EP2380676A1 - Method for operating a bending machine with movable straightening unit - Google Patents

Abstract

The method involves plastically deforming bending goods i.e. tubular bending goods (5), at a bending station of a bending machine by bending units (6a-6c) in a meander-shaped manner. A part of the bending units is moved towards the bending station between a working position (AP1) in which the bending goods are moved before deformation, and another working position in which the bending goods are released after the deformation. The bending goods are aligned by an aligning unit (3) of the machine while the aligning unit is moved away from the bending station or towards the bending station.

Description

The invention relates to a method for operating a bending machine, wherein a fed Biegegut, in particular tubular Biegegut, is directed with a straightening unit of the bending machine and is meandered plastically deformed at a bending station of the bending machine with a plurality of bending units,

wherein at least a part of the bending units at the bending station repeatedly moves between a first working position in which the bending material is gripped before deformation, and a second working position in which the bending material is released after deformation.

For example, for the construction of solar modules for hot water, for heaters or heatsinks or other heat exchanger applications meandering bent tubes are needed.

For meandering plastic deformation of pipes or other Biegegut the Biegegut is typically initially unwound from a wound stock ("coil") of a supply reel (reel). The Biegegut has after unwinding a considerable curvature, which must first be eliminated. The removal of this curvature is referred to as "straightening" and typically involves a process of flexing along the flexure in two orthogonal directions.

The directional (non-curved, straight) Biegegut is then subjected to the actual bending process. In this case, the Biegegut is usually taken with three bending units (bending heads), and at least a portion of the bending heads moves with the Biegegut, so that the Biegegut is plastically deformed. The bending heads alternate between a first working position in which the straight Biegegut is taken, and a second working position in which the deformed Biegegut is released, back and forth.

Known bending machines comprise a stationary straightener and a bending station, wherein the bending material is guided by the straightener in the bending station. When moving the bending units in the bending station from the first working position to the second working position, the bending material is pulled through the straightening unit; This movement of the bending material is used to carry out the straightening process on the bending material.

In order for the straightening process to be carried out properly, the bending material must only pass the straightener at a relatively low speed. The speed with which the bending units move from the first working position to the second working position is correspondingly to the requirements set the straightening process. The straightening process therefore determines the cycle time in meandering plastic deformation of bending material in known bending machines.

Object of the invention

The invention has for its object to increase the cycle time in the meandering plastic deformation of Biegegut.

Brief description of the invention

This object is achieved by a method of the type mentioned above, which is characterized in that with the straightening unit Biegegut is directed, while the straightening unit will move away from the bending station or on the bending station.

According to the present invention, the relative movement of the material to be bent and the straightening unit required for the straightening process is decoupled from the (absolute) advancement of the material to be bent, which is predetermined at the bending station in the course of the bending process. Characterized in that the straightening unit is movable relative to the bending station or along and against the normal feed direction of the Biegeguts, the relative movement between Biegegut and straightening unit on the travel speed of the straightening unit can be influenced. Thus, times that were previously inaccessible to a straightening process can be used for a straightening process. According to the invention, the straightening process can be partially or completely shifted to times other than the bending process.

According to the invention, in particular times without (absolute) feed of bending material ("non-productive times", for example times of clamping processes or threading-in and threading-out processes) can be used for a straightening process in which the Straightening unit applies the required relative speed by its own process.

Furthermore, even times in which a very fast (absolute) feed of bending material takes place can be used for a straightening process in that the straightening unit moves in the same direction as the bending material, so that the relative speed is reduced and thus a straightening process is made possible. As a result, straightening can take place simultaneously during a fast bending process ("main time parallel").

Since the bending process does not have to be tuned to the straightening process, the bending process can proceed much faster than with known bending machines or known operating methods. The speed of the bending process is essentially limited only by the drive of the bending units. As a result, the cycle time can be shortened considerably.

The invention can be used to deform Biegegut different types, in particular tubular Biegegut or rod-shaped (full material) Biegegut. Tubular Biegegut typically has a circular cross-section; but there are also other pipe profiles, such as oval or square pipe profiles possible. The Biegegut is typically unwound from a supply reel (reel), usually via a dancer.

Preferred variants of the invention

Particularly advantageous is a variant of the operating method according to the invention, which provides that is directed during the return movement of the bending units at the bending station from the second working position to the first working position with the moving straightening unit Biegegut, in particular, wherein the straightening unit is moved away from the bending station. The retraction of the bending units requires considerable time, which can be used for straightening, so that less (or no) bending time needs to be used for straightening. During the return movement of the bending units is usually no (absolute) feed of the Biegeguts. By directing in the wayward movement from the bending station, directional bending stock is first made available where it is needed next.

