US20100180654A1 - Cold roll forming apparatus - Google Patents
Cold roll forming apparatus Download PDFInfo
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- US20100180654A1 US20100180654A1 US12/750,016 US75001610A US2010180654A1 US 20100180654 A1 US20100180654 A1 US 20100180654A1 US 75001610 A US75001610 A US 75001610A US 2010180654 A1 US2010180654 A1 US 2010180654A1
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- Prior art keywords
- roll
- strip
- rolls
- mill
- forming
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B21—MECHANICAL METAL-WORKING WITHOUT ESSENTIALLY REMOVING MATERIAL; PUNCHING METAL
- B21D—WORKING OR PROCESSING OF SHEET METAL OR METAL TUBES, RODS OR PROFILES WITHOUT ESSENTIALLY REMOVING MATERIAL; PUNCHING METAL
- B21D5/00—Bending sheet metal along straight lines, e.g. to form simple curves
- B21D5/06—Bending sheet metal along straight lines, e.g. to form simple curves by drawing procedure making use of dies or forming-rollers, e.g. making profiles
- B21D5/08—Bending sheet metal along straight lines, e.g. to form simple curves by drawing procedure making use of dies or forming-rollers, e.g. making profiles making use of forming-rollers
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B21—MECHANICAL METAL-WORKING WITHOUT ESSENTIALLY REMOVING MATERIAL; PUNCHING METAL
- B21D—WORKING OR PROCESSING OF SHEET METAL OR METAL TUBES, RODS OR PROFILES WITHOUT ESSENTIALLY REMOVING MATERIAL; PUNCHING METAL
- B21D19/00—Flanging or other edge treatment, e.g. of tubes
- B21D19/02—Flanging or other edge treatment, e.g. of tubes by continuously-acting tools moving along the edge
- B21D19/04—Flanging or other edge treatment, e.g. of tubes by continuously-acting tools moving along the edge shaped as rollers
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B23—MACHINE TOOLS; METAL-WORKING NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- B23K—SOLDERING OR UNSOLDERING; WELDING; CLADDING OR PLATING BY SOLDERING OR WELDING; CUTTING BY APPLYING HEAT LOCALLY, e.g. FLAME CUTTING; WORKING BY LASER BEAM
- B23K11/00—Resistance welding; Severing by resistance heating
- B23K11/08—Seam welding not restricted to one of the preceding subgroups
- B23K11/087—Seam welding not restricted to one of the preceding subgroups for rectilinear seams
- B23K11/0873—Seam welding not restricted to one of the preceding subgroups for rectilinear seams of the longitudinal seam of tubes
Definitions
- This invention is concerned with improvements in cold roll forming mills.
- the invention is concerned particularly, although not exclusively, with aspects of a cold roll forming mill for hollow flange members.
- the invention is concerned with aspects of a cold roll forming mill for the continuous production of dual welded hollow flange beams.
- U.S. Pat. No. 3,698,224 describes the manufacture of hollow flange beams by a cold forming process wherein seam welded steel tubing is subjected to a shaping process which flattens the tube to form a hollow flange beam with a pair of juxtaposed webs.
- a conventional tube rolling mill was adapted to produce hollow flange beams having circular cross-section flanges at the weld station, the circular cross-section flanges subsequently being shaped to triangular cross-section to form “Dogbone” (Registered Trade Mark) beams.
- ERP electrical resistance or induction welding using either contacts or induction coils/impeders to create a current in the member and other forms of electrical resistance welding.
- a cold roll forming mill for the manufacture of hollow flange seam welded beams from a single strip of metal, said mill comprising:
- said mill characterized in that either or both of said forming station and said shaping station comprises independently supported side engaging roll combinations adapted, in use, to roll opposite sides of said strip, adjacent transverse pairs of said side engaging roll combinations being selectively movable relative to each other in a transverse direction perpendicular to a direction of travel of said strip.
- some or all of said side engaging roll combinations are idler rolls.
- drive rolls spaced within said forming station and spaced within said shaping station engage a central region of said strip between formed edges thereof.
- some or all of said drive rolls may engage said strip over a substantial portion thereof between formed edges of said strip.
- some or all of said drive rolls may engage said strip adjacent a central portion spaced from said formed edges.
- some or all of said drive rolls may engage said strip adjacent opposed formed edges thereof.
- the transverse pairs of side engaging roll combinations may be mounted on respective roll stand frames.
- transverse pairs of said side engaging roll combinations may be movably mounted on a common roll stand frame.
