AU2007203964A1 - Method and apparatus for the continuous press-forming of wide panels - Google Patents

Description

00 0 0D

AUSTRALIA

Patents Act 1990 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION Standard Patent Applicant(s): BLUESCOPE STEEL LIMITED Invention Title: METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR THE CONTINUOUS PRESS-FORMING OF WIDE

PANELS

The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method for performing it known to me/us: -2 C METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR THE CONTINUOUS PRESS-FORMING OF WIDE PANELS OO FIELD OF THE INVENTION O 5 This invention has been divided from the original specification lodged with Australian patent application S2001285613 in the name of the applicant.

0 The disclosure in the original specification of 10 the above mentioned Australian patent application is Sincorporated herein by cross-reference.

This invention relates to the continuous or progressive press-forming of substantially flat strip material into wide panels of the kind having hollow ribs or like stiffening formations extending longitudinally of the panel. Typically, a panel of the kind in question has a cross-sectional profile displaying one or more half wave, full wave or wave-like shapes corresponding to the cross-sectional profiles of the respective stiffening formations, with or without intermediate or flanking straight-line portions corresponding to undeformed elongate zones of the original workpiece. The term "profile" as used hereinafter is to be construed in every instance as a reference to a "cross-sectional profile".

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION An important class of wide panels of that kind are so-called corrugated panels wherein all, or at least a major part, of the profile is a continuous waveform displaying a constant pitch, shape, and amplitude, extending from or near one longitudinal edge of the panel to or near the other longitudinal edge. The present invention is well, but not exclusively adapted to the production of such corrugated panels.

N,\Melbourne\Caaes\Patent\63000-63999\P63824.AU.1\Specie\P63824.AU.1 CONTINUOUS PRE-FORMING OF WIDE PANELS.doc 8/08/07 3 O The invention was devised primarily for use in the production of roof and wall cladding panels made of steel or other elastic materials exhibiting the property 00 of an elastic limit and is described primarily in relation thereto herein. If such materials are stressed beyond their elastic limits they may be plastically deformed and, Sfollowing relaxation of the stressing force, the material remains substantially in the deformed shape. If stressed Sto less than their elastic limits they revert to the unstressed shape following relaxation of the stressing force.

Although the invention was devised with the production of steel cladding panels in mind, it is also applicable to the production of wide panels for other purposes, or made from other sheet materials, including press-formable sheet material having little or no elasticity.

Broadly stated, progressive press-forming of wide panels of the kind in question amounts to plastically deforming narrow longitudinally extending zones of a transition zone of the workpiece strip, as the strip progresses through the forming apparatus, to cause each said longitudinally extending zone to take on a profile corresponding to that of a stiffening formation or part thereof, and thereby building up the required profile for the panel as a whole.

Probably the best known and most widely used progressive press-forming process is so-called continuous roll-forming. In that instance the initially flat workpiece strip is passed through a sequence of spaced apart roll stands, each comprising a pair of co-acting forming rolls, which sequentially modify the profile of the workpiece in a series of stages, until the required profile is arrived at. Each roll may be referred to as a N\Melbourne\Caaes\Patent\63OOO-63999\P63824.AU.\Specis\P63824.AU.1 CONTINUOUS PRE-PORING OP WIDE PAflELS.doc 8/08/0 4rotary "presser means" as that term is used hereinafter.

SIn conventional roll-forming of wide panels, the 00 workpiece usually lies in a horizontal plane as it is presented to the first pair of rotary presser means. It then usually travels horizontally through the transition Szone between the rotary presser means of successive stages of the roll-forming apparatus. The profile of the Sfinished panel necessarily comprises parts that are above or below the initial straight-line profile or are inclined relative thereto. Thus, it is convenient when analysing or defining the progressive changes in shape of the profile to consider the workpiece deformation in terms of the elevation or depression of stream lines or stream ribbons, being lines traced out by points on the starting profile or ribbons traced out by short lengths of the starting profile as the workpiece moves through the transition zone, relative to a notional reference surface.

In aforesaid conventional roll-forming operations the reference surface is a plane surface which retains a straight-line reference surface profile throughout the transition zone. The profile of any notional reference surface is referred to as a "reference profile" hereinafter.

When a stream line or stream ribbon departs from the reference surface, it suffers longitudinal straining by comparison with adjacent lines or ribbons remaining in the reference surface. The degree of longitudinal strain is a direct function of the magnitude of the departure from the reference surface.

