ITBO20120670A1 - METHOD AND EQUIPMENT FOR CUTTING METAL BAR PROFILES - Google Patents

Description

METHOD AND EQUIPMENT FOR CUTTING METAL PROFILES

IN BARS

Technical field

The present invention relates to a method for cutting sections into bars, in particular iron rods for reinforced concrete, as well as an apparatus for carrying out this method.

Known art

It is known, in the sector of processing bar sections, intended in particular for the realization of the reinforcements of reinforced concrete products, the use of cutting lines which perform the shearing of the aforesaid sections to the predetermined extent. These cutting lines generally provide for the storage of the raw material in bars to be cut, and sometimes a so-called pre-storage where the bars are temporarily stored waiting for the feed path located downstream to be free, and a feed path for the bars. to be cut using a so-called measuring path, consisting of a suitably motorized roller conveyor. Appropriate abutment means are optionally provided along this measuring path to perform a pre-facing or to align the bars which are strongly mutually offset in this phase. Suitable feeding means provide to move the bars to size, taken from the warehouse and carried on the feeding way. Sometimes, to do this, the bars are pushed against abutment means, in order to obtain a certain position of the bars, mutually aligned as much as possible in order to cut bars at the same length in a single cycle. Suitable cutting means, for example shears, can in fact perform the shearing of the bars which are horizontally placed side by side on the roller path and which are then unloaded into suitable storage devices.

For this purpose, according to known solutions, the cutting means can be fixed or movable longitudinally in the space between the feeding way and the measuring way, in order to make a fine adjustment of the cut to be made on the fed and measured bars. In particular according to the same solutions, in the cutting step the bars are arranged to rest on the measuring path in a horizontal alignment configuration. The shear therefore cuts the bars fed by means of a substantially vertical movement, which therefore generates additional static and dynamic reactions on the members designed to support the weight of the bars. Moreover, due to these reactions, the bars themselves are subjected to considerable and sudden stress during the cutting operation, with obvious practical drawbacks.

For this reason, known equipment provides fixed support members, sized in a suitable way to support said reactions, or mobile to remove said members from said overstresses, as well as locking members suitable to adequately contain and retain the bars.

This entails not negligible drawbacks in the sector considered, not only for the sizing of the support members, but also for the complexity of the members dedicated to cutting in known types of equipment. In fact, the stresses involved during the cutting phase can be so high as to generate a so-called `` whiplash '' dynamic phenomenon in the bars, so violent as to cause the breakage of the support and containment elements, the uncontrolled movement of the bars, up to make them jump out of the work area of the equipment, causing interruptions in the production cycle, but also dangerous situations, especially in the production of short pieces. In this regard, it should be noted that traditional cutting lines generally provide a support roller adapted to support the bars in correspondence with the portion arranged overhanging in proximity to the cutting means. This support roller is specially arranged mobile, so as to avoid exposure to excessive stresses during the cutting phase.

Furthermore, it must be considered that the cutting means, for example guillotine or caiman, are generally very bulky transversally, certainly beyond the transversal extension of the feeding way, in order to be able to prepare the maximum number of bars fed for cutting. The adoption of oversized organs to withstand the aforementioned additional stresses and / or the provision of special kinematics to remove the same overload actions from these support organs increase the costs of this type of equipment, reducing its competitiveness and increasing its complexity. constructive.

Presentation of the invention

The task of the present invention is to solve the aforementioned problems, devising a method which allows to operate in an optimal manner the cutting of sections into bars, in particular iron rods for reinforced concrete.

Within the scope of this aim, a further aim of the present invention is to provide a method which allows to operate the cut in an easy way, on bars of any number and size.

Another object of the invention is to provide an apparatus which allows to carry out this cutting method with a structure which is simple to construct, versatile and safe to use, as well as relatively cheap.

The aforementioned purposes are achieved, according to the present invention, by the method for cutting metal sections into bars, in particular iron rods for reinforced concrete, according to claim 1 and by the apparatus according to claim 6.