- said roll stand frames are selectively movable transversely of a mill bed.
- the transverse pairs of side engaging roll combinations may be aligned in a transverse plane perpendicular to a direction of travel of a strip of metal between said side engaging roll combinations.
- each of said transverse pair of side engaging roll combinations is located in a respective longitudinally spaced transverse plane perpendicular to a direction of travel of a strip of metal between said side engaging roll combinations.
- At least one of a side engaging roll of a side engaging roll combination is rotatably mounted on an inclined axis lying in a transverse plane perpendicular to a direction of travel of a strip of metal through said side engaging roll combination.
- At least one side engaging roll of a side engaging roll combination may be rotatably mounted on a horizontal axis lying in a transverse plane perpendicular to a direction of travel of a strip of metal through said side engaging roll combination.
- At least one side engaging roll of a side engaging roll combination is rotatably mounted on a vertical axis.
- said drive rolls may alternate with said side engaging roll combinations along a mill bed.
- any or all of said at least one of a side engaging roll of a side engaging roll combination is rotatable on an axis selectively angularly adjustable in a plane lying perpendicular to a direction of travel of a metal strip in said mill.
- said drive rolls are located between pairs of longitudinally spaced side engaging roll combinations along said mill bed.
- said seam guide and welding station includes a seam guide roll stand having at least one seam guide roll having a circumferential shoulder pivotally mounted on an inclined rotational axis lying in a transverse plane perpendicular to a direction of travel of said strip.
- said at least one seam guide roll may be selectively movable along said inclined axis.
- the rotational axis of said seam guide roll may be selectively angularly adjustable in said transverse plane.
- the seam guide and welding station includes a weld box stand having at least one squeeze roll pivotally mounted on an inclined rotational axis lying in a transverse plane perpendicular to a direction of travel of said strip.
- said at least one squeeze roll may be selectively movable along said inclined axis.
- the rotational axis of said at least one squeeze roll may be selectively angularly adjustable in said transverse plane.
- one or more of said forming rolls and/or said shaping rolls may be rotatably journalled in a mounting frame releasably securable to a respective forming roll stand and/or a shaping roll stand.
- one or more sets of said forming rolls and/or said shaping rolls may be rotatably journalled in a mounting frame releasably securable to a respective forming roll stand and/or a shaping roll stand.
- said mounting frame is adjustable in a transverse plane perpendicular to a direction of travel of said strip through said mounting frame.
- said seam guide and welding station comprises:
- a seam roll stand rotatably supporting at least one seam roll adapted, in use, to guide a free edge of a contoured edge region of said metal strip into linear alignment with a predetermined weld axis spaced from said free edge on a surface of said metal strip;
- a weld box stand rotatably supporting at least one pair of squeeze rolls, in use, to urge said free edge when heated to a predetermined temperature into fused engagement with a correspondingly heated said weld axis on said surface, said pair of squeeze rolls co-operating, in use, to guide said free edge through a predetermined linear trajectory substantially along an incidence axis of a subsequent weld junction between said free edge and said surface of said metal strip whereby energy imparted to said cold formed member is focussed by a proximity effect along said predetermined weld axis of said surface.
- said electrical current is induced in said free edge and said weld region by electrical contactors slidably engaging said metal strip adjacent said free edge and said weld region.
- said electrical current is induced in said free edge and said weld region by an induction coil transversely surrounding said metal strip in a plane perpendicular to a direction of travel of said metal strip therethrough.
- At least one of said pair of squeeze rolls is angularly adjustable in a plane perpendicular to a direction of travel of said metal strip therebetween.
- At least one of said pair of squeeze rolls may be adjustable relative to the other of said pair in a direction perpendicular to a rotational axis of said at least one of said pair of squeeze rolls.
- said weld box includes web support rolls rotatable about parallel respective axes perpendicular to a direction of travel of a metal strip member therebetween.
- a web support roll may have a contoured outer edge to function as one of said pair of squeeze rolls.
- the apparatus may include more than one seam roll stand.
- At least one of said seam roll stands includes a seam roll having a circumferential shoulder thereon, said circumferential shoulder, in use, providing an abutment for said free edge of said metal strip.
- a contoured guide roll is provided, in use, to urge said free edge of said metal strip into abutment with said circumferential shoulder.
- a method of cold roll forming a hollow flange member from a single strip of metal comprising the steps of:
- one or more of said forming rolls may be driven.
- one or more of said shaping rolls may be driven.
