EP3020488A1 - Method for connecting metal webs - Google Patents

Abstract

It is a method for connecting a band end of a first metal strip (B1) to the strip beginning of a second metal strip (B2), in particular in strip processing plants, wherein the strip end and the strip start positioned one above the other to form an overlap and in the region of overlap at a plurality of connection points be connected by means of clinching without transection. This method is characterized in that the first band and / or the second band is / are formed as a cold-rolled, non-annealed metal strip, wherein at least 20 connection points per meter of bandwidth are set by means of clinching for the band connection.

Description

The invention relates to a method for connecting a strip end of a first metal strip to the strip beginning of a second metal strip, in particular in strip processing plants, wherein the tape end and the tape start positioned one above the other to form an overlap and in the overlapping at several connection points by means of clinching without cutting and thus without Cutting proportion are connected together.

In strip processing plants, which are also referred to as strip processing lines, coils usually wound into coils are wound in the inlet part, then pass through one or more treatment stations and optionally rewound in the outlet part or alternatively also cut into sheets. So that the tapes do not always have to be re-threaded, the beginning of the tape of a new covenant is connected to the tape end of the last covenant. The band connection is of particular importance, since poor band connections can have a negative impact on further processing.

From practice, therefore, a variety of methods for band connection, z. B. by welding, stamping and / or gluing known (see. EP 2 202 025 A1 and EP 1 749 590 A2 ).

In practice, it has been found that, as an alternative to the conventional methods, band connections can also be produced by means of clinching, which is also referred to as clinching. Push-through joining is a method of joining metal strips without the use of a filler material. There is a clinching tool (clinching tool) usually stamp (s) and die (s). The tapes to be joined are pressed by the punch, similar to the deep drawing under plastic deformation in or against the die. The bands are connected without the use of rivets form-fitting (and non-positively) with each other. By design of the die and stamp it comes to or in the die to a flow of materials in the width, so that - similar to a riveted joint - a positive connection is realized, but without separate rivets are used. Punching or clinching means in the context of the invention, a clinching without transection and consequently without cutting share.

Such a method of the type described above is z. B. from the WO 2014/033037 A1 known. In this case, the connection points are produced in the course of the band connection by means of clinching, wherein transversely to the strip running direction spaced a plurality of connection points are generated to form one or more Verbindungspunktreihen. It is advantageous if the tool or tools is employed position-controlled / are.

The known method for joining strips by means of clinching without transection has proven itself in practice, but it is capable of further development. - This is where the invention starts.

The invention has for its object to provide a method with which metal strips can connect universally and with high quality in a simple manner.

In order to achieve this object, the invention teaches, in a generic method, that the first strip and / or the second strip are cold-rolled, not annealed metal strip are formed, wherein for the band connection at least 20 connection points per meter of bandwidth are set by clinching.

For clinching, it is necessary or expedient if the joining partners have a good ductility or a good deformability under compressive and tensile stress. In practice, it has therefore been assumed that only sheets or strips with high elongation at break are suitable. For this reason, when joining aluminum strips, clinching has so far been restricted to annealed aluminum strips. Experiments have now surprisingly shown that even cold-rolled, not annealed metal strips, z. B. aluminum strips with sufficient quality by clinching connect. Tests have shown that the clinching of good quality can then be realized even if the breaking elongation A ₈₀ is only 6% or less. Elongation at break is the difference between the measured length after fracture and the initial gage length in relation to the initial gage length, with the elongation at break expressed as a percentage. Since the value of the elongation at break is also determined by the ratio of measuring length to sample cross section, the elongation at break is characterized in more detail by a corresponding index, in the present case the breaking elongation A _{80 being} based on a tensile test with a measuring length of 80 mm of the sample. Preference is given to using metal strips whose breaking elongation A _{80 is} 2% to 5%, preferably about 3% to 4%. Consequently, according to the invention, a perfect strip connection also succeeds in cold-rolled, non-annealed metal strips. In the metal bands may be z. B. be aluminum or aluminum alloy or copper or copper alloy strips. Of particular importance is the fact that the band connection is realized by a plurality of connection points. At least 40 connection points are preferred realized for the respective band connection, preferably at least 80 connection points, more preferably at least 100 connection points. Due to the large number of connection points that create the band connection, it can be accepted that individual clinch points tear down. The invention is based on the recognition that it is possible to work in the connection of unannealed, cold-rolled metal strips in a boundary region in which individual clinch points may tear. However, due to the large number of clinch points, the durability of the band connection is not decisively impaired, so that the method according to the invention can also be realized in practice in non-annealed, cold-rolled metal bands. In this case, the plurality of connection points can be generated in a connection point row with a multiplicity of connection points distributed over the bandwidth or particularly preferably also in a plurality of connection point rows arranged one after the other in the strip running direction. In this case, one or more rows of connection points can be generated at the same time with only a single press stroke. In that regard, based on the findings from the WO 2014/033037 A1 be resorted to.

