EP4175776B1 - Device for producing a metal mesh reinforcement - Google Patents

Description

State of the art

In mechanical engineering, machines are known for producing metal mesh reinforcements from metal profiles or steel profiles with several longitudinal profiles and with a winding profile.

Such machines have a welding unit for welding a longitudinal profile to a winding profile at a connection point between the two metal profiles. The machine also comprises a feed unit for feeding a section of the winding profile provided from a template, also called a coil, to the welding unit. The machine has a cutting arrangement for cutting through the winding profile in order to separate a profile section of the winding profile from the template.

These machines are used to produce metal mesh reinforcements, for example for reinforced concrete elements such as concrete pipes or reinforced concrete columns. Such machines are known, for example, from the SU 639 635 A1 .

A machine can be used to produce different reinforcements for different pipes or supports with different external diameters. Setting up and equipping the machine for the metal mesh reinforcement to be produced or changing the longitudinal and/or coil profiles to be processed involves a significant amount of time and personnel. In particular, the welding unit of the machine must be set to the respective external reinforcement dimensions. In addition, different coil profile diameters are regularly used. processed, which entails corresponding interruptions in the actual manufacturing process.

With regard to the economical use of such machines, a high degree of automation and a minimized use of personnel are particularly desirable, with the shortest possible process interruptions and low susceptibility to faults in machine operation.

Object and advantages of the invention

The object of the present invention is to economically and technically improve the known machines for producing metal mesh reinforcements from metal profiles, in particular with regard to the selection and variable processing of different wound profiles.

This task is solved by the independent claim.

Advantageous and expedient developments of the invention are set out in the dependent claims.

The invention is based on a machine for producing a metal mesh reinforcement from interconnected metal profiles, wherein the metal mesh reinforcement has a plurality of longitudinal profiles and a winding profile, wherein the machine has a device, wherein the device comprises a welding unit for welding a longitudinal profile to the winding profile at a connection point of the two metal profiles and a feed unit for feeding a section of the winding profile provided from a template to the welding unit, wherein the feed unit comprises a cutting arrangement for severing the winding profile in order to separate a profile section of the winding profile from the template.

The metal mesh reinforcement geometry is formed by the arrangement of the longitudinal profiles, which are attached to a rotating main wheel are arranged. The geometry of the metal mesh reinforcement is preferably cylindrical with, for example, a round, oval or square base. In order to ensure that the longitudinal profiles remain arranged in the geometry, the longitudinal profiles are connected to a winding profile, whereby the winding profile is connected to the longitudinal profiles in particular from the beginning of the longitudinal extension of the longitudinal profiles to the end of the longitudinal extension of the longitudinal profiles, i.e. to each longitudinal profile several times.

To make it easier to produce the metal mesh reinforcement, the longitudinal profiles are rotated on the rotating main wheel and the winding profile is wound around the longitudinal profiles. A longitudinal profile is permanently connected to the winding profile; by continuing to turn the main wheel, the winding profile moves to the next longitudinal profile and is connected to this longitudinal profile, etc. The profiles are welded together by a welding unit at the connection point or welding point.

The metal mesh reinforcement, which can be in the form of a reinforcement body or a reinforcement cage, for example, is advantageously designed as a reinforcement of a pipe, a pile, a support and/or a pillar. The metal mesh reinforcements are preferably used for shaft and concrete pipe reinforcements in building and/or civil engineering. The reinforcement body is designed, for example, in a cross-section, in particular transverse to a longitudinal extension of a rod, to be rectangular, square, multi- or polygonal, round and/or oval.

In civil engineering in particular, pressure acts on the longitudinal extension of the buried reinforcement, e.g. metal mesh reinforcement. The reinforcement is, for example, part of the reinforced concrete pipe. Due to the different pressures exerted on the metal mesh reinforcement along its longitudinal extension, different stable winding profiles are used, for example, and thus different External dimensions of the winding profiles are required for different metal mesh reinforcements. The external dimension preferably corresponds to the maximum cross-sectional extent of the winding profile. For example, with a circular cross-section of the winding profile, the external dimension is the diameter of the circle. The external dimensions of the respective winding profiles can vary between 4 and 10 mm and larger. The winding profiles are, for example, winding wires, which are preferably made of a metal that is comparatively easy to weld.

The essence of the invention lies in the fact that the cutting arrangement is present in a cutting area of the device remote from the welding unit, that the device is designed so that after the winding profile has been severed, the end section of the winding profile severed from the template is fed from the cutting area to the welding unit and at least one further welding process of the severed end section of the winding profile with a longitudinal profile takes place in order to complete the metal grid reinforcement.

Until now, the winding profiles for each metal mesh reinforcement were changed manually before the longitudinal profiles were welded to a winding profile. With the invention, the winding profile can be changed automatically. This is advantageous because it is comparatively time-saving and requires less personnel.

Automatic changing of the winding profile is only possible if the device has several winding profiles that are fed to the device from a template, e.g. a coil. The winding profiles in the device advantageously have different external dimensions. Since the templates are bulky and there are several templates, the templates are located several meters away from the welding unit.

Since the templates for the winding profiles are located away from the welding unit, the selected winding profile must be automatically and safely fed to the welding unit. The winding profile is fed to the welding unit by the feed unit.

After the wound profile has been fed to the welding point by the feed unit, the wound profile is connected to the longitudinal profiles at the welding unit. In particular, when only a few welding points are still missing to complete the metal mesh reinforcement, in which case there are already several welding points between a wound profile and longitudinal profiles, the wound profile can be severed at a point close to the template using the cutting arrangement. The one end of the wound profile that is separated from the end wound on the template belongs to the wound profile for producing the metal mesh reinforcement. This end and the longitudinal section of the wound profile separated from the template formed from the separation point to the last welding point on a longitudinal profile can then be pulled to the welding unit and wound around the longitudinal profile on the longitudinal profile in question to produce the last welding point.

According to the invention, the cutting arrangement is present in a cutting area remote from the welding unit, the distance between the cutting area and the welding unit preferably being in the range of 5500 mm to 5700 mm. The distance between the cutting area and the welding unit is, for example, between 3000-5500 mm or between 5700-7000 mm. This comparatively large distance must be overcome by the winding profile. To do this, the winding profile is moved to the welding point with a drive until a first welding point is created between the winding profile and the longitudinal profile, after which the winding profile is pulled by turning the main wheel.

When the winding profile is cut off, the continuous production of the metal mesh reinforcement is not interrupted, for example. This means that the winding profile continues to be fed to the welding unit and the winding profile is permanently connected to the longitudinal profiles at the welding unit. Advantageously, the speed of the rotating main wheel and thus the speed at which the winding profile is pulled can be slowed down in order to separate the winding profile.

Since the metal mesh reinforcement is not yet finished when the winding profile is cut off, the end section of the winding profile that was created by cutting off the winding profile is fed to the welding unit. The winding profile continues to be welded to the longitudinal profiles on the welding unit until the end section of the winding profile is welded to a longitudinal profile at a final welding point. The metal mesh reinforcement is then finished.

It is also advantageous if the end section of the winding profile is located a maximum of 5 cm away from the very last welding point between the winding profile and a longitudinal profile.

Basically, a control unit, particularly a computer-aided one, is available for the device and/or the machine to manage the operation of the device or the machine. In addition to general operational control and management, the control unit is preferably used to determine the separation point of the winding profile.

Advantageously, a synchronous unit is provided which is designed such that the feed unit and the welding unit can be moved simultaneously and together in a common direction when the welding unit is driven and can be adjusted to a desired external dimension of the metal mesh reinforcement in order to specify a working position of the welding unit in which the welding unit remains for the production of a metal mesh reinforcement with a constant external dimension. Advantageously, time is saved and the workload is reduced because the synchronization unit allows the working position of the welding unit to be adjusted automatically.

Advantageously, the movement of the welding unit is synchronous with the movement of the feeding unit, both units being movable in an identical direction, preferably perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the main wheel.

It is advantageous that the distance between the cutting arrangement, which is part of the feed unit, and the welding unit remains constant during the coupled movement of the welding unit and the feed unit. The welding unit is moved with a drive and this movement is transmitted, for example, to a first transmission unit, which is coupled, in particular mechanically coupled, to a second transmission unit. The second transmission unit then preferably transmits the movement to the feed unit. The two coupled transmission units are, for example, part of the synchronization unit.