The purpose is achieved by the method and, correspondingly, by the apparatus according to the invention, due to the fact that it provides for the provision of a feeding and measuring route for at least one bar and, in general, for a plurality of bars, and a cutting station able to receive the bars from the feeding and measuring way. The cutting station comprises a body bearing a cutting member that can be operated relative to the body itself for cutting the bars, an interception compartment for the bars to be cut, in correspondence with which the cutting member is operative for cutting the bars. bars.

A prerogative of the invention is given by the fact that the aforementioned body of the cutting station is movable on a substantially vertical plane relative to the feeding and measuring way, alternatively between an inactive position, in correspondence with which the interception compartment is ̈ away from the supply and measurement route, and an active position, in correspondence with which the interception compartment carried by the aforementioned body is substantially at the same height as the supply route to allow the insertion of the powered bars in the aforementioned interception compartment , in a position suitable for cutting by the cutting member. In this active position, the cutting member, which is able to act transversely to the aforementioned interception compartment, is able to cut in a substantially or mainly horizontal direction. In other words, the cutting member, for example comprising a blade and a counter blade, is able to operate the cut by means of a reciprocal approaching motion of the aforesaid blades in a horizontal direction.

Therefore, the actuation of the movable body in the aforementioned active position leads the movable member to exert the dynamic cutting actions in a direction such as to avoid overloading the support members of the bars, substantially the feeding and measuring path and the other members in charge of support in general.

Furthermore, it is important to note that according to one aspect of the invention the interception compartment of the bars has an elongated shape in the direction perpendicular to the direction in which the cutting member is able to operate. This means that the bars fed, by virtue of the relative actuation of the body of the cutting station in the active position, are arranged in the interception compartment with the cutting sections substantially overlapping, according to a substantially vertical alignment, which is therefore rotated with respect to the € ™ substantially horizontal alignment of the bars during feeding and measuring on the aforementioned feeding and measuring route. This configuration allows simultaneous cutting of all the bars that can be inserted in the interception compartment, with a reciprocal movement of the cutting blades always in a substantially or predominantly horizontal direction, adapted to avoid dangerous overloads to the supporting members of known equipment.

In fact, the overloads that develop in this way during the cutting phase are no longer discharged on the supporting members of the equipment because the cutting motion occurs in a direction in which said members are not shaped to substantially oppose any reaction. Therefore the kinetic energy that develops is dissipated freely making the cut bars vibrate, without requiring auxiliary locking devices and without generating dangerous behavior of the cut bars, such as for example the sudden and uncontrolled release from the cutting equipment itself with unpredictable consequences and with the safe interruption of the work cycle.

A further advantageous aspect of the invention consists in the fact that the body of the cutting station can be operated alternately between the aforementioned inactive position and the aforementioned active position according to an oscillation motion around an axis of oscillation preferably horizontal and parallel to the direction of feeding of the bars.

Alternatively, the body of the cutting station can alternatively be between the aforementioned inactive position and the aforementioned active position following a relative translation motion between the body itself and the aforementioned supply and measurement path.

Finally, according to a particular aspect of the invention, the cutting equipment can comprise an accumulation compartment, as an extension of the aforementioned interception compartment, in such a way as to allow to accumulate there the bars already cut in a first cutting sequence and proceed so quickly to the cutting of the bars inserted in the interception compartment with at least one subsequent cutting cycle. This is allowed for example by the provision of a movable bottom for the interception compartment, designed to act as a support for the bars to be cut, interposing between the interception compartment and the accumulation compartment. Alternatively, the cut bars can be supported by the feeding and measuring way and accompanied from the interception compartment to the accumulation compartment by means of a relative motion between the body of the cutting station and the feeding and measuring way itself.

Brief description of the drawings

The details of the invention will become more evident from the detailed description of a preferred embodiment of the apparatus for cutting metal profiles into bars, in particular iron rods for reinforced concrete, illustrated by way of example in the accompanying drawings, in which :

Figures 1 and 2 show a detail view and a plan view of an apparatus for cutting bar profiles according to the invention in a feeding and measuring phase, respectively;

figure 3 shows a detailed perspective view of the same apparatus in the aforementioned measurement step;

Figures 4 and 5 show respectively a plan and perspective view of the cutting station of the same apparatus;

Figures 6 to 13 show a side view of the same apparatus in successive operating phases, from feeding to cutting the bars;

Figures 14 and 15 show respectively a perspective and plan view of the apparatus in question in the final operating phases of the cutting cycle; Figure 16 illustrates a schematic side view of a portion of the apparatus in an operating step prior to cutting the supplied bars;

Figures 17A to 17D illustrate a schematic side view of the same portion illustrated in Figure 16 according to a different embodiment and in subsequent operating steps;

Figures 18A to 18E illustrate a schematic side view of the portion of the apparatus illustrated in Figure 16, according to a further embodiment and in subsequent operating steps.

