ITBO20100639A1 - MACHINE FOR REALIZING METAL CAGES - Google Patents

Description

Description

MACHINE FOR MAKING METALLIC CAGES

Technical field

The present invention relates to a machine for making metal cages for reinforced concrete.

Known art

It is known that to make the reinforcement of foundation piles, reinforced concrete pillars and the like, metal cages are used, especially cylindrical in shape, consisting of a series of longitudinal bars on the outside of which a metal wire is wound in a spiral, according to a suitably predetermined step. The longitudinal bars are distributed according to a suitable geometric profile, usually cylindrical. However, the use of poles and pillars of different geometry is also known, for example with asymmetrical, elliptical, prismatic reinforcement and the like.

Machines are currently used to produce these metal cages which allow the spiral to be welded onto the longitudinal bars, arranged according to the desired geometric profile. According to a known solution, cage making machines generally provide at least two rotating members, also called matrices, in correspondence with which the longitudinal bars are positioned according to the desired profile. Patent EP 00035477 illustrates for example a machine for making cages with spiral winding comprising a driving flange and a rotating flange, driven in rotation or also motorized, carried by a trolley that can move in front of the fixed flange; both flanges have a plurality of holes arranged in concentric circles to position the longitudinal bars.

A different known solution provides for the spiral winding of the metal wire on the bars, providing the wire itself with a translation movement along the axis of the cage being formed, while the longitudinal bars, arranged according to a predetermined geometric profile, are provided with a simultaneous rotation movement according to the aforementioned axis.

Patent IT 1216960 illustrates, for example, a process for the manufacture of cylindrical cages for reinforced concrete which provides for the insertion of the longitudinal bars intended to form the cage through three discs arranged coaxially, provided with radial holes for the passage of the bars; the discs rotate around the same longitudinal axis. More precisely, the machine destined to carry out the procedure foresees two end discs and an intermediate moving disc on a carriage along special longitudinal guides. The bars are fixed at one end in correspondence with a first terminal disc and pass through suitable guides associated with the movable intermediate disc. To form the cage, the bars are placed in rotation while the metal wire, unwound by a lateral coil and carried in longitudinal motion, is gradually wound in a spiral around the bars themselves.

The cage making machine illustrated in the patent application PS2001A000012 belongs to the same type, in which a mobile head is shown, driven in translation motion with respect to a fixed head bearing the ends of the longitudinal bars, and cooperating with articulated supports for supporting the bars suitable for lower so as not to interfere with the mobile head itself during the aforementioned translation motion.

The cage making machine illustrated in the patent application UD2004A000095 operates according to a similar method. This machine comprises a fixed head equipped with rotating members to which the ends of the longitudinal bars are associated, a motorized mobile head supporting a device for welding the clamping rod to the longitudinal bars, and one or more support carriages suitable for supporting the sections of the longitudinal bars not yet welded.

However, the above-mentioned machines do not solve the problem of making metal cages for reinforced concrete in a simple and effective manner, in particular in relation to the considerable dimensions of these machines. In fact, it should be noted that known machines generally provide a load-bearing structure of considerable weight and dimensions, in particular due to the support structures of the dies which also entail a necessary development in height of the machines, in addition to the considerable longitudinal dimensions.

The dimensions of the structure and consequently its costs increase considerably in relation to the maximum dimensions of the reinforcements that the machine must be able to produce.

The relevant dimensions and weight of the supporting structure are also important during the transport and assembly phase of the machines, as it can trigger dangerous rotations of the dies caused by the considerable inertia, in addition to obviously requiring suitable equipment for their handling.

Presentation of the invention

The task of the present invention is to solve the aforementioned problems, devising a machine which allows to produce metal cages for reinforced concrete even of large dimensions in an optimal manner.

Within this aim, a further object of the present invention is to provide a machine for making metal cages with high productivity.

Another object of the invention is to provide a machine for making metal cages of simple constructive and functional conception, with reliable operation, of versatile use, as well as of relatively cheap cost.

The aforementioned purposes are achieved, according to the present invention, by the machine for making metal cages according to claim 1.

According to the present invention, the machine for making metal cages comprises rotating means able to rotate a plurality of longitudinal bars in the fixing position for the formation of the cage and supported by support means able to leave the peripheral area of the same rotating means free. .

