Method and device to form bundles of rolled sections

Abstract: Method to form bundles (11) of one or more layers (20) of rolled sections (12), each layer (20) including at least a row of adjacent rolled sections (12), used in cooperation with a transporter (13) suitable to transport the rolled sections (12) as the lie adjacent to each other in a direction substantially at right angles to the longitudinal axis of the sections (12) themselves, there also being included, in cooperation with the terminal end (13a) of the transporter (13), a station (23) to store, tie and/or discharge the bundles (11), the method providing: the formation of a layer (20) with rolled sections (12) which fall from the transporter (13) onto discharge rods (14) arranged parallel to the transporter (13) and underneath the upper plane where the sections (12) arrive on the transporter (13), the discharge rods (14) being axially displaced with respect to the transporter (13) so as to define from time to time a lateral discharge space ("s") in an adjacent position for the sections (12), the axial displacements ("s") of the rods (14) with respect to the transporter (13) being correlated with the forward movement of the sections (12) on the transporter (13); the transfer of the layer (20) from the discharge rods (14) from the discharge rods (14) to a storage and unloading assembly (17) which has at least one transfer element (21), the transfer being achieved by means of the progressive retraction of the discharge rods (14); the lowering from time to time of the transfer element (21) by a value substantially correlated to the height of the layer (20) located on the rods (14); the progressive formation of a bundle (11) consisting of a desired number of layers (20) by means of a sequential formation of a single layer (20) on the discharge rods (14) and the subsequent unloading of the single layer (20) onto the transfer element (21); the discharge of the bundle (11) to a storage, tying and/or discharge station (23). Device suitable to achieve the above method.

Description: This invention concerns a method to form bundles of rolled sections and the relative device as set forth in the respective main claims. The invention is used to form bundles of rolled sections fed continuously, or substantially continuously, by transport means associated with the line which produces the bars. In the following description, the term rolled sections is intended to mean both bars with a simple section and bars with a complex section of any form whatsoever. The state of the art covers devices used to form bundles of rolled sections, arranged in orderly layers or piled up haphazardly, located downstream of the cooling area placed at the outlet of the rolling train for bars. The devices for forming the bundles cooperate with the end part of the transport means which feed the rolled sections coming from the cooling area in a direction which is normally at a right angle to the axis of the rolled sections. Solutions known to the art include rod or finger means which, rotating or translating around an axis lying on a plane substantially parallel to the plane on which the rolled sections lie, remove the sections from the transporter, or collect them as they fall from the transporter, and unload them at a storage and tying station. The first problem with devices such as this is that it is difficult to define homogeneous groups of rolled sections to be unloaded in the storage and tying station to form bundles with a homogeneous conformation and/or consistency. This problem is even greater when the rolled sections are small, because of the close proximity between them and the speed with which they are fed by the transport means. Another serious problem is that, during the step when the rolled sections are collected or picked up from the transport means, they may be twisted or superimposed, during the transfer and/or discharge to the storage and tying station. These twisting movements and/or superimpositions occur when the rolled sections are allowed to fall from the transport means and collected by the rod means or finger means, or when the rod means or finger means discharge the sections into the storage and tying station. This is also due to the uncontrolled movements to which the sections are subject when they are on the rod means or finger means. These twisting movements or superimpositions make it more difficult to form and tie the bundles, which are therefore disorderly and not very compact. Another problem with devices known to the art is that the cycle for forming the bundle is very long. In these devices, when one layer is complete and the rod means or finger means transfer the rolled sections from the transport means to the tying and/or discharge means, it is necessary to interrupt the feed of the rolled sections. In fact it is necessary to allow the rod means or finger means to complete the translation and unloading steps before they return to their operating position to pick up or collect the sections. Another problem is the height at which the sections are discharged from the conveyor belt to the rod means or finger means which carry out the unloading and translation. The greater this height is, the more it causes, during the unloading step, superimpositions, misalignments and twisting movements which are all the more accentuated when the sections are