Patent Description:
Currently it is known to perform the bending of spacer profiles to obtain spacer frames for insulating glazing units, known in the jargon also as double-glazing units (this term will be used hereinafter), on profile bending machines both with semiautomatic methods (one corner at a time is bent by means of a bending head and between one bend and the next the profile is moved manually by the operator) and with automatic methods (intervention by the operator during the entire process is excluded, except optionally during the steps for loading the profiles into the buffer magazine and optionally for unloading the bent spacer profile, on which the operator optionally performs the further final operation of coupling an insert for head-to-tail closure, in order to pass from a shape which is open, but has the geometry of a frame that is complete but not joined in the initial and final portion, to the closed and stable shape). It is in this field that the machine and the method according to the present invention are applied, introducing an important improvement, with respect to the widespread background art summarized above, that improves the speed of bending and calendering operations and leads to a more refined geometric and aesthetic execution.

For a better understanding of the configuration and function of the spacer frame and of its semifinished component that originates it, the spacer profile, some concepts relating to the spacer profile and to the final product, i.e., the double-glazing unit, are summarized hereafter, assuming that the subsequent use of the double-glazing unit, i.e., as a component of the door or window or as an element of curtain walling and of structural glazing facades, is known.

The double-glazing unit is constituted by the composition of two or more glass sheets separated by one or more hollow spacer frames that are micro-perforated on the face that is directed inward; the spacer frames are arranged in proximity to the perimeter of the glass sheets and contain in their hollow part hygroscopic material, and the chamber (or chambers) delimited by the glass sheets and by the frame (frames) can contain air or a gas other than air or mixtures of gases other than air that give the double-glazing unit particular properties, for example thermally insulating and/or soundproofing properties. The joining between the glass sheets and the frame (or frames) is obtained typically by means of two levels of sealing, the first one having the function of providing a hermetic seal against the leakage of the gas and against the entry of environmental humidity and affecting the lateral surfaces of the frame and the part of the adjacent glass sheets, the second one having the function of providing cohesion among the components (glass sheets and spacer frame/frames) and mechanical strength of the junction between them and affecting the compartment constituted by the outer surface of the frame (frames), including the variously shaped part for blending with the side walls, and from the faces of the glass sheets to the edge thereof, against stresses of a mechanical nature (wind load, snow load, etc.) or of a thermal kind (exposure to temperature variation cycles between the external part and the internal part of the building). <FIG> show some solutions relating to this perimetric junction of the double-glazing unit.

In order to complete the summary introduction relating to double-glazing units, it is convenient to delve more specifically into the configuration of the glass sheets, not so much in their possible isolated use but most of all as a function of their use in combination with the spacer frame to constitute the double-glazing unit, summarizing hereafter some concepts related to the semifinished components themselves, i.e., the glass sheets and the spacer frame, and the final product, i.e., the double-glazing unit. The subsequent use of the double-glazing unit, i.e., as a component of doors or windows or of curtain walling or of structural glazing facades, as has been mentioned already, is known to the person skilled in the art and is not discussed here in detail.

With reference to the schematic representation of <FIG> of the double-glazing unit, in greater detail the double-glazing unit is constituted typically by two or more glass sheets <NUM>, <NUM>, etc., mutually separated by one or more spacer frames <NUM>, etc., which are internally hollow and are micro-perforated on the face that is directed toward the inside of the chamber.

