EP3566788B1 - Installation and method for separating flexible rolled strip material - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a system and a method for separating flexibly rolled strip material. Flexibly rolled strip material has a variable thickness profile in the longitudinal direction of the strip. The separation of flexibly rolled strip material therefore requires an exact positioning of the separation area in order to obtain blanks with a defined target thickness profile.

From the CN 104551538 B a generic device and a generic method for separating flexibly rolled strip material are known. The strip material is fed from a reel over a first pinch roller and a strip straightening arrangement into a strip store. Behind the strip storage system, there are two more pinch rollers with integrated length measurement, with a strip thickness measurement in between, and behind them hydraulic shears for separating the strip material. The tape length fed to the tape store is determined via the first pinch roller, and the tape length fed out of the tape store is determined via the pinch roller arranged behind the tape store. By integrating the difference between the length of tape fed in and the length of tape removed over time, the length of tape stored in the tape memory can be determined. If the tape length stored in the tape storage device exceeds a target value, the tape material is tracked via the pinch roller arranged behind the tape storage device and the subsequent thickness measuring unit and an actual thickness profile of the tape material is determined. A cutting plan is created based on the actual thickness profile, according to which the tracked length of the strip material is regulated and the cutting process is carried out. The length of the strip fed to the hydraulic shears is determined by averaging the values determined by the pinch rollers arranged immediately in front of and behind the thickness measurement.

From the EP 3 181 248 A1 a method and a system for producing a sheet metal blank are known. The method comprises the steps of: flexible rolling of a strip material, a thickness profile with different sheet thicknesses being produced over the length of the strip material; Determination of a measurement thickness profile of several areas of the strip material lying one behind the other; Calculating a target position in the strip material for a sheet metal blank to be cut out of the strip material as a function of the generated measurement thickness profile of at least two areas of the strip material lying one behind the other; Cutting the flexibly rolled strip material by means of at least one cutting device along the target position for producing the sheet metal blank.

The production of shaped cuts and rectangular blanks, which are also referred to as Tailor Rolled Shapes or Tailor Rolled Blanks, can take place by means of a suitable separating device. For this purpose, the strip feed system arranged in front of the cutting device, which is usually equipped with a decoiler, a straightening machine, a strip storage unit and a feed device. A metal strip is threaded into such a system manually by the operator. The operator threads the beginning of the tape up to a marked point in the cutting tool or on the cut-to-length shear. The automatic mode is then started and the feed system advances the strip by a certain length that is always the same for each working stroke. With this procedure, the cyclic thickness profile of the flexibly rolled strips can only be positioned imprecisely or not at all relative to the separating edge of the separating device. This means that position tolerances for the thickness profile in relation to the position within the shaped section or the rectangular plate cannot be met. In addition, areas of the metal strip that do not adhere to the thickness tolerances cannot be recognized and sorted out. Furthermore, it is not possible for the thickness profile recurring cyclically in the flexibly rolled strips to be automatically and precisely positioned on the separating edges of the separating devices.

The invention is based on the object of proposing a system for separating flexibly rolled strip material that enables precise measurement and evaluation which enables sheet thickness profiles and ensures accurate positioning of the strip material for separation. The task is also to propose a corresponding method for separating flexibly rolled strip material that enables precise measurement, evaluation and positioning.

To solve this, a system for separating flexibly rolled strip material is proposed, comprising: a storage device for temporarily storing the flexibly rolled strip material; a first feed device which is arranged behind the storage device in the feed direction of the strip material; at least one length measuring device for continuously measuring a length of the strip material; a thickness measuring device for continuously measuring a thickness of the strip material along the length; a second feed device disposed behind the first feed device; a separating device which is arranged in the feed direction of the strip material behind the second feed device; wherein the first feed device and the second feed device are configured to move the strip material from the storage device to the separating device as a function of the thickness measurement and the length measurement; wherein the thickness measuring device is arranged in the feed direction of the strip material behind the storage device and in front of the first strip feed device; and the at least one length measuring device is arranged behind the first tape feed device in the feed direction of the strip material.

The system has the advantage that the feed applied by the first feed device can be regulated on the basis of the values previously determined by the thickness measuring unit. A recurring thickness profile of the flexibly rolled strip can be precisely recognized, compared with the desired target profile and positioned exactly at the separating point of the separating device. In addition, areas of the metal strip that do not comply with the thickness tolerances can be identified and sorted out.

According to one embodiment, the system can furthermore have a reel for unwinding the flexibly rolled strip material and at least one straightening unit for straightening the flexibly rolled strip material. Several straightening units can in particular when processing particularly thick strips and / or for strips with large absolute thickness jumps of, for example, more than 1 mm. The reel and the at least one straightening unit, which can also be referred to collectively as the unwinding and straightening group, are connected upstream of the strip storage device. The first and second feed devices for the separating device are preferably independent of the feed of the unwinding and straightening group in terms of control technology. The unwinding and straightening group conveys the strip into the strip store and makes the flexibly rolled strips available for processing by the other system. Here, the conveying or unwinding speed of the unwinding and straightening group can be regulated by means of a level sensor of the belt storage unit. The level sensor can, for example, be an ultrasonic unit, which senses the depth of the tape loop hanging in the tape store and forwards a corresponding signal to the controller for the unwinding and straightening group. It goes without saying that other sensors can also be used, such as an optical sensor, a capacitive and / or an inductive sensor. The straightening unit can be supported by an infeed driver and a take-off roller. The operation or the running of the system components reel, infeed driver, straightening unit and take-off roller can be synchronized with each other via controllers and operated in speed control or torque control. Each of the units can be operated individually, i.e. independently of the others, as a generator or as a motor. The version with a decoiler and straightening group is ideal if the strip material is rewound into a coil after flexible rolling and is further processed elsewhere. In principle, however, it is also possible for the system parts, strip storage, feed and separation unit to be connected directly to flexible rolling in the continuous process.