thin and when the speed of feed is higher. The prior art documents DE-A-2445470, WO-A-9614247 and EP-A-282800 show devices to form bundles of rolled bars or tubes which are clearly designed for large diameter products, which do not have the above-mentioned problems of superimposition, twisting, lack of homogeneity of the formed layer, etc. Therefore, these known devices do not contribute anything to solve the specific problem of defining homogeneous groups of rolled sections, nor do they solve the problem of reducing the times required for every cycle for the formation of the bundle. DE-A-2 401 174 discloses a method and device in accordance with the preambles of claims 1 and 8, which solves the above specific problem, but which does not solve the problem of reducing the cycle time for the formation of the bundles. The present applicants have designed, tested and embodied this invention to overcome the shortcomings of the state of the art and to provide further advantages. This invention is set forth and characterised in the respective main claims, while the dependent claims describe variants of the idea of the main invention. The purpose of the invention is to provide a method to form bundles of rolled sections, and the relative device, which will allow the arrangement of compact bundles, orderly and substantially homogeneous in conformation and consistency, to reduce to a minimum the twisting movements and superimpositions of the sections during the discharge step, while obtaining a reduction in the duration of the cycle to form and discharge the bundles. The device according to the invention comprises discharge rods which cooperate with the terminal end of the transporter. The discharge rods are arranged on a plane underneath the upper plane of the transporter where the sections arrive and are movable on a plane which is substantially parallel to the said plane. During the cycle when the layers are being formed, the discharge rods move progressively, at a speed which is coordinated with the speed of discharge of the rolled sections, with respect to the zone where the sections are unloaded and which corresponds to the terminal end of the transporter. According to a variant, the discharge rods cooperate with at least a frontal abutment means, which is movable in relation to the rods, to contain the layer which is progressively formed on the discharge rods. The coordinated and progressive movement of the discharge rods causes the layer to be formed by the sections falling onto the discharge rods; the layer consists of one or more superimposed rows of adjacent sections. This progressive movement of the discharge rods defines a free space substantially mating with the bulk of each individual section, due to the arrangement of the sections as they fall from the transporter. The discharge procedure substantially prevents any lateral displacement, tangling or twisting movements of the rolled sections which are unloaded onto the discharge rods in an orderly manner, and thus form layers of sections which are compact and even. According to a variant, at the front part of the terminal end of the transporter there is a stationary abutment means which further assists the fall of the sections onto the discharge rods and prevents any unwanted transverse movements. Cooperating with the discharge rods and in a position underneath them there is a storage and discharge assembly comprising at least a transfer element. The transfer element is arranged immediately below the discharge rods and collects the layer of rolled sections as soon as it is complete and has been released by the discharge rods themselves, when the rods return to their starting position. In one embodiment of the invention, as the discharge rods are repositioned, the movable abutment means remains stationary in its position and cooperates with the transfer element to contain the layer of sections which has been unloaded onto the transfer element. Subsequently, the transfer element is lowered by a value mating with the height of the layer, and allows the progressive coordinated movement of the discharge rods and the movable abutment means to start again. In the meantime, the movable abutment means has returned to its starting position, in order to form a new layer. The repetition of the cycle makes it possible to form a desired number of layers on the transfer element, according to the desired dimension of the bundle to be formed. Once the bundle has been completed, it is rested by the transfer element onto the tying and/or discharge means. According to a variant, the transfer element cooperates with lateral containment means suitable to limit the transverse displacements of the rolled sections during the step when the layers are collected and when the formed bundle is transferred. Thanks to the cooperation between the discharge rods and the storage and discharge assembly, it is possible to reduce the duration of the cycle by which the bundles are formed. In fact, it is possible to begin the formation of a new layer of sections on the discharge rods immediately after the previously formed layer has been released onto the transfer element. Moreover, the bundle of sections is transferred to the tying and discharge station (if any) when a new layer is being formed, without the need to interrupt the feed of the sections from the transporter. Nor does