The spacer frames <NUM> contain, in their hollow part, hygroscopic material <NUM>, the purpose of which is to absorb humidity. The chamber (or chambers) <NUM> (or onward) delimited by the glass sheets <NUM> and <NUM> (or onward) and by the frame <NUM> (or onward) can contain air or gas or mixtures of gas injected therein, which give the double-glazing unit particular properties, for example thermally insulating and soundproofing properties. Recently, the use has become widespread of a spacer profile <NUM>, which has an essentially rectangular cross-section or a rectangular cross-section with two recesses and is made of organic material (by way of non-exhaustive example: silicone and EPDM) which is expanded and flexible and embeds in its mass the hygroscopic material; however, this solution, despite being practical from the point of view of automation in the manufacture of the insulating glazing unit since the operation of manual laying of the spacer frame is eliminated and despite being valid from the point of view of thermal insulation, since it is made of low-conductivity material, has some drawbacks. The main drawback relates to the preponderance of organic material in its composition and therefore to the mediocre barrier function both for retention of the gas that is present in the chamber and for the lack of penetration of humidity from the external environment toward the chamber, which would entail condensation inside the chamber. Additional drawbacks are: the complexity in the change of width and colors, the lack of adhesion with some types of sealant and, last but not least, the limitation of the maximum dimensions of the double-glazing unit, which excludes its use in structural glazing. Accordingly, the more traditional solution of the rigid frame instead is regaining popularity. The junction between the glass sheets and the frame is obtained by means of two levels of sealing: the first seal <NUM> is used to provide a hermetic closure and affects the lateral surfaces of the frame <NUM> and the portions adjacent thereto of the glass sheets <NUM>, <NUM> and has a thermoplastic behavior; the second seal <NUM> affects the compartment constituted by the external surface of the frame and the faces of the glass sheets <NUM>, <NUM> up to the edge thereof and has the function of providing cohesion among the components, once the sealant has been catalyzed, i.e., after a few hours, at the same time maintaining the mechanical strength of the junction between them. In the case of the flexible spacer, said spacer is pre-coated on a portion of its sides with an acrylic adhesive <NUM>, which has, as its sole but not significant advantage, an immediate coupling with the walls of the glass sheets, so as to allow the handling of the double-glazing unit without waiting for catalysis of the two-component sealants.

<FIG> show five of the many possible sectional views of double-glazing unit configurations, of which only the first one has been commented. However, it is straightforward to extend the description given above to the configurations of <FIG> , where either multiple frames or offset glass sheets or laminated glass sheets are provided. In the figure, the sun represents schematically the external environment of the building in which the double-glazing units are installed, while the interior of the building is represented schematically by a radiator.

The glass sheets used in the composition of the double-glazing unit can have different shapes as a function of their use; for example, the external glass sheet <NUM> (with respect to the building) can be normal or selective or reflective (in order to limit thermal intake during summer months) and it can also be laminated/armored (for intrusion prevention/vandalism prevention functions) or it can be laminated/tempered (for safety functions) and can also be combined, for example reflective and laminated, as well as offset with respect to the internal glass sheet or the intermediate glass sheet.

The internal glass sheet <NUM> (with respect to the building) can be normal or of the low-emissivity type (in order to limit the dispersion of heat during winter months) and it can also be laminated/tempered (for safety functions) and can also be combined, for example low-emissivity and laminated.

The properties related to thermal insulation both under winter conditions (for which low-emissivity glass is indicated) and under summer conditions (for which selective glass is indicated), as well as the properties related to light transmission, are obtained by depositions of metals and metallic oxides, generally of the multilayer type, with a total thickness in the order of hundreds of angstroms, which must however be removed in the perimetric portions of interaction with the sealants.

All the above is to demonstrate that the function of the spacer frame in the composition of the double-glazing unit, in particular the rigid one, is primary and has to be brought out for the following essential reasons:.

In conclusion, although the contribution of the spacer frame in terms of cost is marginal, its function is instead primary, and bending (or calendering for curvilinear parts) must be performed according to best manufacturing practice.

Moreover, it is evident that a manufacturing line, in order to obtain the double-glazing unit product, requires many processes in a cascade.

Each one of these cascade processes requires a related and particular machine, to be arranged in series with respect to the other complementary machines. Some processes or operations, by way of non-exhaustive example and at the same time not all necessary, are the following, which are described in summary:.

The processes listed above can be performed by the respective machine automatically or semiautomatically.