Embodiments of the invention

With particular reference to these figures, the apparatus for cutting profiles into bars 2, in particular iron rods for reinforced concrete, has been indicated as a whole with 1.

The apparatus 1 is equipped with a fixed frame 3 which extends along a substantially longitudinal axis, downstream of a storage which is known per se and therefore not shown in the figure. The fixed frame 3 defines a feeding way 4, a cutting station 5 and a measuring way 6 of the bars 2, arranged in succession downstream of the storage. In correspondence with the cutting station 5, cutting means 7 to measure the bars 2 operate, for example of the shear type, mounted movably on a frame 8 and interposed between the feeding way 4 and the measuring way 6.

The feeding way 4 preferably provides advancement means 9 able to conveniently move, without interference, the bars 2 beyond the cutting station 5 and along the measuring route 4. The advancement means 9 are preferably constituted by rollers, commonly used in the specified sector, having suitable motorization organs.

The measuring path 6 moves the bars 2 preferably with motorized rollers which, suitably grouped, can form respective further feed means 9, with variable activation according to the lengths of the bars 2 to be cut. Figures 6 to 13, in particular, show four bars fed and cut by the apparatus, but one or more bars 2 can be treated in the same way by the same apparatus.

Along the measuring path 6 there are also provided single or multiple fixed or movable measuring means 10 which can be set according to the length of the cut bars to be obtained. In particular, the measuring means 10 are suitable for measuring at the feed means 9 and are programmable to intercept and stop the bars to be cut. The measuring means 10 can also be programmed to stop the cut bars in correspondence with the predetermined unloading area and substantially in correspondence with at least one unloading station suitably displaced and associated with the same second feed means 9, in a known way.

The measuring means 10 can be of any type, for example rollers or tracks connected to encoder wheels, laser systems, microwaves, ultrasounds and the like, or a combination thereof. In the case illustrated, the measuring means 10 preferably comprise abutment members 11 with fixed or movable vane, which can also act as a stop to align the bars all at the same height, adapted to be operated by relative actuator members for simplicity not shown between a position inactive so as not to interfere with the bars and an active position, in correspondence with the roller conveyors of the measuring way 6 to intercept the bars 2 fed on it.

In particular, the measuring means 10 can be supported from below or from above or laterally to the measuring path 6 and can be mobile or fixed, in the latter case being in large numbers and located at predetermined intervals. If the measuring vanes 11 are supported from below, the active position for intercepting the bars 2 will be raised and the inactive position lowered. Conversely, in the case in which the stop vanes 11 are supported from above, the active position for intercepting the bars 2 will be lowered and the inactive position raised. When the abutment members 11 are supported from above, as for example in the case illustrated in figure 14, they are preferably carried longitudinally movable by a relative carriage 12 along the measuring path 6, on command of suitable motor members of known type along a guide 13 positioned on one side of the fixed frame 3. The abutment members 11 therefore have an adjustable position, one independently from the other, along the aforementioned measuring path 6.

As anticipated, it is also possible to provide that these measuring means 10 are made, in the traditional way, by means of a series of paddle-type abutment members 11 distributed in fixed positions, regularly spaced, along the measuring path.

Basically the feeding way 4 cooperates with the measuring way 6 to compose a feeding way and measure 4, 6 for the cutting service.

The cutting station 5, interposed between the feeding way 4 and the measuring way 6, comprises the aforementioned cutting means 7 arranged on the frame 8.