the tying and discharge of the bundle interrupt the unloading and the formation of new layers onto the discharge rods. The attached figures are given as a non-restrictive example and show a preferred embodiment of the invention as follows: Fig. 1 shows a side view in diagram form of the device to form bundles of rolled sections according to the invention in a first operating step; Figs. 2, 3, 4, 5 show the device as in Fig. 1 in subsequent operating steps. Fig. 6 shows a variant of the device as shown in Figs 1-5. The reference number 10 denotes generally the device to form bundles 11 of rolled sections 12, in this case bars with a round section, according to the invention. The device 10 cooperates with the terminal end 13a, where the sections 12 fall, of a transporter 13 for rolled sections 12 arranged downstream of the cooling area of a line for rolling bars. The device 10 comprises discharge rods 14 arranged below the transporter 13. The discharge rods 14 are able to move forwards and backwards on a plane substantially parallel to the upper plane of the transporter 13 where the sections 12 are translated. A first embodiment of the invention is shown in Figs. 1-5. In its position of extreme retraction (Fig. 4), the discharge rods 14 are arranged in a beginning-of-cycle position which is below the transporter 13; as they advance, they progressively protrude at the front with respect to the terminal end 13a of the transporter 13, until they reach a desired position of maximum advance. This position of maximum advance (Fig. 2) is correlated to the width of the bundle 11 which is to be formed. In this case, the discharge rods 14 move on a guide 15 which is solid with a support structure 19. The discharge rods 14 move in coordination with at least a mating movable abutment means 16 located at their front part; while the layer 20 of sections 12 is being formed, the abutment means 16 cooperates with the terminal end of the discharge rods 14. The discharge rods 14 also cooperate with a storage and unloading assembly 17 comprising one or more transfer elements 21, in this case mounted on a endless movement system 18. The cycle to form the bundle 11 includes a first step when one layer 20 is formed, consisting of one or more superimposed rows of rolled sections 12, on the discharge rods 14. During this step, the discharge rods 14 advance from the beginning-of-cycle position of maximum retraction, progressively collecting the rolled sections 12 discharged from the transporter 13 until they reach their position of maximum advance (Fig. 2). The progressive advance of the discharge rods 14 is coordinated to the movement of the movable abutment means 16. The movable abutment means 16 contains the outer end 20b of the bundle 20. The speed of movement of the discharge rods 14 and of the movable abutment means 16 is correlated to the speed at which the rolled sections 12 are discharged from the transporter 13 and to the desired height of the layer 20 being formed. The speed is such as to cause a lateral space "s", substantially mating with the section of a single rolled section 12, on the discharge rods 14 for every discharge cycle. The lateral space "s" is defined on one side by lateral limitation means 26, in this case the front wall 19a of the supporting structure 19, and on the other side, at first by the movable abutment means 16 and later by the rolled sections 12 which have already been deposited onto the discharge rods 14. In this case, the device 10 includes a stationary abutment means 25 arranged at the front of the terminal end 13a of the transporter 13 and suitable to guide the rolled sections 12 as they fall onto the discharge rods 14 and prevent any unwanted transverse movements. When the formation of the layer 20 is complete (Fig. 2), the transporter 13 is stopped and, while the movable abutment means 16 stays in its position, the discharge rods 14 begin to retract, taking the inner end 20a of the layer 20 to abut against the lateral limitation means 26. This causes the progressive fall of the layer 20 onto the transfer element 21 which is placed beneath the discharge rods 14 (Fig. 3). During this step, the movable abutment means 16 cooperates with the transfer element 21 to contain the layer 20 which has been unloaded. The space "d" between the lower face 14a of the discharge rods 14 and the upper face 21a of the transfer element 21 is less than the smallest of the sections of the rolled sections 12; this prevents any rolled section 12 from entering between the lower face 14a and the upper face 21a of the transfer element 21. When the layer 20 is entirely arranged on the transfer element 21 (Fig. 4), the movement system 18 causes the transfer element 21 to be lowered by a value which is correlated to the height of the layer 20, in such a way as to allow the discharge rods 14 to advance and form a new layer 120 (Fig. 5). Before the discharge rods 14 are made to advance, the movable abutment means 16 is taken back to the beginning-of-cycle position, so as to contain the new layer 120 which is to be formed. In one embodiment of the invention, the amount by which the transfer element 21 is lowered is defined by photoelectric cell means which are not shown in the figures. Once the new layer 120 has been completed, it is deposited above the layer 20 which is supported by the transfer element 21; the cycle