CH715277A2 - Device and method for self-adjusting guide elements before supplying a bar processing machine. - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a device (5) and a method for self-adjusting of guide elements before feeding bars (4) to a processing machine, comprising the steps of (a) loading the bar (4). ) on a guide channel, the guide channel being formed by the guide elements for housing and guiding the bar (4); (b) moving the guide elements towards the bar (4) until reaching a predetermined position or a threshold, from which the guide elements are in contact with the transverse axis (Z) of the bar (4 ); (c) moving the guide elements away from the bar (4) until a predetermined operating clearance value is obtained for the bar between the bar (4) and the guide elements. The device (5) comprises guide elements, guide elements forming a guide channel for housing and guiding the bar (4); a jack capable of moving the guide elements in the direction of the bar or away from it; self-adjusting means capable of self-adjusting the guide elements so that, when the guide elements reach a predetermined position or a threshold, from which the guide elements are in contact with the transverse axis (Z) of the bar (4), the guide elements are moved away from the bar (4) until a predetermined value of operating clearance for the bar between the bar (4) and the guide elements is obtained.

Description

Description Technical Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a device and a method for automatically adjusting guide elements, for example in a bar feeder or a telescope, before supplying bars with a processing machine.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION In the field of the metallurgical industry, a bar feeder, or also known as a bar loader, is a conventional device used to feed relatively long bars to a processing machine. such as an automatic lathe. Consequently, a series of successive parts can be produced at the front end of said bar.

When a bar is longer than the lathe spindle and extends beyond the end of the spindle liner, it creates a hazardous work environment. In order to protect themselves from any whipping carried out by the bar, it must be supported and contained, for example in a bar support and a telescope.

A bar feeder is commonly equipped with a telescope. The bezel is the last guide element in contact with the bar before entering the lathe spindle. It contains a through hole through which the bar passes, limiting the vibrations of the bar. Therefore, it is designed to support the bar by allowing a higher rotation speed of the lathe spindle in terms of revolutions per minute (RPMs), and also to more securely confine the bar. To further absorb the vibrations of the bar, feed tubes or guide elements can be made of shock absorbing materials such as polyurethane plastic or rubber.

Typically a guide channel is formed by a long half-pipe-shaped channel, or, in other cases, two or more guide elements are used to form the guide channel. These guide elements work together as a single unit, and have shapes such as V-shaped blocks or wheels in which (they) are arranged symmetrically around the bars. Since the central position of the bars always remains the same, the adjustment of the guide elements must occur symmetrically with respect to the center of the bar.

Thanks to the arrangement of the guide elements, the guide elements can be positioned in the "open" position or in the "closed" position. The "open" position allows the bar to be loaded into the guide channel, while the "closed" position limits the vibration of the bar while allowing the bar to be pushed by a pusher. However, for this reason, only the entire length of the bar can be locked in a similar "closed" position, since typically the guide members are formed to form a long, coherent unit. Consequently, the guiding effect is not optimal for the bar section which is located far from the pusher, since the clearance between the bar and the guiding elements is greater. A more detailed explanation on this subject will be given in the detailed description for the present invention.

Furthermore, such a guide channel is only suitable for accommodating certain bar diameters, for example a similar diameter or slightly larger than the diameter of the bar. This ensures optimum guiding effect when the guiding elements are in a "closed" position, since these guiding elements of specific size of the bar feeder can effectively limit the vibration of the bars resulting from operation. Therefore, such guide elements are only suitable for bars lying within a certain range of diameter values.

Therefore, such guide elements are not suitable when bars of different sizes and diameters must be routed. For bars with different diameters and sizes, an operator needs to "inform" the system every time so that the guide elements of the bar support for example can be adapted accordingly. Such guide elements need to be adjusted manually and sometimes even need to be changed completely. So not only are higher costs necessary for such a replacement, but the downtime of the system is also increased. In addition, more storage space is required for these specific size guide members of various sizes or diameters.

