RU2789481C2 - Machine and method for processing of metal products - Google Patents

Abstract

FIELD: material processing.

SUBSTANCE: invention relates to metal processing by pressure; it can be used for processing of elongated metal products. A machine contains pulling device (11) for supply of at least one metal product (P) in a direction of supply and processing device (41) having bending device (42). Pulling device (11) contains first pulling module (12) and second pulling module (13) located opposite to each other relatively to a direction of supply. The first and the second pulling modules form, in a direction of supply, a channel for pulling of at least one metal product (P). At an output of pulling channel (19), a guiding means is located, preferably adjustable in a plane orthogonal to a plane of location of the pulling channel. Main cutting unit (45) and bending device (42) are located beyond the guiding means.

EFFECT: obtainment of metal products high-quality in size and shape and possibility of simultaneous processing of two products.

20 cl, 21 dwg

Description

The field of technology to which the invention belongs

The invention relates to a machine tool and method for processing metal products, for example for bending and/or shaping metal products for the manufacture of brackets and similar or comparable building accessories.

Hereinafter in the description, the term "metal products" means metal products intended for the manufacture of brackets and other fasteners, docking or connecting elements, mainly, but not exclusively, for use in construction.

Metal products can be obtained from bars, profiles, round parts, reinforcing round parts, rods, etc.

State of the art

Known machines suitable for obtaining various types of brackets required in construction, but not only.

Machine tools usually include a pulling device and a processing device, which may be, for example, a bending device.

It is known that the processing device is located downstream of the pulling device and aligned on the same axis with it to perform the necessary processing.

The puller can be fed manually or automatically and is usually suitable for moving linear metal products.

Metal products are nominally circular, but may also be square or quasi-square.

It is known that metal products are obtained by rolling, and it is also known that, depending on the method of their manufacture, the morphological configuration of the surface of metal products is essentially parallel to the axis.

In some manufacturing methods, metal products have a morphological configuration that curls along an axis.

The pulling device in each individual case advances the metal product in a controlled manner towards the processing device to the desired length, which must be processed in each individual case.

Typically, a cutting block is located between the pulling device and the processing device.

The pulling device typically consists of at least one pair of opposing rollers, at least one of which is motorized to feed the metal product to the processing device.

It is also known that metal products often experience internal stresses caused by previous operations such as rolling, drawing or extrusion.

Internal mechanical stresses may remain inactive until further processing of the metal product, such as simple bending.

One of the problems that often occurs in such products during the mentioned processes is the uncontrolled and undesirable deformation of the metal product, which on the one hand creates control problems, and on the other hand leads to an unusable finished product.

In order to overcome these shortcomings, metalworking machines have been developed which comprise two or more pulling devices arranged in series.

The combination of several pulling devices allows better control of the drawing of the metal product. It also makes it possible to restrain unwanted deformation of the metal product.

Such solutions, however, complicate the processing machine, creating control and monitoring problems.

In addition, such a solution is particularly expensive due to the large number of devices required and the need for proper coordination and control of their operation.

In addition, to avoid the occurrence of such deformations, pulling devices using rollers must be able to create a high holding pressure on the metal product.

The holding action makes it possible, for example, to restrain the twisting of the metal product while at the same time guaranteeing the stretching even if the cross section of the metal product differs from the theoretical one.

In the case of pulling devices using caterpillar systems, the pressure between the tracks is not always sufficient.

However, it is known that high holding pressures can damage the surface of a metal product. Moreover, they may not always provide correct elongation.

It is also known that in the case where two metal products are processed at the same time, even high pressure cannot guarantee uniform and identical, as well as simultaneous feeding of both metal products.

One of the objectives of the present invention is to provide a machine tool for processing metal products, which allows to obtain finished products of high quality in size and shape.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a machine tool for processing metal products that is economical.

Another object of the present invention is to enable the simultaneous processing of two metal products.

Another object of the present invention is to simplify the design of the machine.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a metal work machine that is easy to operate and handle.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a processing machine that does not damage the metal products being processed.

Another object of the present invention is also to enable the processing of metal products with the output of the widest range of building products.

Another object of the present invention is to enable the processing of metal products, which in the finished state or semi-finished state have a significantly reduced tail.

According to the invention, it is also possible to process metal products in such a way that the tail of the bracket is from 3 cm to 10 cm, preferably from 4 cm to 7 cm, more preferably about 5 cm.

The applicant has developed, tested and implemented the present invention in order to overcome the disadvantages of the prior art and achieve the above and other objects and advantages.

Disclosure of invention

The present invention is set forth and characterized in independent claims, while dependent claims describe other characteristics of the invention or embodiments of the main idea of the invention.

In accordance with the above objects, a machine tool for processing oblong metal products includes a drawing device configured to feed at least one metal product in a feed direction and a processing device.

The processing device has a working plane, in which there is a bending device provided with a counteracting element, preferably having at least one cylindrical vertical wall, and a bending element. The processing device is located downstream of the pulling device and aligned with it in line with it in the feed direction.

The pulling device comprises a first pulling module and a second pulling module located opposite each other with respect to the feed direction.

The machine also contains at least one drive element for actuating the pulling device.

The first pulling module and the second pulling module define between themselves in the feed direction a drawing channel for at least one metal product.

The pulling channel has a location plane, defined by a plurality of anchor inserts, of at least one metal product, essentially tangent to the cylindrical vertical wall of the counteracting element and coinciding with the working plane.

Upstream of the pulling device, a mechanism for supplying metal products can be installed.

According to one aspect of the present invention, at the exit of the draw channel, the machine has guide means, preferably adjustable in a plane substantially orthogonal to the plane of the draw channel, followed by a main cutting unit and a bending device.

The pulling device has at least one position adjustable in a direction orthogonal to the feed direction relative to the working plane so that the position of at least one metal product is consistent with the working plane.