The strip storage unit is used to decouple the unwinding and straightening group of the system from the position-controlled part of the system that works on the basis of feed lengths and has the components of thickness measurement, feeds, length measurements and the separation device. In particular, provision is made for the length-based feed control of the separating system to be based only on the length measurement values of the length measuring device located behind the strip storage device. Length measurement values possibly acquired by a device in front of the storage device can be ignored in the present feed control.

The thickness measuring unit is arranged behind the strip storage unit and in front of the first feed device in the direction of passage. The associated first length measuring unit is located directly behind the first feed device. The first length measuring unit is designed to continuously record the length of the strip material. The thickness measurement is also carried out continuously while the strip is being fed. Preferably, the length measuring device and the thickness measuring device are metrologically coupled to one another. It is provided in particular that the length measuring unit generates trigger signals and forwards them to the thickness measuring unit in order to trigger thickness measurements, which are then recorded in turn.

According to one embodiment, the length measuring unit can comprise a measuring wheel, which is in contact on a first side of the strip material, and a support wheel, which is in contact with an opposite side of the strip material as a counter bearing for the measuring wheel. The running surface of the measuring wheel can be made from a steel material, for example. The running surface of the support wheel can be made of an elastic material, for example. It goes without saying that the configuration of the length measuring unit described above can also be used for any other length measuring unit in the system.

According to a preferred embodiment, two length measuring devices are provided, a first length measuring device which is assigned to the first feed device, and a second length measuring device which is assigned to the second feed device. The second length measuring device is arranged in the feed direction of the strip material behind the second feed device and in front of the separating device. For high measuring accuracy, it is advantageous if the measuring devices are each arranged as close as possible to the respective feeds. The first length measuring device preferably has a first distance from the first feed device which is less than 0.5 times, in particular less than 0.25 times the distance between the first feed device and the second feed device. The second length measuring device can have a second distance from the second feed device which is smaller than 0.5 times, in particular less than 0.25 times the distance between the second feed device and the separating device.

The two feed devices work synchronously in order to feed the strip material from the strip store to the separating unit. Both feeders each exert a tensile force on the strip material in order to move it. So that the strip material is kept flat between the two feed devices, it is provided in particular that the second feed device located downstream in the direction of passage can be driven faster than the upstream first feed device. In this way, the strip material is kept under tension between the two feed devices and is therefore flat, which has a positive effect on the measurement accuracy.

According to a preferred embodiment, the distance between the thickness measuring device and the separating device is at least twice the blank length of a blank to be cut out of the strip material. In particular, the distance is at least twice the length of a blank plus the feed path which the strip material covers during the computing time for a blank to be cut out.

The separating device can be selected according to the requirements of the flat product to be separated and can comprise, for example, a cross-cutting shears or a beam cutting unit, in particular a laser cutting unit. A cut-to-length shear, a cut-to-length laser or a comparable beam system can be used to cut blanks to length, combined with the strip feed system. A press line with suitable cutting tools or a beam cutting unit, in particular a laser beam unit, each connected to the strip feed system, can be used to produce shaped cuts.

A solution to the above-mentioned object is also a method for separating flexibly rolled strip material, in particular by means of a system according to one of the above-mentioned embodiments, comprising the steps: intermediate storage of the flexibly rolled strip material by means of a storage device; Advancing the strip material from the intermediate store by means of a first advancing device and a second advancing device; continuous measurement of a Thickness of the strip material by means of a thickness measuring device while the strip material is being advanced, the thickness being measured in the direction of advance of the strip material in front of the first advance device; continuous measurement of a length of the strip material by means of a length measuring device while the strip material is being advanced, the length being measured in the advance direction of the strip material behind the first advance device; Calculating an actual thickness profile for a blank to be separated from the strip material from measured thickness values and associated measured length values; Comparing the calculated actual thickness profile with a predetermined nominal thickness profile and calculating a feed length for the blank to be separated from the strip material; Feeding the strip material to a separating device by means of the first feed device and the second feed device on the basis of the calculated feed length.

The length measurement behind the respective feed unit decouples the feed movement from the length measurement, which leads to particularly precise measurement results. The thickness measurement in front of the first feed unit also has a favorable effect on the measuring accuracy, since the feed applied by the first feed device can be controlled on the basis of the values previously determined by the thickness measuring unit. The use of the second position-controlled feed device with the associated length measuring unit contributes to a flat, distortion-free and tape loop-free tape run between the thickness measuring unit and the cutting point, which in turn ensures precise positioning of the reference edges of the feed lengths in relation to the cutting point. The overall advantages for the process are the same as for the system. A recurring thickness profile of the flexibly rolled strip can be precisely recognized, compared with the desired target profile and precisely positioned relative to the separating point of the separating device. In addition, areas of the metal strip that do not comply with the thickness tolerances can be identified and sorted out. It goes without saying that all procedural features can be applied to the system, and vice versa, all system-related characteristics to the process.