Preferably, the external dimensions of the metal mesh reinforcement that can be produced with the machine can vary by up to 1600 mm, e.g. an external diameter related to the axis of rotation. In this case, it is advantageous if the welding unit can be moved back and forth by 800 mm in a direction perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the main wheel in order to adjust the working position of the welding unit. If necessary, 700 mm, 600 mm, 500 mm, 400 mm or 300 mm, by which the welding unit can be moved, are sufficient.

It is also advantageous that the welding unit can be moved linearly. Preferably, the welding unit is driven, for example, by an electric and/or hydraulic and/or pneumatic drive and can be moved back and forth reversibly.

The control unit is preferably used for automated Setting the working position of the welding unit. The control unit preferably controls the drive of the welding unit, preferably in conjunction with sensor means of the device, such as displacement and/or position sensors.

The working position of the welding unit is the position into which the welding unit can be driven in order to weld a longitudinal profile to the wound profile for a desired external dimension of the metal mesh reinforcement. The welding unit is driven and moved in a direction perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the main wheel until the welding unit is adjusted to the corresponding external dimension of the respective metal mesh reinforcement. The welding unit does not lie directly on a longitudinal profile, for example, because sufficient space is still required for the wound profile between the outside of the longitudinal profile and a welding electrode of the welding unit. Once the working position of the welding unit has been set for welding a wound profile to a longitudinal profile, this position is no longer changed for the production of the metal mesh reinforcement. This applies to metal mesh reinforcements that have a uniform external dimension.

It is advantageous that the winding profile has at least two winding profile sections, wherein the first winding profile section has a constant first external dimension and the second winding profile section has a constant second external dimension that is different from the first external dimension, wherein the device is designed such that the winding profile sections with different external dimensions can be automatically exchanged during the production of the metal grid reinforcement.

For the production of the metal mesh reinforcement, it is also conceivable to use more than two wound profile sections for a single metal mesh reinforcement, whereby preferably the multiple wound profile sections have different external dimensions. Furthermore, it is also possible to use multiple wound profile sections, for example between two winding profile sections with different external dimensions.

Preferably, the first winding profile section for the metal mesh reinforcement comes from a first winding profile of a first template and the second winding profile section for the metal mesh reinforcement comes from a second winding profile of a second template. Preferably, the winding profiles or the winding profile sections have consistently different external dimensions. Advantageously, a starting section of the first winding profile section is welded to a longitudinal profile and several welding points of the first winding profile section follow with several longitudinal profiles until the end section of the first winding profile section separated by the cutting arrangement is formed with a longitudinal profile. Advantageously, a starting section of the second winding profile section follows in the feed unit directly behind the end section of the first winding profile section, so that the starting section of the second winding profile section can be welded either to the longitudinal profile to which the end section of the first winding profile was welded or to the next longitudinal profile. The second winding profile section is also welded to several longitudinal profiles until an end section of the second winding profile separated by the cutting arrangement is connected to a longitudinal profile. The metal mesh reinforcement can be completed by welding the end section of the second winding profile to a longitudinal profile or a third winding profile section can be welded to longitudinal profiles. The external dimension of the third winding profile section can correspond to the external dimension of the first winding profile section or the third winding profile section can have an external dimension that is different to the external dimension of the first and second winding profile sections.

Using the control unit, the winding profile or the winding profile section can be changed automatically, The control unit is preferably programmable for this purpose. The programmed control unit is designed to change the winding profile or winding profile section.

It is advantageous that the welding unit is provided in such a way that the welding unit can be adjusted in a direction transverse to the longitudinal extension of the longitudinal profile in order to adapt to the working position. The welding unit remains in the working position to produce a metal mesh reinforcement with a constant external dimension.

Preferably, the machine has a main wheel which is mounted so that it can rotate about a rotation axis, the main wheel being designed to arrange several longitudinal profiles which can be accommodated next to one another, circumferentially to the rotation axis. Advantageously, the main wheel has spoke-like sections on which the several longitudinal profiles are arranged. Preferably, the external dimensions of the metal mesh reinforcement can be adjusted by moving supports for all longitudinal profiles along the spoke-like sections in a radial direction to the rotation axis of the main wheel.

Advantageously, both the welding unit and the feed unit are movable in a direction perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the main wheel. The feed unit is movable, for example, along linear guide elements, e.g. parallel rails. The guide elements are advantageously arranged on a base. Preferably, the guide elements extend along the direction perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the main wheel.

Furthermore, it is advantageous if the synchronization unit comprises transmission units with which the feed unit and the welding unit are coupled to one another in such a way that the feed unit and the welding unit can be moved in the same way. The transmission unit preferably comprises, for example, hydraulic and/or pneumatic and/or electrical devices. For example, the transmission units preferably comprise exactly two transmission units, e.g. hydraulic cylinders. The movement of the feed unit and welding unit is preferably synchronized. It is advantageous if the movement of the welding unit is converted directly into a movement of the feed unit, so that the distance between the welding unit and the feed unit remains constant.

It is considered to be an advantage if the device comprises a holder in which several separate and different winding profiles can be presented in such a way that exactly one of the several separate winding profiles presented in the holder can be selectively fed to the cutting arrangement.

Advantageously, the different, separate winding profiles can each be unrolled from the respective template, e.g. a winding body or a coil, and a front free end section of the winding profile can be inserted into the holder. Preferably, the winding profile is no longer removed from the holder or moved out, e.g. in the direction of the template, after being inserted into the holder.

The holder preferably comprises support sections, e.g. channels or pipes, each with exactly one support section for exactly one winding profile. Advantageously, the holder contains several winding profiles, in particular 3-7, preferably e.g. 5 winding profiles, each with different external dimensions compared to the other winding profiles. Two or more or all winding profiles can also each have the same external dimensions. Preferably, exactly one winding profile of the several winding profiles can be selected or used for the production of a metal mesh reinforcement.

According to the invention, the feed unit comprises a feed arrangement with a drive unit for the driven movement of the Winding profile in the longitudinal direction of the winding profile, wherein the feed arrangement is designed to move exactly one of the several winding profiles provided next to one another in the feed unit with the drive unit to the welding unit.

Advantageously, exactly one winding profile of the several winding profiles present in the holder is selected and this selected winding profile is driven to the welding unit. The other winding profiles of the several winding profiles provided are not driven by the drive unit. The other winding profiles are therefore stationary, relative to a movement in the longitudinal direction of the winding profile.

Advantageously, the feed arrangement is designed to apply a force or drive effect, in particular a pressure force and/or a drive torque, to exactly one winding profile in such a way that the selected winding profile is moved with a pushing or sliding movement from the feed unit to the welding unit.

It is also advantageous if the feed arrangement can be moved transversely to the longitudinal extension of the winding profile, for example to guide a single selectable winding profile to the cutting arrangement.

Advantageously, there is only one receiving point on the cutting arrangement for the winding profile. Preferably, the winding profile passes into the receiving point of the cutting arrangement after the feed arrangement. For this purpose, the feed arrangement can be moved transversely to the longitudinal extension of the winding profile. For example, the feed arrangement can be moved by a drive, e.g. by an electrical and/or pneumatic and/or hydraulic unit.

An advantage is that the winding profiles provided in the feed arrangement can be changed automatically.

Advantageously, a first winding profile can be selected on the feed arrangement and moved to the cutting arrangement by the drive unit, the first winding profile being passed from the cutting arrangement to the welding unit. The welding unit preferably welds the initial section of the first winding profile section of the first winding profile to a longitudinal profile, the first winding profile being severed on the cutting arrangement and the severed end section of the first winding profile section being welded to a longitudinal profile. Advantageously, after the first winding profile section of the first winding profile has been severed on the cutting arrangement, a second winding profile can be selected on the feed arrangement by moving the second winding profile to the cutting arrangement by the drive unit. The first and second winding profiles preferably have different external dimensions.

Preferably, an operator can enter the external dimensions and the length of the winding profile sections for a metal mesh reinforcement into the control unit. Advantageously, the control unit communicates with the feed arrangement so that the winding profiles on the feed arrangement are automatically changed by means of the drive unit. Furthermore, the control unit preferably communicates with the cutting arrangement so that the length of the individual winding profile sections are suitable for the metal mesh reinforcement and the cutting arrangement cuts the winding profiles at the right place.