In one embodiment, each of the first pull module and the second pull module includes a first wheel, a second wheel, and a chain wound in a closed ring between the first wheel and the second wheel.

The pull channel contains an opposite set of upper anchor inserts and lower anchor inserts.

The lower anchor inserts have a flat transverse socket, a plurality of which, aligned in one line, forms the plane of at least one metal product to determine the vertical position of at least one metal product.

The upper anchor inserts have a rounded transverse profile so that a response force is applied to the metal products in the direction of the central longitudinal axis of the drawing channel parallel to the feed direction, and in the direction of the lower anchor inserts.

In one embodiment, the first pull module and the second pull module have a plurality of pull wheels aligned in a single line in the feed direction.

The pull wheels are adjustable to set the height of the pull channel. The pulling channel is bounded from below by transverse sockets, which determine the vertical position of at least one metal product, and from above by a rounded transverse profile.

According to another aspect of the present invention, upstream of the pulling device, there is an auxiliary cutting unit configured to trim, on a case by case basis, the head or tail end of at least one piece of metal.

The auxiliary cutting unit is double-sided and contains opposing cutting means, consisting of two upper cutting edges and two lower cutting edges, the first pair of upper and lower cutting edges being configured to cut the head end of at least one metal product, and the other pair is intended for cutting the tail end of a metal product.

According to another aspect of the present invention, at the outlet of the main cutting unit there is a guiding and holding means consisting of branches.

The guiding and holding means lie in the same plane and are autonomous and, in the preferred embodiment, adjustable, cooperating directly with the bending device.

The guiding and holding means has profiles with an extension extending to the center of the counteracting element of the bending device.

The counteracting element has a cylindrical section with an axis of rotation and a flat section near the axis of rotation, and the flat section faces the guiding and holding means.

The first branch, which interacts directly with the counteracting element, has a wall essentially perpendicular to the working plane and essentially tangent to the cylindrical vertical wall of the counteracting element, interacting with the flat part of the counteracting element.

In the area that faces the wall, essentially perpendicular to the working plane of the first leg, the other leg is extended in the direction of the first leg, so that the force is applied down and against the first leg.

The guiding and holding means and at least the counteracting element are movable so as to be retracted from the working plane from the working position to a position in which they do not interfere with the movement of the metal product.

The arms face each other and are spaced at an adjustable distance from each other to move from a gripping position that allows at least one metal article to be clamped and positioned along an axis during at least a bending operation, to a release position and direction of at least one metal article. product so that it can move.

According to one aspect of the present invention, the profile of the guiding and retaining means tapers in the direction of the reaction element, having a substantially flared shape in the feed direction.

According to another aspect of the present invention, at least the top anchor inserts are provided with a groove for gripping at least one metal article, defined by tapered sections that taper laterally towards a central section. The central section of the gripping groove has inclined sides and a socket located between them, defined by a rounded profile.

According to another aspect of the present invention, the upper anchor inserts and the lower anchor inserts interact laterally with the anchor links.

The anchor links support and position the chains, wherein the chains are slidable over the counter elements of the first pull module and the second pull module.

At least one of the counteracting elements resiliently interacts with the corresponding support element through the elastic elements.

The present invention also relates to a method for processing at least one metal product using the machine tool described above.

In particular, when a final bend is to be performed on the metal product, the next metal product is used for axial positioning of the previous metal product in the bending device, and the guiding and holding means are actuated to at least temporarily also act as a counteracting element during bending.

According to one aspect of the present invention, in order to retract at least one piece of metal that has at least one kink in a position of engagement with the guide and holding means and/or the bending device, the guide and holding means and the bending device are lowered, allowing the metal article retract until it is in close proximity to the main cutting unit.

In addition, for the manufacture of a shaped product from a metal product whose end segment of the last bend is from 4 cm to 7 cm, the metal product is retracted after the guide and holding means and the bending device are retracted from the work plane, before the main cutting unit enters into action to separate the formed product from the metal product.

Brief description of the drawings

These and other characteristics of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of some of its embodiments, given as a non-limiting example with reference to the accompanying drawings, which show:

- in Fig. 1 is a schematic view of a machine tool for processing metal products according to the present invention;

- in Fig. 2 is an enlarged schematic view of one of the nodes shown in FIG. 1;

- in Fig. 3 is a schematic sectional view of one of the nodes shown in FIG. 2;

- in Fig. 4 is a perspective view of a component of the assembly shown in FIG. 2;

- in Fig. 5 is a plan view of the component shown in FIG. 4;

- in Fig. 6 is a sectional view along the line VI-VI of the component shown in FIG. 5;

- in Fig. 7-10 show a sequence of steps for processing a metal product on the processing machine shown in FIG. 1;

- in Fig. 11 is a variant of the assembly shown in FIG. 2;

- in Fig. 12 is a sectional view of the assembly shown in FIG. eleven;

- in Fig. 13 is a perspective view of a component of the assembly shown in FIG. eleven;

- in Fig. 14 is a perspective view of another component of the assembly shown in FIG. eleven;

- in Fig. 15-19 show the sequence of working steps for processing a metal product using the variant of the assembly shown in FIG. eleven;

- in Fig. 20-21 are schematic side views of the processing device shown in FIG. 16-19.

For ease of understanding, the same reference numbers have been used to refer to identical common elements in the drawings where possible. It is clear that the elements and characteristics of one embodiment can be easily incorporated into other embodiments without any further explanation.

Implementation of the invention

In accordance with some embodiments of the present invention, presented as a non-limiting example, a machine for processing oblong metal products is generally indicated by the reference position 10.

The processing machine 10 includes at least one drawing device 11 configured to feed at least one metal product P in the feed direction Z, and a processing device 41 located downstream of the drawing device 11 and aligned with it in the Z feed direction. .