It is also usual for bars of a certain range of diameters to be classified in certain categories. For example, a channel size of 43 is used for bars whose diameter is between 30 and 42 mm. However, a guide channel for such a wide range of bar diameter can be problematic, as the rotated bar tends to vibrate more violently when a greater distance or spacing exists between the bar and the guide members. . Such distance or spacing is referred to as the operating clearance for the bar, which consists of an available space between the bar and the guide members. Such a "general" channel size category is therefore not appropriate for certain metal products which require very high precision.

Therefore, there is a need, according to the state of the art, to improve the guide elements which can be used in a bar feeder for example, by making such guide elements suitable for accommodating different bar diameters, shapes or sizes; by also making them capable of performing a predetermined operating clearance without requiring the manual input of an operator, even in the case where the bar is not of superior quality

CH 715 277 A2 and has different diameters along its length; and allowing them to minimize the downtime and / or reduce the marking of the exterior finishes of the workpieces.

Summary of the invention The present invention is intended to overcome at least part of the drawbacks mentioned above and other disadvantages of guide elements according to the prior art for a bar feeder and / or a telescope for example. In particular, the present invention advantageously provides an improved device as well as an improved method compared to the prior art for self-adjusting for guide elements before supplying bars with a processing machine, according to which a specific value of operating clearance for the bar can be achieved regardless of the diameter, shape or size thereof, and even if such irregularities can be found on different segments of the longitudinal bar.

Other objectives of this invention are to increase the efficiency of production without compromising the simplicity of the guide elements, and to present a reduced downtime.

These and other objects of the present invention are in particular achieved by means of the device for self-adjusting guide elements according to claim 1 and the method according to claim 8. Dependent claims define modes of more specific embodiments of the present invention.

In particular, a first aspect of the present invention is achieved by a device for self-adjusting guide elements before feeding a longitudinal bar in a processing machine, according to which the bar has a transverse axis, an axis longitudinal along the central axis of the bar, the transverse axis being transverse to the longitudinal axis, the latter being horizontal and close to the central axis of the bar, the device comprising:

- guide elements, which form a guide channel to receive and guide the bar;

- at least one jack, the jack being able to move the guide elements towards the bar and to move them away from it,

- Self-adjusting means capable of self-adjusting the guide elements, the device being designed so that, when the guide elements reach a predetermined position or threshold, in which the guide elements are in contact with the transverse axis of the bar, the guide elements move away from the bar until a predetermined value of operating clearance for the bar between the bar and the guide elements is obtained.

According to one embodiment, the device further comprises at least one support element, the support element being configured to be capable of lifting the guide elements and / or of receiving the bar when the guide elements are moved towards the bar.

In this regard, it is mentioned that the cylinder is not only capable of moving the guide elements but also the support element so that these elements can be moved towards the bar or away from it. this.

In a preferred embodiment for implementing the invention, the guide elements have a length of 0.1 m to 5 m, preferably between 1 m to 3 m, or even more preferably 1 m at 2 m. Such lengths can be adapted according to needs and available space.

In another preferred embodiment for the implementation of the invention, the devices are provided at different segments of the bar, the plurality of devices being able to operate independently and / or simultaneously. A redundant number of devices can be arranged along the longitudinal axis of the bar so that the guidance of the bar can be optimized, while reducing the vibration of the bars.

In a preferred embodiment for the implementation of the invention, the self-adjusting means further comprises a sensor for detecting parameters between the bar and the guide elements, the sensor being designed to provide a return signal to a control unit to control the cylinder so that the guide elements stop moving towards the bar as soon as the guide elements are in contact with the transverse axis of the bar. The sensor has the advantage of precisely detecting the moment when the guide elements come into contact or grip the bar and in this way more precisely informs the device and the system of the present invention.

According to an embodiment for the invention, the sensor is a pressure sensor, a force sensor, a motion detector, an optical sensor or a distance measurement sensor. Using one or more of these sensors, the device and the system can more precisely detect the positioning or the status of the bar, to which the guide elements are gripped, or in contact with the transverse axis of that. -which is parallel to the horizontal axis of the device. For example, the predetermined position can be an information-shaped position generated by sensors to detect a distance, pressure, force, optical means or movement.