The cutting means 7 comprise a body 14 carrying a cutting member, preferably a pair of opposing blades, a blade 15 and a counter-blade 150, reciprocally movable in correspondence with an interception compartment 16 of the bars 2 fed on the feeding way 4 ( see figures 5 and 6). More precisely, the body 14 forms a head formed by a support arm 17, on which the pair of blades 15, 150 are mounted movably, alternatively according to a reciprocal approach and withdrawal motion on the body 14 itself. The support arm 17 also forms the aforesaid interception compartment 16, open at the top and comprising a abutment wall 16a, a bottom wall 16b and a side wall 16c opposite the abutment wall 16a (see Figure 7). Between the abutment wall 16a and the side wall 16c the blade 15 and the counter-blade 150 are adapted to act from opposite sides, in the aforementioned reciprocating cutting motion. For example, the counter-blade 150 can be fixedly mounted, in front of the interception compartment 16, while the blade 15 can be mounted movable relative to the body 14, between a rest position 15a away from the counter-blade 150 and an operating cutting position 15b, emerged with respect to the plane of the abutment wall 16a, approached to the counter-blade 150 to close the interception compartment 16.

The support arm 17 further comprises conveying means 18 associated with the interception compartment 16, for example on the side of the side wall 16c opposite the abutment wall 16a (see Figures 5 and 6). Said conveying means 18 can be made for example by means of suitable conveying sides converging to the interception compartment 16. In substance, the conveying means 18, as better described below, are suitable for making the cutting sections of the supplied bars 2 converge, which are initially side by side horizontally on the roller conveyors 4, 6, towards a configuration of substantial vertical overlap inside the interception compartment. Furthermore, in the cutting configuration, the compartment 16 develops substantially vertically. In practice, the compartment 16 represents for the bars 2 fed a receiving channel in which the bars 2 can be housed superimposed, with the cross sections overturned from a condition of substantially horizontal alignment in the feeding and measurement phase on the rollers 4, 6, to a substantially vertical alignment condition in the cutting step.

The body 14 of the cutting means 7 is mounted on the frame 8 being movable on a substantially vertical plane, alternatively between an inactive position 14a (see Figure 6), in correspondence with which the conveying means 18 and the interception compartment 16 do not interact with the bars 2 fed on the supply way 4 and an active position 14b (see Figures 11 to 13), in correspondence with which the bars 2 fed are inserted in the interception compartment 16 in a suitable position for cutting, with the bars 2 interposed between the blade 15 and the counter-blade 150. Between the inactive position 14a and the active position 14b the body 14 passes through intermediate conveying positions 14c for the bars 2 fed (see Figures 7 to 11). In the aforementioned cutting position, the blades 15, 150 are suitable for cutting the bars 2 according to the aforementioned reciprocating cutting motion.

In particular, in the case illustrated in Figures 6 to 13, the body 14 of the cutting means 7 is mounted to oscillate on the frame 8, since the same body 14 is hinged in correspondence with an axis of oscillation 19 which is substantially horizontal and parallel to the direction of feeding of the bars 2, for example on one side of the frame 8 itself. More precisely, the body 14 is operated in oscillation alternately between the aforementioned inactive position 14a, lowered, in correspondence with which the conveying means 18, which can for example be advantageously carried integrally to the same body 14, do not interact with the bars 2 fed on the feeding way 4 and the aforementioned active position 14b, raised, in correspondence with which the supplied bars 2 are inserted in orderly succession into the interception compartment 16, presenting the cutting section of the aforementioned bars 2 in a substantially vertical superimposed configuration, interposed between the blade 15 and the counter-blade 150 in correspondence with the interception compartment 16.

More in detail, the body 14 of the cutting means 7 is operated by actuator means 20 operating on cam means 21 articulated to the frame 8 by means of the interposition of tappet means 22, for guiding the motion of the body 14 same, which in the illustrated case is oscillatory. The tappet means 22 coupled to the cam means 21 can be of the roller type, carried by a respective bracket 23 shaped by the support arm 17. In a very similar way, the body 14 can be operated movably between the inactive position 14a and the active position 14b through a motion of a different type, for example of translation, through the use of different means, equivalent to those illustrated, obtaining the same result.

The cutting method as well as the operation of the equipment for cutting metal profiles into bars according to the invention can be understood from the above description.