Equally advantageous is a method variant in which bending material is directed with the moving straightening unit, while at least part of the bending units is currently in a clamping process, threading process, Entklemmprozess or Ausfädelprozess with respect to the Biegeguts, in particular with the straightening unit is moved away from the bending station. These processes also take considerable time, which can be used for judging. A straightening with the moving straightening unit can also take place during further processes on the bending machine, in which no transport (feed) of bending material takes place, for example during a calibration of pipe ends.

A preferred variant of the method provides that the material to be bent is held clamped between the bending station and the straightening unit, in particular with a separating unit or a notching unit, while bending goods are directed with the moving straightening unit. By clamping the bending units are mechanically relieved at the bending station. In addition, the notch and separation units can also be used in straightening in this variant.

Particularly preferred is a variant of the method in which the bending material rests relative to the bending station at least during a part of the time in which the moving straightening unit is oriented. This will create new times for the Straightening process opens, and the cycle time for the production of meandering deformed Biegegut is considerably shortened.

Also advantageous is a method variant in which during the bending process, in which the bending units move from the first working position to the second working position, bending material is directed with the moving straightening unit, in particular wherein the straightening unit is to be moved to the bending station. In the bending process, the bending material is preferably used by the bending station at high speed; by the movement of the straightening unit to the bending station (ie in the direction of the feed of the Biegeguts), the relative speed of Biegegut and straightening unit can be reduced so far that a main time-parallel straightening process is possible.

The scope of the present invention also includes a bending machine for the meandering plastic deformation of bending material, comprising a straightening unit and a bending station with a plurality of bending units, in particular wherein at least a part of the bending units at the bending station between a first working position, in which the bending material before deformation can be taken, and a second working position in which the bending material can be released after deformation, is movable, which is characterized in that the straightening unit is formed on the bending station to and from the bending station away movable. The movability of the straightening unit opens up the possibility of performing straightening processes independently of the advance of the bending material caused by the bending station. As a result, in particular, the bending process can be accelerated (in particular with a higher feed than the maximum relative straightening speed of the straightening unit).

In a preferred embodiment, the straightening unit is designed to be movable by a motor. Alternatively, other drive systems are possible. The straightening unit is moved synchronized to the preferably motor-driven bending units.

Advantageously, the bending machine has a guide on which the straightening unit can be moved to the bending station to and from the bending station, in particular wherein at least one of the bending units can also be moved on the guide. The guide simplifies the process of the straightening unit and possibly the bending unit. The guide typically runs straight.

An advantageous development of this embodiment provides that on the guide between bending station and straightening unit further a separation unit and a notching unit are arranged, which are each also designed to clamp the Biegeguts. The separating unit and the notching unit are typically also motor-driven. With the clamping function, the straightening process can be supported.

Also preferred is an embodiment in which a handling unit is provided, can be offset with the deformed Biegegut in the direction of the straightening unit away. The handling unit can, in particular, offset the bending material by a meander distance in order to allow the shaping of the next meander loop.

Finally, it is also within the scope of the present invention to use a bending machine according to the invention described above in an inventive operating method described above.

Further advantages of the invention will become apparent from the description and the drawings. Likewise, according to the invention, the features mentioned above and those which are still further can be used individually or separately several in any combination use find. The embodiments shown and described are not to be understood as exhaustive enumeration, but rather have exemplary character for the description of the invention.

Detailed description of the invention and drawing

Fig. 1a - Fig. 1i

den Ablauf eines erfindungsgemäßen Betriebsverfahrens an einer schematisch dargestellten erfindungsgemäßen Biegemaschine mit verfahrbarer Richteinheit.

The invention is illustrated in the drawing and will be explained in more detail with reference to embodiments. Show it:

Fig. 1a - Fig. 1i

the sequence of an operating method according to the invention to a schematically illustrated bending machine according to the invention with a movable straightening unit.

In the FIGS. 1a to 1i the sequence of an operating method according to the invention for operating a bending machine according to the invention is illustrated by way of example.

As in particular in Fig. 1a As can be seen, the bending machine 1 has a bending station 2 and a straightening unit 3.

The straightening unit 3 is mounted on a straight guide 4 (in Fig. 1 a) to the left and right, ie to the bending station 2 to and from this away, movable (this direction is also referred to as x-direction). Parallel to the guide 4 and a Biegegut 5, such as copper pipe, out. The Biegegut 5 is on the in Fig. 1a provided on the right side of a coil (not shown) and supplied by the straightening unit 3 of the bending station 2.