According to yet another variant of this embodiment for the invention, the jack is an electric jack such as an electric motor or a solenoid, a hydraulic jack such as a hydraulic jack or a pneumatic jack such as a pump. Different types of cylinders can therefore be used according to different needs and the context. For example, hydraulic cylinders are robust and suitable for high force applications. Pneumatic cylinders are advantageous because of their simplicity. Electric cylinders provide the highest level of adjustment for positioning and quickly connected and reprogrammed.

CH 715 277 A2 In a preferred embodiment for implementing the invention, the device further comprises a cam for housing the guide elements, the cam being controlled by the jack in order to activate the movement guide elements. The advantage of the cam is that it can move the guide elements more efficiently.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, the objective of the invention is achieved by a method for self-adjusting guiding elements before supplying bars with a processing machine, comprising the steps of:

loading of the bar on a guide channel, the guide channel being formed by the guide elements for housing and guiding the bar;

- displacement of the guide elements towards the bar until reaching a predetermined position or threshold, at which level the guide elements are in contact with the transverse axis of the bar;

- displacement of the guide elements away from the bar until a predetermined value of operating clearance for the bar between the bar and the guide elements is obtained.

According to one embodiment for the present invention, the guide channel is formed by a plurality of devices according to the invention which are provided at different segments of the bar, so that the predetermined value of the clearance operation for the bar is carried out at different segments of the bar regardless of the diameter of the bar or the diameter of the bar at these segments. Such an arrangement can guide the long bar optimally over its entire length. Such an arrangement also reduces the very strict requirements for the diameter of the bars, the diameter of the bars having to be exactly the same during operation of the bar feeder. With such an arrangement, even if a bar has slight differences in diameter over its entire length, a maximum guiding effect could still be ensured.

According to an embodiment for the present invention, the method further comprises a detection step between step (a) and (c) of claim 1 to measure parameters between the bar and the guide elements of such that the guide elements stop moving towards the bar as soon as the guide elements are in contact with the transverse axis of the bar. Such an additional step could improve the precision of the guide elements.

In a preferred embodiment, the detection step can be monitored constantly or intermittently. Constant monitoring allows "real time" information to be continuously relayed to the control unit so that the guide elements can be adjusted accordingly based on the position of the bar. For example, a predetermined position (such as distance or spacing) between the bar and guide elements or a predetermined threshold (such as a resistance force) resulting from the clamping force of the guide elements could be relayed constantly to the device and to the system. Intermittent monitoring allows the device or system to monitor only the position between the guide members and the bar at short and repeated intervals and is thus suitable for the production of larger and more complicated workpieces.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the predetermined value of operating clearance for the bar is a constant value independent of the diameter, shape or size of the bar loaded on the guide elements. This advantageously allows the device to loosen guide elements so that the bar actuated in rotation can be pushed by a pusher for example, regardless of the diameter or size of the bar. For example, the operating clearance for the bar can be set to always 1 mm, 2 mm, 3 mm or more. An optimal guiding effect can be achieved through the operating clearance chosen for the bar while avoiding excessive vibration resulting from the manufacturing process.

In a preferred embodiment for the implementation of the invention, the predetermined value of the operating clearance for the bar varies between 0.05 mm and 5 mm, preferably between 1 mm and 3 mm or even more preferred is 1 mm. The operating clearance for the bar can be chosen according to the type of material of the bar or the length of the bar. For example, 1mm is the most preferred bar clearance.

According to another aspect of the present invention, it relates to a telescope comprising one or more devices as described in the present patent application.

It is also foreseeable that the present invention involves a system comprising one or more of the devices as described in the present patent application, the system further comprising a pusher, a bezel, and / or an automatic lathe. The advantage of including multiple units of the device is that the bar can be protected in different places individually and / or simultaneously.

According to an embodiment for the present invention, the sensor is integrated into a fixed frame of the device while a corresponding sensor part is arranged as being integrated into the pusher. A corresponding sensor could provide additional sensitivity and coordination possibilities to the system and the device. This has the advantage that the system can be fed with multiple information from different rooms.

