EP2763801B1 - Installation and method for continuously moulding longitudinally slotted pipes - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a system for the continuous shaping of longitudinally slotted tubes made of a flat material with roll stands arranged one behind the other in the system direction, each of which carries at least one roller, and a method for the continuous shaping of longitudinally slotted tubes made of a flat material, the flat material being successively guided past a plurality of roller arrangements and bent accordingly becomes.

For example from the DE 31 50 382 C2 A system and a method for continuously shaping longitudinally slotted tubes from a flat material are known, for which purpose the flat material is pre-bent in a U-shaped manner in a first roll stand by press rolls and then is finally formed by means of finish rolls arranged in a subsequent roll stand. They also show EP 0 976 468 B1 , which forms the basis for the preamble of the independent claims, and the EP 0 250 594 B2 Arrangements of this type, with the latter, however, only one roller being arranged one behind the other in the system direction per roller stand, each of which can be adjusted within certain limits along a contour, and the respective arrangement of the rollers varies from roller stand to roller stand. The first arrangement shows roll stands with two rolls arranged one behind the other in the system direction, which are freely supported on a roll carrier, so that they can follow a material movement within certain limits.

It is an object of the present invention to avoid any markings on the product as far as possible.

Plants with the features of claims 1 and 4 and methods with the features of claims 5 to 8 are proposed as a solution. Further advantageous configurations can be found in the following description and in the subclaims. The invention is based on the fundamental finding that the task can be followed in a targeted manner by stabilizing the rollers.

As a solution, a system is proposed for the continuous shaping of longitudinally slotted tubes from a flat material with mill stands arranged one behind the other and each carrying at least one roll, the system being characterized in that at least one of the roll stands has a roll carrier which carries at least three rollers arranged one behind the other in the system direction and is freely supported on the roll stand carrying the roller carrier via roller adjustment means with a degree of freedom of rotation parallel to at least one roller axis of a roller carried by the roller carrier and / or perpendicular to the material running direction. This makes it possible to distribute the local contact pressure of the rollers carried by the roller carrier or the rollers successively acting on the flat material as evenly as possible over the flat material and in particular to significantly reduce instabilities. In particular, compared to the system according to EP 0 976 468 B1 Force peaks caused by vibrations and similar instabilities and any markings on the product should be avoided. It has been found that by three or more rollers, which are arranged on a freely standing roll carrier, or by three or more freely standing rolls, any waves or other irregularities in the material to be formed can be found in the material to be formed are not further reinforced, since two of the rollers stabilize themselves and the third of the rollers when the third roller encounters such a shaft or some other irregularity.

In particular, it is advantageous if the roll carrier is freely mounted on the roll stand with regard to the aforementioned degree of freedom of rotation. Accordingly, it is advantageous if the three rollers which successively act on the flat material can freely position themselves relative to one another. In this way, the rolling force can be distributed as evenly as possible over the two rollers, so that the force applied by one of the two rollers to the flat material can be minimized, which accordingly minimizes the risk of markings.

Free positioning or free storage can take place, for example, by a rocker-like mounting of the roller carrier or by means of hydraulic mounting in the form of a hydraulic balance.

Accordingly, it is advantageous if the two successively acting rollers are guided together, since in this way they can be adjusted relatively freely relative to one another.

In this context it should be emphasized that the term “rolling stand” is understood to mean arrangements which absorb the rolling forces and counteract them in such a way that the roller positions are held to a predetermined extent during the rolling become. In this case, the rolling forces can be introduced into the building surrounding the plant on the one hand, or preferably neutralized via appropriately ring-shaped or otherwise closed rolling stands.

With the above-mentioned solution, the possibility of free adjustment of the roller carriers means that the axes of the two rollers are rigidly connected to one another, but that force differences can be compensated for by the free adjustability, so that the rolling forces of these two rollers are averaged and thus introduced into the roller stand without torque become.

Accordingly, a method for continuously forming longitudinally slotted tubes from a flat material is also proposed, the flat material being successively guided past a plurality of roller arrangements and being bent accordingly, and the method being distinguished, inter alia, by the fact that the rolling forces are averaged by at least three rollers acting successively on the flat material are introduced into the roll stand and / or three successively acting rolls are carried by a common roll carrier, which stands freely.