then starts again until the bundle 11 has been completely formed. The bundle 11 thus formed is then deposited by the transfer element 21 in correspondence with the storage, tying and/or discharge station 23, in this case consisting of an underlying rollerway. It is possible to carry out the steps of lowering, tying and discharging the bundle 11 while a new cycle to form layers 20 for a new bundle 11 is already under way (Fig. 1) on the discharge rods 14. In this case, there are two transfer elements 21: while one transfer element 21 deposits the bundle 11 onto the rollerway 23, the other is taken under the discharge rods 14. Fig. 6 shows another embodiment of the invention wherein, at the beginning of the cycle to form the layer 20, the discharge rods 14 are in their position of maximum advance and, as the discharge of the sections 12 from the transporter 13 continues, the rods 14 retreat in the direction 30 defining, for every step of retreat, a space "s" wherein the section 12 falls. When one or more layers 20 have been formed on them, the discharge rods 14 retreat further and discharge the layers formed on the transfer element 21; after this, the discharge rods 14 return to the start-of-cycle position 114 as shown by the line of dashes in Fig. 6. In this case, the transporter 13 includes an end transporter 27 which occupies a very limited vertical space and which displaces substantially forwards the terminal end 13a where the sections 12 fall. In this case, the end transporter 27 is shaped wider at the rear part, there being a guide roller 28 in cooperation with an oblique side 29 defining the wider rear part. The discharge rods 14 are positioned below the end transporter 27 at a desired distance suitable to contain one or more desired layers of sections 12. This means that the provisional layer 20 which is formed on the discharge rods 14 is very near the upper plane of the transporters 13 and 27. This conformation of the end transporter 27 and the position of the discharge rods 14 with respect thereto makes it possible to achieve an extremely limited falling distance for the sections 12 from the end transporter 27 to the discharge rods 14; this further increases the precision with which the sections 12 are discharged, and consequently reduces the risk of superimpositions and entanglements during the formation of the layers 20. In this case, the transfer elements 21 cooperate with lateral containment means 24 to support the layers 20 and to move the bundle 11 towards the rollerway 23. These means 24 substantially prevent any transverse movement of the rolled sections 12, and contribute to keep the layers 20 and/or the whole bundle 11 orderly and compact. In this case, the lateral containment means 24 consist on one side of the front wall 19a and on the other side of the facing wall 22a of the supporting structure 22 of the storage and unloading assembly 17.

Claims: Method to form bundles (11) of one or more layers (20) of rolled sections (12), each layer (20) including at least one row of adjacent rolled sections (12), used in cooperation with a transporter (13) suitable to transport the rolled sections (12), as they lie adjacent to each other, in a direction substantially at right angles to the longitudinal axis of the rolled sections (12) themselves, there being included, in cooperation with the terminal end (13a) of the transporter (13), a station (23) for storing the layers (20), tying the layers (20) into bundles (11) and discharging the bundles (11), the method including: the formation of a layer (20) including at least one row of adjacent rolled sections (12), which fall from the transporter (13) onto discharge rods (14) arranged parallel to the transporter (13) and underneath the upper plane where the rolled sections (12) arrive on the transporter (13), whereby for the formation of each row of adjacent rolled sections (12) the discharge rods (14) are longitudinally displaced with respect to the transporter (13) so as to define from time to time a lateral discharge space ("s") in an adjacent position for the sections (12), the longitudinal displacements ("s") of the rods (14) with respect to the transporter (13) being correlated with the forward movement of the sections (12) on the transporter (13); whereby the method is characterised by: the transfer of the layer (20) from the discharge rods (14) to at least one transfer element (21) of a storage and unloading assembly (17), the transfer being achieved by means of the progressive retraction of the discharge rods (14); the lowering from time to time of the transfer element (21) by a value substantially correlated to the height of the layer (20) located on the discharge rods (14); the progressive formation of a desired number of layers (20) by the sequential formation of a layer (20) on the discharge rods (14) and the subsequent unloading of the layer (20) onto the transfer element (21); the discharge of the layers (20) to a sation (23) for storing the layers (20), tying the layers (20) into bundles (11) and discharging the bundles (11). Method as in Claim 1, in which the discharge rods (14) move from a position underneath the upper plane of the transporter (13) to a position which becomes gradually further out with respect to the terminal end (13a) of the transporter (13). Method as in Claim 1, in which the discharge rods (14) move from a