CH 715 277 A2

Brief Description of the Drawings In the following description, various embodiments of the invention are described with reference to the following drawings (the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale, the emphasis being generally rather placed on illustration of the principles of various embodiments):

Fig. 1 is a diagram illustrating a feeding system for bars with a machine tool according to the prior art. Fig. 2 is a very simplified overview of multiple units of the device and system of the present invention comprising a control unit and an actuator. Figs. 3a-3b show perspective views of an example of a telescope with (fig. 3a) or without (fig. 3b) external casing. Figs. 4a-4c show different perspective views of the guide elements according to the present invention. Figs. 5a-5d show cross-sectional views of the guide members according to the present invention, where a half-pipe-shaped support member of the "U-shaped" channel 33 is lifted by other support members having a wedge shape when the guide elements are moved to a "closed" position. Fig. 5a is a perspective view of the device of the present invention comprising a bar of larger diameter loaded in the guide channel. Figs. 5b-5d illustrate the operating steps of the device according to the present invention with a bar shown in FIG. 5a. Fig. 6a is a perspective view of the device of the present invention comprising a smaller diameter bar loaded into the guide channel. Figs. 6b-6th illustrate the operating steps of the device according to the present invention with a bar shown in FIGS. 6a and 4d-4e. Fig. 7 shows an example of the operating sequence according to the present invention.

Where the same references are used in different drawings, they are intended to refer to similar or corresponding characteristics. However, the use of different references does not necessarily indicate a difference between the characteristics to which they refer.

Detailed description of the invention The inventors of the present invention have surprisingly discovered that it is possible to meet the need formulated above through the present invention, in which the device comprises self-guiding elements. adjustable before supplying bars to a processing machine. The present invention as claimed has reduced downtime and improved performance since the guide channel is capable of accommodating various diameters, shapes and / or sizes of bars and is self-adjusting to provide operating clearance for the bar between the latter and the guide elements. The value of the operating clearance for the bar can be obtained similarly at different places on the bar. Thanks to this, lower production costs can be achieved while efficiency is improved at the same time. No operator is required to manually control the adjustment of the guide elements. In addition, less space is required compared to the prior art such as conventional guide members which are specifically designed to precisely accommodate various sizes and diameters of bars and bar lifters.

Conventional guide elements for bar feed systems generally used currently have several drawbacks. Fig. 1 shows an example of a bar supply according to the prior art which comprises a pusher 2, a bezel 6, a spindle 10 and a mandrel 7. The internal diameter of the flange mandrel 3 corresponds to the diameter of the bar 4. The the external diameter of the flange mandrel 3 is therefore always greater than the diameter of the bar. The minimum diameter of channel 1 is limited by the external diameter of the flange mandrel and not that of the bar. This will always leave a space between the guide channel 8 and the bar 4. Therefore, generally a space of several millimeters exists between the guide channel 8 and the bar 4. Therefore, the guiding effect of the guide channel is very limited, since the rotation bar can vibrate uncontrollably during the manufacturing process at the distal end of the bar, which is furthest from the pusher.

To overcome this limitation, glasses 6 can be used. They allow to add another guide point with precise adjustment between the flange mandrel 3 and the lathe mandrel 7. The key element of each telescope of the art

CH 715 277 A2 anterior is the ability to guide the bar (of a certain diameter), and, in a second step, to allow the passage of the pusher (having another diameter). However, such devices are limited only to certain bars with certain diameters. When a series of bars of different sizes and different diameters is to be processed, an operator must manually adjust the scope each time, so that an optimal guiding effect can be ensured.

[0037] FIG. 2 illustrates an example of a particularly simplified view of multiple units of devices 5 and of a system 1 according to the present invention. The device 5 has a self-adjusting means and a guide channel 8 formed by two guide elements 9. The guide elements 9 can be moved by a jack 18 such as a hydraulic cylinder through a pump 11. The cylinder 18 can be controlled by a control unit 20 so that the guide elements 9 can be moved simultaneously towards the bar 4 and away from it, the bar 4 being loaded in the guide channel 8. The means of self-adjusting can send signals to control unit 20.

A sensor 15 can also be inserted in the self-adjusting means so that the parameters between the bar and the guide elements can be more accurately and precisely detected. The sensor 15 can be designed to provide feedback signals to the control unit 20 to control the pump 11 and the actuator 18 so that the guide elements 9 can stop moving towards the bar 4 as soon as the guide elements 9 are in contact with the transverse axis (Z) of the bar 4.