After the process has been carried out, the strip material is pulled out of the strip store by the position-controlled first or second strip feed. Here the flexible rolled strip is continuously measured in terms of thickness by the thickness measuring unit. Here, the thickness measuring unit makes an assessment based on the measured thickness, taking into account the associated length measurement values, as to whether or not the flexible rolled strip corresponds to the required thickness tolerances. The comparison of the determined actual thickness profile with the specified target thickness profile also takes place, in particular, taking into account the associated tolerances of the target thickness profile, which can be represented by an envelope curve. In doing so, a computational check is carried out to determine whether the determined actual profile lies within the envelope curve of the target profile. From the result of the comparison, the feed length for the strip or the blank to be cut from it and the cutting position of the blank in the strip can be calculated. The tape is divided into areas that are OK (so-called OK parts) and those that are not OK (so-called NOK parts). The position and length of these individual areas in the strip are passed on from the thickness measuring device to the first feed device. The first feed device, and also the second feed device coupled to it, can then carry out the feeds instructed by the thickness measuring unit and position the reference edges of the individual feed lengths precisely at the cutting point of the cutting device. The feed unit can forward the information to the other parts of the system as to whether it is a feed length with an OK thickness profile or an incorrect thickness profile.

The length measuring device is designed to continuously record a length value representing the feed path of the strip. For this purpose, high-precision length measuring devices are preferably used which have a measuring tolerance of up to 0.5 mm per meter of strip length, in particular of up to 0.1 mm per meter of strip length. The length measurement can be carried out, for example, by means of a measuring wheel that is in contact with the strip material that has passed by. The length measuring device can measure the strip material from start to finish without interruption. The beginning of the tape can be used as the starting point of the measurement and defines the length zero position accordingly. The length is recorded continuously from the start of the length measurement.

According to a preferred method, the first length measuring device is the first feed at the starting point with the thickness measurement referenced in terms of length. This can be done by continuously reporting the length measurement value from the first length measuring device to the thickness measuring device. The length measurement values can be reported absolutely or incrementally. The thickness measurement scales the thickness measurement values based on the reported length measurement values over the strip length. In this way, both measuring devices can work from exactly the same strip length zero point. The measured actual thickness profile can be compared reliably with the specified nominal thickness profile and a corresponding assessment can be made with regard to the parts that are in order and those that are not in order. Referencing the length measuring device with the thickness measuring device is also important for the precise positioning of the feed lengths by the feed in relation to a reference interface for the separation. Alternatively or in addition, the second length measuring device of the second feed can also be referenced with regard to the length at the starting point with the thickness measurement.

According to one embodiment, a further length measurement of the strip material can be carried out by means of a second length measuring device while the strip material is being fed to the separating device, the length being measured with the second measuring device in the feed direction of the strip material behind the second feed device. As a further method step, the following can also be provided: comparing the first length measurement values determined by the first length measurement device with the associated second length measurement values determined by the second length measurement device; and switching off the system if a difference between the first length measurement values and the second length measurement values exceeds a predetermined difference value. This configuration creates a measurement redundancy so that the risk of missing parts is reduced.

After the process has been carried out, a fixed distance can be set between the thickness measuring device and the first feed device. This distance is measured precisely, preferably with an accuracy of up to +/- 0.2 mm, and maintained during operation of the system. In this way, the length reference between the thickness measurement on the one hand and the feed or the length measurement on the other hand, reliably guaranteed over the entire length of the strip material.

For positionally accurate positioning of a reference edge of a feed length on a reference separating point of the separating device, a fixed distance can be set between the thickness measuring device and the separating device according to a possible procedure. This distance is measured precisely, preferably with an accuracy of up to +/- 0.2 mm, and maintained during operation of the system.

According to a further procedure, the measuring section between the thickness measurement and the separating device can be set to at least twice the blank length of a blank to be cut out of the strip material. In particular, the distance between the thickness measurement and the separating device can be set to at least twice the length of a blank plus the feed path that the strip covers during the computing time for a blank to be cut out.

If in the context of the present disclosure reference is made to a distance between two devices, this can refer to a predefined reference point of the respective device, for example a measuring plane in the measuring devices or a separation point in the separating device.

According to a preferred method, the second feed device is operated synchronously with the first feed device, in particular with the same length scale as the first feed device and the thickness measuring unit. By regulating in such a way that the second feed unit advances slightly with respect to the first feed unit, the second feed unit generates a slight tension on the tape in the tape section that is located within the measuring section, which ensures a flat tape run.

Figur 1

eine erfindungsgemäße Anlage zum Vereinzeln von flexibel gewalztem Bandmaterial schematisch in dreidimensionaler Darstellung in einer ersten Ausführungsform;

Figur 2

ein erfindungsgemäßes Verfahren zum Vereinzeln von flexibel gewalztem Bandmaterial;

Figur 3

den Dickenverlauf einer beispielhaften Platine, die mit der Anlage und dem Verfahren gemäß Figur 1 und 2 herstellbar ist;

Figur 4

den Dickenverlauf einer weiteren beispielhaften Platine, die mit der Anlage und dem Verfahren gemäß den Figuren 1 und 2 herstellbar ist;

Figur 5

den Dickenverlauf einer weiteren beispielhaften Platine, die mit der Anlage und dem Verfahren gemäß Figur 1 und 2 herstellbar ist;

Figur 6

eine beispielhafte Abfolge mehrerer Platinen nach Figur 3 beziehungsweise Figur 4, die mit der erfindungsgemäßen Anlage beziehungsweise Verfahren hergestellt sind;

Figur 7

eine erfindungsgemäße Anlage zum Vereinzeln von flexibel gewalztem Bandmaterial schematisch in dreidimensionaler Darstellung in einer zweiten Ausführungsform;

Figur 8

einen beispielhaften Formschnitt in Draufsicht, der mit der Anlage gemäß Figur 7 beziehungsweise dem Verfahren gemäß Figur 2 herstellbar ist;

Figur 9

eine beispielhafte Abfolge mehrerer Formschnitte nach Figur 8, die mit der erfindungsgemäßen Anlage beziehungsweise Verfahren hergestellt sind.