It is also advantageous that the feed arrangement has two opposing drive elements comprising a feed element and a counter element, wherein the drive elements can be used to apply a drive effect to exactly one of the several winding profiles provided. The selected winding profile can be pushed from the feed arrangement to the welding unit.

Advantageously, at least one separate counter element is assigned to each of the several winding profiles provided in the feed arrangement. The winding profile is slightly clamped between the counter element and the feed element for the feed. Preferably, the counter element is pressed onto the selected winding profile. Under the pressure effect of the counter element, the winding profile is pressed onto the feed element. The feed element is movable, so that the movement of the feed element leads to the winding profile being driven in the longitudinal direction of the winding profile under a friction effect between the feed element and the winding profile. By pressing the winding profile onto the feed elements via the respective counter element and the movement of the feed elements, the selected winding profile experiences a driving effect and thus a sliding movement. The driven pushed winding profile is transported by the feed arrangement, e.g. to the welding unit. The feed element can be pushed driven, e.g. via a suitable mechanism or drive. A continuous feed element can be located opposite the counter elements. However, pairs of counter elements and feed elements can also be present. Preferably, if several feed elements are present, they are coupled and driven together.

A feed element of the feed arrangement is preferably in frictional contact with the winding profile, whereby the frictional contact can be on one side or on multiple or both sides on the outside of the winding profile. The force, in particular pressure force and/or the drive torque, which acts on the winding profile comprises at least one force vector in the longitudinal direction of the winding profile.

The pressure force acting on the winding profile is preferably only exerted on the winding profile until at least one weld point between the pushed winding profile and a longitudinal profile with the welding unit. The selected winding profile is then advantageously pulled through the rotating longitudinal profiles arranged on the main wheel by pulling. The winding profile is wound around the outside of the longitudinal profiles and thus further length of the winding profile is unwound from the corresponding template by pulling.

After one or several welding points between the winding profile and several longitudinal profiles, no more pressure is exerted by the counter element on the winding profile.

It is also advantageous that preferably exactly one drive unit is provided such that one feed element or several feed elements are driven simultaneously by the drive unit in the drive state.

Preferably, exactly 2 feed elements are provided, which can be driven in rotation by the drive unit. Preferably, the drive unit comprises a drive shaft and/or a drive roller, a drive and a connecting element. Advantageously, the feed elements are connected to the drive roller with a connecting element, e.g. a belt, which is connected to the drive via a drive shaft. A single feed element can also be driven in this way. The drive can be electrical, for example, with an electric motor. Preferably, the direction of rotation of the drive is switchable and thus the direction of rotation of the feed rollers, for example from anti-clockwise to clockwise or from clockwise to anti-clockwise. Preferably, the winding profile can be moved from the feed arrangement to the welding unit when rotating clockwise. It is also advantageous if the counter elements and the feed elements push the selected winding profile to the welding unit through deflection elements.

The feed elements are preferably feed rollers, which in particular have a grooved friction surface and/or a rough surface, which can be brought into contact with the winding profile. The feed elements are preferably rotatably mounted and preferably have a convex contact surface for the winding profile.

It is considered to be an advantage if the counter element can be brought from a first switching state into a second switching state by a switching device, wherein in the second switching state the counter element presses the selected winding profile against the feed element.

Preferably, in the first switching state, the counter element has no contact with the winding profile, so the counter element is preferably spaced apart from the relevant winding profile. Thus, in the first switching state, the winding profile has no pressure contact with the feed element and thus no driving effect. The switching device preferably brings the counter element into contact with the winding profile, so that the counter element presses on the winding profile, which is pressed onto the feed element. The winding profile is preferably supported on the feed element. Thus, in the second switching state, the winding profile experiences a driven movement.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, there are several counter elements for each winding profile, preferably exactly 2 counter elements. The respective associated counter elements are preferably driven and can be switched from the first switching state to the second switching state and back. The associated counter elements can be switched, e.g. pneumatically and/or hydraulically and/or electrically, from the first to the second switching state, wherein in the second switching state the counter elements can be pressed onto the winding profile. If there is more than one counter element for a winding profile, the counter elements that are applied to the one associated single winding profile are advantageously are pressed together. The connection of the two or more mating elements that belong together is advantageously carried out with a rigid element, which consists for example of metal and/or plastic. The rigid element that connects the mating elements to one another is preferably designed in the shape of a cross, whereby for example a plate of the cross-shaped rigid element connects the two mating elements and a further plate of the cross-shaped rigid element advantageously protrudes from the mating elements.

The counter elements are preferably rollers, which are preferably rotatably mounted.

Advantageously, the feed arrangement comprises a profile holding system and/or a profile brake which are provided for a winding profile, wherein the profile holding system is designed to hold those winding profiles which are not selected for processing from all the winding profiles provided, wherein only a single winding profile can be selected for further processing.

Another advantage of the profile holding systems is that they hold the winding profiles that were not selected for the production of metal mesh reinforcement in the feed unit so that the winding profiles are kept in reserve for the next metal mesh reinforcement if necessary. As a rule, only a single winding profile with a corresponding constant external dimension is required to produce metal mesh reinforcement.

Advantageously, the profile brake is designed such that the pulling or pushing speed of the selected winding profile can be slowed down, e.g. for separating the winding profile in the cutting area.

Advantageously, the cutting arrangement is designed such that the winding profile can be severed while the winding profile simultaneously moves in its longitudinal direction towards the welding unit.

The cutting arrangement preferably comprises a cutting device with, for example, two cutting edges. The cutting device can advantageously be moved up to 350 mm in the longitudinal direction of the winding profile, with the cutting device briefly moving along with the winding profile. The cutting device is, for example, a pair of scissors, preferably a pair of flying scissors. A pair of flying scissors is understood to be a pair of scissors that can move during the cutting process.

Advantageously, the rotation speed of the main wheel or the metal mesh reinforcement around the rotation axis can be slowed down and thus the pulling speed of the winding profile for cutting the winding profile with the cutting device. Advantageously, the continuous production of the metal mesh reinforcement for cutting the winding profile is not interrupted and the welding of the winding profile to the longitudinal profiles with the welding unit on the main wheel can continue.

It is also advantageous if the cutting arrangement comprises a measuring element that communicates with the control unit. The measuring element preferably measures the length of the wound profile that has passed through in order to determine, for example, the cutting point of the wound profile. The measurement on the measuring element preferably begins with the end section of the wound profile that comes from the template for the production of a metal mesh reinforcement. Thus, with a continuous measurement of the wound profile that has passed through, it can be determined when the wound profile has to be cut through for the precise final weld point. The measuring element is preferably located between the feed arrangement and in front of the cutting device in the sliding direction.

Furthermore, it is advantageous if the feed unit comprises a guide device which is designed to guide the driven winding profile from the cutting arrangement to the welding unit, wherein the guide acts at least partially adjacent to the winding profile, so that the spatial path of the driven moving winding profile is defined.

The guide device preferably comprises at least one straight connecting element and one curved deflection element, preferably a deflection curve. The deflection element is designed to change the winding profile in direction, e.g. by means of a curved shape. The deflection element preferably comprises a plurality of rollers which are located on a holding part of the deflection element. The holding parts of the deflection element can, for example, lie in a floor surface or be aligned at an angle to it. The rollers are preferably arranged in pairs and/or three times, so that a pair or a trill of rollers is opposite a pair or a trill of rollers. The pair or trill of rollers preferably forms a type of annular groove between the rollers in which the winding profile is guided. The rollers can be of the same or different shapes. Furthermore, a single roller can also form an annular groove by providing an indentation in a single roller. The rollers, e.g. pairs or a trill of rollers, are preferably arranged one behind the other in the sliding direction of the driven, movable winding profile and transversely opposite each other. The rollers are, for example, all rotatably mounted. Advantageously, the rollers are arranged in such a way that the winding profile can be pushed through the deflection elements in a predefined area with a factor of e.g. 1 to 2 based on the external dimension, whereby some or all of the rollers have contact with the winding profile, and whereby the rollers can have contact with the winding profile on one side of the deflection curves or on both sides of the deflection curves if the winding profile extends over the entire length of the deflection elements.