[0039] FIG. 3a and fig. 3b illustrate another example of the present invention, in which the device 5 can be applied to a telescope. It will be understood that all the characteristics described in FIG. 2 are also applicable in this example. As can be seen in this example, the guide elements 19 are arranged in the form of blocks cut in V. It may also be noted that, in this embodiment, the guide elements do not include a support element 33 under shaped like a U-shaped channel to extend the length of the guide elements 19.

[0040] FIG. 4a shows a perspective view of the device 5 according to the present invention. The guide elements 9 can be extended by one or more support elements 33 which has a half-pipe shape for the “U” shaped channel 33. The U-shaped channel 33 can be surrounded by two channel parts having grooves 32, which are actuated by hydraulic cylinders for example. Another wedge-shaped support member 34 can be seen below the aforementioned support member 33 which has the shape of a "U-shaped" channel, and can be used to extend the guide members 9 for housing and / or raising the bars 4. The grooved channel parts 32 are arranged to overlap one another, to form a part of the guide channel 8. The grooved channel part 32 is capable of grasping and tightening the bar 4 along the transverse axis of the latter.

[0041] FIG. 4b shows another perspective view of the guide elements 9, where the support element 33 in the form of a "U-shaped" channel 33 has been removed in order to better illustrate the exact location of the support element formed by the wedge 34. FIG. 4c shows another perspective view of a device 5 according to the present invention from below. One of the two jacks 18 controlling each side of the guide elements 9 can be seen in this figure. A horizontal movement of the wedge 34 is transformed into a vertical movement of the "U-shaped" channel, which can thus be moved upwards.

Figs. 4d and 4e are sectional views of the device 5 according to the present invention. As can be seen in these figures, shims 34 are arranged below the "U-shaped" channel. The wedge 34 is capable of lifting the "U-shaped" channel portion 33 while the guide members 9 are moved to a "closed" position, especially in the case where a small bar diameter is loaded into the channel. guide 8, shifting in this way the transverse axis (Z) upwards to reach a position substantially above that of the H axis, which constitutes a horizontal axis of the device 5. Thus, the bar is positioned so central and can be gripped optimally by the guide elements 9.

Bars having different diameters can be loaded on the guide elements 9 of the present invention, as can be seen in FIGS. 5 and 6. The guide elements 9 may have an arcuate surface 26, and together they form a guide channel 8. FIG. 5a shows that a bar 4 having a larger diameter is loaded into the guide channel 8 compared to FIG. 6a, where the diameter of the bar is smaller. In both cases, and regardless of the size of the bars, an operating clearance for the bar a of 1 mm for example can be achieved according to the present invention; however any other operating clearance values for the bar can also be provided.

The transverse axis (Z) of the bar 4 can be seen in the two figs. 5 and 6. The transverse axis (Z), which passes through the central axis of the bar 4, is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the bar 4. The transverse axis (Z) is substantially parallel to the H axis, which constitutes the horizontal axis of the device 5.

Figs. 5b-5d are sectional views, in which the bar 4 of a substantially larger diameter is loaded into the guide channel 8. In this example, the device 5 has self-adjusting means and two jacks equipped with each side of the guide elements 9. The guide elements 9 can be controlled simultaneously, so that they can move towards one another, or move away from each other, the elements of guide 9 being arranged to cross and overlap while forming a guide channel 8.

FIG. 5b illustrates an "open" position, in which the bar 4 can be loaded into the guide channel 8. An arcuate surface 26 of the "U-shaped" channel 33 remains below the arcuate surface 26 of the channel part grooved 32. As described above, the shims 34 are provided below the “U-shaped” channel 33. The shim 34 operates so as to keep the transverse axis Z of the bar so that it is located at approximately the same height or substantially

CH 715 277 A2 above the H axis, so that the bar can be positioned at the level of the central axis of the guide elements 9. In this example, since the bar 4 has a substantially larger diameter, the wedge 34 does not raise the channel "U-shaped" 33 when the guide elements 9 are moved to the "closed" position (unlike Figs 6d and 6e).

