DK2755782T3

DK2755782T3 - Device for correction of the form of a bent metal rod and similar approach

Info

Publication number: DK2755782T3
Application number: DK12758466.2T
Authority: DK
Inventors: Fabro Giorgio Del
Original assignee: Piegatrici Macch Elettr
Priority date: 2011-09-13
Filing date: 2012-09-10
Publication date: 2016-03-21
Also published as: CN103930221A; WO2013037725A1; EP2755782B1; BR112014005696A2; CN103930221B; BR112014005696B1; EP2755782A1; ITUD20110143A1

Description

DESCRIPTION

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention concerns a device to correct the shape of metal bars which have previously been bent, for example with at least one segment bent in a U shape on the main segment of the bar.

[0002] In particular, the device according to the present invention allows to align on a same plane both sides of the bar which have been bent on each other, and also the curved segment comprised between the two sides.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] Bending machines are known used to bend metal bars, for example, but not exclusively, in order to make reinforcement stirrups, or bars suitably bent on themselves to define shaped profiles sometimes called special profiles and used for particular functions in the building sector.

[0004] In particular, substantially U-shaped bars are known, that is, bars having a first and second segment which are parallel or angled at an acute angle with respect to each other, and between which a curved segment is interposed which connects them.

[0005] To make these shaped profiles bending machines are used that are provided with bending devices, for example of the type with a contrast pin or a hoe-shaped pin. In particular, the bar to be bent is made to move forward toward the bending device making one of its first segments protrude by a desired length, equal to the length of the first bent segment to be obtained. Subsequently the bar is bent, by bending it around the contrast pin or hoe-shaped pin. To take into account the elastic return of the metal bar it is necessary to command the bending device so that it bends the first segment by an angle greater than the one that is actually to be obtained between the first and the second segment.

[0006] This entails that the first segment must overlap the second segment, especially in the case of substantially U-shaped bars. In order to avoid interference between the two sides, the bending bench on which the bending device is disposed is generally provided with inclined planes which provide to divert the first segment vertically so that it overlaps the second during the bending operation.

[0007] This need for the first segment to overlap the second leads to the production of bars that are not planar, that is, the first segment, the second segment and the curved segment which connect them are not aligned with each other on a single plane. This is disadvantageous in particular applications in which a condition of coplanarity is required at least between the two sides which are bent.

[0008] In other applications it can also be required that the first and second segment are inclined reciprocally with respect to each other by a determinate desired angle, which is different from the angle at which the two segments are disposed after the bending operation.

[0009] One purpose of the present invention is to make a device to correct the shape of metal bars which have been previously bent so as to obtain a final shaped profile with bent sides which are substantially coplanar with each other, or angled with respect to each other by a desired angle.

[0010] Another purpose of the present invention is to make a device to correct the shape of metal bars which is simple and economical to make, and which does not require complex operations to achieve the condition of planarity, or desired angle, between the segments which make up the bar.

[0011] Another purpose of the present invention is to make a device to correct the shape of bars which can be directly integrated on board machines for bending bars, whether these are new or already existing, simply and quickly, without requiring invasive interventions on the machine, without greatly increasing the bulk and without entailing important modifications to the work cycle.

[0012] Another purpose of the present invention is to perfect a method to correct the shape of metal bars which is simple, quick and which does not require complex operations.

[0013] Another purpose of the present invention is to perfect a method to correct the shape of metal bars which can be carried out directly on board the bending machine, and immediately following the bending of the bar.

[0014] The Applicant has devised, tested and embodied the present invention to overcome the shortcomings of the state of the art and to obtain these and other purposes and advantages.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0015] The present invention is set forth and characterized in the independent claims, while the dependent claims describe other characteristics of the invention or variants to the main inventive idea.

[0016] In accordance with the above purposes, a device to correct the shape of a bent metal bar according to the present invention is used to correct the reciprocal angle between a first and a second segment with respect to the curved segment which is interposed between the two.

[0017] In particular, the bent bar on which the device operates is provided with at least a first substantially straight segment, a second segment opposite the first segment and separated from it by a curved segment. The first segment, because of the bending processes to which it has been subjected, is diverted with respect to the plane on which the second segment and at least one portion of the curved segment lie.

