EP0011006B1 - Method and apparatus for winding lengths of scrap metal - Google Patents

Abstract

1. Process for coiling discharged sheared sheetmetal articles in the form of elongate strips, according to which the end of the strip (3) is engaged on a mandrel (7) provided with a hooking member (71) and driven to rotate about its axis for the formation of a coil (9) on the mandrel (7) and between two walls (56, 57) located at the ends of the latter perpendicularly to its axis, the coil (9) thus formed being removed as a result of the sliding of the mandrel (7) along its axis towards one of the walls (56) up to a retracted position for release of the coil (9), characterized in that, the mandrel (7) being stopped and placed in an intermediate starting position between the ejection position and the winding position, a certain quantity of strip (3) is first allowed to accumulate until an entangled bundle (31) forms in the vicinity of the mandrel, the said bundle (31) is then applied against the mandrel (7), and the latter is made to slide into the winding position in such a way that the hooking member (71) engages on the entangled bundle (31), the mandrel (7) being driven to rotate for the winding of the coil (9).

Description

The subject of the invention is a new process and a machine for winding off scrap resulting in particular from the shearing of the edges of sheets.

In rolling installations for the manufacture of sheets it is necessary to shear the edges thereof to give them a straight edge. This results in the production of falls in the form of elongated ribbons which obviously have to be recovered and evacuated. Scraps of the same kind are also produced when splitting sheets to obtain less sheets. wide. In all cases, these thin and sharp falls, and therefore dangerous to handle, must be recovered and disposed of.

In conventional installations, the scraps are collected below the floor on which the shearing or slitting machine is installed. At the place where the drop in the form of an elongated ribbon is produced, the floor is in fact provided with an orifice below which are installed means for guiding the falls, for example a chute, which brings the ribbon up to a winding machine.

Such machines described for example in US-A-2 448 097 generally comprise a mandrel consisting of a rod extending across a winding space limited by two side walls spaced from one another and perpendicular to the axis of the mandrel. This is provided on the other hand with a device for hooking the fall.

At the start of the winding, an operator is in the basement to take the end of the tape arriving through the feed chute, and engage it on the fastening member of the mandrel. This can be rotated around its axis but is obviously stopped during this operation.

When the fall is engaged on the mandrel, the operator moves away from the machine and closes a cage which surrounds it. He can then, being himself sheltered, control the rotation of the mandrel on which the fall is wound in the form of an elongated ribbon. A coil is thus formed on the mandrel in the space limited by the two side walls and, during winding, a compacting roller parallel to the mandrel can be applied to the coil so as to control the formation thereof.

The rotation of the mandrel is controlled by a geared motor unit placed on the side of the winding space whose side wall placed on this side is provided with an orifice traversed by the mandrel which extends door-to-door. false, in the winding position, to the other wall. The winding space is provided on a movable frame parallel to the axis of the mandrel.

When the coil is formed, the movement of the winding space which drives the coil is controlled and the mandrel is withdrawn therefrom, by axial sliding, to an ejection position for which the coil, thus released, can fall on an inclined plane which discharges it. An ejection arm can optionally push the reel in the event of it being trapped between the side walls of the winding space.

All these operations would not be dangerous if they were always carried out as just described, the operator only approaching the machine when the chuck is stopped. However, experience shows that safety rules are not always followed and that accidents can occur.

The subject of the invention is a new method and an improved machine making it possible to carry out all the operations automatically without manual intervention, the operator being at all times away from the machine.

According to the invention, the mandrel being stopped and placed in an intermediate starting position between the ejection position and the reel winding position, a certain quantity of ribbon is first allowed to accumulate until formation a tangled bundle near the mandrel; said package is then applied against the mandrel and the latter is made to slide into the winding position so that the latching member engages on the entangled package, the mandrel then being rotated for the winding of the coil.

The improved winding machine according to the invention is characterized in that the means for controlling the axial displacement of the mandrel relative to the winding space are capable of placing the mandrel in an intermediate starting position between the winding position and the reel ejection position, the latching member being, in this intermediate position, offset from the center of the winding space on the side of the wall traversed by the mandrel and the installation comprises a member for accumulating a length of cardboard before winding until a tangled bundle is formed near the mandrel and means for applying said tangled bundle against the mandrel in the starting position, the member d hooking engaging on said tangled packet when passing from the starting position to the winding position, the mandrel being stopped in the starting position and driven in rotation in the winding position.