<CIT>, as well as the machines manufactured by Peter Lisec and by all competitors, teach or anticipate nothing regarding the inventive concept that is the subject of the present application, and indeed the teaching is even misleading, i.e., it is to increase the sophistication of the bending tool in order to obtain an aesthetically acceptable bend instead of introducing a stable movement of the profile as it becomes a frame and lies downstream of the bending tool, said movement rather having a basic role both from the physical point of view and from the point of view of productivity with respect to the execution of the bend entrusted only to the bending head.

The main problems inherent in the known methods summarized above are:.

There's more: in view of the considerable development of double-glazing units, considering the various shapes and applications described in the introduction, likewise there are now dozens of types of spacer profiles, which used to be limited to a few units. It is sufficient to consider that in addition to the increase in the range of widths, which were once typically <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> and are now <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, a differentiation of the materials has taken place; once it was exclusively pickled aluminum, whereas now the following have been added: anodized aluminum in various colors, coated aluminum in various colors, screenprinted aluminum, plastic-coated aluminum, electroplated carbon steel, stainless steel, stainless steel/plastic in various colors and in various shapes. It goes without saying that the masses involved and the corresponding gravitational actions and inertial and friction reactions have increased not only due to the effect of the increase in width but also due to the materials, which are denser than aluminum, and due the increase in the size of double-glazing units (today values even equal to those of what are called jumbo sheets i.e., <NUM> x <NUM>, are reached). <CIT> discloses an apparatus and a method for bending spacer profiles according to the preamble of claims <NUM> and <NUM>.

The aim of the present invention is therefore to solve the described technical problems, eliminating all the drawbacks of the cited background art and thus providing a method and a machine that allow bending and calendering of spacer profiles for double-glazing units, obtaining a valuable quality of the bent or calendered part and increasing productivity (to set a term of comparison, from the currently common <NUM> frames/hour with rectangular dimensions of <NUM> x <NUM> to approximately <NUM> frames/hour).

The above aim and other objects of the invention that will become better apparent hereinafter are achieved by a machine as claimed in claim <NUM>.

The summary description of the drawings and the detailed description of an embodiment of the invention will clarify how it is possible, substantially by means of an oscillating arm provided with a sliding carriage provided with clamps that are free with respect to their pivot for coupling to the carriage, and simply with just two synchronous axes, to provide a polar system that is adapted for retaining the first part of the frame throughout the production cycle (for bending and optionally calendering) thereof, said system operating synchronously with all the other known movements of the profile bending machine.

Further characteristics and advantages of the invention will become more apparent from the detailed description, given in the chapter that follows, of a preferred embodiment of the invention, illustrated merely by way of non-limiting example in the accompanying drawings, wherein:.

In order to describe better the way of carrying out the invention, which includes all the equivalents, reference is made initially to the part relating to the background art, i.e., to the part of the machine that performs bending or calendering, to then move on to the added value represented by the present industrial invention patent application, describing the steps of the operating cycle and the mechanisms used in the preferred embodiment of the invention, and mentioning possible alternative configurations that will then be referenced in the claims.

With reference to the assembly of the figures, the reference numerals are anticipated as follows:
the series <NUM> has been assigned to the new part of the machine, i.e., to the content of the invention that consists of the guiding system (support and movement) of the spacer frame during the forming thereof, which is adapted to compensate the loads produced by the force of gravity and by inertial and friction reactions; where subscripts have been used, a stands for forward and p stands for rear, the reference being the position of the operator on the front part of the machine.

The subsequent numberings identify respectively:.

The reference numeral <NUM> designates the single spacer profile; the numeral <NUM> designates the spacer frame in its step of progressive forming; the numerals <NUM>, <NUM>', <NUM>" designate the frame as manufactured by the machine that performs the process; the numerals <NUM>, <NUM>', <NUM>" designate the frame as completed with the head-tail joint, intended for the subsequent operation for filling with hygroscopic material, which is performed by a machine that does not belong to the present invention and is in any case known, before being intended to compose the double-glazing unit <NUM>.

