Sheet metal bending apparatus

Abstract: A roll forming apparatus (40) is provided having a plurality of roll forming stations (42,44,46) arranged in an advancing path and having at least one roll forming station including adjustable top and bottom rolls. The adjustable forming rolls include separate inner and outer sections. The inner roll sections are adjustable transverse to the advancing path in order to shift the position of bend introduction to a workpiece. In a preferred embodiment, each inner roll section cooperates with a backing collar which has preset stops of different heights to quickly and precisely adjust the apparatus to predetermined settings. The apparatus is particularly useful for forming flanges on duct sections where duct sections having different flange heights are desired. The at least one adjustable roll forming station can be used to retrofit existing non-adjustable roll forming apparatus.

Description: FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to an adjustable roll forming station according to the preamble of claim 1 . Moreover, the invention relates to an apparatus for bonding metal sheet which is adjustable to produce articles having different dimensions, comprising at least one forming station according to the invention as defined in claim 6. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Roll forming machines for bending sheet metal are well known in the art. They are useful for fabricating a variety of metal products including sheet metal ducts and connectors. Roll forming machines generally include a series of forming rolls arranged in successive forming stations along an advancing path. In operation, a piece of sheet metal is passed between top and bottom rolls of each successive forming station, wherein each forming station introduces an additional degree of bending to the metal until a desired cumulative bend in the metal is complete. United States Patent No. 4,045,989 describes a roll forming machine of this type and is incorporated herein by reference. Numerous structural variations in roll forming machines are available depending on the particular bending operation desired. For example, the number and size of the forming stations can be varied to produce the particular bent metal product desired. Various modified forming stations can also be included according to specific applications. For example, United States Patent No. 4,045,989, mentioned above, describes a roll forming machine, having a first forming station which recognizes notches in the edge of a metal workpiece and thereby introduces bends to predetermined alternating metal sections between the notches. It is also known to include an idler assembly as a station along the advancing path of a roll forming machine. The present invention is useful for any roll forming application in which it is desired to periodically make adjustments to the dimensions between the bends being made. In the case of duct fabrication, ducts are generally produced in sections which are subsequently connected at their ends by appropriate fastening means. In order to produce the desired connections between duct sections, each duct section can be provided with roll formed hems or flanges at both ends which abut and register with corresponding structures on adjacent sections when connected. The hems or flanges are joined together, for example by cleats or corner connectors. A representative example of a duct connection system is illustrated in FIGURES 1 and 2. United States Patent No. 4,466,641 describes a duct connecting system of this type, known as the Transverse Duct Connector (TDC) system, which utilizes roll formed flanges on the ends of duct sections defining frames which are unitary or integral to the duct walls. In a preferred form of this system, upper and lower channels are formed in the flanges for receiving the edges of a corner connector. The TDC system, marketed by The Lockformer Company and Iowa Precision Industries, Inc., permits rapid connection of duct sections by snapping corner connectors into the frames and bolting the duct sections together across adjoining frames to produce a duct having superior strength. United States Patent No. 4,579,375 also describes a duct connection system utilizing duct sections having integral frames. JP 57 209 722 A discloses an adjustable roll forming station with the features of the preamble portion of claim 1. Divisible annular spacers are used and interchanged to separate roll members. There is a need for a more versatile roll forming machine which can easily be reset to make bends of different dimensions. For example, when forming duct sections using existing roll forming technology, the integral frames are formed of flanges having a particular fixed height. However, when ducts made from different metal weights are fabricated, correspondingly different heights of flanges are often used. In order to convert roll forming production to make duct sections having a different flange height, the apparatus must be retooled with a new outboard set of forming station rolls if possible, or if not, an altogether different machine must be used. The cost in terms of time and equipment to make the necessary adjustments, if such are feasible, can be significant. The present invention addresses these and other needs. The roll forming apparatus of the present invention, while generally applicable to bending operations, is particularly useful for fabricating duct sections for use in these and other types of duct manufacturing systems. OBJECTS AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Therefore, it is a primary