The processing device 41 has a working plane 41a, in which the bending device 42 is located, provided with a counter element 43 and a bending element 44 movable relative to the counter element 43 to adjust the bending of at least one metal product P around the bending element 44.

According to the embodiment shown in FIG. 15-19, the counteracting element 43 has a cylindrical section having at least one cylindrical vertical wall, with an axis of rotation perpendicular to the working plane 41a, about which the bending element 44 can rotate to impart the required bends to the metal product P.

Counteracting element 43 also has a flat vertical section near the axis of rotation.

The working plane 41a of the processing device 41 may be horizontal, quasi-vertical or vertical.

In a preferred embodiment, the working plane 41a of the processing device 41 is inclined from about 30° to 50°, typically about 45° (FIGS. 20 and 21) to facilitate gravity unloading of newly formed formed elements.

The pulling device 11 includes a first pulling module 12 and a second pulling module 13 opposite each other with respect to the feeding direction Z, and at least one drive element 17 for driving them.

The first drawing module 12 and the second drawing module 13 are parallel to each other and form between them and in the feed direction Z a drawing channel 19 of at least one metal product P.

The pull channel 19 has a positioning plane of at least one piece of metal P, defined by a plurality of anchor inserts 21, substantially tangential to the cylindrical vertical wall of the counteracting element 43 and coordinated with the working plane 41a.

The drawing channel 19 may have a width that is a multiple of the cross section of the metal product P.

Upstream of the pulling device 11, a mechanism 48 for supplying metal products P can be installed, as will be discussed in one of the preferred embodiments.

In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, at the outlet of the draw channel 19, the machine tool 10 has a guide means 39, preferably adjustable in a plane substantially orthogonal to the plane of the draw channel 19, followed by a main cutting unit 45 configured to cut at least one metal product P to the desired size, and the bending device 42.

The main cutting unit 45 comprises cutting blades 46, wherein at least one of the cutting blades 46 is preferably movable relative to the other blade to perform cutting of the metal product P.

At the outlet of the main cutting unit 45 there is a guiding and holding means 47 lying in the same plane, autonomous, preferably adjustable and cooperating directly with the bending device 42, which allows the metal product P to be bent.

The guiding and holding means 47 also cooperates with the guiding means 39 to correctly position the metal product P in the desired position during its processing steps.

The guiding and retaining means 47 has profiles with an extension extending to the center of the counter member 43 of the bender 42.

The guiding and holding means 47 has an elongated profile in the feed direction Z towards the center of the counteracting element 43, which allows at least one piece of metal P to be held and also allows its end portions to be bent.

In particular, the guiding and holding means 47 is essentially parallel to the working plane 41a of the processing device 41.

The profile of the guiding and retaining means 47 advantageously decreases in the direction of the counteracting element 43, having a substantially expanding shape in the feed direction Z.

This makes it possible to reduce its weight and volume, at least during the bending process.

The guiding and holding means 47 comprises a pair of arms 60, 61 facing each other and spaced at an adjustable distance from each other to exit from a gripping position in which at least one piece of metal P is clamped and axially positioned at least during operation. bending, to the release position of at least one metal product P, for example, to move it using the pulling device 11.

To this end, at least one of the branches 60, 61 is movable in a direction orthogonal to the feed direction Z.

According to the embodiment shown in FIG. 15-19, leg 60 is movable and leg 61 is fixed. However, it is possible that leg 60 may be fixed and leg 61 movable, or both arms may be movable.

In the configuration shown in FIG. 20 and 21, the arm 61 is fixed and if the working plane 41a is inclined, it is configured to act as a support for at least one piece of metal P which, under the action of gravity, tends to rest on it.

To do this, the branch 61 is provided with a wall essentially orthogonal to the working plane 41a and essentially tangent to the cylindrical vertical wall of the counteracting element 43, which interacts with its flat part.

In a wall-facing portion substantially orthogonal to the working plane 41a of leg 61, the movable leg 60 extends towards the latter so that force is applied downwards and in the direction of leg 61.

This solution is especially useful in the case of two metal products P.

With this configuration, at least one piece of metal P is always aligned in line with the counter member 43, which makes it possible to obtain extremely accurate folds.

The guiding and retaining means 47 may be of an interchangeable or adjustable type so that it can be adapted to the size and quantity of metal products P.

The branches 60, 61 have an elongated profile in the feed direction Z and decreasing in the direction of the reaction element 43. As an example, the branches 60, 61 may have a prismatic profile with a triangular base.

This allows the bending element 44 to rotate around the reaction element 43 through a larger angle, thus allowing bending up to an angle of approximately 180°.

The branches 60, 61 have ends 64, 65 which, during use, are located at the minimum possible distance from the counter element 43. In particular, the ends 64, 65 of the branches 60, 61 face the flat portion of the counter element 43.

Such a configuration of the guiding and holding means 47 also makes it possible to bend parts of the metal products P, which have very small tail ends, up to about 5 cm.

In this way, it is possible to reduce waste in the production of metal products P, increase productivity, and at the same time avoid obtaining end products that do not fit the purpose.

The guiding and holding means 47 is movable relative to the work plane 41a between an extended working position and a retracted position in which it does not interfere with the movement of the metal products P, for example, during the stage when the formed part is retracted, as will be explained in more detail below. .

The bending device 42 can also alternatively assume a working position and a position in which it does not interfere with the movement of the metal product.

In particular, the counteracting element 43 may be fixed or configured to have an operating position and a position in which it does not interfere with the movement of the metal product in a manner consistent or not with the guide and holding means 47.

The design of the reaction element 43 allows the branches 60, 61 of the guiding and retaining means 47 to have their respective ends 64, 65 in close proximity to the center of the reaction element 43, which allows the tail end of at least one piece of metal P to be followed up to the minimum required distance to the center of the reaction element. 43.