The numeral <NUM> designates the surface of the machine for the sliding of the spacer frame <NUM> during its forming step, which is also the arrangement surface of the finished frame <NUM>, <NUM>', <NUM>", where it stays while waiting to be unloaded (predominantly manually but possibly also automatically). This surface is typically inclined with respect to the vertical plane, generally by <NUM>°, as a condition to compensate for the actions of gravity and friction that act on the frame <NUM> during the forming of said frame <NUM> and that would be respectively: maximum and nil if the surface had a vertical arrangement, nil and maximum if the surface had a horizontal arrangement.

The reference numeral <NUM> designates the electrical panel (located below the sliding surface <NUM>) which contains, in addition to the electrical components, also the hardware of the logic part, i.e., the PLC (Programmable Logic Controller) and the PC (Personal Computer).

The reference numeral <NUM> designates the operator interface, which is constituted by a touchscreen monitor and a keyboard.

Generically, the reference numeral <NUM> designates the protective structures, be they of the type of mechanical screens or optical barriers or laser barriers that can be configured according to the region to be protected or electrically sensitive mats etc., particular attention being devoted not only to the functional, economic and ergonomic aspects that are typical of the present invention but also to accident-prevention aspects.

The numbers starting with <NUM> designate the main components of the double-glazing unit, as seen in the peripheral junction according to <FIG> , where the main component is the spacer frame <NUM>, although it is renamed <NUM> in the configuration of the junction for the sake of uniformity with the other components.

The description that follows refers to an arrangement of the machine in which the magazine <NUM> of the spacer profiles <NUM> is arranged on the left and the working surface <NUM> of the spacer frame <NUM> and of arrangement of the finished spacer frame <NUM>, <NUM>', <NUM>" is arranged on the right, as shown in the figures. It goes without saying that the condition might be mirror-symmetrical as a function of factory layout requirements and would be supported by it, but the description would be adapted to the different orientation.

Starting therefore with the steps of the cycle and the components of the machine that belong to the background art, the following is the path and the following are the processes to which the spacer profile <NUM> (hereinafter profile <NUM>) is subjected in order to become a portion of a spacer frame <NUM> and a spacer frame <NUM>, <NUM>', <NUM>" (hereinafter frame <NUM>, <NUM>', <NUM>").

The profile <NUM>, which lies together with other identical profiles in one of the compartments of the magazine <NUM>, while the other compartments might contain other profiles of the same type or of a different type, is guided through mechanisms of the conveyor/feeder (in particular, the synchronous conveyor belts 301a, 301p with continuous action, but a carriage provided with clamps having an intermittent and bidirectional action might likewise be used) to the bending/calendering head <NUM>. For the progressive forming of the frame <NUM> until its completion is reached in the configurations <NUM>, <NUM>', <NUM>", the method and the mechanisms operate as follows depending on the final type, i. one of the alternatives <NUM>, <NUM>', <NUM>".

Type <NUM> case (rectangular frame, i.e., shaped with four right angles, including therein therefore the particular case of a square frame): the profile <NUM>, if inserted for the first time, is guided, through the belt feeder 301a, 301p, to a reference position identified by a sensor, slightly upstream of which a cutter end-faces it in order to establish the zero position (this operation will not be repeated in the continuation of the production of frames having the same profile type, since the profile can be considered as having an unlimited length since the magazine <NUM> performs, as is known, the automatic joining of subsequent profiles by inserting a mechanical connector in the tailing and leading cavities of the spacer profiles <NUM>, generally with a length of <NUM>). From this position, defined as zero position, the profile <NUM> is advanced between the jaws 401a, 401p by means of the synchronous action of the feeder belts 301a, 301p, until it passes beyond the position of the bending punch <NUM> (understood as the position where the punch is successively lowered until it interferes with the inside curve of the profile <NUM>) by a first preset length that can be set as a data item.