[0047] FIG. 5c shows the moment when the guide elements 9 come to grip the bar 4, when the substantially arcuate surface 26 of the guide elements 9 is in contact with the bar 4. In other words, the guide elements are moved in the direction of the bar 4 until the moment when they reach a predetermined position or a threshold, at which or respectively of which the guide elements 9 are in contact with the transverse axis (Z) of the bar 4.

Once in the predetermined position or at the threshold, the guide elements 9 are then simultaneously moved away from the bar 4 until a predetermined value of operating clearance for the bar is reached between the bar and the guide elements, as shown in fig. 5d. A working clearance for the 1mm bar a is preferred. However, other values such as 2mm, 3mm or more can also be achieved.

The predetermined position or the threshold can also be a resistance force, a distance, a pressure force or other factors for example. In the present context, the resistance force is an effort that the guide elements 9 must overcome while moving towards the bar 4. The resistance force is therefore gradually increased when the guide elements 9 compress the bar 4 or the grab. The distance is a space between the surface of the bar and the arcuate surface 26 of the guide elements 9. The pressing force is a force applied by the guide elements 9 at the level of the bar surface through a jack 18 for example .

For example, a resistance force of 50 N can be predetermined so that, when the guide elements 9 move towards the bar and a resistance force of 50 N is reached, the guide elements 9 s' then move away from the bar until a predetermined value of operating clearance for the bar has been achieved, for example an operating clearance for the bar a of 1 mm (fig. 5d). In another example where a pressure force of 100 N is fixed, the guide elements 9 are actuated to reach such a predetermined threshold. Once the predetermined threshold is reached, the guide elements 9 are then moved away from the bar until a predetermined value of operating clearance for the bar has been reached.

Figs. 6b-6e show a self-adjustment method similar to that of fig. 5, the only difference being that a smaller bar diameter is loaded into the guide channel 8. An “open” position can be seen in FIGS. 5b and 5c. However, the guide channel 8 formed by the guide elements 9 shown in FIG. 6b is larger open than that of FIG. 6c; in this way, it can be ensured that the bar 4 is located in a "groove" formed by the guide elements 9. Thanks to the existence of the "groove", the bar 4 can be positioned symmetrically between the elements of guidance 9.

In this example where the bar has a smaller diameter, the guide elements 9 must be moved more towards the bar 4 until reaching a predetermined position or threshold. During this process, the “U-shaped” channel positioned above the wedge 34 is raised so that the transverse axis Z of the bar 4 is approximately at the same height or substantially above the axis H , therefore the tightening and gripping of the bar 4 by the guide elements 9 can be optimal (fig. 6d). The axis H is perpendicular to the tangent to the turning point Q of the arcuate surface 26 of the guide elements, and is substantially parallel to the horizontal axis of the device 5.

After reaching a predetermined position or threshold, the guide elements 9 move away simultaneously from the bar until a predetermined value of operating clearance for the bar has between the bar 4 and the elements of guide 9 is reached (fig. 6e). In this example, a working clearance for the bar a of 0.5 mm can be predetermined so that an optimal guiding effect can be guaranteed.

The number of devices 5 having the self-adjusting means and the guide elements 9 of the present invention can be determined as a function of the length of the bar 4. In certain examples, the material or the bar 4 can not be smooth or straight. If the bar is not straight, vibrations may be generated when it rotates, which therefore affects performance. Beyond 0.5 mm per meter, a bar is not considered to be straight. The bar can be bent over its entire length. Therefore, a conventional bar holder and / or a traditional bezel are not suitable for such bars. In other examples, the bar diameter may not be uniform over the entire length of the bar. Consequently, in such cases, the use of multiple units of devices 5 according to the present invention is particularly advantageous, because the same predetermined value of operating clearance for the bar a can be guaranteed between the bar and the guide elements 9 over the entire length of the bar 4. Consequently, an optimal guide effect can be obtained. It is also advantageous to use the device 5 of the present invention comprising self-adjusting means for self-adjusting the guide elements since no operator is required to manually adjust the guide elements 9 of the device 5 Consequently, a constant value of operating clearance for the bar a can be achieved by various devices having the self-adjusting function as described above. This could increase production efficiency while reducing the downtime of the system.