Since in this case the tail end of the at least one piece of metal P can no longer be moved by the pulling device 11, the Applicant has improved the method of feeding and positioning the at least one piece of metal P, as explained in more detail below.

According to the embodiments described herein, the first draw module 12 and the second draw module 13 are caterpillar-type draw modules and are predominantly, but not exclusively, located in the same vertical or quasi-vertical plane.

The first pull-out module 12 located above is movably mounted on the support slider 28 orthogonally with respect to the feeding direction Z.

The second draw module 13 below is mounted on a fixed support structure 30 opposite the first draw module 12 .

The support slider 28 is connected to a positioning and adjustment means 27 which supports and positions it relative to the second draw module 12 .

The positioning and adjusting means 27 moves the first pulling unit 12 to/from the second pulling unit 13 in a direction orthogonal to the feeding direction Z, so as to define a drawing channel 19 therebetween of at least one piece of metal P for drawing.

In accordance with possible solutions of the invention, the positioning and adjustment means 27 may comprise a linear actuator, a screw jack, an electric actuator, an oil dynamic actuator, or another type of actuator.

In the solution shown as an example in FIG. 2 and FIG. 11, the support structure 30 is preferably fixed and the support slider 28 is advantageously connected to the positioning and adjustment means 27.

The positioning and adjusting means 27 comprises, for example, a drive jack 27a which determines the correct position of the first pulling module 12 with respect to the second pulling module 13 and at the same time exerts the necessary pressure on the metal product P.

The drive jack 27a cooperates with the guides 29 along which the support slider 28 of the first pull module 12 slides.

The pull channel 19 is delimited by a plurality of opposing anchor inserts 21.

The pull channel 19 is formed by an opposing plurality of upper 2la and lower 21b anchor inserts moved respectively by the first pull module 12 and the second pull module 13.

The lower anchor inserts 21b have at least one flat transverse socket 26b, a plurality of which, aligned along one line, forms the plane of at least one metal product P to determine the vertical position of at least one metal product P.

The upper anchor inserts 2la have a centering and clamping means which has a rounded transverse profile so that a counter force is applied to the metal products P in the direction of the longitudinal central axis of the pull channel 19 and the lower anchor inserts 21b.

In the pull channel 19, the upper anchor inserts 2la can face the lower anchor inserts 21b.

In the preferred embodiment shown in FIG. 2 and FIG. 11, the upper anchor inserts 21a and the lower anchor inserts 21b are offset relative to each other in the feed direction Z by a necessary amount to improve the drawing effect of the metal product P without causing surface, linear or other deformations on it.

In the case of two or more pieces of metal P, the profile of the upper anchor insert 2la is such as to transmit force to the pieces of metal P in a transverse direction relative to the feed direction Z towards the center of the drawing channel 19 .

The draw channel 19 is designed to provide the necessary holding action on the longitudinal portion of the metal products P, an action which allows them to be kept linear and to guarantee a correct feeding action in any situation.

According to the embodiments described herein, each of the first pull module 12 and the second pull module 13 includes a first wheel 14, a second wheel 15 spaced apart, and a chain 16 wound in a closed ring between the first wheel 14 and the second wheel 15 .

Each of the chains 16 defines at least one respective first return segment 18 located between the first wheel 14 and the second wheel 15.

The first return segments 18 of both chains 16 are parallel and opposite to the feed direction Z to form between them a drawing channel 19 of at least one piece of metal P.

The first pull module 12 and the second pull module 13 may also include means 40 for tensioning the chain 16 in order to ensure the correct pulling action and at the same time facilitate their assembly, disassembly and maintenance.

The counteracting element 31 is connected to at least one of the first pulling module 12 or the second pulling module 13, preferably both modules, to apply a pull force to the metal product P to ensure that it is correctly pulled.

The reaction element 31 in the preferred embodiment spans at least the entire length of the pulling force application area.

The length of the pulling area is considered to be the length of the return segment 18 and hence the chain segment 16 which exerts a pulling action on at least one piece of metal P.

In the case considered here as an example, the counteracting element 31 interacts with the support element 32, rigidly connected with the support slider 28 and with the support structure 30 of the first module 12 stretching and the second module 13 stretching, respectively.

Between the counteracting element 31 and the support element 32, elastic elements 34 may be present to apply an elastic force to the metal product P in the case where the metal product P does not have a constant cross section.

The resilient members 34 may be of any type, such as resilient body 36, one or more springs 35, or a combination of resilient body 36 and one or more springs 35.

According to the embodiments described here, the drive element 17 predominantly, but not exclusively, determines the movement of the two chains 16.

In one embodiment, the first pull module 12 and the second pull module 13 may be driven by independent but coordinated drive elements 17 or by a single drive element 17.

The first wheel 14 or the second wheel 15 is capable of exerting the required pull on the chain 16 to cause it to move linearly at the desired speed.

Each circuit 16 in the example shown in FIG. 2 and FIG. 11 consists of coordinated connecting elements 20 which cooperate respectively with the first wheel 14 and the second wheel 15 of the first drawing module 12 and the second drawing module 13.

In the solution given here as an example, the chains 16 are provided with anchor inserts 21 placed side by side along the length of the chains 16, the profile of which is configured to define a pulling channel 19 that performs a gripping action on at least one metal item P .

Each anchor insert 21 in this case is integrally attached to at least two consecutive connecting elements 20 of the chain 16.

The chain 16 contains a sequence of looped connecting elements 20a, 20b mutually connected by support and response links 63 using a pin 67.

The connecting elements 20a, 20b respectively have outer links 56a and inner links 56b connected by a pin 67 to which the rollers 55 rotate coaxially.