Subsequently, the jaws 401a, 401p close against the side walls of the profile, maintaining in any case a slight play, the bending punch <NUM> descends and the bending lever <NUM> performs a rotation, the axis of which coincides, except for adjustments for the proper execution of the bending action, with the contact line between the punch <NUM> and the inside curve of the profile <NUM>, this rotation measuring <NUM>° plus or minus a second preset degree that is constituted by an input data item adapted to obtain a precise bending angle of <NUM>° by taking into account the elastic return of said profile <NUM> (typically the rotation requires a phase adjustment of a few degrees with respect to <NUM>° as a function of the type of profile). Once bending has been performed, the punch <NUM> returns to the inactive position, the bending lever <NUM> returns to the inactive position and the jaws 401a, 401p at first tighten further in order to calibrate the width of the profile <NUM> and then reopen. Then, by synchronous action of the feeder belts 301a, 301p, the profile <NUM> is advanced by a distance that is equal to the length of the first complete side of the rectangle (preferably but not necessarily the shorter one), and then the succession of the actions of the mechanisms (listed in a complete sequence which corresponds to the above description) 401a, 401p, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, 401a, 401p, 401a, 401p is repeated to conclude the second bending. One proceeds in this way to the execution of the third and fourth bands, after which the feeder belts 301a, 301p cause the advancement of the profile <NUM> by a distance that is equal to the length of the last side minus the first preset determined previously and then the cutter cuts the profile <NUM> so that the perimetric extension of the frame <NUM> is the one that corresponds to the required rectangle. It goes without saying that the action of the cutter is coordinated with the action of a clamp, which corresponds to the cutter assembly that retains the profile during the cutting operation. At this point the frame <NUM> is available for its manual or automatic extraction.

Type <NUM>' case (frame shaped with at least two angles that are different from a right angle, i.e., different from <NUM>°): the progression of the steps and of the mechanisms reproduces what has been described in the above case, but the oscillation angle (i.e., the angle of the active stroke and of the return stroke to the inactive position) of the bending lever <NUM> and the quantity of operations vary, since they are parameters as a function of the geometry of the frame <NUM>' having a polygonal shape (from the regular or irregular triangle condition, with three sides and three angles, to the regular or irregular polygon condition, with n sides and n corners).

Type <NUM>" case (frame containing at least one curvilinear part): for the non-curvilinear parts, what has been described for the above two cases applies; for the curvilinear parts, in summary (the detail would be more complex, since it would be equipped also with the logic, in any case known, on pre-bending, since it is variable depending on the shape of the frame) the principle related to the cycle and the mechanisms is as follows. First of all the bending lever <NUM> performs a pre-bending of finite extent, while the punch <NUM> contrasts the inside curve of the profile <NUM>, then said lever remains in a stationary position that is proximate or corresponds to the pre-bending end position, the punch <NUM> detaches slightly from the inside curve of the profile <NUM> to avoid damaging it in the subsequent step, and the feeder belts 301a, 301p intervene so that the profile <NUM>, by sliding with its inside curve below the punch <NUM> and with its outside curve above the bending lever <NUM>, undergoes a calendering operation. Clearly, the parameters of angular placement of the bending lever <NUM> and of extent of the stroke of the profile <NUM> pushed by the feeder belts 301a, 301p determine the radius and breadth of the curvilinear part of the frame <NUM>"; these parameters, which are stored in a database of the machine, are acquired automatically by the software of the machine as a function of the inputs that describe the shapes and dimensions of the finished frames <NUM>".

One might also consider the cases of completely curvilinear frames (the case of portholes used in shipbuilding and in the naval field), since the method and the mechanisms can provide them (from a circle to an ellipse to shapes with various radii or with a continuously variable radius), but with the sole superfluous consequence of encumbering the description. In any case, for this type the processing mode would relate only to calendering, as can be deduced easily.