[0055] FIG. 7 shows an example of a sequence of operations for implementing the present invention. First, the valve 52 is opened and the pump 11 is started. Depending on the level of the forces exerted, the cylinders

CH 715 277 A2 extend, causing the guide elements to move towards the bar until reaching a predetermined position or only one, at which and respectively of which the guide elements are in contact with the transverse axis ( Z) of the bar. In other words, the arcuate surface of the guide elements 55 is in contact with the bar 4, and a predetermined position or threshold is thus reached. The expansion cylinder 53 then expands since the pressure on both sides of the piston is the same, but the area on the side of the piston rod is smaller. The resulting force imbalance thus expands the expansion cylinder 53.

In the next step, the valve 52 can be closed. The pump is off. Due to the closure of the valve 52, the cylinders 54 are always pressurized. The expansion cylinder 53 is now only pressurized on the side connected to the cylinders 54. Consequently, it will shrink and the hydraulic fluid will flow from the cylinders 54 to the expansion cylinder 53. The guide elements 59 mounted on the cylinders 54 retract and leave a space between the bar 4 and the guide elements 59. In other words, the guide elements are moved away from the bar until reaching a predetermined value of operating clearance for the bar between the bar and the guide elements. The size of the space (the operating clearance for the bar) depends on the level of flow of hydraulic fluid in the expansion cylinder 53. By limiting the stroke of the expansion cylinder 53 with a mechanical stop, the size of the space can therefore be adjusted.

The device according to the present invention has the advantage that the resulting space (operating clearance for the bar) between the bar and the guide elements is always the same regardless of the diameter of the bar. In addition, the system of the present invention is capable of self-adjustment, so no operator is required to manually control the guide elements to achieve a certain operating clearance for the bar.

By "self-adjusting means", we refer to any means which can be used for automatic adjustment of the guide elements. Therefore, it preferably includes a control unit for adjusting a hydraulic pressure and possibly includes other sensors (e.g. a force sensor, a motion sensor, a pressure sensor, an optical sensor, a measurement sensor distance etc.). It can therefore include either software elements, or hardware, or any combination of these. By "threshold" we mean a degree, a magnitude or an intensity that must be exceeded to obtain a certain value or a certain result, or for a condition to occur or manifest.

By "operating clearance for the bar", we mean a space between the surface of the bar and the arcuate surface of the guide elements.

By "about" or "close to" or "around" with respect to a given numerical value for the length, the height, the axis or the distance, it will be understood that this terminology includes numerical values deviating 10% of the specific value. For example, when a bar has a radius of 50 mm (therefore a diameter of 100 mm), "the transverse axis (Z) being close to the center axis of the bar" means that the transverse axis (Z ) can be located 5 mm from the center line of the bar, i.e. 5 mm above or below the center point.

The term "comprising" means inclusion, without being limited thereto, regardless of the word following "comprising". Thus, the use of the term "comprising" indicates that the elements listed are required or mandatory, but that other additional elements are optional and may or may not be present. The terms "comprising" and "including" as used in the context of the present patent application are also interchangeable.

Laterminology of "consisting of" means a strict and limiting inclusion, whatever follows this expression of "consisting of". Therefore, the expression "consisting of" indicates that the elements listed are required or mandatory, and that, moreover, no other element can be present.

Reference numbers bar push rod system flange chuck bar device bezel chuck guide channel

CH 715 277 A2

9, 19 guide elements spindle pump sensor cylinder control unit cam corresponding sensor element arcuate surface of the guide elements groove-shaped channel support element in the form of a "U-shaped" channel support element in the form of a valve wedge expansion cylinder hydraulic cylinder guide elements

Z transverse axis

H axis H has operating clearance for the bar

Q turning point of the arched surface of the guide channel

Claims (15)