The chain 16 is supported and positioned by the anchor links 66. To do this, the connecting elements 20a, 20b of the chain 16 are connected by means of a pin 67 to the anchor links 66 on the side opposite to that on which they are connected to the support and reciprocal links 63.

The anchor inserts 21 interact laterally with the anchor links 66. To do this, the anchor links 66 support and position the respective anchor inserts 21.

Anchor links 66 are rigidly connected to the anchor inserts 21 by fastening means 57 . Thus, the anchor inserts 21 can be moved by the chain 16. The chain 16 is slidable on the counter member 31. In particular, the rollers 55 of the chain 16 are slidable on the counter member 31, which in this case interacts with the support member 32 by means of elastic elements 34.

Counter member 31 supports and positions a plurality of sliders 59 on which outer links 56a and anchor links 66 can slide.

According to the embodiments described here, each anchor insert 21 may be provided with attachment points 22 (FIGS. 4-6, FIGS. 13-14) for connection to the chain 16.

Attachment sections 22 define reference planes for anchor links 66.

The fastening portions 22 may have, by way of example only, holes, for example threaded, for connection with fastening means 57, such as, for example, screws, pins, rivets, pins.

The anchor insert 21 has a base surface 24, part of which interacts with at least one metal product P and defines a part of the pull channel 19.

At least the upper anchor inserts 21a are provided with a gripping groove 23 made on the base surface 24, in which, in each case, a part of at least one piece of metal P is placed.

The gripping groove 23 extends along the length of the anchor insert 21 along the longitudinal axis X, which during use is parallel to the feed direction Z.

The gripping groove 23 is advantageously defined by two conical sections 25, which taper laterally towards a central section 26.

In the preferred embodiment, there are conical sections in both the longitudinal and transverse directions of the bearing surface 24.

The central portion 26 may define a flat segment, ie define a connecting face or even a connecting curve.

The conical portions 25 may have flat edges, they may also have curved edges, or they may also be defined by curves.

The shape of the central section 26 allows you to set the narrowing of the cross section of the gripping groove 23, which allows you to increase the efficiency of gripping and holding at least one metal product P.

To this end, the central section 26 has two inclined sides 26a and a socket 26b between them.

The seat 26b of the lower anchor insert 21b determines the correct position of the metal product P with respect to the feeding direction Z.

If two or more pieces of metal P are fed in, slot 26b allows them to be correctly positioned vertically.

In the case of one or more metal products P, the seat 26b of the upper inserts 21a is such that the metal products P are pressed to the center and placed in lateral contact with each other, where they are clamped during drawing.

The pulling device 11 has at least one position adjustable in a direction orthogonal to the feed direction Z with respect to the work plane 41a so that the position of at least one piece of metal P coincides with the work plane 41a.

The plane of at least one piece of metal P, defined by the plurality of sockets 26b of the lower anchor inserts 21b, must be correctly positioned relative to the vertical wall of the counter member 43 so that at least one piece of metal P reaches the counter member 43 tangentially to the vertical wall.

Therefore, the plane of location will be essentially tangent to the vertical wall of the counteracting element 43.

In each case, the lateral position of the drawing channel 19, taking into account the number of metal products P that it has to pull, will take into account the fact that the position of the metal product P must also be coordinated with the working plane 41a of the bender 42 so that at least one metal the article P interacted with the working plane 41a while remaining substantially tangent to the vertical wall of the counteracting element 43.

When the upper anchor inserts 21a face the lower anchor inserts 21b, their central portions 26 define a narrowing of the cross section of the draw channel 19.

In this zone, at least one said metal product P is subjected to the required pressure, so that it provides a grip for the correct drawing of the metal product P.

In the first embodiment shown in FIG. 3-6, the pulling device 11 is configured to feed the individual piece of metal P in the feed direction Z.

In this case, the upper anchor inserts 21a and the lower anchor inserts 21b are preferably, although not necessarily, the same.

The metal product P moves along the draw channel 19 in constant contact with the inclined sides 26a of the upper 21a and bottom 21b anchor inserts, which in each case define the draw channel 19 .

The socket 26b may have a rounded profile with a joint radius as small as possible than the transverse dimension of the metal product P to facilitate its contact with the sides 26a.

In the second embodiment shown in FIG. 14, the pulling device 11 is configured to simultaneously feed two metal products P in the feed direction Z.

In this case, the shape of the conical portions 25 and the central portion 26 of the anchor inserts 21 is configured to bring the two metal articles P into contact with each other, or substantially into contact with each other.

In this case, the upper anchor inserts 21a and the lower anchor inserts 2lb are preferably different.

The top anchor inserts 21a have a socket 26b with a rounded profile corresponding to the transverse dimension of the two paired metal products P to facilitate their contact with the sides 26a.

In this case, metal products P are forced both to move in pairs and, resting against one another, move at the same speed.

The lower anchor inserts 21b have a socket 26b formed by a flat segment, preferably a straight edge, on which the two pieces of metal P rest.

The size of the socket 26b of the anchor inserts 21b must be suitable to provide support for the two supplied P metal products.

During use, both metal products P are fed through the draw channel 19, being in constant contact with the sloped sides 26a of the upper anchor inserts 21a and resting on the sockets 26b of the lower anchor inserts 21b.

In this way, the two metal products P can move forward while abutting each other laterally due to the binding force generated by the contact with the sloping sides 26a of the upper anchor inserts 21a.

According to the embodiments described here, the conical portions 25 are inclined with respect to the longitudinal axis X at a first inclination angle α of 10° to 45°, preferably 15° to 30°.

According to the solutions shown in FIG. 5 and in FIG. 13, the gripping groove 23 is formed with a divergence angle β between 80° and 150° (preferably between 90° and 120°) and is symmetrical about a central axis which is orthogonal to the longitudinal axis X and lies in a plane orthogonal to the latter.