All this long introduction on the part related to the background art was indispensable for understanding the important function of the invention by means of diagrams that can be interpreted and referred to easily.

Moving on therefore to the steps of the cycle and to the components of the machine introduced with the invention, the following is the mode of operation and the following are the components of the machine that intervene so that the part of the frame <NUM> that is formed progressively is supported and guided, by means of a device that hereinafter will be referred to as a support, downstream of the bending/calendering head in order to contrast the gravitational, inertial and friction actions to which the frame <NUM> is subjected during the forming thereof, so as to improve its execution both in terms of quality and in terms of production.

Types <NUM> and <NUM>' case. The description is merged for the two types, since a differentiated specific description has already been provided for the known part of the method and of the mechanisms and substantially the distinction relates only to the succession of the bends and of the sides of the polygon, which can be other than four, and the degrees of the bending angles, which can be partly <NUM>° and partly different from <NUM>° or all different from <NUM>°.

As regards the method, it is useful to comment the diagram of <FIG> , which does not indicate the progressive portions of the frame <NUM> but indicates the finished frame <NUM>, since the sequences would lead to overlaps. The letters A to H represent the positions in which the coupling between the support <NUM> introduced with the present invention and the frame <NUM> operates during the progressive forming thereof until the final forming thereof occurs in the situations <NUM> (and <NUM>' to be imagined). The support <NUM> progresses in its coupling position with the frame <NUM> following, with a movement of the polar type (r, ω), the path followed by the point that is shared with the side of the frame <NUM>, which in <FIG> is to be understood as being on the first short side (i.e., on the side directly behind the first preset bend), whereas for orientability in tune with the orientation of the side of the frame <NUM> it is the frame <NUM> itself that actuates the angular adjustment p of the support <NUM>, since the support is free (with spring-loaded return when it is in the cycle start position). From the inactive position A (a condition which arises from a machine reset or from the end of the cycle after manufacturing of a frame of any shape (<NUM>, <NUM>', <NUM>")), the support <NUM> moves to the position B, at a distance r from the center of rotation of the bending lever, said distance r being established by the process software as a function of the dimensions of the side of the frame <NUM> that is affected by the bending and waits, in order to couple thereto, for the arrival and placement of the profile <NUM> that has already been transformed into a frame portion <NUM>, being provided with the first bend of limited extent according to the first preset data item defined in the description of the background art. Then, together with the execution of the second bend, i.e., with the rotation of the bending lever <NUM>, the support <NUM> moves, generating an angle ω of <NUM>° (plus or minus the value of the second preset) in order to reach the position C, while with respect to itself it performs an angular rotation equal to p, which is actuated by the portion of the frame <NUM>, since the support <NUM> is free with respect to the arm <NUM> and has low friction and inertia and high elasticity. At this point, since the frame <NUM> performs a longitudinal movement due to the conveyor <NUM>, the support <NUM> passes from position C to position D due to the actuation steps that operate in a concatenated manner and relate to the rotational axis co and to the radial axis r in a further concatenation with the synchronous longitudinal axis performed by the conveyor <NUM>. It is superfluous to repeat the description related to the subsequent paths that bring the support <NUM> to positions E F, G, H. Broken lines show the position of the frame <NUM> during the rotation step, where the progression of the rotation p of the support <NUM> is indicated.