In deviation from the prior art, in which relatively large roller diameters have to be used in order not to allow the rolling forces to act on the flat material too selectively and thus to avoid markings on the product, the arrangement of three or more rollers on a roller carrier or by means of averaged rolling forces introduced into the roll stand, smaller rolls are arranged closely one behind the other so that their local load ultimately puts less strain on the flat material than would be possible with large rolls, for which the existing cross-sectional area is naturally quickly filled in terms of space. In particular, it is also possible to reduce the risk of vibrations and similar instabilities. The overdetermination, which initially seems to be apparent, contributes so significantly to an increase in smoothness that markings can be avoided very effectively.

Preferably, the two rollers acting successively on the flat material are jointed together, so that they behave essentially like a roller.

Furthermore, it should be explained in this context that in the present case the term “system direction” denotes the average direction of flow of the material through the system. Here, the plant direction is perpendicular to the transverse direction, which is essentially defined by cross-sections of the flat material running through the plant at the same time. Accordingly, the term "one behind the other in the system direction" denotes an arrangement which is successively passed through by a cross section of the flat material.

Not averaged but locally in each case, such a system also has a material running direction, which is locally defined by the movement of a point of the flat material. Apart from natural oscillations or uneven running that occur with such rolling processes, the material direction remains constant at one point in the system when the system has run in.

The three rollers carried by the roller carrier are preferably arranged one behind the other in the material running direction, so that at least one material point of the flat material which touches a first of the two rollers arranged one behind the other in the machine direction also touches the second of the two rollers arranged one behind the other in the machine direction. However, this contact does not necessarily have to take place at the same axial height of the two rollers, so that the carrier can easily be crooked in relation to the material running direction. In this way, the rolling force that is applied via the common roller carrier can be distributed even further in the flat material.

It has been found here that a roll carrier should not carry more than ten rolls arranged one behind the other in the system direction, or that the rolling forces of no more than ten rolls acting successively on the flat material are averaged into the roll stand and / or no more than ten successively acting Rollers should line up freely, otherwise the advantages of free roll adjustment or the corresponding averaging will no longer be felt.

The risk of markings can also be reduced by the fact that the roller carrier is arranged on the roller stand carrying the roller carrier by means of roller adjustment means with a degree of freedom of rotation perpendicular to a roller axis of a roller carried by it and / or parallel to the material direction of the roller belonging to this roller axis. In this way, the rollers arranged on the roller carrier can be set as optimally as possible with respect to the local curvature of the flat material in the transverse direction, in order to likewise ensure the most uniform possible force distribution.

The latter can be implemented very easily in terms of process engineering if the roller carrier is perpendicular to a roller axis of a roller carried by the roller carrier and / or parallel to the direction of material movement in relation to a degree of freedom of rotation this roll axis are freely supported on the roll stand carrying the roll support. As a result of this free mounting, the roller carrier can position itself in such a way that forces acting on the rollers in cross-section are minimized, which ultimately also results in a minimization of the local forces and consequently a corresponding reduction in markings. It goes without saying that this embodiment can also be used, regardless of the use of a roller carrier, to ensure that a roller independently positions itself as gently as possible with respect to the cross section of the flat material.

Accordingly, a system for the continuous shaping of longitudinally slotted tubes from a flat material with rolling stands arranged one behind the other in the system direction, each of which carries at least one roller, is advantageous, in which at least one of the rollers via roller adjustment means with a degree of freedom of rotation perpendicular to a roller axis and / or parallel to the material running direction of the belonging to this roller axis or parallel to the material running direction of a roller carried by the roller carrier is freely supported on the roll stand carrying the roller.

Likewise, a method for the continuous shaping of longitudinally slotted tubes from a flat material is advantageous as a solution, the flat material being successively guided past several roller arrangements and being bent accordingly, and the method being characterized in that at least one roller is perpendicular to its roller axis and / or parallel to the material running direction this roller freely follows the respective rolling forces.

Overall, the free adjustability with a suitable design of the overall system also has the advantage that the system is relatively easy to set up or adjust, since the free adjustability means that there are angular deviations due to the relatively complex deformations of the workpiece for the continuous shaping of longitudinally slotted tubes between the workpiece and Rolling when changing the setting or setting itself is almost unavoidable with rigid guidance, due to the free adjustability within corresponding limits compensate automatically. This advantage already follows in the case of free adjustability only in one dimension, a combination of the free adjustability perpendicular and parallel to the roller axis or perpendicular and parallel to the material running direction, as described above, being correspondingly cumulatively advantageous.