Preferred embodiments are explained below with reference to the drawing figures. Herein shows:

Figure 1

a system according to the invention for separating flexibly rolled strip material schematically in three-dimensional representation in a first embodiment;

Figure 2

a method according to the invention for separating flexibly rolled strip material;

Figure 3

the thickness profile of an exemplary blank produced with the system and the method according to Figure 1 and 2 can be produced;

Figure 4

the thickness profile of a further exemplary board that is produced with the system and the method according to FIGS Figures 1 and 2 can be produced;

Figure 5

the thickness profile of a further exemplary blank that was produced with the system and the method according to FIG Figure 1 and 2 can be produced;

Figure 6

an exemplary sequence of several boards Figure 3 respectively Figure 4 which are produced with the system or method according to the invention;

Figure 7

a system according to the invention for separating flexibly rolled strip material schematically in a three-dimensional representation in a second embodiment;

Figure 8

an exemplary shaped section in plan view, the with the system according to Figure 7 or according to the procedure Figure 2 can be produced;

Figure 9

an exemplary sequence of several shaped cuts Figure 8 which are produced with the system or method according to the invention.

The Figures 1 to 9 are described collectively below. In Figure 1 a system 2 according to the invention for separating flexibly rolled strip material 3 is shown. Flexibly rolled strip material means that a strip material with an essentially constant sheet thickness is rolled in this way over its length by means of rollers that it receives a variable sheet thickness along the rolling direction. After the flexible rolling, the strip material 3 has different thicknesses over the length in the rolling direction. After flexible rolling, the strip material 3 is wound up again to form the coil 4, so that it can be fed to the next process step, or it can, if necessary, be further processed directly.

A coil 4 made of flexibly rolled strip material is shown as the starting material. The system 2 comprises a reel 5 for unwinding the flexibly rolled strip material 3 and a straightening unit 6 for straightening the flexibly rolled strip material. The straightening unit 6 comprises a plurality of rollers, in particular between 7 to 23 rollers, through which the strip material passes. An infeed driver 7 can be provided between the reel 5 and the straightening unit 6, which pulls the strip material 3 from the reel and feeds it to the straightening unit. A take-off roller 8, which transmits a feed force to the strip material 3, can be arranged behind the straightening unit 6 in the direction of passage of the strip. The operation of the system components: reel, infeed driver, straightening unit and take-off roller can be synchronized with one another via controllers and operated with one another in speed control or torque control. Each of the units can be operated individually, i.e. independently of the others, as a generator or as a motor. In the Figure 1 the torques M5, M6, M7, M8 that can be transferred to the strip material by the respective components 5, 6, 7, 8 are shown.

In the direction of tape feed behind the unwinding and straightening group 10, a storage device 9 is provided which is designed to temporarily store a respective section of the tape 3. A feed movement of the unwinding and straightening group 10 is decoupled from a feed movement of the separating group 12. The unwinding and straightening group 10 conveys the strip 3 into the strip store 9, which makes the flexibly rolled strip 3 available for further processing in the separating group 12. The conveying or unwinding speed of the unwinding and straightening group 10 can be regulated by means of a level sensor 13 of the belt storage unit 9. The fill level sensor 13 can comprise, for example, an ultrasonic sensor or an optical sensor which senses the depth of the tape loop hanging in the tape storage device and forwards a corresponding signal to the controller for the unwinding and straightening group 10.

The system 2 comprises, as further components behind the storage device 9, a thickness measuring device 14 for continuously measuring the thickness of the strip material, a first feed device 15, a first length measuring device 16 assigned to the first feed device for continuous measurement of the length of the strip material 3, a second feed device 17, which is arranged at a distance behind the first feed device 15, a second length measuring device 18 assigned to the second feed device 17 and a separating unit 19 for separating the strip material 3.

The two feed devices 15, 17 are operated synchronously and are designed to move the strip material 3 from the storage device 9 to the separating device 19 as a function of the thickness measurement and the length measurement. The two feeders 15, 17 each exert a feed force on the strip material in order to move it. So that the strip material is kept flat between the two feed devices 15, 17, the second feed device 17 can be driven with a slight advance relative to the first feed device 15. A special feature of the present arrangement is that the thickness measuring device 14 is arranged in the direction R of the strip material 3 behind the storage device 9 and in front of the first feed device 15, and that the first length measuring device 16 is designed separately from the first feed device 15 and is located downstream of it. For the length-based feed control of the separating group 12, only the length measurement values of the length measuring devices 16, 18 located behind the strip store 9 are used as a basis.

The first length measuring device 16 and the thickness measuring device 14 are metrologically coupled to one another. A fixed distance A1 is set between the thickness measuring device 14 and the first feeding device 15 to reliably maintain the length reference over the strip length between the thickness measurement 14 on the one hand and the first feed 15 or the first length measurement 16 on the other. This distance A1 is measured precisely, preferably with an accuracy of up to +/- 0.2 mm, and maintained during operation of the system. In this way, the length reference between the thickness measurement on the one hand and the feed or the length measurement on the other hand can be over the entire Length of the tape material can be reliably guaranteed. During the operation of the system 2, the length measuring unit 16 can generate trigger signals B1 and forward them to the thickness measuring unit 14. Each trigger signal B1 serves as a trigger for a thickness measurement, so that with each trigger signal of the length measuring unit 16 a thickness measurement value is generated and assigned to a corresponding length measurement value. In this way, data sets are generated from pairs of length and thickness values, from which the actual thickness profile of the blank to be cut from the strip material 3 can be determined.

