Packing method and bar packer with hanging transfer, particularly for simplified cycle rolling plants

Abstract: 1. Bars packer plant with hung transfer magnets particularly for rolling plants, wherein it is also possible to pack bar layers differentiated in number (e.g. N,n-1) which have to be superposed upright and reverse from a layers supply line in differentiated number (1), characterized in that the plant: has only one linear system of movable hung magnetic means (46): at least from above the supply line with the respective bar layers to be picked-up in a pick-up area in the supply line (1,2), to above an adjacent pack formation pocket (3) for the respective laying down and formation of the pack; said hung transfer magnetic means (46) are rotatable through upsetting; it is provided a lifter means (2) below the supply system (1), and below said transfer magnetic means hung in their respective pick-up area, in order to lift one bar layer attached above and below said hung magnetic means.

Description: The present invention concerns a packing method and its respective bars packer with hanging transfer particularly for rolling plants, wherein it is also possible to pack bar layers which are differentiated in number and have to be superposed upright and reverse, as for example angle bars. Packing plants having transfers equipped with upsetting means having a rotating arm that substantially rotates for 180° to and fro for example angle bars (L-shaped profiles) from a supply device of alternating bar layers n and n-1, see for example IT83349A/88 (SIMAC), have been in use for years. These solutions are complex and cumbersome, and further present the drawback of lying on the supply line between the feeder of the layers n and n-1 and the pack formation pocket which is intended to receive these overlapped layers alternatively upright and overturned, said transfer rotating arm carrying out the transfer and the alternating upset. Packing plants with hanging transfer causing less hindrance on the supply line, are known also from patents of the same applicant: IT83471/88 (SIMAC) discloses an oscillating pendulum hanging transfer device having non-rotatable bar layers pick-up magnets associated to an upwards upset transfer to form a double bar layer n and n-1, with an intermediate transfer which positions the double layer under the oscillating transfer for the final transfer to the packing. IT83488A/88 (SIMAC) explains an oscillating hung transfer, or on a trolley, having a couple of fixed non-rotatable magnets, then necessarily associated to an upwards upsetter in orders to pick-up alternatively a first n bar layer and the other one a second n-1 bar layer, etc. IT83302A/89 (SIMAC) concerning a method and plant for packing profiles with the aid of a transfer having two hung non-rotatable magnets, yet always associated to an underlying auxiliary upset means. GB-A-1 082442 (SIEMAG) (preamble of the independent claims) discloses a method of stacking sections made of a ferro-magnetic material, wherein said method teaches bar packing using a series of upside-down rotatable pick-up ferro-magnetic devices, said ferro-magnetic devices being movable above and below said fixed conveyance plane, said fixed conveyance plane lying under said ferro-magnetic devices respective bar strata of n, and n-1 bars. Said ferro-magnetic devices operate starting under said fixed conveyance plane, picking-up an "n" bar stratum, and raising it above said fixed conveyance plane, upside-down rotating (180°), while said conveyance plane advances a new n-1 bar stratum under said pick-up ferro-magnetic devices, and then said pick-up ferro-magnetic devices moves downward onto said n-1 new bar stratum, picking it up under the first "n" bar stratum, and then finally raising both the strata and transferring them onto the stacking table (packing seat). This solution obliges the conveyance plane to wait a long time for completion of the two pick-up steps described above. DE-B-2 230 715 (SCHLOEMANN-SIEMAG) discloses an intermediate raising table, situated below said conveyance plane, in co-operation with a non rotating hung magnetic pick-up means, in order to reduce interference with said conveyance plane. Transfer to said packing seat is made one bar stratum at time, so must be done one transfer movement for each stratum, furthermore complex structure must be provided before pick-up station to upside-down alternatively one stratum before picking-up. So the use of all these solutions is however complex and expensive. The object of the present invention is to obviate said drawbacks. A further