According to the second embodiment, if two metal products P are supplied, the divergence angle β is larger than when only one metal product P is supplied.

In accordance with the embodiments described here, the shape of the conical portions 25 prevents the anchor inserts 21 from colliding with at least one piece of metal P in the entry and exit areas of the pulling device 11.

The connecting elements 20 of the chains 16 and/or the anchor inserts 21 corresponding to the first return segments 18 are positioned during use so that one of their surfaces is opposite the base surface 24, resting on the counteracting element 31 in order to exert pressure on at least one metal product P.

The chains 16 of the first pull module 12 and the second pull module 13 may include a second return segment 33 between the first wheel 14 and the second wheel 15, opposite the first return segment 18.

Although the embodiments described herein relate to a crawler-type puller 11, the processing device 41, and in particular the guide and holding means 47 described above, are configured to work with any type of puller known to a person skilled in the art.

The first draw module 12 and the second draw module 13 may have a plurality of draw wheels aligned in a single line in the feed direction Z.

The pulling wheels can be adjusted to set the height of the pulling channel 19 .

The drawing channel 19 can be formed in the lower part by sockets 26b, which define the vertical position of the metal product P, and in the upper part by a rounded transverse profile.

According to the first embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the processing machine 10 may include a supply mechanism 48 located upstream of the puller 11 and configured to feed, in each case, the metal product P into the puller 11.

The feeding mechanism 48 may include at least one P metal product supporting shelf 49 and a P metal product ejector 50.

The feed mechanism 48 also includes a feeder 51 for feeding the product P transferred to the puller 11.

The feeder 51 may include at least a pair of opposing draw rollers 52 configured to receive the metal product P and convey it to the drawer 11 in the feed direction Z.

In the second embodiment shown in FIG. 15-19, the processing machine 10 may include a known feed mechanism (not shown) located upstream of the puller 11.

Upstream of the puller 11 is an auxiliary cutting unit 53 configured to perform on a case-by-case basis the head or tail ends of the metal products P.

The auxiliary cutting unit 53 is configured to properly cut the head and tail ends of the metal products P.

The auxiliary cutting unit 53 is double-sided and includes opposing cutting means consisting of two upper cutting edges 53a and 53b and two lower cutting edges 53c and 53d, at least one of which is movable for trimming metal products P.

The upper cutting edge 53b and the lower cutting edge 53d are configured to cut the head end of at least one piece of metal P.

The upper cutting edge 53a and the lower cutting edge 53c are configured to cut the tail end of at least one piece of metal P.

The importance of the two ends is discussed in the description of the processing method of the present invention.

In particular, cuts become important when it is desired that the metal product P is advanced by the required amount by the next metal product P, as shown, for example, in FIG. 19.

This is important both to ensure that metal products P are fed homogeneously in the feed direction Z, and to jointly process metal products P that have the same length, while avoiding different and uneven bends.

According to the embodiments described here, the machine tool 10 comprises, upstream of the puller 11, at least one inlet element 37 (FIG. 2), and downstream of the puller 11, a guide means 39 (FIGS. 2 and 11) for controlling and optionally coordinating the exit of at least one piece of metal P from the pulling device 11 towards the processing device 41. The guiding means 39 in the preferred embodiment are adjustable depending on the size of the pieces of metal P.

In accordance with possible solutions of the present invention, the machine tool 10 includes at least one detector 54 configured to detect at least the head and tail of at least one metal product P and, therefore, set the operating modes of the components of the machine tool 10.

The detector 54 may be installed directly upstream of the drawer 11, between the drawer 11 and the power mechanism 48, or downstream of the drawer 11.

According to a possible solution of the invention, the pulling device 11 may contain a control and monitoring unit (not shown in the drawings) associated with the power mechanism 48, the detector 54, the pulling device 11, the processing device 41, to control and monitor the operating modes of various devices and determine the sequence of operations , which must be performed on at least one metal product P.

The machining machine 10 may be configured to process metal products P in the form of segments of a predetermined length, for example, from 5 to 24 meters long.

By way of example only, in FIG. 7-10 show the sequence of operation of the processing machine 10 according to the present invention.

In particular, as shown in FIG. 7, the first piece of metal P is moved by the pulling device 11 towards the processing device 41.

During this operating step, the first draw module 12 and the second draw module 13 are pressed against each other to exert pressure on the metal product P that passes through them during use.

The pressure generated by the first return segments 18 prevents the metal product P from rotating around its axis, for example during the bending operations performed by the bender 42.

In addition, the pressure of the first return segments 18 on the metal product P, if the drive elements 17 are deactivated, allows the metal product P to be clamped, preventing it from advancing in the axial direction, for example, due to the pulling action that is induced by the bending device 42.

During bending, it is also possible to clamp the metal product P with the help of the guide and holding means 47 in order to keep it in place.

When the tail end of the metal product P, indicated in FIG. 7 with reference numeral "E" is in the exhaust device 11, the second metal product P has already begun to be output by the output device 50. In particular, the output device 50 removes the second metal product P from the support shelf 49 and feeds it to the feeder 51.

The feeding device 51 moves the head end of the second metal product P, indicated in the drawings by the reference position "H", in the direction of the pulling device 11.

The first draw module 12 and the second draw module 13 are spaced apart to increase the cross-sectional dimensions of the draw channel 19 and allow the insertion of a second piece of metal (FIG. 8).

Before the first pull module 12 and the second pull module 13 are mutually retracted from each other, the guide and holding means 47 are activated to clamp the first metal product P and prevent it from rotating around its axis or losing its angular position in the feed direction Z.

When the head end H of the second product P is in contact with or near the tail end E of the first product P (FIG. 9), the puller 11 closes, i.e. the first puller 12 and the second puller 13 are clamped by their respective first return segments 18 as the first , and the second metal product R.