The first and second length measuring units 16, 18 each include a measuring wheel 20, 20 'that is in abutment contact with a first side of the strip material 3, and a support wheel 21, 21' that serves as a counter bearing for the measuring wheel 20, 20 '. The running surface of the measuring wheels can be made from a steel material, for example. The running surface of the support wheels can be made of an elastic material, for example. It goes without saying, however, that other forms of length measurements, such as, for example, contactless sensors, can also be used. For a high measurement accuracy of the length measurement values, it is advantageous if the measuring devices 16, 18 are each arranged as close as possible to the respective feeds 15, 17. The distance between the first length measuring device 16 and the first feed device 15 can in particular be smaller than 0.1 times the distance between the two feed devices 15, 17. The second length measuring device 18 can have a distance from the second feed device 17 which is smaller than 0.1 times the distance between the second feed device 17 and the separating device 19.

It is in Figure 1 the distance A2 between the thickness measuring device 14 and the separating device 19 is also shown. This is preferably at least twice the blank length L22 of a blank 22 to be cut out of the strip material 3 plus the feed path which the strip material covers during the computing time for a blank to be cut out.

The separating device 19 can be selected according to the requirements of the flat product 22 to be separated and, for example, a mechanical separating device, such as a cross-cutting shears (as shown here) or a beam cutting unit, in particular a laser cutting unit. In general, the separating device can also be referred to as a cutting or separating device. The present cutting device 19 is designed to produce cuts running perpendicular to the edge of the strip. It goes without saying, however, that the separating device can in principle be adapted to the final contour of the blank to be produced with regard to the separating cut to be produced. For example, the separating device can also be designed to produce cuts running obliquely to the strip edge, or also curved cuts. This can, if necessary, reduce the amount of scrap.

A method for separating flexibly rolled strip material 3 into blanks 22 is described below with reference to FIG Figure 2 described. The process can be viewed in two parts with regard to the regulation of the components. This is because the process steps S10 unwinding and S20 straightening carried out by the unwinding and straightening group 10 can be decoupled from the process steps (S40-S130) carried out behind the belt store S30 by the advancing and separating group 12 in terms of control technology, at least with regard to the feed of the strip material be.

According to the invention, the following are provided: according to step S30, intermediate storage of the flexibly rolled strip material 3 by means of the storage device 9. In particular, it is provided that the strip material 3 is continuously fed from the unwinding and straightening group 10 into the strip store 9. In step S40, the strip material 3 is advanced out of the intermediate store 3 by means of the first and second advance devices 16, 17. This takes place in particular at intervals according to a calculated advance length for the respective blank 22 to be cut out of the strip material 3. The advance length is determined in the Steps S50, S60 a continuous measurement of a thickness signal and a length signal of the strip material 3. This is carried out continuously by means of the thickness measuring device 14 and the first length measuring device 16, i.e. while the strip material 3 is being advanced by one feed length by the feed devices 15, 17. The thickness measurement (S50) takes place in the direction of passage R of the strip material 3 in front of the first feed device 15 or in front of the first length measuring device 16. The thickness and length values recorded by the measuring devices 14, 16 are forwarded to a computing or control unit, where they are processed further to calculate the actual thickness profile of a blank 22 to be cut out and to calculate the feed length for this blank. To determine the thickness profile of the strip or of the blanks to be cut out from it, a thickness value D is assigned to each length position L of the strip material 3. Since the thickness measuring device 14 is arranged in front of the first feed device 15, the thickness values recorded thereby and the actual thickness profiles determined from them together with the associated length values can be taken into account directly in the current feed movement. The length measurement can take place in the direction R of the belt, immediately behind the first feed device 15.

The continuous measurement of the length or path signal of the strip material 3 by means of the first length measuring device 16 takes place simultaneously with the thickness measurement while the strip material is being advanced. In particular, it is provided that the first length measuring device 16 is referenced at the starting point with the thickness measuring device 14 in terms of length. This is done for the first time, as described above, by setting the defined distance A1, as well as during the process by continuously reporting the length measurement value from the first length measurement device 16 to the thickness measurement device 14. The length measurement values can be reported absolutely or incrementally, for example by means of trigger signals B1, B2 . The thickness measurement scales the thickness measurement values based on the reported length measurement values over the strip length. In this way, both measuring devices 14, 16 work from exactly the same strip length zero point. In step S70, the actual thickness profile for the blank 22 to be separated from the strip material 3 is calculated from the measured thickness and length measured values of the measuring devices 14, 16. The measured actual thickness profile can be reliably compared with the specified nominal thickness profile and the associated tolerances, in particular represented by an envelope curve, in step S80 and a corresponding assessment can be made with regard to the parts that are OK and those that are not. Simultaneously or offset in time, the feed length for the blank 22 to be separated from the strip material 3 can be calculated in step S90.

In the subsequent step S100, the strip material 3 is fed to the separating device 19 by means of the two feed devices 15, 17 on the basis of the calculated feed length VL. While the strip material is advanced by the calculated feed length VL for a first blank, the thickness and length measurement for the next blank 22 'to be subsequently cut out is carried out simultaneously by means of the thickness and length measuring devices 14, 16 in the area of the first feed unit 15. This is done the dashed line in Figure 2 shown. It is provided that the measuring distance between the thickness measurement 14 and the separating device 19 is set to at least twice the blank length L22 of a blank 22 to be cut from the strip material 3 plus the feed path that the strip covers during the computing time for the blank to be cut. The circuit board 22 is cut out in method step S110.