• Optional ist vorgesehen, dass die Dicke des Bandendes des ersten Metallbandes und/oder die Dicke des Bandanfangs des zweiten Metallbandes vor dem Verbinden gemessen werden und dass der Durchsetz-Fügeprozess in Abhängigkeit von der/den gemessenen Dicken gesteuert oder geregelt wird. Das Durchsetzfügen erfolgt mit einem Durchsetz-Fügewerkzeug, das Stempel und Matrizen aufweist. Damit wird nun die Eintauchtiefe des Stempels bzw. der Stempel in das Material in Abhängigkeit von der gemessenen Dicke des Bandes bzw. von dem gemessenen Dicken der Bänder gesteuert oder geregelt, z. B. positionsgeregelt. Die Erfindung geht dabei von der Erkenntnis aus, dass es für die Qualität der Bandverbindung besonders wichtig ist, dass eine Verbindung ohne Durchtrennung und folglich ohne Schneidkanten erzeugt wird. Das setzt voraus, dass der Stempel nicht übermäßig tief in das Material eintaucht. Andererseits ist zur Erzeugung einer einwandfreien und festen Verbindung wesentlich, dass der Stempel in ausreichendem Maße in das Material eintaucht, so dass im Ergebnis der Eintauchtiefe des Stempels in die Bänder besondere Bedeutung zukommt. Aus diesem Grunde ist es grundsätzlich möglich, den Fügeprozess positionsgeregelt durchzuführen. Erfindungsgemäß erfolgt jedoch zusätzlich zu einer Positionsregelung oder alternativ zu einer Positionsregelung eine Steuerung oder Regelung des Fügeprozesses in Abhängigkeit von den tatsächlichen Dicken der Metallbänder. Denn in der Praxis hat sich herausgestellt, dass die zu verbindenden Bänder in ihren Dicken von den angegebenen/angenommenen Werten bzw. von den Sollwerten abweichen. Da nun erfindungsgemäß eine Ermittlung der Ist-Dicke der Metallbänder erfolgt, kann im Zuge des Fügeprozesses sichergestellt werden, dass der Fügeprozess stets mit optimaler Eintauchtiefe durchgeführt wird. Besonders bevorzugt werden dabei sowohl die Dicke des Bandendes des ersten Bandes als auch die Dicke des Bandanfangs des zweiten Bandes gemessen. Die Dickenmessung bzw. die Dickenmessungen können z. B. durch Laserdickenmessungen erfolgen.