In this state, the guide and holding means 47 are turned off and the pulling device 11 can be operated to feed both metal products P to the processing device 41.

In particular, as soon as the first piece of metal P has exited the pulling device 11 with its tail end E, i.e. it is no longer caught by the first return segments 18, it is fed in the feed direction Z by the thrust generated by the head end H of the second piece of metal P.

The second piece of metal P is moved by actuating the first pull module 12 and the second pull module 13 .

The force generated by the head end H makes it possible to complete the processing and release the metal product P from the guide means 39.

The guide means 39 allows the metal product P to be guided towards the processing device 41 and therefore ensures mutual contact between the tail end E of the first metal product P and the head end H of the second metal product P.

In FIG. 15-19 show some sequences of machine 10 operations in the embodiments shown in FIG. 11-14, according to which the machine tool 10 can process two metal products P together.

In this case, before feeding the metal products P to the pulling device 11, the step of trimming them with the help of the auxiliary cutting unit 53 is preferably carried out. .

In the tail end trimming step (FIG. 16), the first pulling module 12 and the second pulling module 13 are pressed against each other, and the cutting of the tail end of the metal product P is performed by the upper cutting edge 53b and the lower cutting edge 53d of the auxiliary cutting unit 53.

This allows for a cut tail size that is useful and necessary in some of the processing methods of the present invention.

In the head end trimming step (FIG. 17), the first drawing module 12 and the second drawing module 13 are pressed against each other, and the cutting of the head end of the next metal product P is performed by the upper cutting edge 53b and the lower cutting edge 53d of the auxiliary cutting unit 53.

Using one or another cutting means, it is possible to obtain metal products P of the required length and make the surface of the head and/or tail suitable for use in each individual case for interaction with another possible and subsequent or previous metal product P.

In particular, the axial force generated by the head end of the next metal product P, allows you to properly position the previous metal product P to complete the processing.

When the last bending of the metal product P is to be performed, the next metal product P is used to axially position the previous metal product P relative to the bending device 42, and the guide and holding means 47 are actuated to at least temporarily also act as a counteracting element in the bending process. .

According to one aspect of the present invention, shown by way of example in FIG. 15, in order to retract at least one piece of metal P, which has at least one bend, into a position of interaction with the guide and holding means 47 and/or with the bending device 42, the guide and holding means 47 and the bending device 42 are lowered, allowing retract the metal work P until it is in close proximity to the main cutting unit 45.

In addition, in order to produce a shaped product from a metal product P, in which the end segment of the last bend has a length of approximately 4 cm to 7 cm, the metal product P is retracted after the guide and holding means 47 and the bending device 42 are retracted from the working plane, until the main cutting unit 45 comes into operation to separate the newly formed formed product from the metal product P.

In FIG. 18 shows an operating step similar to that described above with reference to FIG. 8.

In FIG. 19 shows the step of generating by the head end H of the next piece of metal P a pushing force allowing the processing of the previous piece of metal P to be completed after the tail end E of the latter has left the return segments 18 of the pulling device 11.

It is understood that modifications and/or additions may be made to the metalworking machine 10 P described above without departing from the technical field and scope of the present invention.

For example, the pulling device 11 may be configured to pull a plurality of metal products P side by side with each other in the feeding direction Z.

According to the first embodiment, the puller 11 may comprise a plurality of first pullers 12 cooperating with respective second pullers 13 as defined above. The first draw modules 12 may be placed side by side in a direction orthogonal to the feeding direction Z. In the same way, the second draw units 13 may be placed side by side with each other in a direction orthogonal to the feeding direction Z. In this case, each pair of circuits of the first drawing module and the corresponding second drawing module can determine the respective drawing channels 19 for passing the corresponding metal product P.

According to the second embodiment, the pulling device 11 may comprise a single first pulling module 12 and a corresponding second pulling module 13, and the anchor inserts 21 associated with the chains 16 of the first 12 and second 13 pulling modules can be provided with a plurality of adjacent gripping grooves 23, in each of which can be placed a metal product P.

It will also be appreciated that although the present invention has been described with reference to some specific examples, a person skilled in the art can certainly suggest many other equivalent forms of machine tool 10 for working metal products with the characteristics given in the claims and, therefore, all of them fall within the scope the scope of protection defined by the appended claims

In the following claims, the sole purpose of parenthetical reference numerals is to facilitate reading: they should not be construed as limiting factors as to the scope of protection claimed in particular claims.

Claims (20)