- forming of said hollow flange is effected by one or more forming rolls rotatably supported about a pivotal axis inclined at an angle between vertical and horizontal in a transverse plane perpendicular to a direction of travel of said strip of metal.
- shaping may be effected by one or more shaping rolls rotatably supported about a pivotal axis inclined at an angle between vertical and horizontal in a transverse plane perpendicular to a direction of travel of said strip of metal.
- Forming of said hollow flange may be effected by forming rolls mounted in longitudinally spaced transverse operating planes, said spaced operating planes being parallel to each other and perpendicular to a direction of travel of said strip of metal.
- shaping of said hollow flange may be effected by shaping rolls mounted in longitudinally spaced transverse operating planes, said spaced operating planes being parallel to each other and perpendicular to a direction of travel of said strip of metal.
- said free edge is aligned linearly with a predetermined weld axis on said surface of said strip and said at least one free edge is guided through a predetermined linear trajectory along an incidence axis of a subsequent weld junction between said at least free one free edge and said surface whereby energy imparted to said hollow flange member is focussed by a proximity effect along said predetermined weld axis on said surface prior to fusing said at least one free edge thereto.
- said at least one free edge is aligned with said weld region by one or more seam rolls each having a circumferential shoulder providing an abutment for said at least one free edge.
- Said at least one free edge of said metal strip may be urged into abutment with said circumferential shoulder by a contoured guide roll.
- said metal strip is supported centrally by opposed cylindrical roll surfaces adjacent said weld region as said at least one free edge is urged into abutment with said circumferential shoulder.
- Said at least one free edge may be guided toward said closure region at a predetermined angle relative to strip surface by adjustably mounted seam rolls.
- said at least one free edge of said metal strip is guided through said predetermined trajectory by a contoured squeeze roll extending over said contoured surface of said metal strip between spaced substantially parallel contact faces of said contoured squeeze roll.
- Weld energy may be imparted to said free edge and said predetermined weld region by an electrical induction coil or contactors, said coil extending substantially around said metal strip in a plane substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal axis thereof.
- an elongate rod-like induction impeder supported at one end may extend within a hollow interior cavity of said contoured surface to a region adjacent a closure region where said at least one free edge is fused to said surface of said metal strip.
- FIG. 1 is a schematic side elevational view of a forming station and edge preparation and welding station of a cold roll forming mill
- FIG. 2 is a schematic side elevational view of a shaping station of a cold roll forming mill
- FIG. 3 shows schematically a front elevation of a driven roll stand fitted with side rolls
- FIG. 4 shows schematically a rear elevation of a forming roll stand
- FIG. 5 shows schematically a rear elevation of a seam guide roll stand
- FIG. 6 shows schematically a side elevation of a welding apparatus
- FIG. 7 shows schematically a front elevation of a weld box stand
- FIG. 8 shows schematically the operation of the squeeze rolls in the weld box stand
- FIG. 9 shows schematically front, side and rear elevations of a shaping roll stand
- FIG. 10 shows schematically side and front elevations of a turk's head roll stand.
- front elevation means a view in the direction of travel of a strip of metal therethrough.
- the cold forming mill comprises a forming station 1 , an edge preparation and welding station 2 and a shaping station 3 .
- Conventional slit strip roll handling and let off rolls upstream of the forming station 1 and flying saw and take-off table assemblies at the downstream end of shaping station 3 are omitted for the sake of clarity.
- mill beds 4 support a conventional entry table 5 , a series of drive roll stands 6 , a series of forming roll stands 7 , side roll assemblies 8 , a seam guide roll stand 9 , a weld coil 10 and a weld box 11 .
- FIG. 2 shows a downstream portion of the cold forming mill wherein mill beds 4 support drive roll stands 6 , shaping roll stands 12 and a turk's head roll stand 13 .
- FIG. 3 shows a front elevational view of drive roll stand 6 a of FIG. 1 .
- This roll stand differs from other roll stands 6 only in that it includes side rolls to steady the formed strip prior to entry into the seam guide roll stand 9 .
- Drive roll stand 6 a comprises a pair of spaced frames 20 in which are journalled roll shafts 21 , each supporting a respective cylindrical drive roll 22 .
- Roll shafts 21 are coupled via universal joints 23 to drive shafts 24 coupled to a conventional drive train (not shown).
- drive rolls 22 engage the central web 25 of a formed hollow flange beam member 26 and because the grip on the web is so good, it has been found unnecessary to drive any of the forming or shaping rolls in the mill.
