AU683004B1

AU683004B1 - Improvements to rollforming machines

Info

Publication number: AU683004B1
Application number: AU12695/97A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Lawrence George Foon; Alan Ross
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1996-06-26
Filing date: 1997-02-13
Publication date: 1997-10-23
Anticipated expiration: 2017-02-13

Description

PATENTS ACT 1990 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION FOR OFFICE USE Short Title: 0* 4 4 64~4 4.

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4*44 4 9*44 4* 4 .4 4 4e 4O *4*4 Int. Cl: Application Number: Lodged: Complete Specification-Lodged: Accepted: Lapsed: Published: Priority: P00~648 Dated 26 June, 1996 Related Aft; TO BE COMPLETED BY APPLICANT Name of Applicant: Address of Applicant: Lawrence George Foon of 5 John Street Kogarah Bay NSW 2217 Alan Ross of 256B North Rocks Road, North Rocks NSW 2151 Actual Inventor: Address for Service., SAME AS APPLICANTS ANDERSON-TAYLOR ASSOCIATES, Registered Paltent Attorneys of 10 Harrison Avenue BODM~ BAY N.S.W. 2226 Complete Specification for the invention entitled: IMPROVEMENTS IN ROLLFORMING MACHINES The following statement is a full description of this Invention, Including the best method of performing It known tome:* -1- This invention relates to processing apparatus. More particularly although not exclusively it provides an improved construction for a rollforming machine.

Rollforming machines are commonly used to progrssively bend thin strips of metal into structural components called purlin shapes. Two examples of shapes formed using such machines are shown in cross-section in figures 1 and 2. They are known respectively as a "Cee" and a "Zed" and are commonly used in the stuctures of industrial buildings. These shapes are oo 0 .progressively formed from flat material by passing strips o through the stages of a rollforming machine. A schematic *.0000 elevational view of a typical prior art rollforming machine is shown in figure 3. It consists of facing pairs of rolls 1, 2, and 3, 4 which may be moved transversely relative to each other to accomodate different widths of strip. Many.prior art machines are typified by the cantilever mounting of these pairs of shaping rolls which are mounted at the ends ofrespective shafts 5, 6, 7 and 8. This arrangement where .there is only a single support point for each shaft can lead to excessive deflection of the rolls during the forming process and also requires a separate drive input 9, 10 for each pair of rolls.

It is therefore an object of this invention to ameliorate the 6,forementioned disadvantages and accordingly there is disclosed a rollforming machine comprising facing pairs of rolls with corresponding ones of each pair aligned along

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respective axes, each pair of rolls being shaped to form strips of material passed therebetween into a desired shape and a continuous shaft means passing through said corresponding aligned rolls of each pair, wherein said shaft means is supported at spaced apart locations one on each side of said corresponding aligned rolls.

Preferably one of said pairs of rolls is slidable on said shaft means.

It is further preferred that one of said pairs of rolls may *o be adapted to slide off said shaft means and be replaced with a different or reversed pair of rolls where a change of product shape is required.

The currently preferred embddiments of this invention will "now be described with reference to the attached drawings in which: Figure 4 is a schematic cross-sectional elevation view of a rollforming machine according to this concept, and Figures 5, 6, 7 and 8 show schematic elevation views of a second example of a rollforming machine according to this concept.

Referring first to figure 4 there are shown a machine with two pairs of forming rolls 11, 12 and 13, 14. These pairs I I I .M face each other with corresponding ones 11, 13 and 12, 14 aligned along their respective axes. Other features of the machine such as for example those relating to the drive and feed mechanisms have been omitted from the drawings as they would be familiar to a person skilled in the art. In accordance with this invention continuous shafts 15 and 16 extend through these corresponding aligned rolls 11, 13 and 12, 14. The shafts are supported in bearings 17, 18, 19 and 20 adjacent each end. The rolls are located between these o* supports and thus there is no cantilever arrangement as with ea prior art machines. The result is that deflection between each of the paired rolls 11, 12 and 13, 14 during the *0*S forming process is minimised or at least substantially reduced. Further, only one drive input 21 is required to the bottom set of aligned rolls 12, 14 due to the continuous shaft 15 passing through them.

e Preferably as mentioned earlier one pair of rolls 11, 12 is slidable transversely on the shafts 15, 16 (see arrow A) so as to allow for the processing of different widths of material.

With the second embodiment of the invention shown in figures 6, 7 and 8 an additional or third pair of rollsu 22, 23 is mounted together with the aforementioned rolls 11, 12 on hollow axles 24, 25 which pass through the left bearing block 26. This additional pair of rolls is configured differently to the pair 11, 12 and in this case they are adapted to roll -4the product in the opposite direction.

In use of the machine the shafts 15, 16 are slidably received within the axles 24, 25 as shown in figure 5 to produce for example a "Cee" purlin. In order to set up for a "Zed" purlin the roll assembly 11, 12 and 22, 23 together with the bearing block 26 may be slid to the left side completely off the shafts 15, 16 (see figure rotated by 180 degrees to the position shown in figure 7 and then fitted back onto the shafts to provide the configuration shown in figure 8 for a "Zed" purlin.

a "It will thus be appreciated that this invention at least in the form of the embodiments described provides a novel and useful improvement to rollforming machines. Clearly however the examples disclosed are 6nly the currently preferred forms of the invention and a wide variety of modifications may be made which would be apparent to a person skilled in the art.

For example the shape and configuration of the rolls may be changed according to application.

Claims

1. A rollforming machine comprising facing pairs of rolls with corresponding rolls of each pair aligned along respective axes, each pair of rolls being shaped to form strips of material passed therebetween to a desired shape and a continuous shaft means passing through said corresponding aligned rolls of each pair, wherein said shaft means is supported by bearing means at spaced apart locations one on each side of said corresponding aligned rolls.

2. The rollforming machine as claimed in claim 1 wherein one goosoe Sof said pairs of rolls is slidable on said shaft means to allow for the processing of different widths of material.

3. The rollforming machine a's claimed in claim 2 wherein an additional pair of rolls is mounted together with said one of said pairs on hollow axles passing through a bearing block to form an assembly which is slidably received on said shaft means.

4. The rollforming machine as claimed in claim 3 wherein said additional pair of rolls are configured differently to said one of said pairs.

The rollforming machine as claimed in claim 4 wherein said assembly is adapted to be slidably removed from said shaft means, rotated by 180 degrees and refitted onto said shaftj means to enable said machine to form a differently shaped product.

6. The roilforming machine as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein said machine is adapted to form a. Cee purlin or a Zed purlin.

7, A roilforming maching substantially as described herein with reference to figure 4 or figures 5 to 8. e 0 Lawrence George Foon Alan Ross 0 6 By their Patent Attorney 0:060:MICHAEL ANDERSON-TAYLOR 0*0 00000 0, a*. 0* M