[0018] According to one feature of the present invention, the device comprises a first abutment element and a second abutment element disposed offset with respect to the first.

[0019] The first abutment element is suitable to interact and hold at least one portion of the curved segment and is provided with an abutment surface on which at least one portion of the second segment and of the curved segment are disposed.

[0020] The second abutment element is provided with a pressure element which, during use, is disposed above the first segment.

[0021] Translation means are associated with at least one of either the first abutment element or the second abutment element in order to translate at least one of these against the other. In this way, the pressure element and the abutment surface deform the curved segment in order to render the first segment and the second segment substantially coplanar with respect to each other, or angled by a determinate angle with respect to the curved segment according to the application requirements.

[0022] In particular, by keeping at least one portion of the curved segment constrained, and by disposing the second segment in contact against the abutment surface, the curved segment is permanently deformed, due to the action of the pressure element on the first segment.

[0023] According to an advantageous form of embodiment, the first abutment element comprises a housing element suitable to define a housing seating inside which at least one portion of the curved segment is inserted.

[0024] In this way the above-mentioned housing element acts as a holding element during the step to correct the shaping of the bar.

[0025] In another form of embodiment, the first abutment element comprises a first part and a second part disposed substantially orthogonal with respect to the first part. The first part and the second part define the abutment surface. More specifically, the first part of the first abutment element acts as a support for the second segment of the bar, while the second part supports at least one portion of the curved segment.

[0026] It is advantageous to provide that the housing element is solidly associated, or made in a single body, with the second part, and that the abutment surface belongs at least partly to the housing seating.

[0027] In a further form of embodiment, the pressure element is disposed in correspondence with the concave zone defined between the first part and the second part of the first abutment element, so that the movement of the second abutment element can occur in the direction of the thickness of these two parts.

[0028] According to a further characteristic the correction device comprises a support pin which is associated with the first abutment element, and is normally disposed protruding with respect to the abutment surface. The bar is disposed between the support pin and the second abutment element, in this way obliging it to remain in position during the bending steps.

[0029] According to one form of embodiment, the support pin is disposed through, through the first part of the first abutment element.

[0030] In a further form of embodiment, first translation means and second translation means are respectively associated with the first abutment element and the second abutment element in order to translate them independently from each other.

[0031] The present invention also concerns the connected method to correct the shape of a metal bar made with a device as described above.

[0032] The device to correct the shape of metal bars according to the present invention can also be applied to a bending machine which comprises means to feed the metal bar toward a bending device and shears in order to cut the bar to size.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0033] These and other characteristics of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of a preferential form of embodiment, given as a non-restrictive example with reference to the attached drawings wherein: • fig. 1 is a perspective view of a correction device to correct the shape of metal bars according to the present invention, applied to a bending machine; • fig. 2 is a perspective view of the correction device according to the present invention; • fig. 3 is a lateral view of fig. 2, of the correction device in a first operating configuration; • fig. 4 is a lateral view of fig. 2, of the correction device in a second operating configuration; • fig. 5 is a lateral view of fig. 2, of the correction device in a third operating configuration; • fig. 6 is a lateral view of fig. 2, of the correction device in a fourth operating configuration; • figs. 7-11 are perspective views of a bar bent and made by means of the correction method according to the present invention; • fig. 12 is a perspective view of a variant of fig. 2.

[0034] To facilitate comprehension, the same reference numbers have been used, winere possible, to identify identical common elements in the drawings.

DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERENTIAL FORM OF EMBODIMENT

[0035] With reference to fig. 1, a correction device to correct the shape of a metal bar B is indicated in its entirety by the reference number 10 and is directly associated with a bending machine 11 of a substantially known type.

[0036] In particular, the bending machine 11 comprises feed means 12, a bending bench 15, shears 13 to cut to size, and a bending device 14 to bend the bar B.

[0037] The feed means 12 provide to feed the bar B toward the bending device 14 which in its turn is suitable to obtain, in a known way, the bending of the bar B.