- a conventional height adjustment mechanism 27 provides vertical height adjustment to upper roll shaft 21 to adjust the nip between upper and lower rolls 22 to accommodate differing metal strip feedstock thickness. If required, selected drive rolls may be contoured to assist in forming or shaping hollow flanges.
- a side roll assembly comprising a pair of side rolls 28 supported on respective mounting brackets 29 .
- Side rolls 28 engage the hollow flanges 30 of member 26 for precise lateral location prior to entry into the seam guide roll stand 9 and are adapted for lateral adjustment by screw adjuster 31 and for vertical adjustment by screw adjusters 32 .
- FIG. 4 illustrates a rear elevational view of a typical undriven forming roll stand 7 showing a pair of frames 35 adjustably mounted on a base 36 for selective relative lateral movement by a shaft 37 having threaded portions 38 , 38 a of opposite hand engaging in respective slide blocks 39 , 39 a .
- Frames 35 are slidably adjustable between inner and outer stops 40 , 41 respectively.
- Upper and lower forming rolls 42 , 43 are supported on respective mounting brackets 44 , 45 and upper mounting brackets 44 are slidably mounted on frames for vertical adjustment by adjusting screws 46 to accommodate differing thicknesses of the metal strip feedstock or differing roll set configurations.
- FIG. 5 shows a rear elevational view of a seam guide roll stand 9 having a base 50 and a support frame 51 .
- a pair of contoured support rolls 52 which support the hollow flange regions 30 on either side of web 25 .
- Rolls 52 are rotatably journalled in lower roll support brackets 53 slidably mounted on frame 51 and movable laterally relative to each other by an oppositely handed threaded screw adjustment 54 .
- Vertical adjustment of lower roll support brackets 53 is achieved by screw-threaded adjusters 55 .
- Seam guide rolls 56 are mounted on upper roll support brackets 57 which are mounted for lateral relative movement on frame 51 by adjuster 58 having a shaft 59 with oppositely handed screw-threads and also for vertical movement by adjuster screws 60 .
- Seam guide rolls 56 have a circumferential shoulder 61 which provides an abutment against with the free edge 62 of hollow flange 30 is urged. Seam guide rolls rotatably journalled in slide blocks 63 which are linearly adjustable along respective rotational axes 64 by adjuster screws 65 and, if required slide blocks 63 may be pivotally mounted on upper roll support brackets for angular adjustment in a transverse plane perpendicular to a direction of travel of the metal strip feedstock therethrough.
- the end wall 70 of support roll 66 also serves as an abutment for free edge 62 of flange 30 .
- a contoured end wall 71 of lower support roll 67 which also supports the hollow flange 30 . Relative vertical movement between web support rolls 66 and 67 is achieved by adjuster screw 72 .
- FIG. 6 shows a high frequency electrical induction welding apparatus 10 shown schematically in FIG. 1 between seam guide roll stand 9 and weld box 11 .
- Welding apparatus 10 comprises an induction coil assembly 75 in the form of a sheet copper loop 76 which surrounds a hollow flange member 77 as it passes therethrough. Loop 76 is supported at its free ends 78 by respective sheet copper support brackets 79 separated by an electrical insulating medium 80 . Coil assembly 75 is cooled by water recirculating in copper tubes 81 secured to assembly 75 .
- each impedance device 82 Located within each hollow flange 30 in the region of coil 76 is an impedance device 82 comprising a fibreglass tube filled with ferrite rods (not shown).
- Each impeder 82 is supported by an elongate rod 83 supported by a bracket 84 (shown in FIG. 1 ) which extends into the hollow interior of a respective web via the gap between the free edge of the hollow flange and the side of the web as seen in FIG. 5 .
- Cooling water is recirculated through the impeder 82 via tubes 85 and a source of compressed air is pumped through the impeder 82 via tube 86 .
- FIG. 7 shows the configuration of the four roll weld box 11 in FIG. 1 .
- Weld box 11 comprises a cylindrical top roll 90 and a cylindrical lower roll 91 with contoured edges 91 a, each of rolls 90 , 91 being rotatably journalled about respective rotational axes 92 , 93 .
- Contoured squeeze rolls 94 a , 94 b rotatable about respective inclined axes 95 a , 95 b are adapted to urge the heated free edges 62 a , 62 b of hollow flanges 30 into respective heated weld seam line regions along the opposed boundaries of web 25 to effect fusion therebetween to create a continuous weld seam.