The cutting method according to the present invention provides for feeding one or more bars 2, preferably a group of bars 2 to be cut, selected from a suitable storage, to the measuring path 6, through the feeding path 4 and in succession the feeding station cutting 5, with the aid of the feed means, for example the motorized rollers 9. In this feeding phase, the cutting means 7 are arranged with the body 14 in the inactive position 14a, in correspondence with which the conveying means 18 and the interception compartment 16 do not engage the powered bars 2.

In the case in which the measuring vanes 11 are mobile and supported from above, the bars 2 to be cut are then made to advance along the measuring path 6 by means of the advancement means 9, until they stop abutting against the organ. abutment 11 of the measuring means 10 where the bars can be faced directly, in particular if there is no pre-butting near the cutting station (see Figures 1, 2 and 3) or a second final butting to restore and / or improve the pre-butting which could have been lost during the longitudinal transfer.

This abutment member 11 has been previously arranged in the suitable working position, by moving the relative carriage 12 along the measuring path 6, according to the length of the bars 2 to be obtained.

The bars 2 are then cut to size by operating the shear cutting means 7 initially arranged with the blade 15 in the rest position 15a, away from the counter-blade 150 in correspondence with the interception compartment 16. More precisely, in a suitable phase relationship the body 14 is moved from the inactive position 14a, to the active position 14b, through the intermediate conveying positions 14c for the bars 2. In the path between the aforementioned active 14a and inactive 14b positions, the bar or bars 2 are progressively intercepted by the conveying means 18, to be conveyed into the interception compartment 16. The bar or bars 2 are raised and conveyed into the interception compartment 16 arranged in the active position 14b of the body 14, finally being interposed between the blade 15 and the counterblade 150 , as well as resting on the bottom wall 16b of the interception compartment 16. If a plurality of b area 2, the bar 2 arranged below rests on the back wall 16b, while the rest are superimposed on each other.

In particular, in the frequent case in which the processing cycle provides for cutting a plurality of bars 2, in the feeding phase the bars 2 are aligned horizontally on the means of advancement 9 of the feeding way 4 and of the measuring way 6. When the body 14 is moved, preferably with the aid of the conveying means 18, the bars 2 are first intercepted by the conveying means 18, raised and finally aligned according to a substantially vertical direction of the respective cross sections, so that the latter, in the cutting station, they can be interposed according to a substantially vertical alignment between the blade 15 and the counter-blade 150. It is possible to foresee to obtain the same result according to the invention through different, equivalent means, for example of the type of means of gripper or magnetic grippers, suitable for conveying the bars by overturning and inserting them, according to a substantially vertical overlap inside the compartment 16 in which the cutting members 15, 150 operate.

The final stage of cutting the bars 2 is then carried out, by operating the blade 15 from the rest position to the active cutting position, close to the counter-blade 150. Following this substantially horizontal movement, the bars 2 interposed are cut to size.

It is important to note that the actuation of the blades 15, 150 takes place in a substantially horizontal direction, in which therefore no reactions are developed which stress the supporting members of the bars 2 fed, thus allowing a more economical structural dimensioning. In this way, the complexity of the equipment is also reduced and therefore does not require special joints to protect the organs that would otherwise be overloaded. In this case, therefore, the actuation of the cutting blades does not generate any additional stress on the organs responsible for supporting the weight of the bars fed. In particular, unlike known apparatuses, the members surrounding the cutting station 5, which are part of the supply path 4 or the measurement path 6, are not subject to dynamic overloads and therefore are not exposed to any dangerous dynamic action. Furthermore, in order to hold the bars 2 during cutting, no locking devices or similar equipment are required, since the bars 2 are safely contained in the horizontal cutting direction by the conveying and interception means.