It is desirable to minimise that longitudinal strain and thus it is considered to be good practice in conventional roll-forming to arrange for the rotary presser means to both depress and elevate stream lines and Ni\Melbourne\Casea\Patent\63000-63999\P63824.AU.1\Specia\P63824.AU.1 CONTINUOUS PRE-FORMING OF WIDE PANELS.doc 8/08/07 5 O stream ribbons relative to the planar reference surface, 3so that, for example, the reference surface is retained in ;a position midway between the planes in which the crests O and troughs of a corrugated panel lie. More generally stated, if the workpiece profile at any stage is considered as if it were a longitudinal section of a beam Sextending from edge to edge of the workpiece, then the Sreference profile at the same stage is a straight line Sconforming to the neutral axis of the supposed beam.

S That same relationship, between the position of C the reference surface ad the surfaces in which crests and troughs of a fully or partly formed workpiece may lie, is maintained in preferred embodiments of the present invention, although, as will be made clear below, the respective surfaces are not planar.

It will be apparent that if an originally planar stream ribbon is deformed so as to acquire a curved or angulated ribbon profile, then the overall, edge-to-edge wide of the ribbon necessarily contracts. That contraction is of course reflected in a corresponding contraction of the edge-to-edge width of the workpiece.

Basically there are two operating techniques commonly used in conventional continuous press-forming processes to accommodate the contraction of the several stream ribbons and enable the workpiece to be fed from one presser means to the next as it proceeds through the transition zone, namely "pyramid forming" and "cross forming".

In pyramid forming one stream ribbon, usually the centre one, is fully deformed while the adjacent undeformed ribbons flanking it are allowed to draw together to accommodate that contraction. Then the two ribbons adjacent the deformed ribbon are simultaneously N,\Melbourne\Caue8\Patent\63000-63999\P63824.AU.1\SpeCi8\P63824.AU.1 CONTINUOUS PRE-FORMING OF WIDE PANELS.doc 8/08/07 6- O deformed while the ribbons flanking that trio are allowed to draw together; and so on until the required workpiece profile is attained. Thus, each stage of rotary presser 00 means of a conventional pyramid roll-forming apparatus must be designed to operate only on one stream ribbon of the workpiece, or no more than two such ribbons, at a time Sso as to permit free lateral movement of adjacent ribbons.

0 The formation of even a relatively shallow corrugation may require passage of the corresponding Sstream ribbon through two or more pairs of rotary presser means in series so as to effect partial deformation of the ribbon by each of those pairs. This is to avoid excessive strain.

Therefore it will be apparent that conventional pyramid press-forming apparatus requires a considerable number of rotary pressure means and a long transition zone.

In conventional cross forming, all of the ribbons to be deformed are worked upon simultaneously at each stage of the transition zone. However to enable acceptable workpiece feed from one stage to the next, the deformation of each ribbon at each stage has to be severely limited. Thus once again a considerable number of stages and rotary presser means are required along with a long transition zone.

To assist in providing an understanding of the invention, Figures 1 to 10 and Figures 8A, 9A and 10A are annexed hereto and referred to below. All of the figures are diagrammatic cross-sections taken at various positions in the transition zones of press-forming operations.

Figures 1 to 7 inclusive illustrate prior art, whereas Figures 8 to 10 and 8A to 10A inclusive, illustrate an exemplary embodiment of the invention described and NI\Melbourne\Cases\Patent\63000-63999\P63824.AU.1\Specis\P63824.AU.1 CONTINUOUS PRE-PORMING OF WIDE PANELS.doc 8/08/07 7 0 claimed in parent Australian application 2001285613.

J Figures 8A to 10A are enlargements of the centre portions Sof Figures 8 to 10 respectively.

00 For the sake of brevity, each of Figures 3 to 7 is a composite figure wherein the left hand and right hand Shalves respectively illustrate different tooling Stechniques commonly used in continuous press-forming Soperations, namely "full form tooling" and "air bending tooling". In Figures 3 to 7 the workpiece is indicated by reference number 11 and the upper and lower rotary presser means by 12 and 13 respectively.

As an example of conventional pyramid forming, the successive profiles at each stage of the transition zone, during the formation of a sinusoidally corrugated wide panel by a plurality of rotary presser means, are shown one above the other in Figure 1. It can be seen that the second presser means partly deforms a central ribbon in to a crest and flanking troughs. The third presser means completes the deformation of the central ribbon. The fourth presser means commences the deformation of two ribbons one on each side of and adjacent the central ribbon, and so the work proceeds until the required workpiece profile is achieved.