Advantageous developments of the invention are explained below:

• Optionally, it is provided that the thickness of the band end of the first metal band and / or the thickness of the band beginning of the second metal band are measured prior to connection and that the penetration-joining process is controlled or regulated as a function of the measured thickness (s). The clinching is done with a clinch-fit tool that has punches and dies. Thus, the immersion depth of the punch or the stamp is controlled or regulated in the material as a function of the measured thickness of the tape or by the measured thicknesses of the bands, z. B. position-controlled. The invention is based on the recognition that it is particularly important for the quality of the band connection that a connection without cutting and thus without cutting edges is generated. This assumes that the stamp is not immersed excessively deep in the material. On the other hand, to produce a perfect and firm connection is essential that the stamp dives sufficiently in the material, so that as a result of the immersion depth of the punch in the tapes has special significance. For this reason, it is basically possible to perform the joining process position-controlled. According to the invention, however, in addition to a position control or alternatively to a position control, a control or regulation of the joining process in dependence on the actual thicknesses of the metal strips. In practice, it has been found that the tapes to be joined differ in their thicknesses from the specified / assumed values or from the nominal values. Since, according to the invention, a determination of the actual thickness of the metal strips takes place, it can be ensured in the course of the joining process that the joining process is always carried out with optimum immersion depth. In this case, both the thickness of the band end of the first band and the thickness of the band beginning of the second band are particularly preferably measured. The thickness measurement or the thickness measurements can z. B. done by laser thickness measurements.

Since according to the invention a thickness measurement, it is no longer necessary, band ends or band beginnings with possibly greater thickness deviations, z. B. cut off excess thickness in advance, but the band connection can be generated in such areas, which may later be cut off anyway as scrap.

The measurement of the strip thickness or strip thickness takes place before joining, preferably separately for each of the two strips. Alternatively, it is also within the scope of the invention to measure the total thickness of the superposed bands (before the joining process). It is possible to measure the thickness or the thicknesses in the vicinity or in / on the joining device. Alternatively, however, the measurement may be performed at another location, e.g. B. take place immediately behind the uncoiler.

According to a further aspect of the invention, it is proposed that the strip beginning and the strip end and / or the clinching tool are positioned such that no punch of the joining tool hits one of the strip edges and / or that before or after the joining of the strips in the region of one or both strip edges one or more side punches are introduced.

The invention is based on the recognition that to avoid problems in the course of the passage of the bands through other components of the system perfect clinching points must be generated and that it must be avoided that a clinching is generated in the region of a band edge or is present. Because if z. B. a clinching point is generated in the region of an existing band edge, it can come at such an unclean clinching depending on the degree of coverage of the band edge by the stamp to frays at the band edge. In this area can later break off when passing through the band treatment line particles that z. B. adhere to roles and lead to imprints on the tape. In accordance with the invention, provision is therefore made to avoid creating or maintaining a clinching point in the region of a strip edge.

Therefore, it is optionally possible that it is already ensured during the positioning of the beginning of the strip and / or the end of the strip and / or the positioning of the tool that no punch of the joining tool hits one of the strip edges.

Alternatively or additionally, the invention proposes that one or more side punches or punched holes are introduced in the region of one or both strip edges. The punching of metal strips is basically known in practice. So it may be z. B. be useful to make side punches in the band connection of bands of unequal width, z. Example, if the new band is wider than the old, because the wider corners of the new band could get stuck in the line, z. B. squeezing rollers. To avoid this, in this case, the corners are punched out obliquely, with a trapezoidal or semi-circular punching tool. It is now possible according to the invention to introduce the side punches after joining the bands, with the proviso that no joining point is cut by the punching.

Alternatively, it is possible to introduce one or more side punches before connecting the bands. This is z. B. then appropriate if there is a risk that a clinching punch hits the band edge. In this case, the side punching may be introduced prior to the joining of the tapes with the proviso that a dependence on the tool geometry and the bandwidth of a tool punch on a band edge is prevented.

Apart from the above-mentioned possibility, the tape end and beginning of tape centered on the plant center, there is the possibility that only one of the bands is centered centered to the other. Then both can Band ends or both bands are outside the center of the plant. The clinching tool is then shifted in the width direction so that its center axis coincides with that of the band ends. There are then again the possibilities explained above, in order to avoid that a clinching point lies in the area of the band edge.