Conveniently, the aforementioned support means are arranged according to the axis of rotation of said rotating means and are able to be rotated by respective motor members.

According to a preferred embodiment, the machine comprises an operating station, having a fixed position and equipped with a first rotating member able to support through a plurality of longitudinal bars in the fixing position for the formation of the metal cage, and a movable head, suitable to be operated with translation motion in the axial direction to said cage being formed and equipped with a second rotating member to which respective ends of said bars are made integral. Respective motor members are adapted to actuate in synchronous rotation the rotating members of the fixed station and of the movable head, in a suitable phase relationship with the translation motion of the movable head. The rotating member of the fixed station is carried by an axial shaft, integrally bearing at least one element supporting the bars and able to be rotated by a respective motor member.

Preferably, the rotating member of the fixed head is carried suspended from one end of said axial shaft, which is rotated at the opposite end by said respective motor member.

Brief description of the drawings

The details of the invention will become more evident from the detailed description of a preferred embodiment of the machine for making metal cages, illustrated by way of example in the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 shows an overall perspective view of the machine for making metal cages for reinforced concrete according to the present invention;

Figure 2 shows an overall perspective view of the machine in question from a different angle;

Figure 3 shows a perspective view of an operating station of the machine having a fixed position;

Figures 4 and 5 respectively show a perspective view of members associated with said fixed station of the machine;

figure 6 shows a perspective view of the movable head of the machine. Embodiments of the invention

With particular reference to these figures, 1 indicates the machine for making metal cages for the reinforcement of foundation piles, reinforced concrete pillars and the like. The metal cage to be made is constituted, in a known way, by a series of longitudinal bars arranged parallel and made integral, according to a predetermined geometry, by means of a metal wire wound in a spiral on the bars themselves. The metal wire is fixed externally to the bars manually or by means of a suitable joining device, preferably by welding.

The metal wire is fed by a reel, carried out by a reel 2, preferably arranged laterally to the machine 1, as better described below.

The machine 1 comprises an operating station 10 which is fixed during the formation of the cage and is equipped with a first rotating member 11 able to support the longitudinal bars intended to form the cage in a sliding manner, in the exact fixing position. The operating station 10 is arranged in a substantially median position longitudinally to the fixed frame of the machine.

Downstream of the operating station 10, according to the direction of advancement of the cage being formed, a movable head 20 is arranged, capable of being operated with a translation motion in the axial direction of the cage being formed. The movable head 20 is equipped with a second rotating member 21 with which respective ends of the longitudinal bars supported through sliding by the first rotating member 11 are made integral.

The rotating members 11, 21, otherwise called matrices, are adapted to rotate the longitudinal bars during the formation of the cage.

In the illustrated case, the rotating members 11, 21 consist of rings arranged on vertical planes and rotatable along the same longitudinal axis, which is substantially horizontal. The rings 11, 21 have a plurality of radial slots 13, 23, extending outwards, in correspondence with which corresponding sleeves 14, 24 are mounted for the longitudinal insertion of the bars (see in particular figures 3 and 6 ). Preferably the radial slots 13, 23 are formed by respective attachment members of the sleeves 14, 24, removably fastened to the rings 11, 21 by means of suitable fastening means. However, it is possible to provide that the aforementioned rotating members have a different conformation, for example consisting of discs having a plurality of holes or slots, distributed over the entire surface, to which the aforementioned sleeves are able to be associated. In practice, matrices of different shapes can be provided for the production of metal cages with prismatic, elliptical section or special shapes, according to the specific requests of the users.

More precisely, the front ends of the longitudinal bars are made integral with the sleeves 24 associated with the ring 21 of the movable head 20, by means of suitable clamping means, for example a screw; the longitudinal bars are instead inserted through and freely sliding through the sleeves 14 associated with the ring 11 of the fixed station 10.

The movable head 20 provides a frame 22 which is adapted to rotatably support the ring 21 according to the aforementioned longitudinal axis; the frame 22 is movable along a track 3 longitudinally shaped by the fixed frame of the machine. To this end, the ring 21 of the movable head 20 has a central hub 25 which is able to be constrained in axis to a drive member 26, carried by a frame 27 of the frame 22 along the longitudinal axis of the machine (fig. 6). It is obviously possible to provide that the ring 21 is rotated in a different way, for example by means of suitable motion transmission members.