- the cavities defined between squeeze rolls 94 a , 94 b and respective contoured edges 91 a of cylindrical support roll 91 are ovoid in shape.
- the free edges 62 a , 62 b are urged toward respective weld lines in a linear fashion perpendicular to the respective rotational axes 95 a , 95 b of squeeze rolls 94 a , 94 b without a transverse “sweeping” action thereby maintaining stable induction “shadows” or pathways on or at the desired position of the weld seams between respective free edges 64 a , 64 b and the opposed boundaries of web 25 .
- Cylindrical roller 90 is adjustably mounted for movement in an upright plane by adjustment screw 96 , the screw 96 being coupled to roll carriage 98 , slidably mounted in support frame 100 .
- Squeeze rolls 94 a , 94 b are slidably mounted in respective carriages 101 , 102 of squeeze roll support frames 103 , 104 respectively for slidable adjustment along respective sliding axes 105 , 106 means of adjustment screws 107 .
- Squeeze roll support frames 103 , 104 are, in turn, adjustably mounted for transverse movement by a screw 108 coupling mountings for support frames 103 , 104 by a threaded shaft 109 and for upright movement by screws 110 .
- roll support frames are pivotally mounted on frame 100 for pivotal movement about respective axes parallel to the direction of movement of a hollow flanged member moving through weld box stand 11 .
- the adjustable roll mounting enables a wide range of hollow flange members of varying dimensions and cross-sectional configurations to be welded in the weld box with extremely precise control over the trajectory through which the free edges of the hollow flanges travel towards a precisely located weld seam line adjacent or at the edges of the member web.
- FIG. 8 shows schematically the configuration of the rolls in weld box 11 of FIG. 7 to more clearly illustrate the guidance of the free edges of the hollow flanges into the weld seams along the edges of the web.
- FIG. 9 shows a shaping roll stand 12 of FIG. 2 wherein FIG. 9 a is a rear elevational view, FIG. 9 b is a side elevation and FIG. 9 c is a front elevational view.
- Roll stand 12 comprises an arched plate-like frame 120 reinforced by a web 121 attached about an outer edge thereof.
- Frame 120 is supported on base pads 122 and includes lifting eyes 123 for ease of handling.
- Track members 124 , 125 slidably locate a shaping roll carriage 126 which is transversely adjustable by adjuster screw 127 .
- Mounted about a central aperture 128 in frame 120 are shaping roll support frames 129 , each slidably locating a roll mounting bracket 130 in which is rotatably journalled a shaping roll 131 .
- Roll mounting brackets 130 are slidably adjustable in respective support frames 129 by adjuster screws 132 which move the shaping rolls 131 in a transverse plane perpendicular to the direction of travel of a hollow flange 133 a of a beam 133 moving therethrough.
- Shaping rolls 131 are mounted with respective rotational axes in a common transverse mounting plane represented at 134 in FIG. 9 b and respective adjuster screws 127 move the shaping rolls 131 in their common mounting plane in a direction perpendicular to respective rotational axes.
- aperture 128 Just visible via aperture 128 is a set of three shaping rolls 131 a engaged about an opposite hollow flange 133 b of beam 133 on the other side of frame 120 .
- FIGS. 9 b and 9 c a front elevational view of the shaping roll stand is substantially identical except that roll carriage 126 is displaced to the left to accommodate hollow flange 133 b spaced from hollow flange 133 a by the width of the web therebetween.
- a still further advantage of a roll stand as illustrated in FIG. 9 with a three roll shaping set is that by operating one of the rolls with an inclined rotational axis as shown, a tapered edge roll of a relatively small diameter can still provide a deep support face for an upright flange edge without “scrubbing” the face of the flange as a result of the forming velocity differential across a planar side wall of a cylindrical roll.
- the roll stand shown in FIG. 9 is considered to permit substantial cost savings in the cost of roll sets as diameters of 25-30% less than conventional roll diameters may be employed. Moreover, the adjustability of the rolls allows a large range of beam sizes can be rolled without having to effect roll changes simply to accommodate changes in web width. Where roll changes are required either for a change in hollow flange beam size or configuration or merely for maintenance purposes, a complete roll carriage changeover may be effected in minutes and similarly replacement of a mounting roll bracket also can be effected rapidly.
- FIG. 10 shows a double sided turk's head roll stand 13 having a configuration similar to shaping roll stands 12 shown in FIG. 9 .