• La figure 1 est une vue schématique, en élévation, de l'ensemble d'une installation perfectionnée selon l'invention.
• La figure 2 est une vue de côté de la machine de bobinage.
• La figure 3 est une vue de face du support du mandrin, selon ill-III figure 2.
• Les figures 4,5 et 6 représentent schématiquement en coupe transversale les positions des organes principaux de la machine pendant les différentes phases du procédé, les figures 4a, 5a et 6a représentant respectivement les positions du mandrin pendant ces différentes phases.

The invention will now be described with reference to a particular embodiment, given by way of nonlimiting example and shown in the accompanying drawings.

• Figure 1 is a schematic view, in elevation, of an entire installation improved according to the invention.
• Figure 2 is a side view of the winding machine.
• Figure 3 is a front view of the mandrel support, according to ill-III Figure 2.
• Figures 4,5 and 6 schematically show in cross section the positions of the main organs of the machine during the different phases of the process, Figures 4a, 5a and 6a respectively representing the positions of the mandrel during these different phases.

In Figure 1, there is shown schematically the assembly 2 of the installation.

On the floor 1 of the workshop is arranged a slitting or shearing installation of the edges of a sheet 30 of which only the end has been shown; each fall 3 which must be recovered is in the form of an elongated ribbon. The chute 3 falls through an orifice 10, formed in the floor 1 at the end of the machine 2, in a chute 4 which guides it to the winding machine. The frame 5 thereof consists essentially of two uprights 51 and 52 spaced from one another and connected together for example by sections 53, the assembly thus forming a rigid cage delimiting a space 6 to the inside of which the ribbon 3 will be wound.

The space 6 is traversed by a mandrel 7 which consists of a rod passing through orifices 54-55 formed in the uprights 51 and 52 and especially in the internal walls of the uprights, respectively 56-57 which are perpendicular to the axis of the rod 7 and limit the winding space 6.

The mandrel 7 is mounted in cantilever, and rotatably about its longitudinal axis, on a support 8 placed on the outside of the upright 51, that is to say on the side opposite the space 6 by compared to the amounts. The support 8 is movable parallel to the axis of the mandrel 7 and, for this purpose, it can consist for example of a carriage mounted on rollers 81 rolling on rails 82 parallel to the longitudinal axis of the mandrel. The movement of the carriage 8 can be controlled by any means, for example by means of a jack 83 the body of which bears on the fixed base and the end of the rod of which is articulated at a point on the carriage 8.

The mandrel 7 is driven in rotation about its axis by a geared motor group 84 comprising a clutch and a brake which make it possible to control the rotation of the mandrel as required.

The arrangements which have just been described are well known and do not require further development.

In known machines, the mandrel can take two positions. First of all for winding, the mandrel is placed in the position shown in FIG. 2 where it extends between the two uprights 51 and 52. It is provided on its wall with a hooking member on which manually engages the end of the chute 3, the mandrel being stopped. When the end of the ribbon is engaged, the mandrel is rotated until it forms a boot or coil 9. At the end of the winding, the support 8 is brought back so that the end of the mandrel found at the height of the upright 51, clearing the space 6. The coil 9 then falls on an inclined plane which discharges it.

According to an essential characteristic of the invention, the jack 83 will give the support 8 an intermediate position between the winding position and the reel ejection position.

In Figures 4a, 5a, and 6a, there are shown the three positions of the mandrel corresponding to the different phases of the process, Figures 4, 5, 6 giving the positions of the essential organs of the improved machine according to the invention.

Indeed, as seen in these figures, according to the invention, the chute 4 is extended at its end by a member 11 in the form of a spoon consisting essentially of a bottom 11 framed by two side walls 12 which, in the position represented in FIG. 1, constitute a trough section coming to be placed in the extension of the trough 4, and whose end 13 passes below the mandrel 7 and is curved in the form of a cylindrical sector of axis parallel to that of the mandrel and partially surrounding it. The spoon 11 is articulated on an axis 14 and a jack 15 makes it possible to rotate it around this axis so as to take the positions shown in FIGS. 4,5 and 6.

To allow the spoon 11 to rotate, the inclined plane on which the coil 9 is discharged after its completion consists of a flap 21 which is articulated on an axis 22 and the rotation of which around this axis is controlled by a jack 23 which allows either to place the flap 21 in the high position below the mandrel 7 and the coil 9 when the spoon 11 is folded down as shown in FIG. 6, or to fold it down to allow the passage of the spoon 11, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5.