[0038] The bar B is bent so as to define at least a first rectilinear segment 16, a second rectilinear segment 17, adjacent to the first segment 16, and a curved segment 18 interposed between the first segment 16 and the second segment 17. The curved segment 18 of the bar B can assume different configurations as shown in figs. 7 - 11, for example U-shaped (figs. 8 and 10), shaped like a partially closed arc of a circle (figs. 7 and 11), or with a portion shaped transverse to the main direction of extension of the bar B (fig. 9).

[0039] The shears 13 are provided with planes 22 inclined toward their central part so that when the first segment 16 is bent, it overlaps the second segment 17, preventing problems of interference with the latter. The presence of the inclined planes 22, during bending, generates a diversion of the first segment 16 of the bar B, which makes it not coplanar with the second segment 17.

[0040] This lack of coplanarity also derives from the nature of the material which, when bent with such angles, tends to release surface tensions, modifying its reaction to the bending.

[0041] The correction device 10 is disposed downstream of the bending device 14, and is suitable to correct the angle between the first segment 16, the second segment 17 and the curved segment 18 which connects them.

[0042] In particular, the correction device 10 (fig. 2) according to the present invention comprises at least a first abutment element 25, a second abutment element 26 which can be translated with respect to the first abutment element 25, and a support pin 27 associated to the first abutment element 25 and, in this case, solidly movable together with the second abutment element 26.

[0043] The first abutment element 25 is suitable to at least partly support a first end portion 29 of the second segment 17 and at least a second portion 30 of the curved segment 18 directly connected to the first end portion 29.

[0044] In particular, the first abutment element 25 is substantially L-shaped, that is, it has a first part 32 and a second part 33 disposed substantially orthogonal with respect to the first part 32, and is provided with an abutment surface 35 on which, during use, the first end portion 29 of the second segment 17 and the second portion 30 of the curved segment 18 are rested.

[0045] The abutment surface 35 is always disposed, on each occasion, substantially parallel to the bending bench 15.

[0046] A housing element 36 is solidly associated to the second part 33 of the first abutment element 25, and is suitable to define, together with the abutment surface 35, a housing seating 37 inside which, during use, at least the second portion 30 of the curved segment 18 is disposed.

[0047] The first abutment element 25 is associated to first translation means 39 which provide to translate it vertically, and make the first abutment element 25 protrude with respect to the bending bench 15, or completely retracted with respect thereto.

[0048] The second abutment element 26 is disposed in proximity to the end of the second segment 33 of the first abutment element 25 and comprises a support body 40 to which a pressure element 41 is solidly associated.

[0049] The pressure element 41 is disposed in correspondence to the concave zone defined between the first part 32 and the second part 33 of the first abutment element 25, and is selectively translated parallel to the thickness of the latter two, that is, in the direction indicated by the arrow F in fig. 2.

[0050] The pressure element 41 is provided with a contrast surface 45 which, during the movement of the second abutment element 26, is brought into contact with the first segment 16.

[0051] More specifically, second translation means 42 are solidly associated to the support body 40, and are independent with respect to the first translation means 39, which provide to translate the second abutment element 26 orthogonally with respect to the bending bench 15.

[0052] The support pin 27 is disposed through and in proximity to the center line of the first part 32 of the first abutment element 25.

[0053] In this case, the support pin 27 is selectively movable independently of the first abutment element 25 and in coordination with the second abutment element 26.

[0054] The support pin 27 can be provided with independent movement means with respect to the second translation means 42 or, in other forms of embodiment, the second translation means themselves 42 provide to move both the second abutment element 26 and the support pin 27.

[0055] Support elements 43 (fig. 1), in this case two, are provided to support the bar B which is bent during the movements along the bending bench 15. In particular, in this case, a first support element 43 is interposed between the bending device 14 and the correction device 10, while a further support element 43 is disposed immediately downstream of the latter.

[0056] Both the support elements 43 can be selectively translated in order to be taken to a first operating condition, protruding with respect to the bending bench 15, and to a second operating condition, retracted into the bending bench 15.

[0057] The shears 13 (fig. 1), disposed between the movement means 12 and the bending device 14, provide to cut the bar B to size once it has been bent and the operation to correct the shape of its segments has been carried out.