The above-mentioned degrees of freedom of rotation can be provided by suitable guides or by rotating or ball joints of the system. It is usually easier to implement in terms of mechanical engineering if the two degrees of freedom of rotation mentioned above are each represented in a separate guide device or in a separate swivel joint. This is done in a structurally particularly simple manner by means of swivel joints with annular bearing surfaces, which can be realized, for example, by means of a joint pin which is inserted into a fork and which carries a joint head of the movable assembly. The structural simplicity, however, has the disadvantage - depending on the specific circumstances - that the axis of rotation can also be found coaxially with the hinge pin. Suitable guides offer greater freedom, such as linear guides with curved running surfaces. Such arrangements make it possible to realize much more complex movements of the respective assemblies relative to one another, so that in particular the axis of rotation can also be chosen more freely and - in the case of more complex movements - can also be selected to be displaceable depending on the position of the assemblies which are movable relative to one another.

In this context, it should be emphasized that, from a structural point of view, both rolling and plain bearings of any kind can be used as suitable bearings.

Depending on the position of the axis of rotation of the above-mentioned degrees of freedom of rotation, the overall arrangement can be in an unstable equilibrium position with respect to the swivel joint or the guide, so that, particularly with high rolling forces, there is a risk that the arrangement at the height of the guide or at the height of the swivel joint breaks out, which can be triggered, for example, by process-inherent vibrations or the like. To minimize this risk, on the one hand the rolls can be chosen to be wider than their half diameter, in particular even wider than their diameter. The implementation of such wide rollers is in itself diametrically opposed to the efforts of the prior art to use rollers with the largest possible diameters in order to avoid or minimize markings, and is in direct accordance with the solution mentioned at the outset, the rolling forces to several smaller ones distribute rollers, if necessary arranged one behind the other. Such wide rollers also make it easier to arrange the rollers one behind the other in the direction of material travel and to allow an offset.

As a further measure to counteract such an unstable situation, the roller adjustment means can have, at least in an adjustment position, an axis of rotation which is shown in an adjustment position of the roller adjustment means with respect to the degrees of freedom of rotation from the perspective of the corresponding roller beyond the flat material. As a result, the roller stabilizes itself, so that unrest in the process can ultimately be countered by the roller in a stable manner.

It goes without saying that a rotation axis depicted in this way and the above-mentioned diameter-length ratio of the rolls also independently of the other features of the present invention for a system or for a method for the continuous shaping of longitudinally slotted tubes made of a flat material with rolling stands arranged one behind the other in the system direction , each of which carries at least one roller, or which are advantageous with a correspondingly curved flat material which is successively passed past a plurality of roller arrangements.

Accordingly, it is also advantageous if the roll, perpendicular to its roll axis and parallel to the material running direction of this roll, follows the respective rolling forces at least in a set-up position with a rotation axis shown from the view of the corresponding roll beyond the flat material.

In particular in the case of a roller which acts successively on the flat material, the two rollers are preferably guided in at least one setting position with an axis of rotation shown beyond the flat material from the perspective of the two successively acting rollers in order to realize the advantages explained above.

It goes without saying that, from the point of view of the roller beyond the flat material, a rotation axis does not necessarily have to be provided in all of the positions of adjustment and not necessarily with respect to both of the above-mentioned degrees of freedom of rotation. This depends in particular on the other process parameters, such as the rolling forces, the geometries of the rolls and the expected uneven running.

In order to increase the smooth running and in particular also to increase the stability in the case of freely adjusting rollers or roller carriers, a spring arrangement or a corresponding suspension of the roller adjusting means can be provided in the direction of movement, so that the rollers or roller carriers always strive for a zero position. In particular, mechanical suspensions of any kind can be used for this. However, hydraulic or pneumatic spring devices are also conceivable accordingly. In this way, in particular when changing the flat material, it can be ensured in a relatively simple manner that new flat material can easily run into the system.

It goes without saying that the features of the solutions described above or in the claims can also be combined, if appropriate, in order to be able to implement the advantages in a correspondingly cumulative manner.