Figures 3 and 4 show a typical early stage and an intermediate stage of a pyramid forming operation respectively with the final stage shown in Figure 7. The stage shown in Figure 7 could be used towards the end of the roll former in either pyramid or cross formed tooling design. In the later stages rolls can be omitted from areas where forming is essentially completed.

Figures 5 and 6 which show typical early and intermediate stages in a cross forming operation with the final stage shown in Figure 7 as mentioned earlier.

N:\Melbourne\Cases\Patent\63000-63999\P63824.AU.l\Speci\P63824.AU.1 CONTINUOUS PRE-PORMING OF WIDE PANELS.doc 8/08/07 8 SRotary presser means are expensive items and a row of eight occupies considerable factory space.

00 Therefore it would be desirable to reduce the number of presser means required without substantially increasing the straining imposed on the workpiece.

An earlier proposal to achieve that desirable Sobjective comprised preforming an initially planar workpiece to impart it to the profile of a circular arc having a radius of curvature such that the accurate length equalled the total width of all of the ribbons to be deformed and the chordal length equalled the edge to edge width of the finished corrugated panel. This enabled a sequence of presser means to be arranged so that simultaneous deformation of all of the ribbons could be effected. Instead of vertical elevation or depression of the stream lines relative to the straight-line reference profile of a planar reference surface, the deformation consisted in radially inward and outward displacement of the stream lines relative to the arcuate reference profile. Moreover each presser means was arranged to modify the reference profile so as to progressively increase its radius of curvature without affecting the chordal length. At the end of the transition zone the arc was reduced to a straight line coinciding with the chord and the straight-line reference profile of the finished product.

Figure 2 is a representation of the various stages of the formation of the corrugated panel according to the last mentioned prior art proposal. It will be noted that the number of complex presser means responsible for the corrugations are fewer in number but additional presser means are required for the pre-forming operation.

The overall length of the production line is not greatly reduced by comparison with the conventional planar roll- N,\Melbourne\Casee\Patent\63000-63999\P63824.AU.l\Specis\P63824.AU.1 CONTINUOUS PRE-PORMING OF WIDE PANELS.doC 8/08/07 9- O forming.

SBRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 0 The present invention provides an apparatus for use in continuous press forming of a strip of material characterised in that said apparatus includes linear Spresser means to form lines of deformation in the strip, the lines of deformation extending in a direction that generally coincides with a direction of movement of the strip through the apparatus.

Such linear presser means may comprise a bar or blade supporting a plurality of small closely spaced rollers or wheels contacting the workpiece at closely spaced points along a linear track.

However according to preferred embodiments of the invention, the linear presser means are translatory in a generally longitudinal direction and comprise a pliable, endless member having a smooth working surface and a support means for said pliable member permitting guided longitudinal movement of a flight of the pliable member while permitting the working surface of the flight to apply pressure to a workpiece strip.

Preferably the working surface of the pliable member has a profile that conforms to the desired profile of that part of the workpiece contacted by it.

Thus those preferred embodiments of linear translatory presser means resemble the well known bar and chain of a chain saw, but with chain links presenting a substantially continuous, smooth working surface to the workpiece instead of the projecting cutting teeth of the saw.

N,\elbourne\Cases\Patent\63000-63999\P63824.AU.1\Specia\P63824.AU.1 CONTINUOUS PRE-FORlING OP WIDE PASELS.doc 8/08/07 10 C In some instances the linear presser means may be arranged in pairs with one unit of the pair bearing upon one surface of the workpiece sheet and the other unit 00 bearing upon the opposite surface, with both units in register so as to provide a clamping effect upon the workpiece resisting lateral movement of the workpiece Srelative to the presser means.

0 It will be appreciated that the elongate pliable S 10 members of linear translatory presser means are not Snecessarily chains. They may be an endless, pliable band, strap, thong or the like able to flex sufficiently to be able to be trained around spaced apart wheels or the like at opposite ends of a rigid elongate support.

Alternatively they may of composite construction, namely a chain supporting and driving a plurality of discrete elements presenting a smooth, appropriately profiled, working surface to the workpiece.

Translatory movement of the operational flight of the pliable member may be provided by any appropriate drive mechanism, such as for example a powered rotation of a sprocket or the like engaged with an inoperative flight of the endless pliable member or a similar drive to one of the training wheels at the ends of the operative flight.