[0058] The bending bench 15 is disposed in this case substantially vertical, or in any case inclined, so that the bent bar B, once all the operations to bend it and correct the shape have been carried out, can be discharged from the bending machine 11 due to the effect of gravity.

[0059] With reference to figs. 3-6, the functioning of the correction device 10 to correct the shape of bars B is now described, according to the present invention.

[0060] During the bending steps of the bar B with the bending device 14, which is carried out using known methods, the correction device 10 to correct the shape thereof is disposed in a non-operating condition, retracted with respect to the bending bench 15, so as not to generate interference with the movements of the bar B.

[0061] Once the bending operations are finished, the correction device 10, and therefore the first 25 and the second 26 abutment elements are brought into their first operating condition, protruding with respect to the bending bench 15 so as to dispose at least the abutment surface 35 substantially coplanar with the bending bench 15 (fig. 3).

[0062] The second abutment element 26 is positioned protruding with respect to the bending bench 15 by a first distance L, raised with respect to the first abutment element 25 so as to allow the passage of the bar B below the pressure element 41, without problems of interference.

[0063] In this condition, the second segment 17 of the bar B is still gripped by the feed means 12 which provide to feed the bent bar B toward the correction device 10.

[0064] In particular, it provides to feed the bar B so as to insert at least the second portion 30 of the curved segment 18 inside the housing seating 37 and position both the first end portion 29 and the second portion 30 on the abutment surface 35 of the first abutment element 25.

[0065] In this condition, the second abutment element 26 is taken into a second work condition, protruding from the bending bench 15 by a determinate second distance D, greater than the first distance L.

[0066] Subsequently, the first translation means 39 translate the first abutment element 25 toward the second abutment element 26. During the translation of the first abutment element 25 the bar B, which with its second segment 17 and the curved segment 18 rests on the abutment surface 35, and respectively inserted into the housing seating 37, is also translated vertically.

[0067] The entity of the translation of the first abutment element 25 is such as to exert a pressure action by the pressure element 41 on the first segment 16 able to align the latter with the second segment 17, or to angle it with respect to it by a determinate angle.

[0068] In particular, to take into account the elastic return of the bar B, during bending, it is necessary that the abutment surface 35 of the first abutment element 25 is taken at least to a height equal to or higher than that of the contrast surface 45 of the pressure element 41, in relation to the bending bench 15.

[0069] The entity of the second distance D is also such that the end of the first segment 16, during the pressure action exerted by the pressure element 41, does not interfere with the bending bench 15, which in its turn would determine an undesired deformation of the bar B.

[0070] It is then provided to return at least the first abutment element 25 into the condition in which the abutment surface 35 is aligned with the bending bench 15. In this way, the feed means 12 provide to release the bar B from correction device 10 and thus allow the removal of the bar B by shearing it with the shears 13. During this last operation the correction device 10 can be taken into its non-operating condition, retracted with respect to the bending bench 15.

[0071] During the above operations the support pin 27 provides to keep the bar B in the desired position, that is, with at least the curved segment 18 cooperating with the housing seating 37, even during the operations to lift the bar B.

[0072] It is clear that modifications and/or additions of parts may be made to the device and method to correct the shape of metal bars as described heretofore, without departing from the field and scope of the present invention.

[0073] For example, in the case where the bar B is shaped according to the configuration shown in fig. 9, the correction device 110 according to the present invention (fig. 12) has the first contrast element 25 provided only with the second part 33, to which the housing element 36 is directly integrated.

[0074] The housing element 36 is provided with the abutment surface 35 which carries out the same function as described above. The housing seating 37 allows the second segment 17 of the bar B to be inserted through it, while a portion of the curved segment 18 and the first segment 16 protrude from the housing seating 37.

[0075] The second abutment element 26 acts directly on the first segment 16 by means of the pressure element 41.

[0076] It is also clear that, although the present invention has been described with reference to some specific examples, a person of skill in the art shall certainly be able to achieve many other equivalent forms of device and method to correct the shape of metal bars, having the characteristics as set forth in the claims and hence all coming within the field of protection defined thereby.