Figur 1

eine perspektivische Schemaansicht einer ersten Anlage zum kontinuierlichen Einformen längsgeschlitzter Rohre;

Figur 2

eine perspektivische Schemaansicht einer zweiten Anlage zum kontinuierlichen Einformen längsgeschlitzter Rohre;

Figur 3

eine perspektivische Schemaansicht einer dritten Anlage zum kontinuierlichen Einformen längsgeschlitzter Rohre;

Figur 4

eine perspektivische Ansicht eines ersten Walzenträgers, der in den vorgenannten Anlagen zur Anwendung kommen kann;

Figur 5

den Walzenträger nach Figur 4 in einer Frontansicht;

Figur 6

den Walzenträger nach Figuren 4 und 5 in einer Seitenansicht;

Figur 7

den Walzenträger nach Figuren 4 bis 6 in einer weiteren Seitenansicht;

Figur 8

einen weiteren Walzenträger, der in einer der vorgenannten Anlagen zur Anwendung kommen kann, in einer Frontansicht;

Figur 9

den Walzenträger nach Figur 8 in einer perspektivischen Darstellung ähnlich Figur 4;

Figur 10

den Walzenträger nach Figuren 8 und 9 in einer ersten Explosionsdarstellung;;

Figur 11

den Walzenträger nach Figuren 8 bis 10 in einer weiteren Explosionsdarstellung;

Figur 12

eine perspektivische Ansicht eines weiteren Walzenträgers, der in einer der vorgenannten Anlagen zur Anwendung kommen kann;

Figur 13

den Walzenträger nach Figur 12 in einer weiteren perspektivischen Ansicht;

Figur 14

den Walzenträger nach Figuren 12 und 13 in einer Seitenansicht; und

Figur 15

den Walzenträger nach Figuren 12 bis 14 in einer Explosionsdarstellung.

Further advantages, aims and properties of the present invention are explained on the basis of the following description of exemplary embodiments, which are also shown in particular in the attached drawing. The drawing shows:

Figure 1

a perspective schematic view of a first system for the continuous molding of longitudinally slotted tubes;

Figure 2

a perspective schematic view of a second system for continuously molding longitudinally slotted tubes;

Figure 3

a perspective schematic view of a third system for the continuous molding of longitudinally slotted tubes;

Figure 4

a perspective view of a first roller carrier that can be used in the aforementioned systems;

Figure 5

the roller carrier Figure 4 in a front view;

Figure 6

the roller carrier Figures 4 and 5 in a side view;

Figure 7

the roller carrier Figures 4 to 6 in a further side view;

Figure 8

a further roller carrier, which can be used in one of the aforementioned systems, in a front view;

Figure 9

the roller carrier Figure 8 similar in a perspective view Figure 4 ;

Figure 10

the roller carrier Figures 8 and 9 in a first exploded view ;;

Figure 11

the roller carrier Figures 8 to 10 in another exploded view;

Figure 12

a perspective view of another roller carrier that can be used in one of the aforementioned systems;

Figure 13

the roller carrier Figure 12 in a further perspective view;

Figure 14

the roller carrier Figures 12 and 13 in a side view; and

Figure 15

the roller carrier Figures 12 to 14 in an exploded view.

In the Figures 1 to 3 Plants shown for the continuous shaping of longitudinally slotted tubes 10 from a flat material 15, a plurality of roll stands 45 (here only exemplarily numbered and shown schematically by a fixed cylinder, which is not separately numbered) are arranged one behind the other in a line direction 31, so that each cross section of the flat material 15 successively past each of the roll stands 45. The roll stands 45 each carry rolls 40 on roll supports 48, wherein for reasons of clarity in the Figures 1 to 3 only a part of the rolls, which are each necessary for molding, is shown. In particular, in the Figures 1 to 3 for reasons of clarity on the Representation of the rollers 40, roller carriers 48 and roll stands 45 on the right-hand side of the installation has been omitted for the sake of clarity, since these are generally designed in mirror image to the rollers 40, roller carriers 48 and rolling stands 45 on the left-hand side of the installation. It goes without saying that the arrangement of the rollers 40 is in any case adapted in a suitable manner to the material requirements and desired bending radii in each specific embodiment.

As can be seen immediately, the in Figure 1 System shown two arranged side by side roller carrier 48 with rollers 40, which act on the side of the flat material 15, which represents the inside of the tube 10 after the process. In contrast, the system provides evidence Figure 2 just such an arrangement while the plant after Figure 3 dispenses with such an arrangement.