object of the present invention to provide an improved roll forming apparatus. Another primary object of the present invention is to provide a roll forming apparatus which is adjustable to produce bends of different dimensions. Another object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus having adjustable roll forming stations. Another object of the present invention is to provide a roll forming apparatus which is quickly and easily adjustable and avoids the need for expensive and time consuming retooling operations. Another object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus having forming stations capable of being quickly adjusted between several predetermined settings. Another object of the present invention is to provide a roll forming apparatus which can be easily adjusted to produce duct flanges of various different predetermined heights. Another object of the present invention is to provide an adjustable forming roll and rollset which can be installed to retrofit existing non-adjustable roll forming apparatus. These and other objects are realized by a novel roll forming station as defined in claim 1, and apparatus as defined in claim 6 including at least one such forming station having top and bottom rolls including separate inner and outer sections. The effective dimensions of the rolls are adjustable by changing the distance between the inner and outer roll sections. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, at least one forming station includes inner roll sections which are axially movable in a dimension transverse to the metal advancing direction and parallel to the drive shafts. Thereby, the position of a bend on a workpiece can be adjusted. Any suitable mechanism can be provided for securing the forming rolls in a selected operating position. Preferably, indexing means are also provided for accurately and reproducibly adjusting the inner roll sections between predetermined settings. For example, a system of adjustable stops can be provided to variably limit the axial travel of the forming roll inner sections. This makes adjusting the rolls to frequently used settings fast and easy and avoids the need for fine tuning when resetting for a different bend dimension. Frequently, a bend is introduced to a workpiece cumulatively by successive forming stations. Accordingly, the present invention provides an adjustable rollset including more than one adjustable forming station. Indexing means insure that each forming station of the rollset can be reproducibly adjusted to predetermined settings such that all are accurately coordinated to one another in each operating setting. The present invention can also include further components which are adjustable in coordination with the settings of the adjustable inner roll sections. For example, in a roll forming apparatus having an idler assembly, the idler can be axially adjustable to accommodate the operating settings of adjacent adjustable forming stations. The present invention is particularly useful for forming duct flanges of different heights and is generally applicable to formation of all duct flange structures, including those described in the United States Patent Nos. 4,466,641 and 4,579,375, discussed above. The present invention is also generally useful for any other roll forming application. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The foregoing summary, as well as the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments of the invention, will be better understood when read in conjunction with the appended drawings. For purposes of illustrating the invention, there is shown in the drawings an embodiment which is presently preferred. In the drawings: FIGURE 1 is fragmentary perspective of a duct having sections joined at integral flanges; FIGURE 2 is a cross section along line 2-2 of FIGURE 1; FIGURE 3 is a fragmentary perspective of a roll forming apparatus according to the present invention; FIGURE 4 is a backing collar according to the present invention; FIGURE 5 is a perspective of a rear portion of a form roll inner section according to the present invention; FIGURE 6 is a side view of a forming station according to the present invention; FIGURE 7 is a front view of the forming station of FIGURE 6; FIGURE 8 is a front view of an idler assembly according to the present invention; and FIGURE 9 is a side view of the idler assembly of FIGURE 8. DETAILED DESCRIPTION AND PRESENTLY PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring to FIGURES 1 and 2, prior art duct 10 and duct joint 20 are shown, respectively. Duct joint 20 illustrates a duct connection wherein ducts or duct segments 22 and 24 are connected at their respective transverse ends. Duct segment 22 has roll formed upturned portion or flange 26 including channel 28 and bead 30 defining a second channel 32. The height of flange 26 is determined by the distance D between channels 28 and 32. Corner connector 34 is received by flange 26. In order to form duct flanges having different profile heights, the distance D can be adjusted by changing the position of bend 36 in relation to bend 38. The preferred embodiment of the present invention can be used to make duct sections of this or any other type wherein periodic adjustment of the bend dimensions is desired. Referring now to FIGURE 3, roll forming apparatus 40 embodies the presently preferred manner of practicing the invention. While not necessary or limiting to the invention, rollformer 40 includes a total of fourteen forming stations, wherein the second through sixth stations are individually adjustable in order to provide different