Claims

Device for correcting the shape of a bent metal bar (B), said bar (B) being provided with at least one substantially rectilinear first segment (16), one substantially equal second segment (17) opposed to the first segment (16), separate from that of a curved segment (18), said first segment (16) being different from the plane on which the second segment (17) and at least a portion of the curved segment (18) are characterized, comprising a first abutment member (25) suitable for selectively holding the curved segment (18) and provided with a abutment surface (35) on which at least a portion of the second segment (17) and the arched segment (18) are used is contained and a second abutment member (26) displaced relative to the first abutment member (25) and provided with a pressure member (41) disposed during use over the first segment (16), translation means (39, 42) which is associated with at least one of either the first abutment element (25) or the duck a contact element (26) for moving at least one of them toward the other, so that the pressure element (41) and the contact surface (35) deform the curved segment (18).

Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the first abutment element (25) comprises a housing element (36) suitable for defining a housing seat (37) suitable for holding at least part of the curved segment (18).

Device according to claim 2, characterized in that the first abutment element (25) comprises a first part (32) and a second part (33) arranged preferably orthogonally with respect to the first part (32), the first part (32) and the second part (33) defines the abutment surface (35).

Device according to claim 3, characterized in that the pressure element (41) is arranged in correspondence with the concave zone defined between the first part (32) and the second part (33) of the first abutment element (25).

Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a support pin (27) is attached to the first abutment element (25) and is arranged normally protruding with respect to the abutment surface (35), and in that the rod ( B) is disposed between the support pin (27) and the second abutment element (26).

Device according to claims 3 and 5, characterized in that the support pin (27) is arranged through the first part (32) of the first abutment element (25).

Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that first translation means (39) and second translation means (42) are respectively attached to the first abutment element (25) and the second abutment element (26) for moving. them in a way independent of each other.

A method of correcting the shape of a metal bar (B), comprising at least one bending step in which the metal bar (B) is bent to define at least a first substantially rectilinear segment (16), a second substantially straight segment (17) opposed to the first segment and separated from that of a curved segment (18), wherein the first segment (16) is different in relation to the usual location plane of the second segment (17) and at least a portion of the curved segment (18) ), characterized in that it comprises at least one subsequent step of correcting the shape between the first segment (16), the second segment (17) and the curved segment (18) by means of a correction device (10), which provides at least one sub step in which at least a portion of the curved side (18) is held by means of a first abutment element (25) provided with a abutment surface (35) on which at least part of the second segment (17) is arranged, a sub-step for positioning a pressure element (41), a second abutment element (25) disposed offset relative to the first abutment element (25), over the first segment (16), and a sub-stage in which at least one of either the first abutment element (25) or the second abutment member (26) is moved toward the second so that the pressure member (41) acting on the first segment (16) deforms the curved segment (18).

Method according to claim 8, characterized in that the mold correction step provides at least a first sub-step during which the metal bar (B) is guided to the correction device (10) along a supply plane (15), the abutment surface (35) of the first abutment element. (25) is arranged substantially parallel to the supply plane (15), and another sub-step in which the correction device (10) is moved vertically so that it protrudes from the supply plane (15).

Method according to claim 9, characterized in that after the second sub-step the first abutment element (25) is moved towards the pressure element (41) so that the latter exerts a pressure on the first segment (16).

A machine for bending at least one metal bar (B) comprising at least means (12) for advancing the metal bar (B) against a bending device (14) and cutting device (13) for cutting the bar (B) in size, said bending device (14). ) is provided for bending the metal bar (B) and for defining at least one first segment (16), a second segment (17) adjacent the first segment (16), and a curved segment (18) interposed between the first segment (16) and the second segment (17), the first segment (16) is different with respect to the plane on which the second segment (17) and at least a portion of the curved segment (18) lie, characterized in that it also comprises a device for correcting the shape of the metal bar (B) according to any one of claims 1 to 7.

Machine according to claim 11, characterized in that the correction device (10) is arranged downstream of the bending device (14) and in that the moving means is suitable for moving the rod (B) from and against the correction device (10).