for locking the revolvable units with a simple locking mechanism, 5 fig. 8 shows a schematic section with a front view of the locking mechanism of fig. 7, fig. 9 shows a schematic front view of a common unit according to fig. 3, fig. 10 shows schematically a powered revolving 10 connection for changing the revolvable units of a machine according to fig. 1, in one operation, fig. 11 shows a corresponding device for changing over for a machine according to fig. 2, while fig. 12 shows a corresponding device for chaning 15 over of the rotatable units of the counter-rollers of the drive set in a machine as shown in fig. 3. Fig. 1 I) Revolvable unit for counter-roller sets 20 2) Counter-roller set 3) Revolvable unit for fixed profiling sets 4) Profing sets 4A) Forming rollers, matching the main plane of the sheet material 25 4B) Forming rollers, matching the height incremented plane of the profile 4C) Apertures for the passing of the sheet 5) Side girders of the frame work for the machine 6) Supporting legs of the frame work 30 7) Supporting base of the frame work 8) Hook for locking the revolvable units in position 9) Sprocket wheels for drive shafts 10) Drive chain tightener II) Drive chain for the drive sets 35 12) Drive shafts for the drive sets 13) Shaft of revolvable units 14) Journal bearing of revolvable units Fig. 2 3A) Revolvable upper unit of two-piece profiling sets 3B) Upper profiling sets, in operative position matching the main plane of the sheet 3C) Corresponding revolvable lower unit of two-piece profiling sets 3D) Lower profiling sets, in operative position matching the height incremented plane of the sheet 0 Fig. 3 3E) Displacable units for one-piece profiling sets 3F) Profiling sets in displacable unit 15) Vertical guides for displacable profiling units 5 16) Guidance slots for the displacable profiling units, the slots being made up by the vertical guides Fig. 4 17) Upper transverse bracing for the top part of the 0 machine 5A) Side girders of the frame work of the bottom part of a two-piece machine 5B) Side girders of the frame work of the top part of a two-piece machine 5 6A) Supporting legs of the bottom part 7A) Supporting base of the bottom part Fig. 5 17A) Upper transverse bracing with bearing (19) for 30 supporting a drive shaft (12) with drive rollers (20) 18) Journal bearing for the drive shaft (in this example shown as flange bearing) 19) Bearing for the drive shaft 20) Drive rollers of the shaft (12) 35 21) Edge-forming rollers for the forming of chamfered edges 22) Counter-rollers for the outer parts of the profile Fig. 6 23) Chain connection between revolvable units (1 and 3) in the two-piece machine (endless chain being shown) 24) The stapled line shows the main plane of the sheet 25) The stapled line shows the corresponding height incremented plane 9A) Sprocket wheels for the common units 17B) Lower transverse bracing for main parts (bottom part) of a two-part machine Fig. 7 Shows locking arrangement with a hook (8) and incorporated parts 8A, 8B, 8C, 8D, 8E, 8F, 8G, 8H for locking the rotatable common units (1 and 3) in the corresponding drive position, showing each locking hook (8) to be a locking mechanism for a rotatable unit (1) of the counter-rollers in one drive set, and an adjoining common unit (3) for corrugating. Fig. 8 Shows more detained the hook arrangement (8) shown in fig. 7, with a more detained description of the elements 8A-8H. Thus the hook (8) has a fixed bolt (8A), which is passed through the side girder (5) in a journal (8B). The bolt (8A) is fixed to an arm (8D) by a key (8C) in a corresponding keyway in the bolt and the arm (8D). The arm (8D) further has another fixed bolt (8E). The bolt (8E) for all the hooks (8) with the parts (8A-8E) is pivotally linked by the bolts (8E) to a common longitudinal maneuvering arm (8G) through journals (8F). Fig. 9 Shows a sheet formed displaceable common unit (3E) with a upper (3F) and three lower profiling sets for a station, comprises profiling rollers 4A and 4B and edge rollers (21) and (22) for flat or oblique edge ending. Such a common unit seperated traversly in the middle, characterizes the roller means for one of the profiling sets in a revolvable common unit with fixed, not two-piece profiling sets. Fig. 10, 11, 12 26) Motor connected to the the revolving connection (23) (chain) between revolvable common units. Fig. 10 Correspond to a machine with profiling set according to fig. 1. Fig. 10, 11, and 12 shows a powered revolving connection between rotatable units for the machines shown: Fig. 10 corresponds to a machine according to claim 1, with a continous chain connection (23) to sprockets (9A) on the different units (1,3) and over an additional sprocket (10A) at the lower part of the machine to a motor (26) at the other end. Fig. 11 corresponds to a machine according to fig. 2, with rotatable units 1, 3A, and 3C. Correspondingly fig. 12 shows a revolving connection (23) for the rotatable units (1) for the counter-rollers arranged at the drive units for a machine according to fig. 3, with relocatable units (3E) for the corrugating elements (3F). Further it is necessary with a lower, additional sprocket (10A) between each of the units (1) to have sufficient chain length to the sprockets (9A) and for guiding the chain (23), to have chain clearance between the vertically relocatable units (3E), said chain is arranged closely inside one of the side girders close to the main part of the rotor.