The work cycle can therefore continue as previously described, after having unloaded the cut bars 2 from the measuring way 6, feeding new bars 2 to be cut, individually or in groups of a determined number of bars 2. According to a different embodiment of the apparatus for cutting bars according to the invention, schematically illustrated in figures 17A, 17B, 17C, 17D, it is possible to operate in rapid succession, the sequential cutting of quantities of bars that represent a multiple of the cutting of the cutting means 7. In practice, it is possible, for each feeding cycle to the cutting station 5, to feed a number of bars 2 greater than the maximum cutting capacity of the cutting means 7. For this purpose, unlike the embodiment just described, schematically illustrated in figure 16, the apparatus 1 comprises an interception compartment 160 equipped with a mobile bottom wall 160b, alternating between a support configuration, in correspondence with which the bottom wall 160b closes the interception compartment 160, separating it from an underlying accumulation compartment 24, and a discharge configuration, in correspondence with which the bottom wall 160b is separated from the interception compartment 160, which is therefore in communication with the accumulation compartment 24 below. The movable bottom wall 160b can for example comprise an arm which can be operated alternatively according to a translation or oscillation motion, according to an axis for example horizontal, in the latter case being therefore also suitable for accompanying the transfer of the bars 2 cut from the compartment 160 to the storage compartment 24. In this case, therefore, it is possible to feed the cutting station 5 a number of bars 2 exceeding the cutting capacity of the cutting means 7, for example equal to three bars for each cutting cycle, as in the case illustrated in Figures 17A to 17D. For example, six bars can be fed in a single feeding cycle, therefore a number equal to double the cutting capacity of the blades 15, 150. Therefore a part of the bars fed, in the case in question equal to half the total number fed, Ã ̈ transferred from the conveying means 18 to the interception compartment 160, while the remaining part, exceeding the cutting capacity of the blades 15, 150, is stationed upstream of the interception compartment 160 on the conveyor means 18 (see figure 17A), finding the entire interception compartment 160 occupied.

A first cutting sequence is then operated following the cooperation of the blade 15 and the counter-blade 150. It is important to note that during the cut the bottom wall 160b is arranged in a position next to the blades, so as not to interfere with they, while acting as a support for the bars 2 in the cutting phase (see Figure 17B).

Once the first group of bars 2 has been cut, and in a suitable phase relationship with the activity of the blades 15, 150, the movable floor 160b is activated, in particular rotated or translated, so as to allow the cut bars 2 ™ access to the accumulation compartment 24 below (see figure 17C).

The blades 15, 150 are then moved away from each other, so as to free the interception compartment 16 (see figure 17D).

The bars 2 previously waiting on the conveying means 18 therefore fall into the interception compartment 160, which is now free, to be cut according to a new cutting sequence, as described. It is thus possible to carry out more than one cutting sequence in rapid succession according to the size of the storage compartment 24.

Basically, the bars 2 can be fed in a number greater than the maximum cutting capacity, since in the area below the shear means or blades 15, 150 there is a space, the accumulation compartment 24, suitable for accommodating the bars 2 cut each time without having to wait for the longitudinal evacuation time. In fact, at first the bars 2 conveyed into the interception compartment 160 will fill the space available in the cutting area. Subsequently, the bars 2 previously resting on the movable support represented by the movable bottom wall 160b are discharged into the underlying space circumscribed by the accumulation compartment 24. The overlying bars 2 then arrive in the free interception compartment 160, to be subjected to the cutting cycle. This sequence can be repeated rapidly several times until the accumulation compartment 24 underneath the interception compartment 160 is completely filled. In this way the productivity of the cutting equipment can be considerably increased, without requiring an excessive sizing of the means of cut 7 themselves. Basically, the method and the apparatus according to the invention provide an automatic bar loading system based on the cutting capacity of the cutting means 7 or of the shear without resorting to complex counting and loading devices.

In other words, the cooperation that can be achieved between the movement on a vertical plane of the body 14 of the cutting means 7, the conveying means 18 and the conformation of the interception compartment 16, 160 and of the accumulation compartment 24, allows to avoid costly phases and respective counting and loading devices that implement them, guaranteeing at the same time efficiency and precision in the execution of the cutting cycles of the desired number of bars 2. This results in an evident benefit, not only in terms of cycle times, but also in terms of operational and structural simplification of the equipment.

According to a further embodiment schematically represented in Figures 18A to 18E, it is also possible to provide to feed the cutting station 5 a number of bars greater than the cutting capacity of the blades 15, 150, by activating in relative translation motion at least a portion of the feeding way 4 and the measuring way 6 with respect to the body 14, so as to transfer in sequence groups of bars 2 fed by the conveying means 18 to the interception compartment 160, to cut them, and finally to the accumulation 24, once the cut has been made.