It goes without saying here that suitable systems or arrangements can be selected in accordance with the material properties of the flat material 15 and the dimensioning of the tube 10, the arrangements according to in particular also Figures 1 to 3 can be combined.

Furthermore, it goes without saying that the tube 10 can subsequently be fed to a finishing operation, in particular, for example, to a weld of the slot which has remained open.

The plant direction 31 ultimately represents approximately an average value of the direction of flow of the flat material 15 through the plant, with a cross section of the flat material ultimately running successively past the roll stands 45 or the rolls 40 due to the process. The individual material points of such a cross section, however, have different material orientations 32 corresponding to the bending process, whereby it can be assumed that, apart from process-related fluctuations, each material point of the flat material 15 arranged identically in cross section will also have the same material orientation 32 at the same system height. Wherever the rollers 40 come into contact with the flat material 15, a material running direction 32 of the respective roller 40 or on the respective roller 40 follows immediately. A corresponding material running direction 32 is also shown in FIGS Figures 4, 6, 7 and 10th indicated schematically.

In detail, the roller arrangements include Figures 4 to 11 four rollers 40 each, which are mounted on a common roller carrier 48. In this way, the rolling forces acting on the roller carrier 48 are distributed among the four on them provided rolls 40 and are thus introduced into the flat material 15 over a relatively large area.

Both in Figures 4 to 11 Arrangements shown can be found in the plants of Figures 1 to 3 are used, preferably the arrangement of the Figures 4 to 7 for lateral roller arrangements, which act on the flat material 15 from the side of the flat material 15, which will later be the outside of the tube 10, appear to be particularly suitable, since these arrangements are already relatively stable and the likelihood of lateral break-out at any joints is proportional is low. This is different in the case of roller arrangements which act on the side of the flat material 15, which later represents the inside of the tube 10. These rollers often run in an unstable equilibrium and tend to break out laterally, especially if the rolling forces become too great or fluctuations inherent in the process occur. For such cases, the arrangement is as follows Figures 8 to 11 more suitable. It goes without saying that, depending on the specific requirements, the arrangements of the Figures 8 to 11 or 4 to 7 can also be used for other purposes. In particular, it goes without saying that, in different embodiments, these arrangements can also be combined with other roller arrangements and that the systems 1 to 3 can also be provided with other roller arrangements, in particular, of course, with further roller arrangements which implement the features of the present claims.

Here are the arrangements for Figures 4 to 11 the rollers 40 are each connected via a fork 52 of the roller adjustment means 50 to the roll stand 45, which in turn has a cylinder (not numbered) in which the fork 52 with a piston (not shown) is inserted. In this way, the fork 52 of each individual roller carrier 48 can be set parallel to the orientation of the cylinder or the piston in the direction of the center of the system, which requires a very precise adjustment of the roller carrier 48 and therefore of the rollers 40. In this case, in a particular embodiment in particular, it is also possible to couple these cylinders to one another, all or in groups, with a pressure equalization, so that the contact pressure which rests on all roller carriers is the same. However, the latter does not necessarily have to be implemented in this way. Rather, it is also conceivable for all or at least two forks 52 which are arranged on one system side, that is to say for example at least two forks 52 on the right system side or at least two forks 52 on the left system side or two forks 52 in the middle of the system, to be provided directly on a common support, which in turn can be adjusted using suitable adjustment means, such as piston-cylinder units, for example on the one hand along a predetermined path or, for example, by means of two or more piston-cylinder units, also with respect to a variable angle of attack, both perpendicularly and parallel to the system direction 31 or by changing the inclination about an axis parallel to the system direction 31.

The fork 52 carries an intermediate carrier 54, this according to the embodiment Figures 4 to 7 is implemented by a pivot pin 57, while this after the arrangement Figures 8 to 11 by means of rotary guide surfaces 58, which are formed on the one hand on the fork 52 and on the other hand on the intermediate carrier 54, and via a securing link 59 (see Figure 8 ) happens, which runs in a not separately numbered securing groove, so that the intermediate carrier 54 is secured to the fork 52.