The movable head 20 is adapted to be operated with a translation motion in the axial direction to the cage being formed upon command of further motor members 28 mounted on the frame 22. These motor members 28 suitably rotate a pair of toothed wheels which engage corresponding racks integral longitudinally to track 3, for simplicity not shown.

The ring 11 of the fixed head 10 in turn has a central hub 15 which is able to be constrained in axis to a relative motor member, as described below.

The longitudinal bars are further supported sliding, for the protruding part upstream of the fixed station 10, by means of a series of support elements 30 suitably spaced apart in the axial direction of the cage being formed, on the side opposite to that facing the mobile head 20. The support elements 30 are provided with a rotatable part preferably shaped like a radial pattern 31 and arranged coaxially with the rings 11, 21 of the fixed station 10 and the movable head 20, on parallel vertical planes. In the illustrated case five support elements 30 are provided arranged in series on parallel vertical planes, but obviously it is possible to provide for the use of a different number of support elements according to specific requirements.

More precisely, the support elements 30 respectively provide a frame 32 conforming a cradle 33 having the shape of a circular sector, in which the radial ring 31 is rotatably guided (fig. 5); the cradle 33 is suitably equipped with a coating of low friction coefficient material. The radial pattern 31 consists of a series of rods 34 which extend radially, in angularly distributed positions, from a central circular body 35 (fig. 4). The rods 34 have at the end a roller 36 which can rotate freely according to an axis parallel to the axis of the same radius 31; It is possible to provide that only a part of the rods 34 of the spokes, for example alternately, is equipped with this roller 36. Conveniently, the cradles 33 are respectively flanked by a support profile 37 having the same shape as a circular sector, with radius of curvature different from the cradles 33, on which the longitudinal bars rest during rotation.

The central body 35 of the spokes 31 is made integral with a shaft 40 which extends along the longitudinal axis of the machine, on the opposite side of the fixed station 10 with respect to that facing the movable head 20; the axial shaft 40 is preferably made in a tubular shape with a circular section. Said axial shaft 40 is made integral at one end, by means of a flange-like junction member 43, to a tubular portion 41 of corresponding section, shaped axially projecting from the central hub 15 of the ring 11 of the fixed head 10, so as to allowing the same ring 11 to rotate during the formation of the cage.

At the opposite end, the shaft 40 is connected to a motor 46 carried by a frame 47 of a relative frame 42 along the longitudinal axis of the machine; frame 42 is fixed to the machine structure in a fixed position. In practice, the rotating member 11 of the fixed head 10 is carried suspended from one end of the shaft 40 bearing the spokes 31, driven in rotation at the opposite end by the motor 46.

Longitudinally to the apparatus, in a median position to the track 3, a series of support members 50 of the metal cage under formation are provided, suitable for being raised after the passage of the movable head 20. In the illustrated case, three support members 50 are provided, suitably spaced from each other, but it is evident that it is possible to use one or more of these support elements according to the size and weight of the metal cage to be made. The supporting members 50 essentially consist of a pair of longitudinal rollers 51, placed side by side at a suitable distance, arranged parallel to the cage formation axis (fig.3). The rollers 51 are carried rotatable according to their own axis by a lifting member 52 which can be raised on command of a respective actuator member.

Preferably, the machine is equipped, in correspondence with the fixed station 10, with joining means consisting of a welding device 5 adapted to automatically weld the metal wire that unwinds from the reel 2 to the longitudinal bars (fig. 3 ). The welding device 5 is suitably brought to the top of a column 4 which rises alongside the operating area of the rotating member 11 of the fixed head 10. Obviously, it is possible to provide for the welding to be carried out manually or alternatively foresee the use of means of union of different types.

The operation of the machine for making metal cages is easily understood from the above description.

In the initial phase of the cycle for forming a metal cage, the movable head 20 is arranged facing the fixed station 10 substantially in correspondence with a central operating area of the machine. The longitudinal bars 8, suitably arranged on a plane defined by the frames 32 at the side of the cradles 33, are rolled and kept separate, to avoid unwanted entanglement, in the rods 34 of the spokes 31 of the support elements 30, to be subsequently inserted into respective coaxial sleeves 14, 24 of the rings 11, 21, according to the predetermined geometry of the transverse profile of the cage to be made. In particular, the bars are inserted passing through the sleeves 14 associated with the ring 11 of the fixed station 10, and subsequently fixed at the front ends to the corresponding sleeves 24 of the ring 21 of the mobile head 20, by means of the provided fastening means.