The execution of the subsequent cutting sequences is substantially similar to that described previously, considering however that in this case the bars 2 received in the interception compartment 160, instead of being supported by the movable bottom wall 160b, to be subjected to the cut, are kept at the correct height and then unloaded or accompanied to the accumulation compartment 24 by the aforementioned relative motion of the same advancement means or rollers arranged upstream, of the feeding way 4, and downstream, of the measuring way 6, by virtue of a relative movement, preferably of vertical translation, with respect to the blades 15, 150 (see Figures 18B and 18D, in particular). In this case the body 14 can take on a further accumulation configuration 14d relative to these rollers, in correspondence with which, being the rollers of the feeding way 4 and of the measuring way 6 lowered further with respect to the cutting member 15, 150 , these rollers act as a support for the bars 2 already cut and discharged into the accumulation compartment 24, at the same time presenting to the cutting member 15, 150 itself a new group of bars to be cut, above the previous ones already cut (see figures 18D and 18E).

According to a further embodiment, not shown, it is also possible to provide gripping means suitable for picking up the bars 2 fed on the feeding and measuring way 4, 6, as well as the transfer and overturning of the bars 2 themselves, in order to insert them into the interception compartment 16, 160 in which the cutting members 15, 150 act. of respective sections, initially arranged in horizontal alignment on the measuring and cutting path 4, 6. The aforementioned gripper can then transfer the gripped bars 2 while operating at the same time a suitable rotation, so as to arrange the gripped sections according to the preferably vertical alignment , suitable for insertion into an interception compartment 16, 160 shaped as described above or in an equivalent way. The cutting means 7 can be arranged above or below with respect to the bars 2 withdrawn, the same means 7 being supported in a corresponding manner above or below with respect to the feeding and measuring way 4, 6, both configurations being possible for the body 14 in combination with all the embodiments described above.

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 (15)