1. Machine for processing oblong metal products, containing a pulling device (11) configured to feed at least one of the mentioned metal products (P) in the feed direction (Z), and a processing device (41) having a working plane (41a) , in which there is a bending device (42) equipped with a counteracting element (43), preferably having at least one cylindrical vertical wall, and a bending element (44) located downstream of said pulling device (11), aligned in the mentioned direction ( Z) feed, wherein said pulling device (11) comprises a first pulling module (12) and a second pulling module (13) located opposite each other with respect to said feed direction (Z), and at least one drive element (17) for driving into action of said pulling device (11), and in which said first pulling module (12) and said second the th pulling module (13) is determined among themselves in the aforementioned feed direction (Z) the pulling channel (19) of at least one metal product (P), characterized in that at the outlet of the said pulling channel (19) there is a guiding means (39), preferably adjustable in a plane orthogonal to the plane of location of said drawing channel (19), followed by the main cutting unit (45) and said bending device (42). 2. The machine according to claim 1, characterized in that the drawing channel (19) has a location plane of at least one metal product (P), defined by a plurality of anchor inserts (21), tangent to the cylindrical vertical wall of said counteracting element (43), consistent with said working plane (41a), while upstream of said pulling device (11) a power supply mechanism (48) can be installed. 3. The machine according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that said pulling device (11) has at least one position adjustable in a direction orthogonal to said feeding direction (Z) with respect to said working plane (41a), so that the position of said at least one metal product (P) coincided with said working plane (41a). 4. The machine according to any one of paragraphs. 1-3, in which each of the first pulling module (12) and the second pulling module (13) contains the first wheel (14), the second wheel (15) and the chain (16) wound in the form of a closed ring between the said first wheel (14 ) and said second wheel (15), wherein said draw channel (19) is formed by an opposite plurality of upper anchor inserts (21a) and lower anchor inserts (21b), characterized in that said lower anchor inserts (21b) have at least one transverse socket (26b), the aligned set of which forms the plane of at least one metal product (P) to determine the vertical position of at least one metal product (P), and said upper anchor inserts (21a) have a rounded transverse profile, so that a reverse force is applied to the metal products (P) in the direction of the central longitudinal axis of the mentioned pulling channel (19) and in the direction of the mentioned lower anchor inserts ok (21b). 5. The machine according to any one of paragraphs. 1-4, characterized in that said first pulling module (12) and said second pulling module (13) have several pulling wheels aligned in said feed direction (Z), wherein said pulling wheels are adjustable to determine the height of said drawing channel (19), wherein said drawing channel (19) is limited in the lower part by said sockets (26b), which determine the vertical position of at least one metal product (P), and in the upper part by a rounded transverse profile. 6. The machine according to any one of paragraphs. 1-5, characterized in that upstream of said pulling device (11) there is an auxiliary cutting unit (53) configured to trim in each case the head or tail end of at least one metal product (P). 7. The machine according to claim 6, characterized in that said auxiliary cutting unit (53) is double-sided and contains opposing cutting means, consisting of two upper cutting edges (53a, 53b) and two lower cutting edges (53c, 53d), with wherein said upper cutting edge (53b) and said lower cutting edge (53d) are configured to cut the head end of at least one metal article (P), and said upper cutting edge (53a) and said lower cutting edge (53c) are configured to cutting the tail end of said metal product (P). 8. The machine according to any one of paragraphs. 1-7, characterized in that at the outlet of said main cutting unit (45) there is a guiding and holding means (47) consisting of branches (60, 61), moreover, said guiding and holding means (47) lies in the same plane, is self-contained and preferably adjustable, interacts directly with said bending device (42), has elongated profiles that extend towards the center of said counteracting element (43) of said bending device (42), wherein said counteracting element (43) has a cylindrical section with an axis of rotation and a flat area adjacent to said axis of rotation, said flat area facing the guiding and holding means (47). 9. The machine according to claim 8, characterized in that said branch (61), directly interacting with said counteracting element (43), has a wall orthogonal to said working plane (41a) and tangent to the cylindrical vertical wall of said counteracting element (43) interacting with the flat section of said counteracting element (43). 10. The machine according to claim 8 or 9, characterized in that said branch (60) has, in the part that faces the wall perpendicular to said working plane (41a) of said branch (61), a continuation in the direction of said branch (61), so that the force is applied downwards and in the direction of said branch (61). 11. The machine according to any one of paragraphs. 8-10, characterized in that said guiding and holding means (47) and at least said counteracting element (43) are made with the possibility of retracting from the working plane to move from the working position to a position that does not interfere with the movement of the metal product P. 12. The machine according to any one of paragraphs. 8-11, characterized in that said branches (60, 61) face each other and are located at an adjustable distance from each other to exit the position of the gripper, which provides clamping and axial positioning of at least one metal product (P) of at least during the bending operation, to the position of release and direction of at least one metal product (P) when it is moved. 13. The machine according to any one of paragraphs. 8-12, characterized in that the profile of said guiding and holding means (47) decreases in the direction of said counteracting element (43), having an expanding shape in said feed direction (Z). 14. The machine according to any one of paragraphs. 4-13, characterized in that at least the above-mentioned upper anchor inserts (21a) are provided with a gripping groove (23) for gripping at least one metal product (P), formed by converging sections (25) that taper from the side sides to the central section (26), while the central section (26) of said gripping groove (23) has inclined sides (26a) and said seat (26b) delimited by said rounded profile located between them. 15. The machine according to any one of paragraphs. 4-14, characterized in that said upper anchor inserts (21a) and said lower anchor inserts (21b) interact laterally with anchor links (66), wherein said anchor links (66) support and position said chains (16), wherein said the chains (16) are slidable along the counteracting elements (31) of the first pulling module (12) and the second pulling module (13). 16. The machine according to claim 15, characterized in that at least one of said counteracting elements (31) elastically interacts with the corresponding support element (32) by means of elastic elements (34). 17. Method for processing at least one metal product (P) using a machine according to any one of paragraphs. 8-16, characterized in that when the last bend is to be made on the metal product (P), the next metal product (P) is used for axial positioning of the previous metal product (P) relative to the bending device (42), and the guiding and holding means ( 47) are activated at least temporarily to act also as a reaction element during bending. 18. The method according to claim 17, characterized in that for retracting at least one metal product (P), which has at least one bend, into a position of interaction with said guide and holding means (47) and / or said bending device (42) said guide and holding means (47) and said bending device (42) are lowered to allow said metal article (P) to be drawn in close proximity to the main cutting unit (45). 19. The method according to claim 17 or 18, characterized in that the auxiliary cutting unit (53) in each individual case performs the facing of the head or tail end of at least one metal product (P). 20. The method according to paragraphs. 17, 18 or 19, characterized in that for the manufacture of a shaped product from a metal product (P), in which the final link of the last bend is from 4 to 7 cm, the metal product (P) is retracted after the said guiding and holding means ( 47) and said bending device (42) is moved away from the working plane (41a) before the main cutting unit (45) intervenes and separates the shaped article from said metal article (P).

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