A deflection element is preferably aligned in a horizontal plane or a plane at an angle to it. Preferably, there are several deflection elements, preferably 2 deflection elements, the deflection elements being arranged between the cutting arrangement and the welding unit. The first deflection element, which preferably follows the cutting arrangement in the sliding direction of the winding profile, preferably deflects the winding profile from a direction along the longitudinal extension of the longitudinal profiles into a direction transverse to the longitudinal extension of the longitudinal profiles. Advantageously, a second deflection element, which is arranged in front of the welding arrangement in the sliding direction of the winding profile, deflects the winding profile from a direction transverse to the longitudinal extension of the longitudinal profiles into a direction along the longitudinal extension of the longitudinal profiles. For example, the deflection elements are connected to one another with a connecting element, e.g. a tube, in which the winding profile is preferably guided from one deflection element to the next deflection element.

Advantageously, the welding unit comprises a winding profile guide and a welding arrangement, wherein the winding profile guide is designed to guide the winding profile to the welding arrangement.

Preferably, the winding profile guide centers the winding profile on the welding point, in particular before the first welding between the winding profile and a longitudinal profile has taken place.

Preferably, the winding profile guide is located between the last deflection element and the welding arrangement.

A further advantage arises when the winding profile guide has a contact side and a positioning side, wherein the contact side and the positioning side are movable relative to each other, and wherein the contact side and the positioning side are arranged in such a way are coordinated with each other so that a winding profile brought between the contact side and the positioning side is forced into a centered position when the positioning side and the contact side are moved towards each other.

The positioning side can advantageously be moved towards the system side, for example by pivoting the positioning side around a pivot axis. The system side can advantageously be moved tangentially to the main wheel so that the winding profile can be positioned precisely on the welding point. Even with small distances between the system side and the welding point, the winding profile can deviate from the desired welding point. In particular, winding profiles with small external dimensions are increasingly flexible and should preferably be guided accordingly.

Preferably, the two sides of the winding profile guide are in contact with the winding profile when both sides are moved relative to each other, e.g. into a closed position. The two sides of the winding profile guide are preferably in a closed position as long as the welding of the winding profile to a longitudinal profile has not taken place. Advantageously, after a weld has been made or after several welds at which a winding profile is connected to longitudinal profiles, the positioning side can be moved away from the contact side, e.g. into an open position. Advantageously, the winding profile rests on the contact side in the open position.

Furthermore, it is advantageous if the winding profile guide is pivotable so that the winding profile guide rests, for example, tangentially, on the metal mesh reinforcement to be produced or on the body which is formed from the longitudinal profiles.

It is advantageous that the positioning side has a recess that matches the winding profile.

Advantageously, a respective winding profile that is brought to the winding profile guide is initially brought into a position between the positioning side and the contact side that deviates or can deviate from the ideal or centered position of the winding profile for welding. When a new winding profile is brought in for the first time, the positioning side and the contact side are moved away from each other and leave enough space between them so that the winding profile coming from the template has enough space on an inlet side of the winding profile guide to be threaded between the positioning side and the contact side.

A section of the winding profile is then positioned between the positioning side and the contact side. The positioning side and the contact side then move relative to and towards each other. The winding profile is precisely positioned and centered in relation to the welding point due to the relative movement of the positioning side and the contact side.

The winding profile, which is centered using the recess, leaves the winding profile guide preferably exactly positioned on an outlet side in such a way that the winding profile reaches the welding point exactly in space, i.e. exactly in direction and position. The recess is wedge-shaped, for example, as a prism. The welding point is preferably aligned with and in a straight extension of the central longitudinal axis of the positioning side.

Since the winding profile, for example a winding wire with a diameter of a few millimetres, is flexible, there is a risk that the position of the winding profile will deviate from the centred position and alignment again if there is no guide over even a short length, e.g. after leaving the winding profile guide in the direction of the welding point on the longitudinal profile. This tendency increases with greater increasing distance of the end of the winding profile moving away from the winding profile guide. This means that the greater the distance between the outlet side of the winding profile guide and the welding point, the greater the possible deviation of the winding profile centered in the winding profile guide from the ideal position with respect to the welding point.

It is therefore advantageous that the winding profile guide or the outlet side of the winding profile guide, at which the centered winding profile leaves the winding profile guide, is as close as possible, preferably in the immediate vicinity of the welding point between the winding profile and the longitudinal profile. The distance between the outlet side of the winding profile guide and the welding point is preferably minimal and is, for example, in the millimeter range, e.g. smaller than twice the diameter of the winding profile.

Accordingly, the device is preferably equipped such that the centered winding profile, after leaving the winding profile guide, preferably reaches the welding point immediately, for example after one millimeter or after a few millimeters.

In particular, the winding profile guide is designed in such a way that the winding profile is precisely aligned and/or precisely positioned to reach the welding point at which an electrode of the welding arrangement welds the winding profile to a longitudinal profile.

The welding arrangement advantageously has a spring-mounted electrode, wherein the welding arrangement is movable in a direction transverse to the longitudinal extension of the longitudinal profile. Preferably, a fine positioning of the welding arrangement in the working position takes place during the continuous production of the metal mesh reinforcement.

Advantageously, the welding arrangement comprises two electrodes, wherein preferably one electrode is a welding electrode and a second electrode is a contact electrode. The welding electrode and contact electrode are designed as rollers, for example. The electrodes are preferably each spring-mounted.

It is also advantageous that, on the one hand, the movement of the electrodes is dampened by the spring bearing and, on the other hand, the electrodes can be pressed against a counterpart for fine positioning. The welding electrode can preferably be pressed against the winding profile, with the winding profile preferably being pressed against a longitudinal profile. The welding electrode remains permanently and always in contact with the winding profile when the main wheel rotates continuously. This is preferably achieved by a spring force that acts on the electrode in the direction of the winding profile according to the spring bearing.

Advantageously, the contact electrode presses on a contact body, which preferably consists of metal, in particular copper.

The contact electrode preferably has cyclical contact with the contact body, since the spaced-apart contact bodies are arranged on the spoke-like sections on the main wheel and are offset from the longitudinal profiles on the spoke-like sections in the radial direction to the axis of rotation of the main wheel. Preferably, welding can only be carried out on the welding electrode when the contact electrode is in contact with the contact body.

It is advantageous if the contact electrode and the welding electrode are spaced apart from each other in both the radial and axial directions to the axis of rotation of the main wheel.

It is advantageous that a spring bearing is provided which is designed to automatically compensate for the difference in the external dimensions of the winding profile and/or the wear of the welding arrangement.

This allows you to start a work or welding process a fine positioning of the welding arrangement and the electrode can be achieved, whereby the pressure force of the electrode can be adjusted using the spring bearing depending on the relative stroke. The relative stroke can be, for example, a predeterminable stroke of a cylinder relative to a piston. The setting can be automated by specifying a target value "X", for example in millimeters.

The cylinder-piston unit comprises in particular a pneumatic arrangement, more precisely a pneumatic cylinder-piston unit, e.g. an air spring. With a pneumatic cylinder and a pneumatic piston, the winding profile can be adjusted, for example, to adapt the level of a pressing effect or pressing force of the electrode to the counterpart.

For example, to specify the target value, a sensor arrangement is available, e.g. with a displacement sensor to detect the stroke of the cylinder relative to the piston or the retraction stroke and to provide the information for the control unit.

Advantageously, a welding electrode can be positioned by a drive in a predeterminable but then fixed working position, wherein a locking device is provided which holds the welding electrode in the working position.

It is considered an advantage if the drive is a spindle drive, which can preferably be easily implemented with an electric drive.

It is also advantageous that the welding electrode has a safety arrangement for blocking a set working position of the welding electrode. Preferably, a rack with a tooth contour and a counter-tooth contour is provided for this purpose. The rack is moved linearly by a drive, such as a spindle drive, preferably an electric drive, e.g. by means of a gear wheel, to adjust the Working position of the welding electrode. The counter tooth contour blocks the position of the welding electrode by engaging with the tooth contour of the rack.

The invention equally extends to a machine comprising a driven rotatable main wheel for receiving a plurality of longitudinal profiles, wherein a device according to one of the embodiments described above is provided.