Claims: CLAIMS: 1. Adjustable machine for longitudinal corrugating of sheet material, particularly of metal, by stepwise bending over free-running forming rollers, so that alternating longitudinal ridges and grooves are formed, in that for each forming step there is a an upper and lower row of forming rollers (47), which are adjustable individually or in groups for each step at least perpendicular to the main plane of the sheet material, and separated from the profiling rollers in the profiling direction is provided sets (17A-K) of drive rollers (60) with counter rollers (37) having adjustable roller pressure, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that the forming rollers for at least one forming step, are united into singular or dual sets, the singular or dual profiling sets having means to be moved between operative and non-operative position. 2. Machine corresponding to Claim 1, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that the profiling set is situated at an aperture in a carrying plate. 3. Machine corresponding to Claim 2, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that the carrying plate is withdrawable perpendicular to the moving direction of the sheet, by preference vertically. 4. Machine corresponding to Claim 2, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that each such carrying plate has two or more pairs of profiling set, and can be displaced between positions rendering the different profiling sets operative. 5. Machine corresponding to Claim 1 or 2, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that two or more profiling sets (4,fig.l) are situated on a revolvable carrier (3) with its axis of rotation being transverse to the moving direction of the sheet, parallell to the sheet material, so that the different sets may be turned in operative engagement with the sheet material. 6. Machine corresponding to Claim 1 or 5, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that these revolvable carriers are arranged into pairs, upper and lower, respectively. 7. Machine corresponding to Claim 1, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that the profiling sets are situated transversely to the the profiling direction in one, or a co-operating pair of adjustable common units for each profiling step, having parallel fixed, resp. bisected, complete profiling sets for each profile, that each of these common units in a known manner is adjustable individually or in groups, either in the vertical direction of the main plane of the sheet material, or by rotation between fixed operative, lockable positions for each profile, the fixed profiling sets in such a common unit are either arranged fixed opposite each other, preferably in a corresponding order, and relative position, corresponding to apertures in a carrier plate, or a correspondingly formed carrier construction, or the profiling sets or equivalent are arranged individually on each carrier plate, or a correspondingly formed carrier construction, which is extending from a common rotor, preferably in corresponding order and relative position, and so that the tangential sections of the main plane of the sheet material for every profiling sets are arranged in the same distance to the axis of rotation of the rotor, or for in pair cooperating common units, respectivily, that each profiling set is divided in two with an individual upper- and a correspondingly situated lower row of profiling rollers, fixed separated on an upper and a corresponding lower rotor, that separated from the profiling step is arranged correspondingly a appropriate number of drive sets with one or two drive rollers with similar diameter, arranged on a drive axle, in engagement with the sheet material in connection to the main plane of the sheet material, preferably with the drive sets arranged in the middle of the common units for the profiling sets, with corresponding revolvable common unit having for each profile an adapted, complete, optionally interchangeable set of free running counter rollers having similar diameter, wherein the counter rollers in every set of counter rollers can be arranged opposite to the corresponding and substantially wider drive rollers in that the the sets of counter rollers for each set of drive rollers are extending from and fixed to a adjustable common rotor, preferably in corresponding order and relative position, optionally, similar to the regularly arranged profiling sets in revolvable common units, so that every counter roller in a known manner is adjustable individually or in groups, between fixed, lockable positions for each profile, optionally adjusted to one ore more revolvable common units for the profiling sets. 8. Machine corresponding to Claim 1, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that the adjustable common units in known manner is individually neutrally balanced with regard to rotation and weight, respectivily, using balancing weight, or counter directed weight, so that the units can be adjusted using a minimum of force. 9. Machine corresponding to Claim 7 or 8, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that the profiling sets and the counter roller sets, respectively, are provided with the adjustable common units in corresponding order and relative position, - that the adjustable common units generally of similar type, can be adjusted in groups or as a whole, either for common units for profiling sets having adjustment in vertical direction relative to the main plane of the sheet material, so that the units in every group, or all units, are adjustably fixed to a common, longitudinal and rigid carrier construction, or accordingly for revolvable common units that a plurality, preferably all, of the common units in a known manner are revolvably connected to each other, so that the member of operations necessary for adjustment from one profile to any other predetermined profile is reduced with a corresponding reduction of the change-over time. 10. Machine corresponding to Claim 9, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that that the adjustment units are connected to a common driving means, for each profile a starting switch being provided, and preferably an end switch for activating the means for automatically stop and locking in the corresponding operative position. 