position completely outside the transporter (13) to a position inside and below the terminal end (13a) of the transporter (13). Method as in Claim 1 or 2, in which, in order to form the layer (20), the outer end of the discharge rods (14) cooperates with a movable abutment means (16). Method as in any claim hereinbefore, in which, in order to transfer the layer (20) to the transfer element (21), the discharge rods (14) cooperate, during their progressive reverse movement, with lateral limitation means (26) associated with the inner end (20a) of the layer (20). Method as in any claim hereinbefore, in which, when the layers (20) are discharged from the transfer element (21) to the storage, tying and/or discharge station (23), the inner end (20a) and the outer end (20b) of the relative layers (20) cooperate with respective lateral containment means (24). Method as in any claim hereinbefore, in which, when the rolled sections (12) fall from the transporter (13) on the discharge rods (14), the rolled sections (12) cooperate with a stationary abutment means (25) arranged in front of the terminal end (13a) of the transporter (13). Device to form bundles (11) of one or more layers (20) of rolled sections (12), each layer (20) consisting of at least one row of adjacent rolled sections (12), the device being used in cooperation with a transporter (13) suitable to transport the rolled sections (12), as they lie one adjacent to the other, in a direction substantially at right angles to the longitudinal axis of the rolled sections (12) themselves, there being included, in cooperation with the terminal end (13a) of the transporter (13) where the sections (12) fall, at least a station (23) for storing the layers (20), tying the layers (20) into bundles (11) and discharging the bundles (11), the device comprising discharge rods (14) on which the layer (20) is formed, the discharge, rods (14) being arranged to cooperate with the terminal end (13a) of the transporter (13) from which the rolled sections (12) fall in a position underneath the upper plane of the transporter (13) where the rolled sections (12) arrive, the discharge rods (14) moving longitudinally with respect to the transporter (13) in a plane substantially parallel to the upper plane of the transporter (13) from a first position where the formation of each of the rows on the discharge rods (14) is begun to a second position where the formation of each of the rows is completed characterised by a storage and unloading assembly (17) comprising at least a transfer element (21), the transfer element (21) being arranged in a position underneath the discharge rods (14) in a first position to receive the layer (20) of at least one row of adjacent rolled sections (12) from the discharge rods (14) and in a second position from which the layer (20) is transferred to the storage, tying and discharge station (23). Device as in Claim 8, in which the discharge rods (14) move from the first position, where the layer (20) starts forming, underneath the upper plane of the transporter (13) to the second position, where the layer (20) is completely formed, outside the end (13a) of the transporter (13), the distance between the first position and the second position defining the width of the layer (20). Device as in Claim 8, in which the discharge rods (14) move from the first position, where the layer (20) starts forming, wholly outside the transporter (13), to the second position, where the layer (20) is completely formed, underneath the end (13a) of the transporter (13) from which the sections (12) fall, the distance between the first position and the second position defining the width of the layer (20). Device as in Claim 8 or 9, in which the discharge rods (14) are associated with at least a movable abutment means (16) which contains the outer end (20b) of the layer (20) being formed. Device as in any claim from 8 to 11 inclusive, which comprises lateral limitation means (26) functionally associated with the inner end (20a) of the layer (20) to transfer the layer (20) from the discharge rods (14) to the transfer element (21). Device as in any claim from 8 to 12 inclusive, which comprises a stationary abutment means (25) cooperating at the front with the terminal end (13a) of the transporter (13) during the step when the rolled sections (12) fall onto the discharge rods (14). Device as in any claim from 8 to 13 inclusive, in which the storage and unloading assembly (17) comprises at least two transfer elements (21) functioning alternately. Device as in Claim 14, in which the transfer elements (21) are associated with a endless movement system (18). Device as in any claim from 8 to 15 inclusive, in which the transfer element (21) cooperates with lateral containment means (24) for the layers (20). Device as in any claim from 8 to 16 inclusive, adapted to cooperate with a transporter (13) including an end transporter (27) of limited vertical size and a wider shaped rear part, the transporter (27) displacing the terminal end (13a) where the sections (12) fall in a forward direction with respect to the end of the transporter (13).

Inventors: BORDIGNON GIUSEPPE, LUCA ANDREA DE, BORDIGNON, GIUSEPPE, DE LUCA, ANDREA
Applicants: DANIELI OFF MECC, DANIELI & C. OFFICINE MECCANICHE S.P.A.
Application year: 1997
Main classification: B65G57
IPC codes: B65G47, B65G27, B65G57, B65B27