Claims 1) Method for cutting metal profiles into bars, comprising the steps of: a. arrange a feeding and measuring way (4, 6) for a plurality of bars (2), a cutting station (5) able to receive said bars from said feeding and measuring way (4, 6), said cutting station (5) comprising a body (14) carrying a cutting member (15, 150) operable relative to said body (14) for cutting said bars (2) in correspondence with an interception compartment (16, 160) for said bars (2) fed, said body (14) being movable on a substantially vertical plane relative to said feeding and measuring way (4, 6), alternatively between an inactive position (14a), in correspondence with which said interception compartment ( 16, 160) carried by said body (14) is away from said feeding and measuring way (4, 6), and an active position (14b), in correspondence with which said feeding and measuring way (4, 6) It is aligned with said interception compartment (16, 160) carried by said body (14) for cutting said barr and (2) by said cutting member (15, 150); b. feeding said bars (2) in a substantially horizontal position by means of said feeding and measuring way (4, 6) to said cutting station (5), being said body (14) carrying said cutting member (15, 150) positioned in said inactive position (14a); c. position in a predetermined way said bars (2) fed relative to said cutting member (15, 150) by means of the use of measuring means (11) arranged on said feeding and measuring way (4, 6) after having carried out any butting or matching phases; d. actuating said relative motion between said body (14) carrying said cutting member (15, 150) and said feeding and measuring path (4, 6), said relative motion bringing said body (14) from said inactive position (14a) to said active position (14b); And. activate conveying means (18) suitable for producing the transfer of said bars (2) fed on said feeding and measuring path (4, 6) from said substantially horizontal side-by-side condition to a substantially vertical overlapping condition inside said storage compartment interception (16, 160); f. cut said bars (2) in said overturned condition of substantially vertical overlap within said interception compartment (16, 160) by operating said cutting member (15, 150) in a substantially horizontal, substantially perpendicular direction to said bars (2) in said overturned condition. 2) Method according to claim 1, characterized in that said conveying means (18) are carried integral with said body (14). 3) Method according to claim 1, characterized in that said conveying means (18) can be activated autonomously with respect to said movable body (14). 4) Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said step of d. activating said relative motion comprises the step of operating the relative oscillation of said body (14) around an axis of oscillation (19) which is substantially horizontal and parallel to the direction of feeding of said bars (2) from said inactive position (14a) below said fed bars (2) to said raised active position (14b), in correspondence with which said fed bars (2) are transferred into said interception compartment (16), presenting a respective cutting section at said cutting member (15, 150) within said interception compartment (16). 5) Method according to one or more of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that said step of d. actuating said relative motion, comprises the step of operating the relative translation of said body (14) carrying said cutting member (15, 150) and said feeding and measuring path (4, 6), from said inactive position (14a), in correspondence with which said cutting member (15, 150) carried by said body (4) is lowered relative to said supply and measurement way (4, 6), to said active position (14b), in correspondence with which said member cut (15, 150) carried by said body (14) is substantially in line with said feeding and measuring way (4, 6). 6) Method according to claim 4 or 5, characterized in that it comprises the further step of transferring said bars (2) cut from said cutting member (15, 150) to an accumulation compartment (24) shaped as an extension of said interception compartment (160). 7) Method according to claim 6, characterized in that said step of transferring said cut bars (2) comprises the further step of removing a movable partition (160b) adapted to separate said interception compartment (160) from said accumulation (24), in such a way as to accumulate said bars (2) cut in said accumulation compartment (24), leaving in said interception compartment (160) the space for the insertion of further bars (2) fed together with said bars already cut, and to proceed to step f. for cutting said further bars (2) inserted in said interception compartment (160). 8) Apparatus for cutting metal profiles into bars, comprising a feeding and measuring way (4, 6) suitable for feeding said bars (2) in a substantially horizontal position side by side, a cutting station (5) equipped with a body (14) bearing a cutting member (15, 150) operable relative to said body (14) for cutting said bars (2), and an interception compartment (16, 160) for said bars (2) fed, in correspondence with which said cutting member (15, 150) is operative for cutting said bars (2), said apparatus being characterized in that said body (14) is movable on a substantially vertical plane relative to said path supply and measurement (4, 6), alternatively between an inactive position (14a), in correspondence with which said interception compartment (16, 160) carried by said body (14) is distant from said supply and measurement route ( 4, 6), and an active position (14b), in correspondence wherein said interception compartment (16, 160) carried by said body (14) is aligned with said feeding and measuring way (4, 6) for the cutting of said bars (2) by said cutting member (15, 150), said body (14) cooperating with conveying means (18) adapted to produce the transfer of said bars (2) fed on said feeding and measuring way (4, 6) from said substantially horizontal side-by-side condition to an overturned condition of substantially vertical overlap within said interception compartment (16, 160), so that said cutting member (15, 150) is operative with respect to said body (14) in a substantially horizontal direction, substantially perpendicular to said bars (2) in said overturned condition. 9) Apparatus according to claim 8, characterized by the fact that said body (14) is hinged to oscillate around an axis of oscillation (19) substantially parallel to said supply and measurement way (4, 6), between said inactive position ( 14a) and said active position (14b). 10) Apparatus according to claim 9, characterized by the fact that in said inactive position (14a) said body is underneath said feeding and measuring way (4, 6) and in said active position (14b) said body is raised in alignment to said supply and measurement route (4, 6). 11) Apparatus according to claim 8, characterized in that said body (14) is movable relative to said feeding and measuring way (4, 6) according to a translation motion, from said inactive position (14a) in correspondence with which said interception compartment is at a lower height than said supply and measurement route (4, 6), at said active position (14b) in correspondence with which said interception compartment (16, 160) is substantially at the same height with respect to said feeding and measuring way (4, 6) to cut said fed bars (2). 12) Apparatus according to one of claims 7 to 11, characterized in that it comprises an accumulation compartment (24) for said cut bars (2), as an extension of said interception compartment (160). 13) Apparatus according to claim 12, characterized in that said accumulation compartment (24) is accessible to said bars (2) cut by opening a movable partition (160b) for separating said interception compartment (160 ) and said accumulation compartment (24), or by means of a relative distancing movement between said body (14) carrying said interception compartment (160) and said feeding and measuring way (4, 6). 14) Apparatus according to one of claims 8 to 13, characterized in that said conveying means (18) are shaped by means integral with said body (14), converging to said interception compartment (16, 160). 15. Apparatus according to one of claims 8 to 13, characterized in that said conveying means (18) are made by gripping and overturning means of the gripper type, magnetic or the like.