duct flange heights. Thus, FIGURE 3 is a fragmentary view showing the fourth, fifth and sixth forming stations designated 42, 44 and 46, respectively. FIGURE 3 also shows idler assembly 48 which is axially adjustable to register with the available positions of the forming stations. Also not necessary or limiting to the invention, the adjustable forming stations of rollformer 40 are each constructed to move between each of three preset flange height settings, as described in greater detail hereafter. Referring to FIGURES 3, 6 and 7, roll forming station 44 is representative of the adjustable forming stations of rollformer 40. Station 44 has top roll 50 and bottom roll 52, located on drive shafts 54 and 56, respectively. Roll 50 has inner section 58 and outer section 60. Roll 52 has inner section 62 and outer section 64. Inner roll sections 58 and 62 define a bending region 69 and are adjacent to backing collars 66 and 68, respectively. Adjustability of station 44 is provided by inner roll sections 58 and 62, which are axially slidable as a unit on their respective drive shafts thereby changing the axial position of bending region 69. Bolts 70, 72, 74 and 76 secure the roll sections in desired operating settings and must be loosened in order to reposition the unit of inner roll sections 58 and 62. Forming rolls 50 and 52 preferably are prevented from rotation in relation to their respective drive shafts by any suitable means. In order to provide accurate and easily reproducible roll settings, station 44 preferably includes suitable means to secure inner roll sections 58 and 62 in different predetermined operating positions or settings. Therefore, the preferred embodiment includes a rotatable backing collar having a series of stops corresponding to preselected operating positions. Referring to FIGURES 4, 5 and 6 there is shown rotatable backing collar 66 which cooperates with a rear face 78 of inner roll section 58. Collar 66 has a stepped profile including three repeating sets of three steps each, 80a-80c, and upper platform 80d. As seen in FIGURE 6, collar 66 has a mating interaction with rear face 78, which has three evenly spaced teeth 82. Steps 80a-80c provide alternate stops against which teeth 82 will selectively abut according to the rotational position of backing collar 66. In the presently preferred embodiment, for example, backing collar 66 is provided with steps 80a-80c, wherein each successive step is 5 millimeters higher than the last. This configuration can be employed to fabricate duct flanges of 25, 30 and 35 millimeter heights, respectively. When bolts 70, 72, 74 and 76 are loosened, inner sections 58 and 62 can be moved away from backing collar 66. This allows collar 66 to be freely rotated to any desired position for reinsertion of teeth 82 to contact steps 80a, 80b or 80c. It will be appreciated that the steps provide an indexing function by allowing rapid reproducible resetting of the apparatus according to the dimensions of the backing collar steps. All of the adjustable roll forming stations of the apparatus are preferably constructed to provide identical backing collar settings in order to form a compatible set of forming stations which adjust in the same amounts to provide a desired bend at a desired location on a workpiece. The final forming station (not shown) of rollformer 40 is preferably provided with a different bottom roll corresponding to each different operating setting of the adjustable forming stations. Upon resetting the rolls, the final bottom roll is replaced in order to properly square the final form of a duct flange. The preferred embodiment also includes optional idler assembly 48, which is axially adjustable along track 83 to register properly with the forming roll settings. In the preferred embodiment, lockup bolts 84 and 86 secure assembly 48 in its operating positions and can be loosened in order to axially move the assembly. Dial 88 has three stops 90a-90c (90c not shown) of different predetermined lengths which correspond respectively to the available forming station settings 80a-80c. Dial 88 can be rotated to determine which stop is in the top position to act on assembly 48. Stops 90a-90c limit the axial travel of assembly 48 to three different predetermined settings, respectively, depending on the position of dial 88. It will be appreciated that rollformer 40 is an example of the preferred embodiment as applied to a specific roll forming operation. However, the basic structure of adjustable rollforming station 44 is generally applicable. Further, various modifications of this basic structure are available in accordance with the present invention within the scope of the claims. For example, the number of adjustable forming stations is a matter of preference based on the particular bending application. Further, there are various means to provide a forming station with indexing means or discreet preset stops. Thus, the number and location of the teeth and stops is a matter of preference according to particular situations. The resetting mechanism itself can be inverted such that the rear faces of the inner forming roll sections have stepped profiles and the backing collars have teeth. The backing collars can be removable and replaceable to increase versatility. Further, operating settings need not be limited to discreet stops. A backing collar can have a sloped profile providing an infinite number of operating settings. The foregoing are only examples of modifications being within the ability of one skilled in the art which form a part of the present invention and are embraced by the appended claims.