Optionally, there is the possibility that the clinching tool remains fixed in the middle of the plant. The position of the two bands is measured relative to the center of the plant. In this way it is then known where the clinching points are arranged in the two connected band ends. The side punching is done on each side so that no clinching point is punched. In the case in which the line is also trimmed, the punching depth per side is dimensioned correspondingly larger, but in turn so that no clinching point is punched.

According to another aspect of the invention, it is proposed that the bands be oiled before and / or during clinching. The oiling of the joining partners in the course of clinching is generally known in order to minimize the tool wear during clinching and to maximize the service life. In practice, however, it has been found that lubrication for the deep-drawing process during clinching is unfavorable. This is due to the fact that the lubrication reduces the friction of the joining partners or bands and this can have a negative effect on the connection quality or joint strength. On this basis, the invention proposes now that only the upper surface of the upper metal strip and the lower surface of the lower metal strip are lubricated. According to the invention, therefore, the lubrication takes place exclusively from below on the band below and from above on the upper band, so that no oiling takes place between the two band end surfaces. This can be observed in practice Avoid problems in a simple and reliable way. Nevertheless, tool wear can be minimized and tool life maximized.

In an optional embodiment of the invention, the bands are connected to each other by tempered clinching. Then it is provided that the metal strips to be joined are heated before and / or during the joining. For this purpose, it is possible to preheat the bands themselves with suitable tempering and then to clinch. Alternatively or additionally, the temperature control can also take place via the clinching tools themselves. For this purpose, it is possible to heat the upper tool and / or lower tool, so that the tape is then heated under contact pressure and then formed. For this purpose, it may be expedient to work with a non-contoured die or a non-contoured counter tool, counter tool and / or stamp are heated. In a heating of the bands via one or both tools, it may be appropriate to the bands before clinching or pressing with suitable means, for. B. a clamping device or the like to press against each other. So it is possible to press the bands with a hold-down against the (heated) mating surface, so that it comes to heating of the connection area. Subsequently, the clinching is done with the help of the punch. A contact pressure during heating can also be done with the tools or stamps themselves. In the (first) heating phase then only a fixation of the bands takes place and thereby the heating and in a (second) Clinchphase then the connect.

When tempered clinching, it is useful if the moving tool, z. B. the upper tool position adjustable is set, in particular when the stamp must be positioned in a heating phase for the contact preheating on the tape. In the case of a contact preheating with the help of the tool, it is also useful if the contact pressure (during heating) is band-dependent adjustable.

By tempering (heating) of the metal strips whose formability or their formability is increased, so that the connection process can be optimized. This is particularly advantageous in the connection of brittle materials, since the formability of brittle materials can be improved by tempering. Overall, the tempering may be advantageous for certain materials or material combinations. Cracks can be avoided.

The method according to the invention can be carried out with a device for connecting metal strips. Such a device is usually characterized by a connection press with press frame, press upper part and press bottom, wherein on the press upper part an upper tool with at least one punch (or die) for the clinching and the lower press part a lower tool with at least one die (or a punch) for the clinching are fixed, wherein the press upper part and / or press lower part for applying a pressing force with one or more drives (against each other) are movable. So it is possible to move the press upper part with the upper tool by means of drives against the fixed lower tool or vice versa. When the drives can be z. B. act hydraulic cylinders. It can be used in particular on existing constructions of punch joint presses. It can be applied high pressing forces, so that not only individual connection points, but at the same time a plurality of connection points can be set, in particular one or more complete connection point rows.

Thus, the invention proposes that the upper tool is designed as a multiple tool with a plurality of punches distributed over the bandwidth (or dies) and the lower tool as a multiple tool with multiple distributed over the bandwidth matrices (or punches).

Taking into account the fact that the method should be adapted to different bands and in particular strip thicknesses in a simple manner, particularly preferred is a tool changing device with a plurality of upper tools and a plurality of sub-tools (and consequently several tool sets), which optionally from a working position within the press in a waiting position can be transferred outside the press and vice versa.