Finally, the frame 5 is provided, in known manner, with a compacting roller 24 mounted at the end of an arm articulated on the frame 5 and making it possible to control the formation of the coil 9, and of an ejector arm 26 which pushes the coil when, for example, it is wedged between the walls 56 and 57 and does not fall by itself on the inclined plane 21 when the mandrel is withdrawn at the end of the winding. The arm 25 of the compacting roller and the ejection arm 26 can be advantageously mounted on the spacers 53 connecting the two uprights 51 and 52 of the frame 5. Their movements can be controlled by jacks bearing on the same frame and which we did not consider useful to represent on the drawing since they are known arrangements.

The different phases of the process according to the invention are shown diagrammatically in FIGS. 4, 5 and 6.

Figures 4 and 4a show the start-up phase. In this phase, the flap 21 is folded down and the spoon is raised so that the bottom 11 is in the extension of the chute 4 and that its end 13 surrounds the mandrel 7 at a certain distance from it. Therefore, the ribbon-shaped drop 3 which flows into the chute 4 can accumulate in the end 13 of the spoon which retains it. The chute 4 is made of smooth sheet metal so as to avoid catching the falls on any roughness. It starts from the level of the floor 1 in front of the edge shears 2 and descends along a slope sufficient to ensure the good clearance of the edges at start-up and during winding. To this end, it may be advantageous to install the chute 4 on elastic pads 41 allowing its vibration.

Furthermore, as shown diagrammatically in FIG. 4a, the width of the chute 4 decreases and its side walls approach the upright 52, the spoon 11 being itself placed in the extension of the chute 4 that is i.e. offset towards the upright 52 with respect to the center of the winding space 6. It thus forms below the mandrel and on the side of the upright 52 in which the cantilevered end engages of the mandrel, a packet of scraps which become entangled in the end 13 of the spoon 11. In the intermediate position which is shown in FIG. 4a, the device for hooking the scraps formed on the mandrel is shifted towards the amount 51 with respect to the center of the space 6. As shown in FIG. 1, it is advantageous to give the end of the mandrel a triangular section so as to provide three hollowed out parts in which three pins will be placed 71 constituting attachment members. In the position in FIG. 4a, the pins 71 are offset towards the upright 51 and the drops accumulate in the end of the spoon 13, on the side of the upright 52.

When scraps have thus accumulated to form an entangled pack, a slight lifting of the spoon 11 is controlled by means of the jack 15, the end 13 of which applies the entangled pack against the part of the mandrel 7 having a triangular section.

The advancement of the mandrel to the winding position is then controlled by means of the jack 83, the end of the mandrel advantageously being centered in a tailstock 58 placed on the outer wall of the upright 52. In this position, the pins 71 have arrived near the wall 57 and, during their movement, have become caught in the bundle of entangled ribbons applied against the mandrel.

The spoon 11 being held in this position of application against the mandrel, the compacting roller 24 is lowered and at the same time the rotation of the mandrel is controlled around its axis. The ribbon being properly engaged on the fastening members, a coil begins to form. It is then possible, by means of the jack 15, to lower the spoon 11 to the position shown in FIG. 6 so as to allow the coil to be wound between the two walls 56 and 57 and the compacting roller 24.

As soon as the spoon 11 is lowered, the jack 23 can command the raising of the table 21 which is placed under the mandrel 7. When the reel has been wound up or when the spool has reached its maximum dimension, the mandrel is stopped and is moved back to its ejection position as shown in FIG. 6a; the coil 9 which has just been wound then falls on the table 21, the arm 26 possibly promoting this ejection.

It appears that all the operations were carried out without any manual intervention. To increase the safety of the installation, it is advantageous to move the operator away from the machine by placing it for example on the floor 1 from where he can remotely monitor and control the operations by observing the machine for example through an orifice 15 formed in the floor 1 or, preferably, on a television screen connected to one or more cameras 16 placed judiciously so as to observe the essential organs of the machine during all the phases of the process.

Thanks to the arrangements which have just been described, the winding is thus carried out automatically under the best safety conditions.

It is obvious that the arrangements which have just been described could be subject to variants and that the invention is not limited solely to the embodiment which has been shown by way of example.