In practice, at the end of the loading phase, the bars are arranged longitudinally parallel according to the transversal profile of the cage to be made, fixed to a front end to the rotating member 21 of the movable head 20, passing in a sliding manner through the member rotating 11 of the fixed head 10 and supported for the part protruding at the rear from said fixed head 10 resting between the rods 34 of the spokes 31 of the support elements 30.

At this point the operator performs the union preferably with manual welding of the first joint between the metal wire that unwinds from the reel 2 and one of the longitudinal bars 8 and then commands the start of the cage formation cycle. If the machine is equipped with its own welding device 5, arranged in correspondence with the fixed station 10 as illustrated, the cycle proceeds automatically without any further intervention by the operator. The fixed structure of the machine is suitably equipped, next to the fixed station 10, with an elevated platform 6, from which the operator can easily control the formation of the metal cage, also with the aid of special management tools 7 (fig. .3).

During the cage formation phase, the rotating members 11, 21 are driven in rotation, in a suitable phase relationship, respectively by the motor member 46 associated with the shaft 40 of the spokes 31 and by the motor member 26 mounted on the movable frame 22, while the movable head 20 is simultaneously operated with a translation motion. In this way, the spiral winding of the metal wire is determined, which takes place through suitable straightening members, around the longitudinal bars 8, rotated by the rotating members 11, 21. In combination with the translation imparted by the movable head 20 it is possible to therefore it generates a helical movement which allows the external wire to be wound in a spiral shape.

At the same time the spokes 31 of the support elements 30 are brought into synchronous rotation by the axial shaft 40, thus accompanying the rotation of the rotating members 11, 21. The spokes 31 are supported radially by means of the relative rollers 36 which slide in their respective cradles. It should be noted that the spokes perform the double function of separating and supporting the longitudinal bars and supporting the pole that carries them in rotation. In a suitable phase relationship, the lifting of the supporting members 50 is commanded to support the part of the metal cage already formed. In particular, the rollers 51 of the supporting members 50 are brought into the raised position after the passage of the movable head 20.

At the end of the cage formation cycle, the movable head 20 is spaced from the fixed head 10 for a length substantially equal to the length of the cage. A further advance of the movable head 20 is then commanded to free the rear end of the cage at the fixed station 10. The longitudinal bars are then unlocked from the sleeves 24 and the movable head 20 is moved further to leave the cage. resting only on the support members 50. The metal cage made can at this point be picked up by suitable lifting means or be unloaded in another way, for example by rolling after having lowered the support members 50.

The machine according to the present invention achieves the object of optimally producing metal cages for reinforced concrete, even of large dimensions. In particular, the machine in question allows to easily realize metal cages, even of large dimensions, in any case conformed with a relatively light structure and of reduced dimensions.

This result is obtained essentially thanks to the inventive idea of supporting the rotating means which rotate the longitudinal bars in the fixing position for the formation of the cage by means of supporting means able to leave the peripheral area of the rotating means free. In particular, the invention provides for making the rotating member 11 of the fixed station 10 integral with an axial shaft 40 able to be rotated by a suitable motor 46 and also rotating the spokes 31 of the supporting elements 30 In other words, the rotating member 11 of the fixed station 10 does not require an external support structure, but is supported in rotation by the shaft 40 of the spokes 31 of the support elements 30. It should be noted in this regard that the fixing device welding 5 is equipped with its own autonomous support structure.

Thanks to this, the supporting structure of the machine is significantly simplified and has relatively reduced weight and dimensions. The rotating members for moving the bars, during the cage formation phase, are in fact carried cantilevered by the motorization members and do not have large, heavy and complex support structures. In practice, the supporting structure of the machine is made up of a rail frame placed on the ground.

The machine is therefore easier to transport and set up, as well as a proportionately reduced cost. In particular, the dies are not carried rotatably inside onerous support structures, which is particularly advantageous in the transport and assembly phase, as well as for lower costs. This allows for easier transfer to construction sites.

The lowered structure of the machine also allows easier control of the production phases and easier unloading of the metal cages produced. An advantageous prerogative of the machine is to allow a high productivity with a very reduced labor effort.