With the aid of the tool changing device, it is possible to provide a plurality of clinching tools or tool sets, so that a simple adaptation of the machine to the respective conditions, in particular to different strip thicknesses, can take place. In addition, it is possible to equip the tool changing device with an additional (conventional) punching tool, so that the machine can be converted into a punching device if necessary.

As already explained, the tools for clinching generally have punches on the one hand and dies on the other hand. The template may be z. B. may be a contoured or profiled die, which may be adapted to the stamp shape. In the context of the invention, however, the die also means a non-contoured, flat die and consequently a flat counter-tool, so that "clinchless" clinching methods are also included as it were.

The device may be equipped with one or more thickness measuring devices, with which the thickness of the band end of the first metal strip and / or the thickness of the strip beginning of the second metal strip can be measured. In addition, a control and / or regulating device can be provided with which the clinching process can be controlled or regulated as a function of the measured thickness or of the measured thicknesses. Furthermore, one or more punching devices can be provided with which one or more side punches can be generated before and / or after the bands are connected. Finally, the device may be equipped with one or more oiling devices with which the metal strip or bands and / or tools are oilable.

Fig. 1

eine erste Ausführungsform in einem Vertikalschnitt,

Fig. 2

eine vereinfachte Ansicht auf den Gegenstand nach Fig. 1 in Richtung X,

Fig. 3

eine zweite Ausführungsform in einem Vertikalschnitt,

Fig. 4

den Gegenstand nach Fig. 3 in einer Seitenansicht,

Fig. 5

eine vereinfachte Ansicht auf den Gegenstand nach Fig. 4 in Richtung Y,

Fig. 6

eine vereinfachte Darstellung der Clinchverbindung mit Banddickenmessung.,

In the following the invention will be explained in more detail with reference to a drawing showing only one exemplary embodiment. Show it:

Fig. 1

a first embodiment in a vertical section,

Fig. 2

a simplified view of the object Fig. 1 in the direction of X,

Fig. 3

a second embodiment in a vertical section,

Fig. 4

the object after Fig. 3 in a side view,

Fig. 5

a simplified view of the object Fig. 4 in the direction of Y,

Fig. 6

a simplified representation of the clinch connection with tape thickness measurement.,

The figures show a device for connecting metal strips, namely for connecting a band end of a first metal strip to the strip beginning of a second metal strip. Such a device is preferably integrated in a belt treatment plant (belt process line), for. B. in the inlet region of such a ribbon processing line. There wound metal bands are handled in the inlet part, then go through various treatment stations and are wound up again in the outlet part or processed in any other way. So that the metal bands do not always have to be re-threaded, the beginning of the band of a new covenant is connected to the band end of the last covenant. For this purpose, the beginning of the tape and the end of the tape are positioned one above the other to form an overlap and connected to one another in the region of the overlap at a plurality of connection points. Such connection methods are known in principle. The metal bands are in the Fig. 1 to 5 not shown, only the band plane E is indicated.

According to the invention, the connection points are produced by means of clinching without cutting portion (clinching). For this purpose, the device has a connection press 2 with press frame 3, press upper part 4 and press lower part 5. The tape running direction B is in Fig. 4 indicated in Fig. 1 and 3 it is perpendicular to the drawing plane. On the press upper part 4, an upper tool 6 is fastened with a plurality of punches 8 for clinching. On the press base 5, a lower tool 7 is fixed with a plurality of dies for clinching. Upper tool 6 with punches 8 and lower tool 7 with 9 dies form a tool set 10a, b, c. Upper tool 6 and lower tool 7 are each formed as multiple tools, each with a plurality of punches distributed over the bandwidth 8 and 9 dies. In the illustrated embodiments, the press upper part 4 for applying the pressing force with the drives 11 against the fixed press base 5 can be moved. The drives 11 are formed in the embodiments as a hydraulic press cylinder 11, which are connected with their pistons to the movable press upper part 4 and are supported on the fixed upper spar of the press frame 3. The Fig. 1 and 3 show the press 2 in a split representation each closed in one half and opened in the other half. The press upper part 4 is guided on guides 3 on the press frame 3.