The machine with the device is designed, for example, as a cage welding machine, which is used to produce steel and/or metal mesh reinforcements, such as in particular reinforcement cages for shaft or concrete pipes, piles, supports or beams made of concrete.

The machine is used to produce a metal mesh reinforcement from several longitudinal profiles and a wound profile connected to the longitudinal profiles. The machine preferably has a feed unit for the wound profile provided from a template, preferably wound on a coil. In addition, the machine comprises a longitudinal profile positioning section on both sides of the main wheel, opposite one another, and a transport section with a rail guide for a linear movement of a holding arrangement that rotates simultaneously with the main wheel during operation and receives the finished front end of the metal mesh reinforcement.

Character description

Further features and advantages of the invention are explained in more detail using a schematically illustrated embodiment of the present invention.

• Fig. 1 eine perspektivische Gesamtansicht einer Maschine mit einer erfindungsgemäßen Vorrichtung zur Herstellung einer Metallgitter-Bewehrung,
• Fig. 2 einen Teil der Vorrichtung gemäß Fig. 1 in einer perspektivischen Einzelansicht,
• Fig. 3 eine Ansicht von oben auf Teile der Vorrichtung gemäß Fig. 2 stark schematisiert,
• Fig. 4 eine Vorschubanordnung der Vorrichtung gemäß Fig. 2 in einer perspektivischen Ansicht,
• Fig. 5 eine weitere perspektivische Darstellung der Vorschubanordnung aus Fig. 4,
• Fig. 6 eine perspektivische Ansicht eines Teils der Vorschubanordnung aus ungefähr dem Ausschnitt A aus Fig. 5,
• Fig. 7 einen perspektivische Ansicht eines Teils der Vorschubanordnung aus ungefähr dem Ausschnitt B aus Fig. 5,
• Fig. 8 eine perspektivische schematisierte Ansicht eines Teils der Vorschubanordnung aus ungefähr dem Ausschnitt C aus Fig. 6 mit mehreren schematisierten dargestellten eingelegten Wickelprofilen,
• Fig. 9 eine schematisierte Seitenansicht des Detailausschnitt D aus Fig. 8 mit einem eingelegten Wickelprofil,
• Fig. 10 eine teils vereinfacht dargestellte Schneidanordnung aus der Vorrichtung gemäß Fig. 2 in einer perspektivischen Ansicht,
• Fig. 11 ein Umlenkelement der Vorrichtung gemäß Fig. 2 in einer perspektivischen Ansicht mit schematisch dargestelltem Wickelprofil,
• Fig. 12 den in Fig. 11 gemäß E gezeigten Ausschnitt in vergrößerter Ansicht,
• Fig. 13 eine Wickelprofilführung der Vorrichtung gemäß Fig. 2 mit schematisch dargestelltem Hauptrad in einer Seitenansicht,
• Fig. 14 einen perspektivischen Detailausschnitt der Wickelprofilführung gemäß Fig. 13 mit einem schematisch im Querschnitt dargestellten Wickelprofil,
• Fig. 15 einen Ausschnitt der Schweißanordnung der Vorrichtung gemäß Fig. 2 in einer perspektivischen Ansicht,
• Fig. 16 einen weiteren perspektivischen Ausschnitt der Schweißanordnung, gemäß Fig. 2.

In detail:

• Fig.1 a perspective overall view of a machine with a device according to the invention for producing a metal mesh reinforcement,
• Fig.2 a part of the device according to Fig.1 in a perspective single view,
• Fig.3 a top view of parts of the device according to Fig.2 highly schematized,
• Fig.4 a feed arrangement of the device according to Fig.2 in a perspective view,
• Fig.5 another perspective view of the feed arrangement from Fig.4 ,
• Fig.6 a perspective view of a portion of the feed assembly from approximately section A of Fig.5 ,
• Fig.7 a perspective view of a part of the feed arrangement from approximately section B of Fig.5 ,
• Fig.8 a perspective schematic view of a part of the feed arrangement from approximately the section C of Fig.6 with several schematically shown inserted winding profiles,
• Fig.9 a schematic side view of detail D from Fig.8 with an inserted winding profile,
• Fig.10 a partly simplified cutting arrangement from the device according to Fig.2 in a perspective view,
• Fig. 11 a deflection element of the device according to Fig.2 in a perspective view with schematically shown winding profile,
• Fig. 12 the in Fig. 11 section shown in E in enlarged view,
• Fig. 13 a winding profile guide of the device according to Fig.2 with schematically shown main wheel in a side view,
• Fig. 14 a perspective detail of the winding profile guide according to Fig. 13 with a winding profile shown schematically in cross section,
• Fig. 15 a section of the welding arrangement of the device according to Fig.2 in a perspective view,
• Fig. 16 another perspective section of the welding arrangement, according to Fig.2 .

Fig.1 shows a perspective overall view from the front of a machine 1 according to the invention, which comprises a device 2. The machine 1 is used to produce a metal mesh reinforcement from several metal profiles, comprising longitudinal profiles 4 (see Fig. 13 ) and a winding profile 3 (see Fig.7-9 ), educated.

The machine 1, such as a cage welding machine, is used to produce steel or metal mesh reinforcements, such as, in particular, reinforcement cages for shaft or concrete pipes, piles, supports or beams made of concrete.

The reinforcements that can be produced have a plurality, for example 24 or 48, of parallel longitudinal profiles 4 that are present circumferentially to a central longitudinal axis of the machine 1 and a welded winding profile 3, such as a flexible winding wire, that is placed spirally around the outside of the longitudinal profiles 4 (see in particular Fig. 13 and 14 ). The winding profile 3 or the winding wire is preferably made of metal. The winding profile 3 is preferably welded in one piece and not interrupted to the finished metal mesh reinforcement, each with a connection point to all the longitudinal profiles 4, whereby the winding profile 3 is connected to all the longitudinal profiles 4 at several welding points 75 spaced apart in the longitudinal direction (see. Fig. 13 ) of a longitudinal profile 4 is welded.

With the machine 1, for example, cylindrical reinforcement cages can be manufactured in one piece in a continuous production process. The continuously growing finished section of the metal mesh reinforcement is moved forward along a transport section 5 of the machine 1 in the conveying direction F, and the continuously growing finished section is stabilized with a holding arrangement 13 (see in particular Fig.1 ). The holding arrangement 13 can be moved along a rail guide 6. After completion of the metal mesh reinforcement, it is removed from the machine 1 with a forklift arrangement 11 which is movable along a rail guide 12.

The transport section 5 is located between a front end of the machine 1 and a frame section 7 of the machine 1. A positioning section 8 is located at the rear of the frame section 7 and opposite the transport section 5. The positioning section 8 is used to correctly position the machine 1 with all the longitudinal profiles 4 of the reinforcement cage to be produced before the start of the reinforcement production process. The pre-positioned longitudinal profiles 4 are spaced apart from each other and parallel to the central Longitudinal axis inserted. Furthermore, the longitudinal profiles 4 are arranged on supports 77 on spoke-like sections 10 of a main wheel 9 (see Fig. 13 ), which are mounted so as to rotate about an axis of rotation D.

The spoke-like sections 10 are provided on a main wheel 9 which is motor-driven and rotatable in the direction of rotation B about the axis of rotation D ( Fig.2 ), whereby the longitudinal profiles 4 (see Fig. 13 ) rest on supports 77 which are located on the spoke-like sections 10. The main wheel 9, which is surrounded on the outside by the frame section 7, rotates the longitudinal profiles 4 and the rotatable sections 72 in accordance with the direction of rotation B (see Fig.1 ) of the positioning section 8.

In the area of the main wheel 9, a part of the device 2, the welding unit 14, is arranged, which comprises a winding profile guide 15 and a welding arrangement 16 ( Fig.2 ). The welding unit 14 can be moved in a vertical direction R, in particular radially, to the axis of rotation D of the main wheel 9 in order to adjust the welding unit 14 to a desired external dimension of the metal mesh reinforcement. In the respective set position, the welding unit 14 is in its working position. After the welding unit 14 has been brought into the working position, the position of the welding unit 14 is no longer changed during the welding process. The external dimension of the metal mesh reinforcement can vary, for example, up to 1600 mm, and thus the working position of the welding unit also varies, for example up to 800 mm.