As can be immediately understood, the pivot pin 57 requires an axis of rotation 35 of the intermediate carrier 54 including the assemblies carried by it, which is aligned coaxially with the pivot pin 57. Depending on the curvature of the two rotary guide surfaces 58 on the fork 52 and the intermediate carrier 54 of the in Figures 8 to 11 illustrated embodiment, the axis of rotation 35 of this arrangement, however, can ultimately be shifted within relatively wide limits. This results in the in Figures 8 to 11 embodiment shown a rotational degree of freedom 33 which, as immediately in Figures 8 and 9 understandable, is shown beyond the flat material 15, so that a stable balance of the corresponding swivel joint is ensured in this way. As especially in Figure 9 As can be seen, the degree of freedom of rotation 33 lies parallel to at least one roller axis 41 of the rollers 40, which are supported by the roller carrier 48, or perpendicular to the material running direction 32 of the rollers 40 belonging to this material running direction 32.

The degree of freedom of rotation 33 of the swivel joint of the exemplary embodiment located between the fork 52 and the intermediate carrier 54 also follows Figures 4 to 7 lies parallel to at least one roller axis 41 of the roller 40 carried by the roller carrier 48, insofar as the roller carrier 48 is aligned accordingly. In this context, it should be made very generally clear that the aforementioned parallelism can be implemented in a complementary manner in that the degree of freedom of rotation 33 should be oriented perpendicular to the material running direction 32 of at least one roller carried by the roller carrier 48.

The roller support 48 is in each case on the intermediate support 54 via rotary guide surfaces 58 (in the exemplary embodiments according to FIG Figures 4 to 7 not explicitly shown) mounted, it being secured on the end face via side plates 56.

Here, in the side plates 56 of the in Figures 4 to 7 In the illustrated embodiment, a non-numbered pivot pin is arranged, which secures the roller carrier 48 in the intermediate carrier 54 and defines a rotational axis 35 with a degree of freedom of rotation 34, which is aligned parallel to the material running direction 32 on the rollers 40. Here, the rolling forces of the rollers 40, which act successively on the flat material 15, are transmitted via the rotating guide surfaces between the roller carrier 48 and the intermediate carrier 54, and only a small part of these forces are absorbed by the pivot pin. As can be seen immediately, the axis of rotation 35 of the degree of freedom of rotation 34 from the point of view of the rollers 40 also lies on this side of the flat material 15. This may lead to a somewhat more unstable equilibrium if rolling forces act on this arrangement. However, depending on the dimensioning of the rolling forces and the rollers, this may be tolerable.

Also in the embodiment according to Figures 8 to 11 the roller carrier 48 is mounted on the intermediate carrier 54 via rotary guide surfaces 58, in this exemplary embodiment the side plates 56 have securing links 59 which run in corresponding, not separately numbered securing grooves and secure the roller carrier 48 in its position on the rotary guide surface 58 of the intermediate carrier 54. Here, the rotation guide surfaces 58 and the safety guideway of the safety link 59 can be freely selected within wide limits, so that in this exemplary embodiment the axis of rotation 35 of the degree of freedom of rotation 34 can be found beyond the flat material 15 from the perspective of the rollers 40. It is understood that under certain circumstances the axes of rotation 35 of the in Figures 8 to 11 The exemplary embodiment shown can also be provided within the flat material 15 or even on this side of the flat material 15 if this appears possible or also necessary due to the process. The selected design of the rotary guide surfaces 58, on the other hand, enables extremely stable equilibrium when the arrangement according to Figures 8 to 11 is put under load.

As can be seen immediately, the rotational axis 35 of the rotational degree of freedom 34 is also aligned parallel to the material running direction 32 in this exemplary embodiment.

It goes without saying that by means of suitable spring arrangements, each of which, for example, necessitates retraction into a neutral position, the intermediate carrier 54 and / or the roller carrier 48 can be readily pretensioned in such a way that they tend to spring back into a correspondingly predetermined neutral position. Such springs can be mechanical springs, for example, which act parallel to the guide direction. Likewise, for example, compression springs or hydraulic or pneumatic arrangements can act on the intermediate carrier, for example at the front and rear, in order to require a corresponding setting behavior.

The in the Figures 12 to 15 The arrangement shown corresponds essentially to the arrangement Figures 4 to 7 and can also be found in the facilities of the Figures 1 to 3 come into use. In order to avoid repetitions, the explanation of identical assemblies is omitted here and the relevant explanations regarding the arrangement according to Figures 4 to 7 referred.