It would generally not be necessary to drive all or any of the linear presser means. Some or all may simply move freely as a result of frictional contact with the moving workpiece, provided means are provided to ensure a satisfactory feed of the workpiece through the transition zone.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Figure 1 is a diagrammatic cross-section representation of a profile of a strip taken at various stages of a prior art press-forming operation; Figure 2 is a diagrammatic representation in N' \Melbourne\Caseo\Patent\63000-63999\P63824.AU.1\Specis\P63824.AU.1 CONTINUOUS PRE-FORMING OF WIDE PANELS.doc 8108/07 11

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cross-section of a profile of a strip at various stages of another prior art press-forming operation; Figures 3 to 7 are diagrammatic cross-section 00 representations of various stages of a prior art press- S 5 forming operation; Figures 8 to 10 are diagrammatic cross-section Srepresentations of various stages of a press-forming operation in accordance with the invention described and Sclaimed in parent Australian application 2001285613; Figures 8A, 9A and 10A are enlargements of Figures 8, 9 and 10 respectively; C Figure 11 is a schematic diagram showing the shape of the reference surface in the transition zone overlaid on the shape of a cone; Figure 12 shows a schematic side elevation of an apparatus in accordance with the present invention; Figure 13 shows a plan view of the apparatus of Figure 12; Figures 14 and 15 show end views of bridge gates that form part of the apparatus of the present invention; Figure 16 shows an end view of an entry guide for use in the present invention; and Figure 17 shows a schematic diagram of a presser and roller in accordance with the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS By way of example, an embodiment of the invention described and claimed in parent Australian application 2001285613 is illustrated by Figures 8, 9 and 10 and the respectively corresponding enlarged detail views 8A, 9A and 10A wherein a workpiece strip 14 is being formed into a panel having a trapezoidal wave shaped profile by a plurality of pairs of co-operating upper and lower presser means 15 and 16. Figures 8 and 8A show the entry stage, Figures 9 and 9A show an intermediate stage and Figures and 10A show the exit stage of a single conical array of presser means defining the whole of the transition zone of N:\Melborne\Caoes\Patet\6300O-63999\P63824.AU.1\Speci\P63824 .AU.1 CONTINUOUS PRE-FORMING OP WIDE PANELS.doc 8/08/07 S- 12 C a press-forming apparatus. The reference profile of the Sworkpiece is indicated by the broken line 17. At the entry to the transition zone the reference profile 17 00 coincides with the workpiece profile 14. Comparison of the three sets of Figures will show that the radius of the curvature of the workpiece and the arcuate length of its Sreference profile are progressively shorter from Figure to Figure. This is compatible with the reference profiles 0 being cross-sections of a converging conical surface.

Each item 15 or 16 is an operative flight of an endless linear translatory presser means as described above in accordance with the present invention. In this event item 15 (or 16) is the cross-section of one and the same flight of a single linear translatory presser means.

It will also be noticed that the working surfaces of the respective flights of the linear translatory presser means correspond to the required profile of the workpiece ribbons contacted by the flights. This would appertain to other embodiments of the invention including those producing curvilinear waveforms in the workpiece profile.

Preferably the conical array of presser means is aligned so that the longitudinal centre line of the workpiece emerges horizontally from the exit end of the transition zone. Assuming the workpiece sheet is of steel or other elastic material and, in any particular instance concerned, the overall curvature of the exiting version of the workpiece does not strain it beyond the elastic limit, then the edges of the curved version will spring back and up once the restraint from the presser means is removed on exit from the transition zone. This should allow the emerging leading end of the workpiece to feed, or be fed, into the nip of a conventional after stand of sizing rolls spaced an appropriate distance from the end of the N,\Melbourne\Caaea\Patent\63o00063999\P6324 AU. 1\Specis\P63824 .AU.1 CONTINUOUS PRE-ORMING OP WIDE PANELS.doc 8/o8/o -13 Stransition zone, whereby any residual curvature or other (malformations may be corrected.

O In other instances, for example when working with 0 5 non-elastic material, it may be necessary to follow the transition zone with a further array of presser means to Sbring to the workpiece back to the required uncurved Scondition of the finished panel.

The shape of the reference surface of the strip of material as it passes through the transition zone where cl the presser means form the strip is best shown with reference to Figure 11. As shown in Figure 11, a cone has a base 21 and an apex 22. The reference surface is shown by reference numeral 23 with the inlet to the transition zone being at end 24 and the outlet of the transition zone being at end 25. At the inlet end 24, the reference surface has relatively low curvature, or a relatively large radius of curvature. As the transition zone progresses towards the outlet 25, the curvature of the reference surface increases, or the radius of curvature decreases. Further, as the strip progresses through the transition zone, the height and depth of respective ridges and troughs formed in the strip by the presser means increases. As more material is moved into the ridges and troughs, the side edges of the strip move toward each other. The shape of the reference surface in the transition zone effectively accommodates the apparent lessening in the overall width of the strip and as a result little or no lateral strain is placed on the strip.