As regards the mechanisms, reference is made to <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG> to complete the modes of actuation of the axes described in the part related to the process. The rotational axis co is actuated by the synchronous motor <NUM>, which by means of the reduction unit <NUM> and the bracket <NUM> acts on the arm <NUM>. This is evident from <FIG> , which shows an axonometric view from the plane <NUM> toward the operator, where the unnumbered part comprised between the reduction unit <NUM> and the bracket <NUM> constitutes the bracketing to the known profile bending machine, said bracketing being adjusted so as to make the rotation axis co of the arm <NUM> coincide with the rotation axis co of the bending lever <NUM>. The radial axis r is actuated by the synchronous motor <NUM>, which acts by means of the reduction unit <NUM> and the sprocket <NUM> on the toothed belt transmission <NUM> guided by the free sprocket <NUM>, said belt being coupled to the carriage that bears the support <NUM>. All this always occurs in concatenation with the longitudinal synchronous axis provided by the feeder <NUM> and with the rotational synchronous axis, also referred to as co, actuated by the bending lever <NUM>, which are obtained with synchronous motors and transmission components that are all known. The rotational axis p, which is not actuated since it is generated by the ability of the portion of the frame <NUM> to rotate components which are rotationally free, is made possible by means of the following components, which are shown complete with every detail in <FIG>, wherein: the numeral <NUM> designates the support as a whole; the numeral <NUM> designates the rotation axis about which the part of the support <NUM> that is free performs the angular stroke p as actuated by the portion of the frame <NUM> that is coupled to said support <NUM>; the numeral <NUM> designates the spring of the spiral type that is wound on the drums <NUM> and <NUM> and, upon uncoupling from the frame <NUM>, returns the clamps for coupling the support <NUM>/frame <NUM> to the inactive position; the numeral <NUM> designates the group of free wheels that allow the support <NUM> to glide along the arm <NUM> of the device according to the invention; the numeral <NUM> designates the clamp that couples the support <NUM> to the transmission belt <NUM> for the stroke thereof along the synchronous radial axis r; the numeral 117f designates the fixed jaw and the numeral <NUM> designates the rotatable jaw, actuated by the pneumatic actuator <NUM>, said jaws, during closure, mating with a locally rectilinear portion of the frame <NUM>; the numeral <NUM> designates the slider body that joins the system of free wheels <NUM> to the bearing <NUM> that provides the free rotation axis <NUM>. It is sufficient, therefore, to add to what has been described earlier that the support <NUM> is coupled to the arm of the frame <NUM>, in the condition in which the first bend (i.e., the one with a short side extension) has been performed and the frame is supported by the conveyor/feeder <NUM> to the extension of the first side, at a distance r of the polar system r/ω where ω = <NUM>, by closure of the rotatable jaw <NUM>, and therefore follows all the paths described in the process, either with only the activation of the axis ω (bending step) or with concatenated activation of the axes r and ω (step in which the frame <NUM> is advanced by the conveyor/feeder <NUM>), whereas step p of free rotation self-adjusts since it is actuated by the arm of the frame <NUM>.

Type <NUM>' case (frame containing at least one curvilinear part). As regards the method, it is useful to comment the diagram of <FIG> , while what has already been said for the previous types applies to the mechanisms. <FIG> speaks for itself if one reads it with the comments already developed for <FIG>; it is sufficient to add that the process software optimizes the initial and final positions of the processing of the frame <NUM>' so the coupling between the support <NUM> and the frame <NUM> occurs in a position in which the frame <NUM> is rectilinear.

In general it should be noted that all the mechanisms of the inventive assembly <NUM> operate above the working surface <NUM>, i.e., on the side of the operator, since the support, by acting on all of the plane <NUM>, could not be actuated with mechanisms located in the opposite part of the plane.

Naturally and furthermore, all the movements connected to the steps of the cycle are mutually interlocked, by means of a parallel logic system that is always active and is provided with sensors, in order to prevent, during movements of the mechanisms, conditions of interference of the spacer profiles <NUM> and of the spacer frames <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>', <NUM>" with parts of the machine or parts of the machine with each other.

The present invention is susceptible of numerous constructive variations (with respect to what can be deduced from the drawings, the details of which are evident and self-explanatory, and from the description), all of which are within the scope of equivalence with the inventive concept; thus, for example, the mechanical solutions for the translation of the spacer profile <NUM>, which can be of the slider type instead of the belt type, the actuation means, which can be electrical, electrical-electronic, pneumatic, hydraulic and/or combined, etc., the control means, which can be electronic or fluidic and/or combined, etc..