The illustrated embodiments are each equipped with a tool changing device 12, which provide several tool sets 10a, b, c, each consisting of upper tool 6 and lower tool 7, are available. With the aid of this tool changing device 12, the individual tool sets 10a, b, c can be converted from a working position within the press into a waiting position outside the press, and vice versa. In this way, it is possible to replace the tools and the device to the desired conditions, eg. B. adapt to the respective strip thickness. Because preferably different tools are used for connecting certain strip thicknesses.

The Fig. 1 and 2 on the one hand and the Fig. 3 to 5 On the other hand, show two embodiments with differently designed tool changing devices 12th

In the Fig. 1 and 2 a first embodiment is shown, in which the tools 6, 7 are transferred with the tool changing device 12 transversely to the strip running direction B from the working position to the waiting position. For this purpose, the tool changing device 12 is arranged laterally next to the press 2 in this embodiment. It has a shuttle table 14 with several along the strip running direction B successively arranged tool sets 10a, b, c. If the located in the connection press 2 tool are exchanged, it is transverse to the direction of tape B from the press out on the shuttle table 14 is pulled (or pushed). The shuttle table 14 then moves parallel to the direction of tape travel, z. B. a position, so then another tool can be pushed transversely to the strip running direction B in the press 2 (or pulled) can be. In the simplified plan view in FIG Fig. 2 It can be seen that in the illustrated embodiment, four different tools or tool sets 10a, b, c, 10 'are arranged in the tool changing device 12. Three tool sets 10a, b, c are provided for the clinching, with which one, two or three rows of connecting points can be set. Consequently, the first tool 10a has a series of punches and dies, while the second tool set 10b has two rows of punches and dies arranged one behind the other in the direction of travel B, and the third tool set 10c has three rows of punches and dies arranged one behind the other in the direction of strip travel, so that optionally one, two or three rows of connecting points can be set with a single press stroke, depending on which tool 10a, b, c is arranged in the press 2. In addition, an additional tool set 10 'is provided, which is designed as a punching tool 10', so that the press can also be easily converted for a punched connection. It becomes clear that z. B. different thicknesses or band thickness ranges different tool sets can be used, wherein the individual tool sets 10 a, b, c usually have different dot diameter or punch diameter. For thin tapes small dot diameters are usually used, in which case relatively many connection points are set. For thick tapes, large dot diameters are used, with fewer dots usually being placed.

It can be seen that upper tool 6 and lower tool 7 are connected to each other by forming the tool set 10a, b, c via guides 13. In the exemplary embodiment are guide columns 13, which ensure that upper tool 6 and lower tool 7 are properly moved together with punches and dies in the desired position. In this case, each tool set has a total of four guide columns 13 arranged at the corners. This applies equally to the embodiment according to Fig. 1 and 2 as for the embodiment Fig. 3 and 4 ,

While the tool sets 10 a, b, c and 10 'in the embodiment according to Fig. 1 and 2 are replaced transversely to the direction of tape B, the show Fig. 3 to 5 a second embodiment in which the tool sets 10a, b, c and 10 'are moved along the strip running direction B for replacement. The individual tool sets are in turn arranged one after the other in the strip running direction B, but this time not offset laterally to the connecting press 2, but along the strip running direction offset to the connecting press 2. Nevertheless, the passage of the metal strip is not disturbed, since the upper tools 6 always above the metal strip or the band level E and the lower tools 7 are always arranged below the metal strip and since the guide columns 13 are always arranged outside the band area. In this embodiment, the tool set can be replaced even when the tape is in the machine. Fig. 4 shows a view in which the punching tool 10 'is arranged in the machine by way of example.

In order to exchange the tool sets 10a, b, c, 10 ', alternating drives are usually provided, for. B. hydraulic drives, which are not shown in detail in the figures.