Figures 12 to 15 show one embodiment of an apparatus for press forming panels in accordance with the present invention. The apparatus 30 comprises a support frame 31 having a plurality of legs 32. A plurality of vertical frame members 33, 34, 35 support respective bridge gates 36, 37, 38. Each bridge gate consists of two N,\Melbourne\Cases\Patent\63oo-63g999\P63824.Au.1\Specia\P63824.AU. CONTINUOUS PRE-FORMING OP WIDE PANELS.doc 8/D8/07 14

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O sets of cross bars arranged to form a space for a Splurality of long bars (to be described hereunder).

00 As best shown in Figure 14, bridge gate 38 comprises an upper cross bar 39 and a lower cross bar that are vertically spaced from each other. Cross bars S39, 40 are arcuate in shape and provide support for the Slong bars (now shown). Similary, as shown in Figure 16, Sbridge gate 36 comprises upper cross bar 41 and lower cross bar 42. Cross bars 41, 42 are also arcuate in shape. Although not shown in the drawings, middle bridge gate 37 is similar to bridge gates 36 and 38.

Arcuate cross bars 41, 42 have a larger radius of curvature than the corresponding cross bars of middle bridge gate 37. Similarly, downstream end bridge gate 38 has cross members 39, 40 that have a smaller radius of curvature than the corresponding cross bars of bridge gates 36, 37. Thus, the cross members of the bridge gates have reducing radius of curvature in the downstream direction of the apparatus and help to define a reference surface for the strip in the transition zone that essentially conforms to the frustum of a converging cone.

The apparatus 30 further comprises a plurality of long bars, two of which are shown in Figure 12. In particular, long bar 43 is mounted to an underside of the upper cross bars 39, 41. Long bar 44 is mounted to an upper side of lower cross bars 40, 42. A plurality of such long bars are mounted in the apparatus such that they are in alignment with the rib traces 45, as shown in Figure 13. As can be seen from Figure 13, rib traces converge in a downstream direction.

Returning to Figure 12, it can be seen that long bar 43 carries sprockets 46, 47 near the inlet end 24 of the transition zone. Long bar 43 also carries sprockets N.\Melbourne\Cases\PaLenL\6300O-63999\P63824.AU.1\Speci\P6324.AU.1 CONTINUOUS PRE-PORMING OP WIDE PANELS.doc E/08/0? S48, 49 near the outlet end of the transition zone.

Sprockets 46, 47, 48, 49 carry a linear presser means that comprises a chain or belt carrying a plurality of dies.

00 The dies contact the surface of the strip and plastically deform the material to form a ridge or a trough in the panel. In this regard, the individual dies extend above Sor below the reference surface (as the dies must Cplastically deform the strip) but, taken collectively, the Sdies constrain the strip to a shape that has a reference surface that substantially follows a convergent curved surface. Long bar 44 similarly carries sprockets 50, 51, 52, 53 that also carry a similar presser means. Suitable ones of the sprockets may be driven by any suitable drive means, such as an electric motor 75 driving an associated gearbox 76 and associated drive shafts, to drive the linear presser means in an endless fashion around the respective sprockets. In this way, the presser means plastically deform the material to form the desired profile of the panel.

In order to feed sheet with the desired curvature into the presser means, an entry guide such as that shown in Figure 16 may be used. The entry guide 60 comprises a mounting bar 61 carrying a first edge guide 62 and a second edge guide 63. Edge guide 62 has a slot for receiving an edge of the strip 14. A roller 64 is used to assist in smooth movement of the strip therethrough. Edge guide 65 also has a slot for receiving an edge of the strip and a roller 65 for assisting in smooth movement of the strip therethrough. The width between the edge guides 62 and 63 can be adjusted by adjusting the transverse position of edge guide 62. Width adjust screw 66 is provided for this purpose. The angle of edge guide 63 may also be adjusted by use of angle adjust screw 67. In this fashion the entry guide may be adjusted to accommodate a range of strip widths and desired curvature.