A feed unit 17 of the device 2 preferably moves coupled with the welding unit 14 when the welding unit 14 is brought into the desired working position. The feed unit 17 comprises a feed arrangement 18, a cutting arrangement 19 and deflection elements 20 (see. Fig. 2 ). The synchronous movement of the feed unit 17 and the welding unit 14 is implemented with a synchronization unit 73, which comprises coupled transmission units 21 (see Fig.3 ). The The coupled transmission units 21 preferably comprise hydraulic cylinders 22, 23, in particular at least or preferably exactly two hydraulic cylinders. The coupled transmission units 21 can also be pneumatic and/or electrical devices.

If hydraulic cylinders are used, for example, when the welding unit 14 is moved, a piston 22a of the first hydraulic cylinder 22 can be moved into a cylinder housing 22b of the cylinder 22, with pistons 22a, 23a each being relatively movable in the corresponding cylinder housing 22b, 23b. The movement of the piston 22a in the cylinder housing 22b displaces, for example, the hydraulic oil from the first hydraulic cylinder 22. The displaced hydraulic oil passes through hoses 24 into the second hydraulic cylinder 23, with the piston 23a of the second hydraulic cylinder 23 being moved out of the cylinder housing 23b and the supply unit 17 thus moving along with it.

Preferably, the pistons 22a, 23a of the hydraulic cylinders 22, 23 have the same displacement path, which extends in the direction perpendicular to the axis of rotation D of the main wheel 9, and thus the welding unit 14 and the feed unit 17 are also moved in the direction perpendicular to the axis of rotation D of the main wheel 9, wherein the distance A between the feed unit 17 and the welding unit 14 preferably always remains the same. The feed unit 17 is movable in the direction perpendicular to the axis of rotation D of the main wheel 9 along guide elements 25, such as rails.

The winding profiles 3 are unwound from a template and fed to the device 2, wherein several templates, each with a winding profile 3, are present. The winding profiles 3, which are unwound from the templates, preferably have different external dimensions, wherein only one winding profile 3 is regularly selected for the production of the metal mesh reinforcement, which is shown below by way of example. It is also conceivable to produce a metal mesh reinforcement with different and multiple winding profiles.

The one selected winding profile 3 is unwound from an associated template, such as a so-called coil, and a front free end is introduced into a holder 26, which preferably has several holder tubes 26a, b, c, d, e (see. Fig.4 ). The holder 26 is part of the feed arrangement 18. The holder 26 can accommodate several winding profiles 3, in particular five, which are each accommodated in an associated holder tube 26a, b, c, d, e for each winding profile 3. Advantageously, the five winding profiles 3 present each have different external dimensions, which are, for example, between 4-10 mm. In the holder 26, there is a profile holding system 27 and a profile brake 28 for each winding profile 3. So here, for example, there are five profile holding systems 27 and five profile brakes 28 (see Fig.4 ). The profile holding systems 27 hold the winding profiles 3 in the device 2. The profile brakes 28 are designed to reduce the pulling or pushing speed of the selected winding profile 3.

In the direction of the winding profile 3, the receptacle 26 is followed by drive elements 29, which are part of the feed arrangement 18. For each winding profile 3, drive elements 29 are present, which comprise a feed element 30 and a counter element 31, which are each designed, for example, as a rotatably mounted roller, e.g. as a feed roller and counter roller ( Fig. 8-9 ). For each winding profile 3, for example, several feed elements 30, preferably two feed elements 30, are provided. For example, two feed elements 30 are provided and support the winding profile 3 (see in particular Fig.6 ). All feed elements 30 are driven, for example, by a common drive unit 78, wherein the drive unit 78 comprises, for example, a drive, e.g. an electric motor, a drive shaft 32a, a drive roller 32 and connecting element 33. The feed elements 30 are designed for a winding profile 3 each connected to the drive roller 32 by the respective connecting element 33. The connecting element 33 is preferably made of a flexible material, e.g. as a belt or rope. The drive shaft 32a transmits the rotary movement of the drive to the drive roller 32. The drive unit 78 can rotate the feed elements 30 both clockwise ( Fig. 8-9 ) or counterclockwise (not shown). If the feed elements 30 rotate clockwise, the winding profile 3 is pushed from the feed arrangement 18 to the cutting arrangement 19, whereas if the feed elements 30 rotate counterclockwise, the winding profile 3 is moved in the direction of the holder 26. Preferably, the feed elements 30 rotate counterclockwise when the winding profile 3 has been severed in the cutting arrangement 19 and the winding profile 3 is to be changed.

The winding profile 3 can only be moved in the feed area 29 by means of the drive unit 78 when the counter element 31 presses on the winding profile 3, and thus the winding profile 3 is pressed onto the feed elements 30 (not shown). Advantageously, several counter elements 31, in particular two counter elements 31 each, are arranged for each winding profile 3 (see. Fig.6 , 8, 9 ). The counter elements 31 can be switched from a first switching state to a second switching state, whereby in the first switching state the counter elements 31 have no contact with the winding profile 3. In the second switching state the counter elements 31 press on the selected winding profile 3 (see Fig.8 ), which is pressed onto the feed elements 30. The selected winding profile 3 can then be used for the production of a metal mesh reinforcement.

The counter elements 31, which are arranged on a winding profile 3, are connected to each other, for example, with a connecting element 34. The connecting element 34 is preferably made of metal and/or plastic or the like and in particular cross-shaped.

Depending on which winding profile 3 is to be used for the production of a metal mesh reinforcement, this selected winding profile 3 is pushed to the welding unit 14 by placing the counter elements 31 with a pressure element 35 (see Fig.6 ) can be moved vertically. As a result, the feed elements 30 are in contact with the winding profile 3. The pressure element 35 is in particular provided with a pivoting element 36 (see Fig.6 ), which can be pivoted about a pivot axis 37, can be pressed onto the connecting element 34. The pivot element 36 is connected on one side to the pivot axis 37 and on the other side to a pressure arrangement 38. The pressure arrangement 38 is connected at one end to the pivot element 36 and on the other side to a fixed frame 39 of the feed arrangement 18. The pressure arrangement 38 preferably comprises a pneumatic and/or a hydraulic unit. The unit comprises, for example, a cylinder. When switching from the first switching state to the second switching state, the pressure arrangement 38 presses one end of the pivot element 36, which is connected to the pressure arrangement 38, in the direction of the counter elements 31, wherein the pivot element 36 is pressed against the pressure element 35 at the pivot axis 37 and the pressure element 35 thus presses onto the connecting element 34. A limiting element 40 is preferably provided for the pivoting element 36, which limits the pivoting movement of the pivoting element 36 in the direction of the counter elements 31. The limiting element 40 is preferably plate-shaped and made of metal, for example.

On the feed arrangement 18 in the direction of the cutting arrangement 19, after the feed area, there is an outlet 41 for each winding profile 3, which is formed on the feed arrangement 17 in the direction of the cutting arrangement 19 (see Fig.5 , detail B). Since only one winding profile 3 is connected to the fixed Cutting arrangement 19 is to be forwarded, the outlets 41 can be moved in a direction perpendicular to the axis of rotation D. To move the outlets 41 in the direction R, a displacement element 42 is formed in the area of the outlets 41 on the side that points in the direction of the main wheel 9 (see. Fig.7 ). The displacement element 42 can be an electronic and/or a pneumatic and/or a hydraulic element, e.g. a hydraulic cylinder, preferably a multi-stage cylinder.

The winding profile 3 passes through the outlet 41 to the cutting arrangement 19, whereby the winding profile 3 can be centered with an insertion element 43 in relation to an ideal position in the cutting area. The insertion element 43 is shaped like a funnel, for example, and is made of metal and/or plastic, for example (see. Fig.10 ). The winding profile 3 is centered in the cutting area by the insertion element 43 and can be severed by means of a cutting device 44. The cutting device 44 is movable in the longitudinal direction of the winding profile 3 and, for example, two cutting elements of the cutting device 44 are preferably pressed together hydraulically and/or pneumatically. The cutting device 44 is arranged in a housing which is movably mounted on a plate 76. The cutting device 44 in the housing is linearly movable with the plate along a guide 45 and is brought back to a starting position 47 from an end position 48 by a return element 46. The return element 46 is a hydraulic and/or a pneumatic and/or an electrical element. The adjustment path C between the starting position 47 and the end position 48 of the cutting device 44 is advantageously 350 mm, 300 mm, 250 mm, 200 mm or 150 mm, for example. The longer the adjustment path, the longer the cutting device 44 can travel in the feed direction of the winding profile 3, so that the cutting arrangement 19 requires no or only a slight reduction in the feed speed of the winding profile 3 due to a cutting process.