After a possible further step S120, a further length measurement by means of a second length measuring device 18 can take place while the strip material 3 is being fed from the second feeding device 17 to the cutting unit 19. The second length measuring unit is preferably arranged directly behind the second feed device 17 in the feed direction of the strip material 3. The following method step S130 can also be provided: comparing the first length measurement values determined by the first length measurement device 16 with the associated second length measurement values determined by the second length measurement device 18 and switching off the system if a difference between the first and second length measurement values exceeds a predetermined difference value. This measurement redundancy minimizes the risk of rejects being produced.

In the Figures 3, 4 and 5 various shapes of blanks to be produced from the strip material 3 are shown, as well as in FIG Figure 6 an example of a separation sequence for a board according to Figure 3 or one according to Figure 4 .

In Figure 3 shows an embodiment of a rectangular plate 22 with an asymmetrical thickness profile D22 over the length L22 of the plate. Starting from the first end 23, the board 22 has different sections 24a, 24b, 24c, 24d with different thicknesses D24a, D24b, D24c, D24d, the first section 24a and the last section 24d at the second end 25 having the same thickness (D24a = D24d) exhibit. Between two sections 24a, 24b, 24c, 24d of constant thickness, which can also be referred to as plateaus, a transition section 26a, 26b, 26c with variable thickness is formed, which can also be referred to as ramps. In the Figure 3 The rectangular blank 22 shown is produced by simply cutting to length the strip material 3 brought to the correct position by the feeders 15, 17 by a simple cut, for example by means of a cross-cutting shears. An exemplary separation sequence for the rectangular plate 22 from Figure 3 is in the upper path of the Figure 6 shown. Successive boards have the same reference numerals with prime indices. There are an "OK" board 22, followed by an "NOK" board 28, followed by an "OK" board 22 ', a short "NOK" intermediate piece 28' to be separated, followed by a further "OK" - Board 22 "is shown. The" OK "boards 22, 22 ', 22" are stacked by means of a stacking system (not shown). The "not ok" sections 28, 28 'are automatically scrapped. In the lower half of the Figure 6 a further exemplary separation sequence for a further exemplary rectangular plate is shown. In the case of the rectangular plates 22, 22 ', 22 "of the lower separation sequence, the thicknesses of the respective first section 24a and the last section 24a are also the same. The last section 24a of the plate 22 accordingly has the same thickness as the first section 24a' of the subsequent plate 22 In the example shown specifically, an "NOK" board 28 is followed by an "OK" board 22, a short "NOK" intermediate piece 28 'to be removed, followed by a further "OK" board 22', a "NOK" “Board 28” and an “OK” board 22 ". The" OK "boards 22, 22 ', 22" are stacked by means of a stacking system (not shown). The "not ok" sections 28, 28 'are automatically scrapped.

In Figure 4 a further embodiment of a rectangular plate 22 is shown, which in contrast to Figure 3 has a symmetrical thickness profile D22 over the length L22. It can be seen that the thickness profile D22 of the blank 22 is designed mirror-symmetrically with respect to a center plane E. The rectangular blank 22 shown in the present case is also produced by simply cutting to length the strip material 3 brought to the correct position by the feeders 15, 17 by a simple cut, for example by means of cross-cutting shears.

In Figure 5 an embodiment of circuit boards is shown, the end portions of which respectively have a different thickness. For this reason, two successive circuit boards 22A, 22B are each arranged in a mirrored manner. A first plate 22A and a second plate 22B alternate over the length of the strip. The profile of the first plates 22A corresponds to the profile of the second plates 22B. The blanks 22A, 22B shown here also each have an asymmetrical thickness profile D22A, D22B over the respective length L22A, L22B. It can be seen that the thickness profile D22A of the board 22A is mirror-symmetrical with respect to a center plane EAB to the thickness profile D22B of the board 22B following it. The board 22A has, starting from the first end 23A, a first section 24Aa with a first thickness, a second section 24Ab with a second thickness, a third section 24Ac with a third thickness, a fourth section 24Ad with a fourth thickness and a last section 24Ae with a thickness which is not equal to the first thickness of the first section 24Aa. Between the sections 24Aa, 24Ab, 24Ac, 24Ad and 24Ae, each of which has a constant thickness over the length, transition sections 26Aa, 26Ab, 26Ac, 26Ad and 26Ae are provided with variable thickness over the length. The second circuit board 22B is constructed symmetrically to the first circuit board. The second circuit board 22B is in turn followed by a first circuit board 22A, and so on. The rectangular plates 22A, 22B shown here are also produced by simply cutting to length the strip material 3 brought to the correct position by the feeders 15, 17 by means of a simple cut, for example by means of cross-cutting shears.

Figure 7 shows a system 2 according to the invention for separating flexibly rolled strip material in a modified embodiment. This largely corresponds to the embodiment according to Figure 1 , so that reference is made to the above description with regard to the similarities. The same or modified components are provided with the same reference symbols as in FIG Figure 1 . This Annex 2 in accordance with Figure 7 can be related to the same above Figure 2 are operated.