N \Melbourne\Caees\Patent\6300-63999\P63824.AU.\Speci\P63824.AU.1 CONTINUOUS PRE-FORING OF WIDE PANELS.dOc 8/08/D7 16 -C The long bars 43, 44 may also support chain bars (not shown) upon which the presser means travel when the presser means are in contact with the strip. The chain 00 bars may have a curved supporting surface or they may have O 5 a straight supporting surface. Curved surfaces on the chain bars may assist in minimising strain on the strip of Smaterial. A curved supporting surface may be achieved by placing suitable shime between the long bar and the chain Sbar. This also allows for adjustment of the curved surface of the chain bar, if desired.

In order to achieve a more accurate final profile in the finished panel, especially where trapezoidal or rectangular profiles are formed in the panel, it may be appropriate to use one or more press wheels in engagement with a surface of the strip that is opposed to the presser means of the apparatus in accordance with the present invention. An example of this is shown in Figure 17. in Figure 17,a die element 70 mounted to a chain link 71 forms part of the presser means. The die element 70 and the chain link 71 may be part of an endless presser means that travels around the sprockets shown in Figure 12. Die contacts strip of material 72 to form a trapezoidal profile portion. In order to ensure that the upper surface of the strip 72 is essentially flat and not curved, a press wheel 73 that has a suitable profile 74 contacts the upper surface of the strip 72.

The presser means shown in Figures 12-17 is an endless chain or belt type presser. However, the invention also encompasses the use of a number of small wheels or rollers mounted to a chain or belt or even to respective long bars. The invention also encompasses the use of discrete rolls or rollers as the presser means, provided that they are mounted in the required juxtaposition to achieve a reference surface that is curved and converges in a downstream direction.

N,\Melbourne\Caaes\Patent\63000-63999\P63824.AU.1\Specie\P63824.AU.1 CONTINUOUS PRE-PORMING OF WIDE PANELS.doc 8/08/07 17- The reference surface of the strip preferably is ;constrained to follow the frustum of a converging cone.

SHowever, a non-conical converging curved surface also O 5 falls within the scope of the present invention.

SThe method and apparatus of the present invention provides for press forming of panels from a strip of Smaterial, such as a steel strip, whilst minimising or avoiding lateral straining of the material in the strip.

Press forming can be achieved in a press forming apparatus that is of the order of 2 to 2.5 metres in length, compared to prior art press forming which typically requires a press forming apparatus of length in the range of 6 to 8 metres or even longer. In some embodiments of the present invention, the press forming operation is continuous in that the presser means are in continuous contact with the strip. The present invention also allows for the possibility of preparing panels with more complex shape by adding extra width to the apparatus. For example, a machine set up to make panels having one trough and two ridges could be converted to manufacturing panels having two troughs and three ridges by adding two further long bars to the apparatus shown in Figures 12 to Prior art apparatus required that extra length be added in those circumstances.

Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the present invention may be susceptible to variations and modifications other than those specifically described. It is to be understood that the invention encompasses all such variations and modifications that fall within its spirit and scope.

N,\Melbourne\Caaes\Patent\63000-63999\P63824.AU.1\Specis\P63824.AU.1 CONTINUOUS PRE-FORMING OP WIDE PANELS.doc 8/08/07

Claims (5)

1. 2. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said Slinear presser means comprises a bar or blade supporting a plurality of small closely spaced rollers or wheels contacting the workpiece at closely spaced parts along a C linear track.
2. 3. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the linear presser means are translatory and comprise a pliable, endless member having a smooth working surface and a support means for said pliable member permitting guided longitudinal movement of a flight of the pliable member while permitting the working surface of the flight to apply pressure to a workpiece strip.
3. 4. Apparatus according to claim 3 wherein the working surface of the pliable member has a profile that conforms to the desired profile of that part of the workpiece contacted by it. Apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the linear presser means are arranged in pairs with one unit of the pair bearing upon one surface of the workpiece sheet and the other unit bearing upon an opposite surface, with both units in register so as to provide a clamping effect upon the workpiece resisting lateral movement of the workpiece relative to the presser means. NS\Melbourne\Casea\Patent\63000-63999\P63824.AU.1\Specia\P63824.AU.1 CONTINUOUS PRE-FORMING OF WIDE PANELS.doc 8/08/07 -19
4. 6. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 further comprising translatory drive means for providing ;Z translatory movement to the liner presser means. 00
5. 7. Apparatus for use in continuous press forming substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings. IJ,\Melbourne\Caaea\Patent\6300O-63999\P63824.AU.1\Specis\P63824.AU.1 CONTINUOUS PRE-FORMING OF WIDE PANELS.doc 8/08/07