The bending station 2 has (here) three bending units (bending heads) 6a, 6b, 6c. The left bending unit 6a is stationary here, the right bending unit 6b is movable on the guide 4. The middle bending unit 6 c is in a vertical plane (in the plane of FIG Fig. 1a, xz plane; x, y, z form an orthogonal system). The bending units 6a, 6b, 6c can each take bending material 5 during a bending process (see below).

On the guide 4, a separation unit 8 and a notching unit 9 are further movable, each of which can also clamp the Biegegut 5. Separating unit 8 and notching unit 9 are arranged between the bending station 2 and the straightening unit 3.

The movabilities of the bending units 6b, 6c, the separation unit 8, the notching unit 9 and the straightening unit 3 are arranged, for example, by NC motors.

In Fig. 1a is shown a starting position at the beginning of the production of a meandering body of the Biegegut 5; all units 6b, 6c, 8, 9, 3 have moved all the way to the left.

First of all, cf. Fig. 1b , the notching unit 9 (with open clamping) and the straightening unit 3 move at a directional speed (ie a speed at which the straightening process on the bending material 5 can still take place properly, this speed depends in particular on the material of the bending material 5) to the right; the straightening unit 3 directs the overrun bending material 5. The separation unit 8 has closed its clamping.

As soon as the notching unit 9 for a bending process is sufficiently far away from the bending station 2 ("in position"), cf. Fig . 1c , stops the notching unit 9 and closes its clamping. The straightening unit 3 continues to travel to the right at the directional speed and thereby directs the material to be bent 5. At the same time the bending units 6b and 6c move to the first working position AP1 in which they grip the bending material 5 at the beginning of a bending process; the bending units 6b, 6c can do so with their maximum (limited only by their drive) speed. The separation unit 8 has opened its clamp and simultaneously moves to the right to clear the way for the bending units 6b, 6c.

Subsequently, a first meander 10 is pulled up with the bending units 6a, 6b, 6c. In this case, the bending units 6b and 6c can move with their (limited only by their drive and the resistance of the Biegeguts 5 against the bending deformation) maximum speed, see. Fig. 1d , The bending units 6a, 6b, 6c finally reach the second working position AP2. Meanwhile, the separation unit 8 has closed its clamping and drives synchronously with the bending unit 6b. Bending material 5 (in Fig. 1d to the left) from the coil ("feed" of the Biegeguts 5).

During the bending operation, the clamping of the resting notching unit 9 is open. The straightening unit 3 typically travels to the left synchronously with the bending unit 6b (whereby no relative movement occurs between the bending stock 5 and the straightening unit 3) without straightening. Alternatively, it is possible to move with respect to the bending unit 6b and the separation unit 8 (or the feed of the bending material 5) reduced speed with the straightening unit 3 to the left, and then remaining relative movement between Biegegut 5 and straightening unit 3 for a main time parallel straightening a additional BGA section BGA; in this case, the movement of the straightening unit 3 ends, for example, further to the right, cf. the thinly drawn position 3 '.

Subsequently, at the bending units 6a, 6b, 6c, the first meander 10 is threaded (during this Ausfädelprozesses could already clamped again with the notching unit 9 and with the straightening unit 3 directing to the right be moved, not shown). The clamping of the separation unit 8 is then opened, and with a handling unit, not shown, the first meander 10 (and thus also the Biegegut 5 total) a meander distance MA moved to the left, see. Fig. 1e , The notching unit 9 (with closed clamping) and the straightening unit 3 are moved synchronously to the left.

Finally, when the clamping unit 8 is closed, the straightening unit 3 is straightened to the right with a directional speed at a straightening speed, cf. Fig. 1f , wherein the notching unit 9 is moved synchronously (with open clamping).

Then the production of a second meander is continued, cf. Fig. 1g (which processes analog Fig. 1c illustrated). As soon as the notching unit 9 is in position, the clamping on the notching unit 9 increases and the clamping on the separating unit 8 opens. The bending units 6b, 6c go at maximum speed back into the first working position AP1 and thread the Biegegut 5, and while the straightening unit 3 is directed to the right driving the Biegegut 5.

Subsequently, the second meander 11 is pulled, cf. Fig. 1h (which processes analog Fig. 1d illustrated). The clamping of the separating unit 8 closes, and the bending units 6b, 6c move at maximum speed to the second working position AP2, wherein the separating unit 8 moves synchronously with the bending unit 6b. The clamping of the notching unit 9 is open, and the straightening unit 3 either moves to the left without being directed synchronously with the bending unit 6b, or the straightening unit 3 moves to the left at a reduced speed in a judging manner, cf. Position 3 '.