object is also to make it possible to form bar bundles in bulk in the same plant without the aid of intermediate transfers, through simple dropping into a pocket, this being very suitable e.g. for the formation of round bar bundles and the like. This and other objects are achieved by the present invention as claimed in the claims. Thanks to this solution, the system is greatly simplified and it is also possible, owing to the vicinity of the feeder end to the pocket, to form bundles of bars which are caused to fall directly into the pocket in bulk in a continuous way, as for example the packing of rods in the same plant. The magnetic transfer has one or two opposite magnetic faces, which makes it possible to eliminate in such a way one rotation of the magnet itself, using once a magnetic face and once the other, i.e. varying the magnetic face for each operative cycle (one cycle for one face and one cycle for the other). Through this solution, the advantage of saving a 180° rotation in order to return to the starting position is achieved. The invention is better understood through the joined description and drawings supplied only by way of example, where: Figures 1 and 1A represent a schematic view of the transfer in a bar layer picking-up from the feeder phase, in both solutions: movable from above and from above and below respectively. Figures 2 and 2A represent a schematic view of the transfer in the laying down into the pack formation pocket phase, in both solutions: movable from above and from above and below respectively. Figures 3 and 3A, represent a view from 1 to 6 of the transfer phases for angle bars in a first solution utilizing magnets with only one face of magnetic attraction , in both solutions: movable from above and from above and below respectively. Figures 4 and 4A represent the phases for the formation of angle bar packs utilizing magnets with opposite magnetic faces, in both solutions: movable from above and from above and below respectively. Figures 5 and 5A represent the formation of bar bundles through direct dropping by means of a slide, with the transfer device not active, in both solutions: movable from above and from above and below respectively. Referring to Figures 1 to 5-5A: The transfer includes a bar layers n and n-1 (1) supply system associated to a bar layer lifting device in the pick-up area 2 in order to stop it in its pick-up position under the hanging transfer 4 which is hung by a pendulum-like (40) arm (44) and made to oscillate by an eccentric or connecting-rod crank lever or equivalent or some other suitable means (42). The oscillating pendulum-like arm (44) can be extended and shortened by means of a telescopic system (43) transmission (441) and at its end it presents a C-shaped hook-like form, the lower ending end of which has pivoted (454) magnetic rotatable pick-up bars means (46) suitable to pick-up bar layers (n,n-1) from the supply system (1) and to lay them down into a pack formation pocket (3) equipped with a lowerable lower plane (31). The view of only one magnet will be noted from the figures. In fact these can be lined up in determined number for the picking-up of proper length bars. The motors for the pendulum transfer movement, for its elongation or shortening, and for the magnet rotation, are conveniently carried out by means of step motors. In Figure 5 a slide for the direct dropping of the bars into the pocket is illustrated, but it is apparent that this can be different as from the prior art, e.g. also as the one indicated in the application IT83526A/88 (SIMAC) or any other suitable method. Operating mode. after the upwards rotation of the pick-up magnetic plane of said magnetic transfer means, lift through said lifting means (2) a first bar layer (n-1) over the bar strata supply line (1) and pick-up from below said lifter the respective first bar layer thus lifted over said bar strata supply line (1) (phase 1 Fig.3) rotate downwards the pick-up plane of said magnetic means, while a second bar layer (n) is advancing on said bar strata supply line (1) (phase 2 Fig.3); lift through said lifter (2) this second bar layer over said bar strata supply line (1), bringing it into contact with the first bar layer, and go down letting the second bar layer be joined through magnetization under the first (phases 3-4 Fig.3); lay down the layers couple thus associated into the pocket (3) for the pack formation (phase 5 Fig.3) and rotate upwards said magnetic transfer means pick-up faces, in order to repeat the cycle (phase 6 Fig.3) The step motor 452 transmits the rotation to the magnets 46 through