The only difference of the present embodiment consists in the design of the separating device 19, which in the present case comprises a shaped cutting tool, in particular with a band cutting tool. The shape cutting tool is designed so that it cuts a shaped blanking plate 22 corresponding to the target contour from the strip material 3. Depending on the component to be produced, one or more shaped cutting blanks 22 can be cut out of the strip material 3 in one operation of the shaped cutting tool. The separating device 19 can be designed as a punching tool, as shown in more detail in FIG Figure 9 shown, with a lower tool part 29 and an upper tool part 30 which is movable relative thereto in order to carry out a contoured cut. In addition, the separating device can have an integrated strip cutting tool which separates a plate from the strip. The sequence of cuts can be chosen as required, i.e. first a separating cut of a blank from the strip, then a shaped cut from the blank, or a separating cut and shaped cut at the same time, or first a shaped cut from the strip and then a separating cut from the strip. Analogous to the embodiment with cut-to-length shears, precise positioning of the shaped cut 22 to be cut out relative to the tool 19 by means of the feed units 15, 17 is also provided in the present embodiment with a shaped cutting tool. The cutting tool can have a cutting line which deviates from a perpendicular to the strip edge and which can be straight, inclined or also curved. Depending on the shape of the shaped blanks to be cut out, the punching scrap can be reduced with inclined or curved cutting lines.

The feed units 15, 17 are connected in terms of control technology to the shape cutting tool 19 in such a way that the strip material is advanced in the desired length to a reference point 32 or a reference plane on the shape cutting tool 19. In particular, it is provided that the shape cutting tool 19 is precisely aligned with respect to the press table 31 and is precisely positioned or fixed by means of positioning means such as fitting bolts or fitting cones.

In Figure 8 a shaped blanking plate 22 is shown, as it is shown, for example, by means of the punch 19 according to the system Figure 7 can be cut out. The shaped blank 22 is characterized in that it has a defined circumferential contour 27. The contour of the sheet metal blanks 22 to be cut out of the strip material 3 is arbitrary and can be set individually according to the geometric specifications. Alternatively, it is suitable for producing a shaped blank 22 for the punching tool described in particular also a beam cutting device, for example a laser beam cutting device, which can be moved along several axes, namely at least in the feed direction and in the transverse direction and optionally in the vertical direction of the strip material. The die cut blank 22 has sections 24a, 24b, 24c, 24d with different thicknesses (plateaus) and intermediate transition sections 26a, 26b, 26c (ramps). In Figure 8 the reference edge 32 is shown on which the strip material 3 is positioned in the separating device 19 in order to produce the shaped cut.

Figure 9 FIG. 11 shows an exemplary separation sequence for a die cut blank 22 from FIG Figure 8 by means of the shape cutting tool 19, which is shown in dashed lines here. Of the die cutting tool 19, the lower tool part 29, which is positioned on the press table 31, and the upper tool part 30 can be seen. For the cutting process, the tape 3 is advanced onto a reference separating edge 32 according to the calculation of the advance unit 15, 17. Then the die cut blank 22 is cut out by moving the upper part 30 towards the lower part 29. The specifically shown exemplary sequence comprises an “OK” die-cut board 22, followed by an "OK" board area 22 'to be cut out, followed by two "OK" board areas 28, 28', and a further "OK" board area 22 " further "NOK" board area 28 "and a further" OK "board area 22 '". The "OK" boards 22, 22', 22 ", 22 '" are stacked by means of a stacking system (not shown) "-Sections 28, 28 'are automatically scrapped.

With the systems or methods described above, it is possible to unwind and align coils 4 with flexibly rolled strip material 3, to check the sheet thickness profiles contained therein for conformity with the sheet thickness tolerance and to carry out an OK / NOK assessment. As a result, the tape 3 is divided into feed lengths, which are precisely positioned below the separating edge of the separating device 19. The separating device 19 then separates the feed lengths from the tape. In the event that the feed length is "OK" (OK), the rectangular or shaped blank is sent for further processing. In the event that the feed length is "not OK" (not ok), it is sorted out and scrapped.

List of reference symbols

2

investment

3

Tape material

4th

Coil

5

reel

6

Straightening unit

7th

Inlet driver

8th

Take-off roller

9

Storage facility

10

Unwinding and straightening group

12th

Singling group

13

Level sensor

14th

Thickness measuring device

15th

first feed device

16

first length measuring device

17th

second feed device

18th

second length measuring device

19th

Separating device

20.20 '

Measuring wheel

21.21 '

Support wheel

22nd

circuit board

23

The End

24

Sections

25th

The End

26th

Transition section

27

Perimeter contour

28

NOK area

29

Tool base

30th

Tool head

31

Press table

32

Reference edge

A.

distance

B.

Trigger signal

D.

thickness

E.

level

L.

length

M.

Torque

P

profile

R.

direction

S.

step

VL

Feed length

Claims (15)

1. Installation for separating flexibly rolled strip material, comprising:

   a buffer device (9) for temporarily buffering the flexibly rolled strip material (3);

   a first feed device (15) which is arranged in feed direction (R) of the strip material (3) downstream the buffer device (9);

   at least one length measuring device (16) for continuously measuring a length (L3) of the strip material (3);

   a thickness measuring device (14) for continuously measuring a thickness (D3) of the strip material (3) along the length (L3);

   a second feed device (17) arranged downstream the first feed device (15);

   a separating device (19) which is arranged in the feed direction (R) of the strip material (3) downstream the second feed device (17);

   wherein the first feed device (15) and the second feed device (17) are configured to move the strip material (3) depending on the thickness measurement and the length measurement from the buffer device (9) to the separating device (19);

   characterized in

   that the thickness measuring device (14) is arranged in the feed direction of the strip material (3) between the buffer device (9) and the first feed device (15); and