Thereafter, a Ausfädeln again takes place at the bending units 6a, 6b, 6c (during which a straightening can take place again, not shown) and a displacement of the Biegeguts 5 including the already drawn meander 10, 11 by a meander distance MA to the left, cf. Fig. 1i (which processes analog Fig. 1e illustrated). Here, in turn, the clamping of the separation unit 8 is opened, the clamping of the notching unit 9 is closed, and notching unit 9 and 3 straightening unit synchronously to Biegegut. 5

The events of Fig. 1g to 1i are repeated until the desired number of meanders (Mäartderschlaufen) is made. Subsequently, the Biegegut 5 notched with the notching unit 9 and at the notch point with the separation unit 8 (which has two spreadable clamping points) are pulled apart.

In the method according to the invention, the straightening of the bent material takes place in parallel to the bending back of the bending units from the second to the first working position and during threading processes, as well as possibly during a bending process running at maximum speed. However, a maximum relative speed between Biegegut and straightening unit then limits the speed of the bending process, whereby the cycle time of meandering can be significantly reduced. In particular, when using Biegegut made of copper, such as copper pipes for solar modules, the maximum straightening speed is particularly slow, so that the decoupling of bending according to the invention from straightening allows a particularly strong reduction of cycle time.

Claims (12)

Method for operating a bending machine (1),
wherein a supplied Biegegut (5), in particular tubular Biegegut (5), with a straightening unit (3) of the bending machine (1) is directed and at a bending station (2) of the bending machine (1) with a plurality of bending units (6a-6c) meander-shaped plastic is deformed,
wherein at least a part of the bending units (6b, 6c) at the bending station (2) repeatedly between a first working position (AP1), in which the Biegegut (5) is taken before deformation, and a second working position (AP2), in which Biegegut (5) is released after deformation, moves,
characterized,
that with the straightening unit (3) Biegegut (5) is directed while the straightening unit (3) from the bending station (2) away or to the bending station (2) to proceed. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that
that is directed during retraction driving of the bending units (6b, 6c) at the bending station (2) from said second working position (AP2) in the first working position (AP1) with the moving straightening unit (3) Biegegut (5),
in particular, wherein the straightening unit (3) is moved away from the bending station (2). Method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized
that bending material (5) is directed with the moving straightening unit (3), while at least a part of the bending units (6a-6c) is in a clamping process, threading process, unclamping process or threading process with respect to the material to be bent (5),
in particular, wherein the straightening unit (3) away from the bending station (2) is moved. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the Biegegut (5) between the bending station (2) and straightening unit (3) is kept clamped, in particular with a separation unit (8) or a notching unit (9), while with the moving straightening unit (3) Biegegut (5) is directed. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least during a part of the time in which the moving straightening unit (3) Biegegut (5), the Biegegut (5) relative to the bending station (2) rests. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that during the bending process, in which the bending units (6b, 6c) move from the first working position (AP1) to the second working position (AP2), with the moving straightening unit (3) bending material ( 5), in particular wherein the straightening unit (3) is to be moved to the bending station (2). Bending machine (1) for the meandering plastic deformation of bending material (5),
comprising a straightening unit (3) and a bending station (2) with a plurality of bending units (6a-6c),
in particular wherein at least part of the bending units (6b, 6c) at the bending station (2) between a first working position (AP1), in which the Biegegut (5) can be grasped before deformation, and a second working position (AP2), in which the Biegegut (5) can be released after deformation, is movable,
characterized,
that the straightening unit (3) on the bending station (2) to and from the bending station (2) is formed movable away. Bending machine (1) according to claim 7, characterized in that the straightening unit (3) is designed to be movable by a motor. Bending machine (1) according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that the bending machine (1) has a guide (4) on which the straightening unit (3) on the bending station (2) to and from the bending station (2) is movable away , In particular wherein at least one of the bending units (6b) is also movable on the guide (4). Bending machine (1) according to claim 9, characterized in that on the guide (4) between the bending station (2) and straightening unit (3) further comprises a separation unit (8) and a notching unit (9) are arranged, each also for clamping the Biegeguts (5) are formed. Bending machine (1) according to one of claims 7 to 10, characterized in that a handling unit is provided, can be offset with the deformed Biegegut (5) in the direction of the straightening unit (3) away. Use of a bending machine (1) according to one of Claims 7 to 11 in a method according to one of Claims 1 to 6.

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