known transmission means, e.g. a chain. When using magnetic means having opposite pick-up faces as indicated in Figure 4, one rotation of the magnetic means is saved by alternating the respective surfaces. The cycle is the following: independently from the rotational position of said magnetic transfer means (upright or reverse), lift through said lifting means (2) a first bar layer (n-1) over the transfer plane (1) and pick-up from below said lifter the respective first bar layer thus lifted over said plane of advancement (1) (phase 1 Fig.4) rotate said magnetic means for 180° with their layer directed downwards, while a second bar layer (n) is advancing on said transfer plane (1) (phase 2 Fig.4); lift by means of said lifter (2) this second bar layer over said transfer plane (1) bringing it into contact with the first bar layer, and go down allowing the second bar layer to be joined through magnetization under the first (phases 3-4 Fig.4); lay down the layers couple thus associated into the pocket (3) for the pack formation (phase 5 Fig.4) and transfer the magnetic means over the pick-up area without need of rotation, in order to repeat the cycle (phase 6 Fig.4). Referring to Figures 1A to 5A: The transfer includes a supply system of n and n-1 bar layers (1) associated to a bar layer lifting device in the pick-up area 2 in order to stop it in its pick-up position under the hanging transfer 4 which is hung by a pendulum (40) arm (44) and caused to oscillate by an eccentric or connecting-rod crank lever or equivalent or some suitable other (42). The oscillating pendulum arm (44) can be extended and shortened by means of a telescopic system (43) transmission (441), and at its end it presents a C-shaped hook-like form, the lower ending end of which has pivoted (454) rotatable magnetic bar pick-up means (46) suitable to pick-up bar layers (n,n-1) from the supply system (1) and to lay them down into a pack formation pocket (3) equipped with a lowerable lower plane (31). The view of only one magnet will be noted from the figures. In fact, these can be lined up in determined number for the picking-up of bars of adequate length. The motors for the movement of the pendulum transfer, for its elongation or shortening and for the rotation of the magnet, are suitably carried out by means of step motors. In Figure 5 a slide for the direct dropping of the bars into the pocket is represented, but it is apparent that this can be different as from the prior art also e.g. as the one indicated in the application IT83526A/88 (SIMAC), or any other suitable method. Operating mode. by means of a transfer magnet which is rotated with its pick-up face directed upwards, picking-up of a first number of bars (n-1) from below (phase 1 fig.3A) lifting on the vertical and rotation of the hung transfer magnet (46) in such a way that its face turns downwards, and advancement of a new bar layer in differentiated number (n) under the first (phase 2 Fig.3A); lifting of the underlying bar layers lifting device (2) for bringing the second bar layer into contact under the first in said magnet, in such a way that the same holds even this second layer (phase 3 Fig.3A); lowering of the underlying lifting device (phase 4 Fig.3A); transfer of the magnet over the pack formation pocket and laying down of the two bar layers (phase 5 Fig.3A); return of the hanging transfer under the bar layer in arrival in the supply device (1), in order to repeat the cycle. The step motor 452 transmits the rotation to the magnets 46 through known transmission means, e.g. a chain. When using magnetic means with opposite pick-up faces as indicated in Figure 4A, one rotation of the magnetic means is saved by alternating the respective surfaces. The cycle is the following: independently from the position of the respective magnetic planes of the magnetic transfer means, pick-up from below a first bar layer (phase 1 Fig .4A) go up the vertical above said transfer plane (1) and rotate the pick-up plane of said magnetic means downwards, while a second bar layer is advancing on said transfer plane (1) (phase 2 Fig.5A); lift through said lifter (2) this second bar layer over said transfer plane (1) bringing it into contact with the first bar layer, and go down letting the second bar layer be joined through magnetization under the first (phases 3-4 Fig.4A); lay down the layers couple thus associated into the pocket (3) for the pack formation (phase 5 Fig.4A) and replace upwards said magnetic transfer means in order to repeat the cycle without need of rotation of the same in their starting position (phase 6 Fig.4A).