Claims 1. Device (5) for self-adjusting guide elements before feeding a longitudinal bar (4) in a processing machine, the bar (4) having a transverse axis (Z), and a longitudinal axis along the central axis of the bar, the transverse axis being transverse to the longitudinal axis, the latter being horizontal and close to the central axis of the bar, the device comprising: - guide elements (9, 19), which form a guide channel (8) for receiving and guiding the bar (4); - At least one jack (18), the jack (18) being able to move the guide elements (9, 19) in the direction of the bar (4) or away from it; - self-adjusting means capable of self-adjusting the guide elements (9, 19); the device (5) being designed in such a way that, when the guide elements (9, 19) reach a predetermined position or a threshold, from which the guide elements (9,19) are in contact with the transverse axis (Z) of the bar (4), the guide elements (9, 19) are moved away from the bar (4) until reaching a predetermined value of operating clearance for the bar (a) between the bar (4) and the guide elements (9, 19) is produced. 2. Device according to claim 1, further comprising at least one support element (33,34), the support element (33,34) being configured to be capable of raising the guide elements (9,19) and / or housing the longitudinal bar (4) when the guide elements (9, 19) move in the direction of the bar (4). 3. Device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the guide elements (9, 19) have a length of 0.1 m to 5 m, preferably 1 m to 3 m, or even more preferably 1 m at 2 m. 4. Plurality of devices according to one of the preceding claims, the devices (5) are provided at different segments of the bar (4), the plurality of devices (5) being capable of operating independently and / or simultaneously each others. 5. Device according to one of the preceding claims, the self-adjusting means further comprising a sensor (15) for detecting parameters between the bar (4) and the guide elements (9, 19), the sensor ( 15) being adapted to provide a feedback signal to a control unit (20) to control the cylinder (18) so that the elements CH 715 277 A2 guide (9, 19) stop moving towards the bar (4) as soon as the guide elements (9, 19) are in contact with the transverse axis (Z) of the bar (4 ). 6. Device according to claim 5, the sensor device (15) being a pressure sensor, a force sensor, a motion detector, an optical sensor or a distance measuring sensor. 7. Device according to one of the preceding claims, in which the device is a telescope. 8. Method for the self-adjustment of guide elements (9, 19) before supplying bars (4) to a processing machine, comprising the steps of: (a) loading the bar (4) into a guide channel (8), the guide channel (8) being formed by the guide elements (9, 19) for housing and guiding the bar (4); (b) displacement of the guide elements (9, 19) in the direction of the bar (4) until reaching a predetermined position or a threshold, from which the guide elements (9, 19) are in contact with the transverse axis (Z) of the bar (4); (c) the distance of the guide elements (9, 19) relative to the bar (4) until a predetermined value of operating clearance for the bar (a) between the bar (4) and the guide elements (9, 19) is reached. 9. Method according to claim 8, the guide channel (8) being formed by a plurality of devices (5) according to claim 1 which are provided at different segments of the bar (4), so that the value predetermined operating clearance for the bar (a) is reached at different bar segments (4), regardless of the diameter of the bar or the diameter of the bar at different segments. 10. The method of claim 8 further comprising a detection step between steps (a) and (c) for measuring parameters between the bar (4) and the guide elements (9, 19), so that the guide elements (9, 19) stop moving in the direction of the bar (4) as soon as the guide elements (9, 19) are in contact with the transverse axis (Z) of the bar (4). 11. The method of claim 10, wherein the detection step is continuously or intermittently supervised. 12. Method according to one of claims 8 to 11 or device according to one of claims 1 to 7, the predetermined value of operating clearance for the bar (a) being a constant value, regardless of the diameter of the bar (4 ) loaded on the guide elements (9, 19), and / or independently of the diameter of the bar (4) at the level of different segments. 13. Method according to one of claims 8 to 12 or device according to one of claims 1 to 7, the predetermined value of operating clearance for the bar (a) being between 0.05 mm and 5 mm, preferably 1 mm to 3 mm or even more preferably set to 1 mm. 14. System for bar feeder comprising one or more devices according to one of claims 1 to 7, the system further comprising a pusher (2) and / or a bezel (6). 15. The system of claim 14, the sensor (15) being integrated into a fixed frame of the device (5), while a corresponding part of the sensor is arranged as being integrated into the pusher (2).