In deviation from the arrangement according to Figures 4 to 7 demonstrates the order Figures 12 to 15 In addition, two lugs 62 on the roll stand 45, on which springs 64 attach, which in turn act on the intermediate carrier 54. As can be directly understood from the figures, the lugs 62 are provided on both sides of the fork 52 in accordance with the orientation of the intermediate carrier 54, so that the fork carrier 48 can be rotated with respect to the degree of freedom of rotation 33 (in Figures 12 to 15 not shown, but corresponds in this regard to the representations in Figures 4 to 7 ) around the associated axis of rotation 35 (in Figures 12 to 15 not shown, but corresponds to the representations in Figures 4 to 7 ) can strive towards a zero position, so that the roller carrier 48 assumes a defined position with respect to the degree of rotation 33 even in the unloaded state.

Such spring means 60 can, however, also be implemented differently, for example by flat spiral springs, by pneumatic springs or by other resetting devices, and can also be provided with respect to the degree of freedom of rotation 34. It is also understood that corresponding spring means 60 also in the arrangement Figures 8 to 11 can be provided. Reference symbol list: 10th pipe 50 Roller setting means 15 Flat material 52 fork 31 Plant direction 54 Intermediate beam 32 Material direction 56 Side plate 33 Degree of rotation freedom 57 Swivel pin 34 Degree of rotation freedom 58 Rotation guide surface 35 Axis of rotation 59 Security backdrop 40 roller 60 Spring means 41 Roller axis 62 approach 45 Mill stand 64 feather 48 Roller carrier

Claims (8)

1. Installation for continuously moulding longitudinally slotted pipes (10) made from a flat material (15) with roller stands (45), arranged one behind the other in the installation direction (31), which each bear at least one roller (40), wherein one of the roller stands (45) comprises a roller carrier (48), characterised in that the roller carrier (48) bears at least three rollers (40) arranged one behind the other in the installation direction (31) and by way of roller adjusting means (50) is borne freely on the roller stand (45) bearing the roller carrier (48) with a rotational degree of freedom (33) in parallel to at least one roller axis (41) of a roller (40) borne by it, and/or perpendicularly to the material running direction (32) of a roller (40) borne by the roller carrier (48).
2. Installation according to claim 1 characterised in that by way of roller adjusting means (50), the roller carrier (48) is arranged on the roller stand (45) bearing the roller carrier (48) with a rotational degree of freedom (34) perpendicular to a roller axis (41) of a roller (40) borne by it and/or in parallel to the material running direction (32) of the roller (40) belonging to this roller axis (41).
3. Installation according to claim 1 or 2 characterised in that the roller adjusting means (50) in at least one adjustment position have an axis of rotation (35) on the other side of the flat material (15) seen from the respective roller (40).
4. Installation according to any one of claims 1 to 3 characterised in that the roller carrier (48) bears no more than ten rollers (40) arranged one behind the other in the installation direction (31).
5. Method of continually moulding longitudinally slotted pipes (10) from a flat material (15), wherein the flat material (15) is successively moved past several roller assemblies and bent accordingly, characterised in that the roller forces of at least three rollers (40), borne by a joint roller carrier (48) and successively acting on the flat material (15) are introduced into a roller stand (45) which freely bears the roller carrier (48) by means of roller adjusting means (50) with a rotational degree of freedom (33) in parallel to a roller axis (41) of a roller (40) borne by it and/or perpendicularly to the material running direction (32) of a roller (40) borne by the roller carrier (48), and/or three successively acting rollers (40) are borne by a joint roller carrier (48) which freely adjusts itself.
6. Method according to claim 5 characterised in that the roller forces of no more than ten rollers (40), borne by the roller carrier (48) and acting on the flat material (15) are introduced into the roller stand (45), and or no more than ten successively acting rollers (40) are borne by the joint roller carrier (48), which freely adjusts itself.
7. Method according to any one of claims 5 or 6 characterised in that at least two successively acting rollers (40), borne by a roller carrier (48) which freely adjusts itself, are guided in a least one adjusting position with an axis of rotation (35) shown on the other side of the flat material (15) seen from both successively acting rollers (40).
8. Method according to any one of claims 5 to 7 characterised in that at least one roller (40), perpendicularly to its roller axis (41) and in parallel to the material running direction (32) of this roller (40), at least in one adjusting position with an axis of rotation (35) on the other side of the flat material (15) seen from the respective roller (40) freely follows the respective roller forces.

Images