Patent GB-934350-A (GB)
Title: Improvements relating to apparatus and method for joining strips
Inventor: MALLETT JOHN EDWIN
IPC: B23K11/06
Filed: 1960-01-16
Abstract: 934,350. Making strip; welding by pressure; shearing. TAYLOR-WINFIELD CORPORATION. Jan. 16, 1960, No. 1666/60. Classes 83 (2) and 83 (4). Strip joining apparatus comprises a pair of spaced clamping assemblies mounted in the normal path of workpiece travel, workpiece joining means to be moved between the clamping assemblies for joining the adjacent ends of workpieces and a deflector clamping assembly adjacent one of the said clamping assemblies and comprising means to clamp a first workpiece passing along a first pass line, the first pass line being vertically spaced from the pass line of a second workpiece. A base 10 supports a pair of clamping assemblies 11, 12 the entry side assembly 11 comprising platens 13, 14 actuated by fluid cylinders 15 and longitudinally adjustable by a fluid cylinder 17, the upper platen carrying a magnet 16. The exit side assembly 12 comprises platens 21, 22 actuated by fluid cylinders 23 and pivotally adjustable about pins 25 by a cylinder 26. A recess 27 in the base carries rollers 28 to support a carriage 31 with a window 32 in which are mounted roller electrode welding means 33, annealing means 34, peening means 35 and shearing means 36. The carriage is movable transversely to the path of strip travel by a motor 50. The shearing means comprises an upper carrier 98 with a pair of blades 99 and a lower carrier 100 with a pair of blades 101, the upper carrier being vertically movable by a cylinder 47 through linkage 46 and the lower carrier being vertically movable by a cylinder 48. On the entry side of the assembly 11 is means 60 for preparing and positioning the leading end of a new strip comprising vertical supports 61 carrying pivoted plates 62 vertically movable by cylinders 64. At the forward ends of the plates is the deflector clamp assembly 68 comprising a U-shaped member 69 in the depending arms of which is journalled a roll 71. Above the roll is an intermediate clamp member 72 whose ends are connected to cylinders mounted on the top of the member 69 and above the member 72 is a clamp member 78 whose ends are connected to cylinders 79 also mounted on the top of the member 69. A source of compressed air is connected to the member 72 to be delivered as a blast from ports on the upper side of the member. In operation with the carriage 31 in the position shown in Fig. 1 and with strip passing along a lower pass line 96 (Fig. 3) and the roll 71 in the broken line position of Fig. 3 the leading end of a new upper strip is fed through rolls 89, cropped by shears 91, jogged forward between the upper clamp member 78 and intermediate member 72 until the leading end is just in advance of the assembly 11. An air blast from the member 72 maintains the new strip out of contact with the lower strip until the upper strip is held by the magnet 16 and the member 78 is moved to clamp the upper strip against the member 72. When the lower strip approaches the end of the coil it is clamped by assembly 12 and assembly 68 is pivoted downwardly until upper and lower strips overlap on platen 13 when upper platen 14 is lowered to clamp. The strips are sheared by blades 99, 101 and clamp 11 is opened while the scrap end of the lower strip is pulled away by a lower retractor bar 83 and then closed. The member 78 releases the upper strip, assembly 12 is pivoted upwardly and assembly 11 is moved longitudinally to overlap the strip ends. The carriage is moved to the right in Fig. 1 and then returned to pass the electrode wheels, annealing and peening means over the strip ends. The clamps 11, 12 are opened to allow the welded strips to pass along the pass line 95 (Fig. 3). The leading end of a new lower strip is fed into the rolls 90, cropped by shears 92 and fed between roll 71 and member 72 until it just projects beyond assembly 11. The member 72 is then lowered to clamp the strip against the roll 71 ready for subsequent welding as described. Instead of an upward air blast from member 72 suction from member 78 may be used.