Claims: Bars packing method utilizing a bars packer plant with hung transfer magnetic means particularly for rolling plants, wherein it is also possible to pack bar layers differentiated in number (n, n-1) which have to be superposed upright and reverse in a stack way from a bar strata supply line (1) to form a bar pack, of the type having an upside-down rotatable electromagnetic pick-up means, wherein the said bars packer plant combines the following characteristics: has only one linear system of movable hung magnetic means with said upside-down rotatable electromagnetic pick-up means (46) to pick-up both said "n" and "n-1" bar strata for each transfer cycle, operating: at least from above the said supply line (1,2), to place a bar strata above an adjacent pack formation pocket (3) for the respective laying down and formation of the pack; characterized in that the plant uses an intermediate bar stratum lifter means (2) operating from below said bar stratum supply line (1) and able to lift one bar stratum to be attached to said hung magnetic means (46), and to lift another bar stratum to be attached below said hung magnetic means (46) after their downwards rotation; the plant works according to the following transfer phases for the formation of packs of overlapped alternate bar layers "n" and "n-1" in differentiated and upset number (n,n-1): after the upwards rotation of the magnetic pick-up plane of said hung magnetic means (46) picks up from below a first bar layer; it rotates downwards, while a second bar layer is advancing on said bar strata supply line (1); said intermediate bar stratum lifter means (2) lifts this second bar layer over said bar strata supply line (1) bringing it into contact with the first bar layer attached to said hung magnetic means (46), and goes down allowing the second bar layer to be joined through magnetization under the first in said hung magnetic means (46); said hung magnetic means (4-46) lays down the bar layers couple thus associated, into the pocket for the pack formation, while said intermediate bar stratum lifter means (2) goes down under said bar strata supply line (1) to allow advancing of a new bar stratum above it, and said hung magnetic means (46) offers a pick-up face upwards, in order to repeat the cycle. Bars packing plant able to operate with a method as calimed in claim 1, and having hung transfer magnets particularly for rolling plants, wherein it is also possible to pack bar layers differentiated in number (n, n-1) which have to be superposed upright and reverse in a stack way from a bar stratum supply line (1) to form a bar pack, bar packer plant of the type utilizing an upside-down rotatable electromagnetic pick-up means wherein the said bars packer plant combines the following characteristics: has only one linear system of movable hung magnetic means with said upside-down rotatable electromagnetic pick-up means (46) to pick-up both said "n" and "n-1" bar strata for each transfer cycle, operating: at least from above the said supply line (1,2), to place said bar strata above an adjacent pack formation pocket (3) for the respective laying down and formation of the pack; characterized in that the plant has and utilises in combination the following features: it uses an intermediate bar stratum lifter means (2) movable from below to above said supply line (1); said lifter means (2) are able to lift one bar stratum to be attached above said hung magnetic means (46), and to lift another bar stratum in order to bring the said another bar stratum into contact with and below the said hung magnetic means (46) after their downwards rotation; it uses said hung magnetic means (46) in rotation and able to receive bar stratum from above and below; said hung magnetic means have two opposite magnetic faces, in order to work alternatively with one respective face per cycle, without need of rotation in their starting position. Bars packing plant able to operate with a method as calimed in claim 1, and having hung transfer magnets particularly for rolling plants, wherein it is also possible to pack bar layers differentiated in number (n, n-1) which have to be superposed upright and reverse in a stack way from a bar strata supply line (1) to form a bar pack, bar packer plant of the type utilizing an upside-down rotatable electromagnetic pick-up means wherein the said bars packer plant combines the following characteristics: has only one linear system of movable hung magnetic means with said upside-down rotatable electromagnetic pick-up means (46) to pick-up both said "n" and "n-1" bar strata for each transfer cycle, operating: at least from above the said supply line (1,2), to place said bar strata above an adjacent pack formation pocket (3) for the respective laying down and formation of the pack; characterized in that the plant has and utilises in combination the following features: it uses an intermediate bar stratum lifter means (2) movable from below to above said supply line (1); said lifter means (2) are able to lift one bar stratum to be attached above said hung magnetic means (46), and to lift another bar stratum in order to bring the said another bar stratum into contact with and below the said hung magnetic means (46) after their downwards rotation; it uses said hung magnetic means (46) in rotation and able to receive bar stratum from above and below; said hung magnetic means have a pick-up bar layers magnetic face and said magnetic means are caused to rotate with their respective face upwards for each cycle before their respective pick-up phases

Inventors: CASTELLANI FEDERICO, CASTELLANI, FEDERICO
Applicants: SIMAC SPA, S.I.M.A.C S.P.A.
Application year: 1992
Main classification: B65G57
IPC codes: B65G57