11. Machine corresponding to Claims 7-10, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that a fixed lower, frame section is provided with fixed drive roller sets between the side girders of the lower section, and of a corresponding insertable and rigid upper frame section provided with revolvable units between the side girders of the upper section, for maximum five different profiles, with units corresponding to complete sets of counter rollers and corresponding units with fixed profiling sets, that the lower section is provided with a common drive means for the drive roller units interconnected, with the pivotal connection on the outside of the side girders of the lower sections on one side, or both sides, - that the side girders of the upper section have apertures in the lower edge for sufficient clearance to the drive axles for insertion in the lower section, - that the upper section, with a certain longitudinal displacement relative to the corresponding lower section, can be installed between the side girders of the lower section to a correct height position with fixed, preferably flanged carriers as a basis, the carriers being connected to the side girders of the lower section, to be brought in the corresponding desired longitudinal position, and be locked up, preferably using stearing pins and latching screws, - that the lower section is provided with further equipment, as electrical equipmant and maneuvering means, guiding means for insertion of the sheet material, sheet cutter, distance meter, etc., so that with the same lower section including all operational equipment, a number of upper sections can be utilized, each having a plurality of intercangeable different profiles. 12. Machine corresponding to Claim 11, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that the adjustment units are provided with resiprocal pivotal connection to the upper section, preferably with upper chain connection between each of the upper units for the counter roller sets, with cooperating connected to a downwards running chain connection to each of the lower units for the profiling sets, and which preferrably is situated on the inside of one of the side girders with sufficient clearance to the adjacent side edge of the common units, optionally, a separated upper section having the pivotal connection provided with coupling means for engagement when juxtapositioned, preferably with direct connection in that each pivotal connection is situated adjacent to a corresponding cogwheel, so that the cogwheels is engaged when assambling the parts, so that the adjustment is reduced to one single operation for every predetermined profile in the upper section. 13. Machine corresponding to Claim 10-11, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that the lower section has a fixed connected driving means for adjustment of the revolvable units of the upper section, with an engageable coupling to the pivotal connection of upper section between the units, preferably with direct connection when inserting the upper section, optionally, the driving means rotates a cogwheel which is fixed to the lower section, and which has, with an inserted upper section, is engaging a corresponding cogwheel in the upper sections, said cogwheel being connected to the pivotal coupling between the adjustment units, in that one particular driving means and adjustment, is adapted to mechanical adjustment to any one of a plurality of predetermined profiles in any of a plurality of such upper sections. 14. Machine corresponding to Claim 10-11,c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that both the profiling sets and the counter roller sets are individualy interchangeable, so that in using the same adjustment units, corresponding sets for a predetermined profile can be interchanged with corresponding new sets for a different profile. 15. Machine corresponding to Claim 7-14, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that every adjustment unit for each profiling set is accordingly interchangeable with the corresponding means for fixing in corresponding positions in situ, preferably for displacable adjustable units having corresponting pins for locking, and for revolvable adjustable units at least that all units corresponding to a single profiling set and driving set, have the same length between the axle ends, with free running basis to corresponding end stoppers, furthermore, with radially fixed position in a known manner, whereas the adjustment units for one set of various profiles can be interchanged with corresponding units for a different set of profiles. 16. Machine corresponding to Claim 7-11, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that it is provided with a plurality of separated sets of displaceable adjustment units, each set with coordinated profiling sets for a plurality of various profiles, that corresponding adjustment units in the various sets are coordinated in parallel aligned groups for corresponding profiling step, that all adjustment units in each set, in addition to fixed operative positions, have a free-running position with clearance to the sheet material running through, so that in having one of the sets in operative position, all the other sets can be put in free-running position, in that coordinated sets of counter rollers, for the drive units that the machine be adjusted to any of a plurality of predetermined positions in any of a plurality of sets of adjustment units. 17. Machine corresponding to Claim 7-16, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that on the adjustment units is arranged side by side one or more profiling and cooperating counter roller sets for one or more spare profiles, having similar side length, and a corresponding number of individual insertion guides for inserting the sheet material, so that for every of the operative positions of the adjustment units can be manufactured sideways a number of profiles in parallel.

Inventors: NILSEN TROND, NORMANN ERLING C, NILSEN, TROND, NORMANN, ERLING, C.
Applicants: NILSEN TROND, NORMANN ERLING C, NILSEN, TROND, NORMANN, ERLING, C.
Application year: 1989
Main classification: B21D13
IPC codes: B21D13