It should be noted that during the formation of the cage the sections of bars not yet fixed rotate around the aforesaid axis, thanks to the support elements 30 from which the bars are brought into angularly distributed positions. This avoids the risk of intertwining or overlapping of the bars for the non-welded portion.

The machine described by way of example is susceptible of numerous modifications and variations according to the various requirements. In the illustrated case, the bars intended to form the metal cage are arranged according to a circular transverse profile, so as to determine the construction of a cylindrical pole. Obviously, however, it is possible to provide for the construction of cages having a different transverse profile, for example elliptical, polygonal, with asymmetrical distribution of the bars or the like.

Furthermore, the machine could be equipped, in a known way, with a different number of dies or in any case with different rotating means adapted to rotate the longitudinal bars in the fixing position for the formation of the cage.

It is also foreseeable that the operating station in which the metal wire is joined to the longitudinal bars is also mobile and not fixed as in the case illustrated by way of example.

In the practical implementation of the invention, the materials used, as well as the shape and dimensions, can be any according to requirements.

Where the technical characteristics mentioned in each claim are followed by reference signs, these reference signs have been included for the sole purpose of increasing the understanding of the claims and consequently they have no limiting value on the purpose of each element identified by way of ™ example from such reference marks.

Claims (10)

Claims 1) Machine for making metal cages, consisting of a series of longitudinal bars (8) arranged according to a predetermined geometric profile and made integral by at least one metal wire, spirally wound on the bars (8) themselves by combining a rotation movement around an axis coinciding with the axis of the cage being formed and a translation movement, characterized by the fact that it includes rotating means (11, 21, 31) adapted to rotate said longitudinal bars (8) in the fixing position for the formation of said cage and supported by support means (25, 40) shaped in such a way as to leave free the peripheral area of the same rotating means (11, 21, 31). 2) Machine according to claim 1, characterized in that said support means (25, 40) are arranged according to the rotation axis of said rotating means (11, 21, 31) and are able to be rotated by respective motor organs (26, 46). 3) Machine according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that it comprises an operating station (10) equipped with a first rotating member (11) adapted to support said longitudinal bars (8) passers-by in a sliding manner in the fixing position for the formation of said cage; a movable head (20) adapted to be operated with translation motion in the axial direction to said cage being formed and equipped with a second rotating member (21) to which respective ends of said longitudinal bars (8) supported are made integral passing in a sliding manner by said first rotating member (11); at least one support element (30) rotatably carrying a rotating part (31) according to the same rotation axis of said rotating members (11, 21) of the operating station (10) and of the movable head (20), which rotating part ( 31) is adapted to support sliding said longitudinal bars (8), in said fixing position for the formation of the cage; said rotating member (11) of the operating station (10) and said rotating part (31) of the support element (30) being made integral with an axial shaft (40) adapted to be driven in rotation by a respective motor member (46 ), in synchrony with the rotation of said rotating member (21) of the mobile head (20), to rotate said longitudinal bars (8) in a suitable phase relationship with the axial translation from the same mobile station (20), during the formation of said metal cage. 4) Machine according to claim 3, characterized in that said operating station (10) has a fixed position. 5) Machine according to claim 4, characterized in that said rotating member (11) of the fixed station (10) is carried suspended substantially at one end of said axial shaft (40), which axial shaft (40) is adapted to be driven in rotation at the opposite end by said respective motor member (46). 6) Machine according to claim 4 or 5, characterized in that said axial shaft (40) extends from the opposite side of said fixed station (10) with respect to the one facing towards said movable head (20). 7) Machine according to claim 3, characterized in that said rotating part (31) of the support element (30) is shaped like a radial pattern (31) and is guided in a cradle (33) substantially having the shape of a sector of circumference. 8) Machine according to claim 4 or 6, characterized in that it comprises a plurality of said support elements (30) arranged in series on parallel vertical planes, suitably spaced axially from said cage being formed, on the opposite side of said station fixed (10) with respect to the one facing the said movable head (20). 9) Machine according to claim 3, characterized by the fact that it comprises a welding device (5) brought to the top of a column (4) which rises alongside the operating area of said first rotating member (11) and adapted to automatic welding of said metal wire to said longitudinal bars (8). 10) Machine according to claim 3, characterized in that it comprises support members (50) with rollers (51) arranged longitudinally in correspondence with the formation area of said cage and movable between a lowered disengagement position and a raised position for supporting of the part of the cage already formed after the passage of said movable head (20).