The winding profile 3 can be guided by the guide device 79, which has curved deflection elements 20 and a straight channel 51 , are pushed from the cutting assembly 19 to the welding unit 14 (see Fig. 11 ). The deflection elements 20 comprise base plates 74, the rollers 49 and sliding strips 52 arranged on the base plates 74. The guide device 79 forms a sliding channel for the winding profile 3, which is moved in a sliding direction S, wherein a sliding direction S of the winding profile 3 is changed by the deflection elements. The deflection elements 20 are in the Figures 11-12 shown without a cover, which is preferably present. Since the winding profile 3 has different levels of rigidity depending on the external dimensions and the material, the deflection elements 20 are formed in arches in order to safely change the direction of the winding profile 3. The deflection elements 20 are preferably aligned in a floor plane or a plane at an angle to it. So that the winding profile 3 can be pushed through the deflection elements 20, the deflection elements 20 comprise rollers 49 on the sides (see. Fig. 12 ). The rollers 49 are preferably designed in pairs or as twin rollers on a common central axis, so that between the rollers 49 there is preferably a circumferential annular groove 50 into which the winding profile 3 is immersed, in particular partially from the outside. The rollers 49 are designed close to one another, and for each twin roller 49, for example, there are one or two twin rollers 49 on the opposite side. The rollers 49 are rotatably mounted on an axis on the base plate 74 of the deflection elements 20. To guide the winding profile 3 from the cutting arrangement 19 to the welding unit 14, there are preferably two deflection elements 20, between which the winding profile 3 is guided through a channel 51.

In addition to rollers 49, the guide strips 52 can also be arranged on the deflection elements 20, between which the winding profile 3 is guided. The channel formed by the guide strips 52 preferably has an opening side 53 and an outlet side 54. The opening side 53 has, for example, a funnel-shaped cutout through which the winding profile 3 is more easily positioned between the guide strips 52. At the The exit side 54 is preferably adjoined by rollers 49, with a distance between them, into which a winding profile 3 can be threaded.

The winding profile 3 can be pushed from the deflection elements 20 to the winding profile guide 15. The winding profile guide 15 has an inlet side 58, where the winding profile 3 is pushed into the winding profile guide 15, and an outlet side 59, where the winding profile 3 is pushed to the welding arrangement 16 ( Fig. 13 ). There are two sides on the winding profile guide 15, a contact side 55 and a positioning side 56. The winding profile 3 rests on the contact side 55 in the area of the outlet side 59. The positioning side 56 has an elongated recess 60 adapted to the winding profile 3 ( Fig. 14 ), which is designed so that winding profiles 3 with different external dimensions can be centered at a welding point 75. For this, the positioning side 56 is moved towards the contact side 55, with the winding profile 3 lying between the two sides. The positioning side 56 is pivoted about a pivot axis 57 towards the winding profile 3 or the contact side 55. When the winding profile 3 is located between the contact side 55 and the positioning side 56, the winding profile 3 is positioned on the welding point 75 by the recess 60 on the positioning side 56. The recess 60 is preferably designed in the shape of a prism and is formed, for example, along the entire positioning side 56, from the inlet side 58 to the outlet side 59. The recess 60 allows each winding profile 3 with a different external dimension, in particular between 4-10 mm, to be centered on the welding point 75. For this purpose, the positioning side 56 is moved or pivoted onto the system side 55.

Furthermore, the contact side 55 is preferably movable tangentially to the main wheel 9, so that the distance between the outlet side 58 and the welding point 75 almost disappears, preferably e.g. in a range of a few millimeters.

The winding profile 3 is positioned on the welding point 75 by the positioning side 56, in particular as long as no welding process has taken place. After a winding profile 3 has been welded to one or more longitudinal profiles 4, the positioning side 56 is advantageously moved or pivoted away from the contact side 55.

Furthermore, after a few welding points 75, the winding profile 3 no longer has to be pushed by the feed elements 30 and counter elements 31 to the welding arrangement, but the winding profile 3 is pulled around the rotation axis D by the rotational movement of the main wheel 9, on which the longitudinal profiles 4 are arranged, and thus unwound from the template.

In order to cancel the pushing movement, the counter elements 31, which rest on the selected winding profile 3, switch from the second switching state to the first switching state and are thus no longer pressed onto the winding profile 3 and thus the winding profile 3 is no longer driven by the feed arrangement 18.

After positioning the winding profile 3 by the two sides 55, 56 of the winding profile guide 15, the winding profile 3 is correctly positioned at the welding point 75 for welding to a longitudinal profile 4. The welding arrangement 16 welds the two profiles together at a welding point 75. The welding arrangement 16 comprises two electrodes, a welding electrode 61 and a contact electrode 62 (see. Fig. 15 ). The welding electrode 61 and the contact electrode 62 are preferably designed as rotatably mounted rollers. The two electrodes 61, 62 are preferably made of metal, in particular copper.

The welding electrode 61 is arranged directly or in a close range of a maximum of a few centimeters from the outlet side 59 of the winding profile guide 15. For welding a Longitudinal profile 4 with a winding profile 3, the winding profile 3 is pressed onto the longitudinal profile 4 with the aid of the welding electrode 61.

In order to enable a predeterminable pressing force of the welding electrode 61 during operation and to minimize influences due to wear on the electrode material, the welding electrode 61 is mounted in a flexible and spring-loaded manner. The spring-loaded mounting dampens the movement of the welding electrode 61. For the preferably spring-loaded mounting and positioning of the welding electrode 61, a cylinder-piston unit 63 with a cylinder and a piston that can be moved relative to the cylinder is provided, for example. The cylinder-piston unit 63 is preferably a pneumatic cylinder-piston unit. The welding electrode 61 is coupled, for example, via a piston rod 64 to the piston that can be moved in the cylinder.

Preferably, the contact electrode 62 is also pneumatically spring-mounted and positionable via a cylinder-piston unit 63, preferably a pneumatic cylinder-piston unit. The contact electrode 62 presses with the pressing force on a contact body 65 which is formed on the main wheel 9 on the spoke-like sections 10, the contact bodies 65 being spaced apart from the longitudinal profiles 4 on the spoke-like sections 10.

For each new metal mesh reinforcement to be produced, the complete welding unit 14 with contact electrode 62 and welding electrode 61 is automatically moved until the contact electrode 62 rests against a contact body 65 on the main wheel with a lift. The contact body 65 is preferably made of metal, in particular copper. The lift is a standard retraction state of the relevant piston rod 64. This means that the welding unit 14 is not only moved up to or onto contact with the contact electrode 62, but further by a value "X". This value "X" corresponds to the lift and is recorded and signaled by a displacement sensor 66 on or in the cylinder, preferably in the pneumatic cylinder. The displacement sensor 66 records the retraction stroke and provides a corresponding signal to the control unit.

Thereafter, a console connected to the welding electrode 61, which is movably mounted on the welding unit 14, is also moved forward until the standard lift of the welding electrode 61 is reached, which is carried out in accordance with the lift of the contact electrode 62 described above, also with a displacement sensor 66.

The lift is preferably specified and adjusted automatically by means of the control unit.

This procedure according to the invention is advantageous over a procedure in which the reverse procedure is followed and the welding unit 14 is moved until a target state of the welding electrode 61 is reached and then the contact electrode 62 is manually adjusted.

The welding unit 14 can be reversibly moved back and forth in the vertical direction R, in particular radially, to the axis of rotation D of the main wheel 9 along a linear guide 68 by means of a drive 67 (see. Fig. 16 ). The drive 67 is preferably an electric drive, such as a spindle drive. The set working position is preferably blocked, e.g. mechanically. The blocking is to be distinguished from a preferably present fine positioning of the welding electrode 61 and/or the contact electrode 62. The fine positioning is preferably always present and independent of the blocked working position of the welding unit 14 and is achieved by the rack 69 with tooth contour and a counter tooth contour 70.