Claims: An adjustable roll forming station (42,44,46) for bending a metal sheet, comprising: a top form roll (50) and a bottom form roll (52) arranged for rotation about first and second parallel axes (54,56), respectively, said axes (54,56) being perpendicular to an advancing path of the metal sheet; each said top form roll (50) and said bottom form roll (52) of said at least one adjustable station includes an outer roll section (60,64) and an inner roll section (58,62), said top and bottom outer roll sections (60,64) together define an outer complementary pair; said top and bottom inner roll sections (58,62) together define an inner complementary pair and a bending region (69) therebetween; said inner complementary pair is movable relative to said outer complementary pair in a dimension parallel to said axes (54,56); and each said inner roll section (58,62) includes a rear face (78); characterized by further comprising first and second backing collars (66,68), each arranged substantially adjacent to one said rear face (78) of said inner roll sections (58,62) and abutting said rear face (78) in a limiting interaction to limit the extent of travel of said inner roll sections (58,62) parallel to said axes (54,56), wherein said first and second backing collars (66,68) are rotatable about said first and second axes (54,56), respectively, thereby to adjust the position of said inner roll sections (58,62) where said limiting interaction occurs. The station of claim 1, wherein each said rear face (78) further comprises at least one protruding tooth (82) and each said backing collar (66,68) further comprises at least one stop surface (80a-80c) arranged to contact a respective said at least one tooth (82), thereby to limit the travel of said inner complementary pair of roll sections (58,62). The station of claim 2, wherein each said rear face (78) includes three said teeth (82) evenly spaced from one another. The station of claim 3 or 4, wherein each said backing collar (66,68) includes at least two said stop surfaces (80a-80c), each said stop surface (80a-80c) of a different height and arranged to cooperate with said at least one tooth (82). The station of any one of claims 1 to 4, further comprising at least one upper locking bolt (70,72) connecting said top form roll inner and outer sections (58,60) and at least one lower locking bolt (74,76) connecting said bottom form roll inner and outer sections (62,64). An apparatus (40) for bending a metal sheet comprising: a series of forming stations (42,44,46) arranged along an advancing path such that each successive station (42,44,46) is capable of introducing an incremental bend to said metal; at least one of said forming stations (42,44,46) is an adjustable roll forming station according to any one of claims 1 to 5. The apparatus of claim 6, further comprising at least two said adjustable roll forming stations (42,44,46). The apparatus of any claim 6 or 7, wherein the last of said forming stations (42,44,46) along said advancing path includes a replaceable bottom form roll. The apparatus of any one of claims 6 to 8, further comprising at least one adjustable idler assembly (48). The apparatus of claim 9, wherein said idler assembly (48) is movable on a track (83) in a dimension parallel to said axes (54,56). The apparatus of claim 10, further comprising at least one stop (90a-90c) arranged to limit travel of said idler assembly (48).

Inventors: BLUM RICHARD, SHAH ASHOK, BLUM, RICHARD, SHAH, ASHOK
Applicants: MET COIL SYSTEMS CORP, MET-COIL SYSTEMS CORPORATION
Application year: 2000
Main classification: B21D5
IPC codes: B21D5