The constructive details may be replaced with other technically equivalent ones. The materials and the dimensions may be any according to the requirements in particular arising from the dimensions, shapes and types of the spacer profiles <NUM> and of the finished spacer frames <NUM>, <NUM>', <NUM>". In particular, the devices as described that actuate the movement of the support <NUM> may also perform alternative methods, for example the method of activating themselves by coupling in each instance with the part of the frame <NUM> that is arranged horizontally downstream of the bending head <NUM> after the feeder <NUM> has advanced the profile <NUM> and before the bending head performs the bending. Although this method is not as effective as the one described, it may be necessary, for example if the extensions of some sides of the frame <NUM> do not allow retention during the subsequent feeding due to a limitation of the stroke r of the support <NUM> on the arm <NUM>.

Likewise, the axis <NUM> with rotation p of the support <NUM> described as free and actuated by the portion of the frame <NUM> being coupled may instead be performed by a synchronous actuator. Likewise, the r/ω polar system might be replaced by a Cartesian x/y system.

It goes without saying that the industrial application is assuredly successful, since the machines that bend the spacer profiles <NUM> to form the spacer frames <NUM> intended for the double-glazing units <NUM> have been established on the market for over twenty years and now the number of types of profiles <NUM> continues to be increased by innovations, for example stainless steel or composite materials, which are currently growing considerably due to the low value of their heat conductivity coefficient. Moreover, the market of double-glazing units is growing continuously and in recent years has been increased by all the applications that require a shape other than rectangular, and it is evident that new investments will be aimed at the most recent and innovative technology that resorts to profile bending machines since they are able to produce even spacer frames <NUM> that have a curvilinear shape. The subject matter of the present invention leads to important added values with respect to the background art in terms of considerable increase in productivity and improvement of the quality of the finished frame.

The insertion of the present invention in the production line of the double-glazing unit <NUM> is shown in <FIG> (shown in plan view), which includes the machine downstream of the profile bending machine, i.e., the desiccant filler for the insertion of the hygroscopic material <NUM> in the cavity of the spacer frame <NUM>, <NUM>', <NUM>", and the additional machine for spreading the butyl sealant <NUM> on the sides of said spacer frame, as an evident confirmation of widespread industrial application.

Claim 1:
An automatic machine for bending and/or calendering spacer profiles (<NUM>) intended to form spacer frames for an insulating glazing unit comprising a carriage (<NUM>) provided with clamps and having an intermittent and bidirectional action for moving the spacer profile (<NUM>); a bending head (<NUM>) having jaws and a punch (<NUM>); a bending lever (<NUM>) directly downstream of the punch (<NUM>) that is provided with a rotary motion (ω), the coordinated operation of all these mechanisms actuating the bending and/or calendering, characterized in that downstream of the bending head (<NUM>) there is arranged a mechanism (<NUM>) that mates with and retains a portion (<NUM>) of the spacer frame (<NUM>, <NUM>', <NUM>"), configured for supporting said portion (<NUM>) and movably guiding said portion (<NUM>) during all the operating steps of bending and/or calendering along a path that is synchronous with the geometric position described by said portion (<NUM>) of the spacer frame during the forming of the spacer frame (<NUM>, <NUM>', <NUM>") performed by the carriage (<NUM>) and by the bending head (<NUM>), in order to compensate the loads produced by the force of gravity and by inertial and friction reactions, wherein the mechanism (<NUM>) comprises at least one arm (<NUM>) rotatable by means of a motor (<NUM>) and a support/carriage (<NUM>) slidable along said arm (<NUM>), wherein said support/carriage (<NUM>) comprises clamps (117f, <NUM>) for selectively coupling and uncoupling the spacer frame (<NUM>, <NUM>', <NUM>") to the support/carriage (<NUM>), .