The blocking is preferably carried out with a clamping mechanism. For example, a clamping mechanism is set up, the clamping mechanism having a toothing, with a rack 69, which comprises a tooth contour, and a counter-tooth contour 70, which is in suitable engagement with the tooth contour of the rack 69 ( Fig. 16 ). The linearly movable rack 69 is moved linearly, for example via the drive 67 such as the electric spindle drive with a gear 71 that can be rotated by the drive 67, in order to adjust the working position of the welding unit 14.

List of reference symbols

1 machine 26c Receiving tube 2 contraption 26d Receiving tube 3 Wrapping profile 26e Receiving tube 4 Longitudinal profile 27 Profile holding system 5 Transport section 28 Profile brake 6 Rail guidance 29 Drive elements 7 Frame section 30 Feed element 8th Positioning section 31 Counter element 9 Main wheel 32 Drive roller 10 Section 32a drive shaft 11 Forklift arrangement 33 Connecting element 34 Connecting element 12 Rail guidance 35 Pressure element 13 Holding arrangement 36 Swivel element 14 Welding unit 37 Swivel axis 15 Winding profile guide 38 Printing arrangement 16 Welding arrangement 39 Frame 17 Feed unit 40 Limiting element 18 Feed arrangement 41 Outlet 19 Cutting arrangement 42 Sliding element 20 Deflection element 43 Insert element 21 Transmission unit 44 Cutting device 22 First hydraulic 45 guide cylinder 46 Reset element 22a Pistons 47 Starting position 22b Cylinder housing 48 End position 23 Second hydraulic 49 roll 50 indentation cylinder 51 channel 23a Pistons 52 Slide bar 23b Cylinder housing 53 Opening side 24 Hoses 54 Exit side 25 Guide elements 55 Investment page 26 Recording 56 Positioning page 26a Receiving tube 57 Swivel axis 26b Receiving tube 58 Inlet side 59 Exhaust side 69 Rack 60 deepening 70 Tooth contour 61 Welding electrode 71 gear 62 Contact electrode 72 Sections 63 Cylinder-piston unit 73 Synchronous unit 74 Base plate 64 Piston rod 75 Weld point 65 Contact body 76 plate 66 Displacement sensor 77 Edition 67 drive 78 Drive unit 68 Linear guide 79 Guide device

Claims (20)

1. Machine (1) for producing a metal mesh reinforcement from interconnected metal profiles, wherein the metal mesh reinforcement has multiple longitudinal profiles (4) and one winding profile (3), wherein the machine (1) has a device (2) and a driven, rotatable main wheel (9) for receiving multiple longitudinal profiles (4), wherein the device (2) comprises a welding unit (14) for welding a longitudinal profile (4) to the winding profile (3) at a connecting point of the two metal profiles and a feed unit (17) for feeding a portion of the winding profile (3), provided from a master, to the welding unit (14), wherein the feed unit (17) comprises a cutting arrangement (19) for severing the winding profile (3) in order to separate a profile portion of the winding profile (3) from the master, wherein the cutting arrangement (19) is also present in a cutting region of the device (2) that is remote from the welding unit (14), wherein the device (2) is configured, after the winding profile (3) has been severed, to feed the end portion of the winding profile (3) that was separated from the master from the cutting region to the welding unit (14) and at least one further weld is made between the separated end portion of the winding profile (3) and a longitudinal profile (4) to complete the metal mesh reinforcement, characterized in that the feed unit (17) comprises an advancing arrangement (18) with a drive unit (78) for the driven movement of the winding profile (3) in a longitudinal direction of the winding profile, wherein the advancing arrangement (18) is designed to move, from among multiple winding profiles (3) provided next to one another in the feed unit (17), one of the multiple provided winding profiles (3) to the welding unit (14) in a driven manner by means of the drive unit (78) .
2. Machine (1) according to Claim 1, characterized in that a synchronization unit (73) is present, which is designed in such a way that the feed unit (17) and the welding unit (14) can be moved at the same time and together in a common direction coupled to one another, when the welding unit (14) can be adapted in a driven manner to a desired outer dimension of the metal mesh reinforcement, in order to predefine a working position of the welding unit (14) in which the welding unit (14) remains for the production of a metal mesh reinforcement with a constant outer dimension.
3. Machine (1) according to either one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the winding profile has at least two winding profile portions, wherein the first winding profile portion has a constant first outer dimension and the second winding profile portion has a constant second outer dimension different to the first outer dimension, wherein the device is designed in such a way that the winding profile portions with different outer dimensions can be interchanged in an automated manner during the production of the metal mesh reinforcement.
4. Machine (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the welding unit (14) is present in such a way that the welding unit (14) can be adjusted in a direction transverse to the longitudinal extent of the longitudinal profile (4) to adapt to the working position.
5. Machine (1) according to Claim 2, characterized in that the synchronization unit (73) comprises transmission units (21), by way of which the feed unit (17) and the welding unit (14) are coupled to one another in such a way that the feed unit (17) and the welding unit (14) can be moved at the same time.
6. Machine (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the device comprises a receptacle (26), in which multiple separate and different winding profiles (3) can be supplied in such a way that selectively precisely one of the multiple winding profiles (3) supplied in the receptacle (26) can be fed to the cutting arrangement (19).
7. Machine (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the advancing arrangement (18) is designed to move, from among multiple winding profiles (3) provided next to one another in the feed unit (17), precisely one of the multiple provided winding profiles (3) to the welding unit (14) in a driven manner by means of the drive unit (78).
8. Machine (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the provided winding profiles are interchangeable in an automated manner in the advancing arrangement.
9. Machine (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the advancing arrangement (18) has two oppositely situated drive elements (29) comprising an advancing element (30) and a counter element (31), wherein the drive elements (29) make it possible to apply a driving action to the precisely one of the multiple provided winding profiles (3).
10. Machine (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a drive unit (78) is provided such that an advancing element or multiple advancing elements (30) is or are driven at the same time in the driving state by the drive unit (78).
11. Machine (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the counter element (31) can be transferred from a first switching state into a second switching state by a switching device, wherein the counter element (31) presses the selected winding profile (3) onto the advancing element (30) in the second switching state.
12. Machine (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the advancing arrangement (18) comprises a profile retaining system (27) and/or a profile brake (28), which are present for a winding profile (3), wherein the profile retaining system (27) is designed to retain those winding profiles (3) that from among all of the supplied winding profiles (3) are not selected for processing, wherein just one single winding profile (3) can be selected for the further processing.
13. Machine (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the cutting arrangement (19) is designed such that the winding profile (3) can be severed while the winding profile (3) is moved at the same time in its longitudinal direction to the welding unit (14).
14. Machine (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the feed unit (17) comprises a guide mechanism (79), which is designed to guide the driven winding profile (3) from the cutting arrangement (19) to the welding unit (14), wherein the guide acts contiguously on the winding profile (3) at least in certain portions, so as to define the spatial travel of the winding profile (3) moving in a driven manner.
15. Machine (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the welding unit (14) comprises a winding profile guide (15) and a welding arrangement (16), wherein the winding profile guide (15) is designed to conduct the winding profile (3) to the welding arrangement (16).
16. Machine (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the winding profile guide (15) has a contact side (55) and a positioning side (56), wherein the contact side (55) and the positioning side (56) can be moved relative to one another, and wherein the contact side (55) and the positioning side (56) are matched to one another in such a way that a winding profile (3) guided up between the contact side (55) and the positioning side (56) is forced into a centred position when the positioning side (56) and the contact side (55) are moved toward one another.
17. Machine (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the positioning side (56) has a depression (60) matched to the winding profile (3).
18. Machine (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the welding arrangement (16) can be moved in a direction transverse to the longitudinal extent of the longitudinal profile (4).
19. Machine (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a spring mounting (63) is present, which is designed to compensate the difference in the outer dimension of the winding profile (3) and/or the wear of the welding arrangement (16) in an automated manner.
20. Machine (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a welding electrode (61) can be positioned in a predefinable but then fixed working position by a drive (67), wherein a locking means is present which positionally fixedly holds the welding electrode (61) in the working position.

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