Claims (8)

1. Process for coiling discharged sheared sheetmetal articles in the form of elongate strips, according to which the end of the strip (3) is engaged on a mandrel (7) provided with a hooking member (71) and driven to rotate about its axis for the formation of a coil (9) on the mandrel (7) and between two walls (56, 57) located at the ends of the latter perpendicularly to its axis, the coil (9) thus formed being removed as a result of the sliding of the mandrel (7) along its axis towards one of the walls (56) up to a retracted position for release of the coil (9), characterised in that, the mandrel (7) being stopped and placed in an intermediate starting position between the ejection position and the winding position, a certain quantity of strip (3) is first allowed to accumulate until an entangled bundle (31) forms in the vicinity of the mandrel, the said bundle (31) is then applied against the mandrel (7), and the latter is made to slide into the winding position in such a way that the hooking member (71) engages on the entangled bundle (31), the mandrel (7) being driven to rotate for the winding of the coil (9).

2. Machine for coiling discharged metal articles in the form of an elongate strip (3), incorporating a mandrel consisting of a rod (7) provided with a member (71) for hooking the strip, two lateral walls (56, 57) spaced apart from one another and perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the mandrel (7) and forming between them a winding space (6), the mandrel (7) passing into an orifice(54) made in one of the lateral walls (56) and extending in an overhanging arrangement, in the position for winding a coil (9), up to the other lateral wall (57), and means for controlling the displacement of the mandrel (7) in relation to the winding space (6) parallel to its longitudinal axis between the winding position and a position for ejection of the coil, in which the mandrel (7) is located at a distance from the other side of the lateral wall (56), characterised in that the means for controlling the axial displacement of the mandrel (7) in relation to the winding space (6) are capable of placing the mandrel in an intermediate starting position between the winding position and the position for ejection of the coil (9), the hooking member (71) being arranged, in this intermediate position, offset in relation to the centre of the winding space on the same side as the wall (56) through which the mandrel (7) passes, and in that the installation incorporates a member (11) for accumulating a certain length of discharged article before coiling, until an entangled bundle (31) is formed in the vicinity of the mandrel (7), and means (15) for applying the said entangled bundle (31) against the mandrel (7), in the starting position, the hooking member (71) engaging on the said entangled bundle (31) during passage from the starting position to the winding position, the mandrel (7) being stopped in the starting position and being driven to rotate in the winding position.

3. Coiling machine according to Claim 2, characterised in that the means for controlling the axial displacement of the mandrel (7) incorporate a carriage-shaped support (8) which is displaceable on rails parallel to the longitudinal axis of the mandrel and on which the latter is mounted in an overhanging arrangement, and a jack (83), one element of which bears on the support (8) and the other on a fixed base.

4. Coiling machine according to Claim 2, characterised in that, the discharged articles being brought into the vicinity of the mandrel (7) by means of a chute (4) substantially perpendicular to the axis of the latter, the accumulation member takes the form of a spoon (11) located in the prolongation of the chute and ending, below and beyond the mandrel, in an end (13) which is raised substantially in the form of a cylinder having an axis parallel to that of the mandrel and in which the start of the strip accumulates to form the entangled bundle (31).

5. Coiling machine according to Claim 4, characterised in that the accumulation spoon (11) is articulated about an axis (14) parallel to that of the mandrel (7) and located, in relation to this axis, on the same side as the chute (4), and in that the installation incorporates means (15) for controlling the rotation of the said spoon abaout its axis towards the mandrel so as to apply the entangled bundle (31) against the latter, and in the opposite direction up to a position located at a distance from the mandrel (7) for the removal of the coil (9).

6. Coiling machine according to Claim 4, characterised in that the accumulation spoon (11) is offset in relation to the centre of the winding space towards the lateral wall (57) on the side opposite the support (8) of the mandrel, and in that the chute (4) for delivering the discharged articles narrows progressively towards the same side.

7. Coiling machine according to Claim 5, characterised in that it incorporates an inclined table comprising a movable flap (21) which is capable of coming underneath the mandrel in the position of removal of the coils (9) and of being retracted to allow the accumulation spoon (11) to pass into the position for starting and winding the coil.

8. Coiling machine according to one of Claims 2 to 7, characterised in that it incorporates at least one television camera (16) directed onto the main elements and connected to a cathode- ray monitoring screen, and means for the remote control of the operations.

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