   that the at least one length measuring device (16) is arranged in the feed direction of the strip material (3) downstream the first feed device (15).
2. Installation according to claim 1,
   characterized in
   that a coiler (5) for uncoiling the flexibly rolled strip material (3) and a straightening unit (6) for straightening the flexibly rolled strip material (3) are provided, which are arranged upstream of the buffer device (9), wherein the first feed device (15) and the second feed device (17) for the separating device (19) are controlled independent of a feed of the coiler (5) and the straightening unit (6).
3. Installation according to claim 1 or 2,
   characterized in
   that the at least one length measuring device (16, 18) comprises a measuring wheel (20, 20') which is in contact with a first side of the strip material (3), and a support wheel (21, 21') which is in contact with an opposite side of the strip material (3) as a counter-bearing for the measuring wheel (20, 20'), wherein the running surface of the measuring wheel is made in particular from a steel material.
4. Installation according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
   characterized in
   that the at least one length measuring device (16, 18) is a first length measuring device (16) for measuring the length of the strip material, and
   that a second length measuring device (18) is provided for measuring the length of the strip material (3), wherein the second length measuring device (18) is arranged in the feed direction of the strip material between the second feed device (17) and the separating device (19).
5. Installation according to claim 4,
   characterized in
   that the first length measuring device (16) has a first distance to the first feed device (15) which is smaller than 0.5 times the distance between the first feed device (15) and the second feed device (17), and/or
   that the second length measuring device (18) has a second distance to the second feed device (17) which is smaller than 0.5 times the distance between the second feed device (17) and the separating device (19).
6. Installation according to any one of claims 1 to 5,
   characterized in
   that the second feed device (17) is faster drivable than the first feed device (15), so that the strip material (3) can be tension loaded between the first feed device (15) and the second feed device (17).
7. Installation according to any one of claims 1 to 6,
   characterized in
   that the distance (A2) between the thickness measuring device (14) and the separating device (19) is at least twice the blank length (L22) of a blank (22) to be cut out of the strip material, in particular at least twice the blank length plus the feed path which the strip material (3) covers during the computing time for the blank to be cut out.
8. Installation according to any one of claims 1 to 7,
   characterized in
   that the at least one length measuring device (16) and the thickness measuring device (14) are measuring-technically coupled to one another, wherein it is provided in particular that the length measuring device (16) generates trigger signals and transmits them to the thickness measuring device (14), wherein the trigger signals serve as triggers for carrying out thickness measurements.
9. Installation according to any one of claims 1 to 8,
   characterized in
   that the separating device (19) comprises a cross-cutting shear or a beam cutting unit, in particular a laser cutting unit.
10. Method for separating flexibly rolled strip material, in particular by an installation according to any one of claims 1 to 9, comprising:

    intermediate buffering (S30) the flexibly rolled strip material (3) by a buffer device (9);

    advancing (S40) the strip material from the buffer device (9) by a first feed device (15) and a second feed device (17);

    continuous measuring (S50) a thickness (D3) of the strip material (3) by a thickness measuring device (14) while the strip material (3) is being fed forward, wherein the measuring (S50) of the thickness (D3) takes place in the feed direction of the strip material upstream of the first feed device (15);

    continuous measuring (S60) a length (L3) of the strip material (3) by a length measuring device (16) while the strip material (3) is being fed forward, the length (L3) being measured in the feed direction of the strip material behind the first feed device (15);

    calculating (S70) an actual thickness profile (P22) for a blank (22) to be separated from the strip material from measured thickness values and associated measured length values;

    comparing (S80) the calculated actual thickness profile (P22) with a predetermined nominal thickness profile and calculating a feed length (VL22) for the blank (22) to be separated from the strip material;

    feeding (S100) the strip material (3) to a separating device (19) by the first feed device (15) and the second feed device (17) on the basis of the calculated feed length (VL22).
11. Method according to claim 10,
    characterized in
    that a further method step is provided:

    continuous measuring (S120) of the length (L3) of the strip material (3) by a second length measuring device (18) during the feeding of the strip material to the separating device (19), wherein the measuring takes place by the second length measuring device (18) in the feed direction (R) of the strip material behind the second feed device (17),

    wherein a further method step is provided in particular:
    comparing (S130) the first length measured values determined by the first length measuring device (16) with the associated second length measured values determined by the second length measuring device (18); and switching off the installation if a difference between the first length measured values and the second length measured values exceeds a specified difference value.
12. Method according to claim 10 or 11,
    characterized in
    that the first length measuring device (16) is referenced at the starting point with the thickness measuring device (14) with respect to the length, wherein it is provided in particular that the length measuring device (16) generates trigger signals and transmits them to the thickness measuring device (14), wherein the trigger signals serve as triggers for carrying out thickness measurements by the thickness measuring device (14).
13. Method according to any one of claims 10 to 12,
    characterized in
    that the first feed device (15) and the second feed device (17) are operated synchronously, in particular with the same length scale.
14. Method according to any of Claims 10 to 13,
    characterized in
    that the first feed device (15) and the second feed device (17) are controlled such that the second feed device (17) runs slightly faster relative to the first feed device (15), so that the strip material (3) is subjected to a slight tensile load.
15. Method according to any one of claims 10 to 14,
    characterized in
    that a fixed first distance (A1) is set between the thickness measuring device (14) and the first feed device (15), and/or
    that a fixed second distance (A2) is set between the thickness measuring device (14) and the separating device (19),
    wherein the first distance (A1) and/or the second distance (A2) are measured with an accuracy of in particular up to +/- 0.2 mm.

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