The in the Fig. 2 and 5 indicated tools show that with the inventive device at the same time a plurality of transversely to the strip running direction B spaced connection points to form at least one over the Bandwidth or nearly the bandwidth extending connection point series can be generated. Depending on which of the tools is used, a plurality of connection point rows arranged one behind the other in the strip running direction can also be generated at the same time. This makes it possible to produce the entire band connection even with multiple rows of connection points with a single press stroke. The connection press provides sufficient pressing forces with the hydraulic cylinders 11.

The principle of the clinch connection according to the invention is exemplary and simplified in Fig. 6 shown. In this case, the band end of the first metal band B1 and the beginning of the band of the second metal band B2 and the overlap are shown, in the region of the clinching tool 6, 7, the connection points are set by clinching. In this case, a clinch connection without cutting share is shown. In Fig. 6 It can be seen that with a first thickness measuring device 16, the thickness D1 of the strip end of the first metal strip B1 and a second thickness measuring device 17, the thickness D2 of the strip beginning of the second metal strip B2 are measured, before connecting the bands. These thickness measuring devices 16, 17 may, for. B. as optical thickness measuring devices, for. B. be formed by laser radiation. With the aid of these thickness measuring devices 16, 17, it is then possible to control and regulate the joining process as a function of the measured thickness or of the measured thicknesses D1, D2, with a control and / or regulating device (not illustrated). In the illustrated embodiment, the thickness measuring devices are arranged in the immediate vicinity of the joining tools, they can be integrated into the joining device. However, the invention also includes embodiments in which the thickness measuring devices are arranged at a different position within the strip processing plant, so z. B. arranged a thickness measuring device immediately behind a decoiler be there to measure the thickness of the beginning of the tape, the corresponding signal or the corresponding value can then be processed in the course of the band connection.

It is otherwise possible to lubricate the belts with oiling devices 18, 19. It is provided in the illustrated embodiment that in the region of the overlap only the upper surface of the upper metal strip B2 and the lower surface of the underlying metal strip B1 are oiled. Optionally and additionally, it is possible to oil the corresponding tool surfaces.

In the Fig. 6 options can be used individually or in combination, eg. B. in a device after Fig. 1 to 5 Alternatively, however, with differently designed devices.

Claims (9)

1. A method of connecting a tape end of a first metal strip with the strip start of a second metal strip, in particular in strip processing plants, wherein the band end and the beginning of the tape above the other to form an overlap and are joined together in the area of overlap at a plurality of connecting points by means of clinching without transection, characterized in
that the first belt and / or the second band as cold-rolled, unannealed metal strip is formed is / are at least 20 connection points per meter range are set by means of clinching for the band connection. 2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that the first band and / or the second band is formed as non-annealed metal strip of aluminum or an aluminum alloy or copper or a copper alloy / are. 3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the material of the metal strips, for. B. aluminum strips, an elongation at break A ₈₀ of not more than 6%, preferably 2% to 5%, z. B. about 3% to 4%. 4. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that for the band connection at least 30 connection points, preferably at least 50 connection points per meter of bandwidth are set by clinching. 5. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the thickness of the band end of the first metal strip and / or the thickness of the strip beginning of the second metal strip are measured prior to bonding and that the clinching-joining process is controlled or regulated as a function of the measured thickness or of the measured thicknesses. 6. The method according to claim 5, characterized in that the immersion depth of the punch or the punch of the clinching-joining tool is controlled or regulated in dependence on the thickness measurement or of the thickness measurements. 7. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the beginning of the tape and the tape end and / or the clinching tool are positioned so that no punch of the joining tool hits one of the band edges and / or that before or after connecting the bands in One or more side punchings are introduced region of one or both band edges. 9. The method according to claim 7, characterized in that the side punches are introduced before connecting the tapes with the proviso that a dependence on the tool geometry and the bandwidth and tape position an impact of a tool punch is prevented on a band edge. 10. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that in the region of the overlap only the upper surface of the metal strip lying above and the lower surface of the underlying metal strip are oiled.

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