- turk's head roll stand 13 comprises a plate-like frame 140 with top and side reinforcing webs 141 , 142 respectively.
- a mounting base 143 is adapted for mounting on a mill bed as shown in FIG. 2 and lifting eyes 144 are provided for handling purposes.
- Mounted on opposite faces of frame 140 are roll mounting plates 145 with aligned central apertures 146 .
- Mounted about apertures 146 are roll mounting frames 147 slidably locating roll mounting brackets 148 which are axially adjustable by respective adjuster screws 149 .
- Roll mounting plates 145 are axially adjustable by adjusting screws 150 .
- Roll mounting frames 147 are mounted on a face plate 151 in turn rotatably mounted on roll mounting plates 145 and at least partial rotation of face plate 151 relative thereto is effected by adjusting screw 152 .
- Relative rotational adjustment between the face plates 151 on the front and rear sides of the turk's head frame 140 permits any twisting or axial deformations in the hollow flange beam to be removed by idler rolls 153 , 154 , 155 and 156 before the beam progresses to a flying saw or the like to be severed into predetermined lengths.
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Abstract
A cold roll forming mill for the manufacture of hollow flange seam welded beams from a single strip of metal comprises a forming station (1), a seam guide and welding station (2) and a shaping station (3). Either or both of the forming and shaping stations (1,3) comprise independently supported side engaging roll combinations (7,12) adapted, in use, to roll either or both of opposite sides of the strip. Adjacent transverse pairs of side engaging roll (7,12) combinations are selectively movable relative to each other in a transverse direction perpendicular to a direction of travel of said strip through said mill. At least some of the side engaging roll combinations (7,12) are driven. Drive rolls (6) spaced within the forming and shaping stations (1,3) engage the strip between opposite edges thereof.
Description
- This invention is concerned with improvements in cold roll forming mills.
- The invention is concerned particularly, although not exclusively, with aspects of a cold roll forming mill for hollow flange members.
- More particularly, the invention is concerned with aspects of a cold roll forming mill for the continuous production of dual welded hollow flange beams.
- It is known to produce hollow flange members by cold forming light gauge steel strip to form a section having a planar web and hollow triangular cross-section flanges extending along opposite sides of the web. U.S. Pat. Nos. 991,603 and 3,342,007 describe the manufacture of such beams by a cold forming process wherein the free edge of the hollow flange lies adjacent the edge of the web but is not secured thereto. These hollow flanges are known as “open” flanges and lack torsional resistance.
- U.S. Pat. No. 3,698,224 describes the manufacture of hollow flange beams by a cold forming process wherein seam welded steel tubing is subjected to a shaping process which flattens the tube to form a hollow flange beam with a pair of juxtaposed webs.
- In order to improve the section efficiency of “open” flange beams, it has been proposed to secure the edges of the hollow flanges to the web to improve torsional stiffness in the flanges. U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,436,552, 6,115,986, 6,397,550 and 5,692,353 describe cold formed thin gauge hollow flange beams wherein a lip formed along the edge of the hollow flange is secured to the web intermediate its edges by fasteners, clinch perforations, spot welding or the like.
- Russian Inventor's Certificate 827723 describes a cold formed thin gauge hollow flange beam wherein the free edges of the hollow flanges are formed as internally folded lips or formations to support the hollow flanges against localized crushing under load. A side wall of the hollow flange is welded by a fillet weld to the edge of the web to form a “closed” flange.
- In order to reduce the costs of manufacture of cold formed “closed” hollow flange beams, an in-line dual welding process was devised and described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,163,225, in respect of which, the assignee of the present invention is the successor in title. The dual welding process described for the first time an in-line high frequency induction or resistance welding process wherein a free edge of a hollow flange was welded to the face of the strip of metal to form a weld seam adjacent the edge of the web of the hollow flange beam so formed. In that process, a conventional tube rolling mill was adapted to produce hollow flange beams having circular cross-section flanges at the weld station, the circular cross-section flanges subsequently being shaped to triangular cross-section to form “Dogbone” (Registered Trade Mark) beams.
- While generally satisfactory for a relatively narrow range of web and flange widths and a narrow range of metal strip gauges, an adaptation to a conventional mill structure was considered to be not only limiting in the scope of beam sizes but also inefficient and capital intensive in terms of requiring a large number of roll sets of large diameter which caused considerable unproductive downtime each time a roll change was required for a different beam size. Moreover, difficulties in maintaining weld seam stability imposed severe limitations on yield due to a high reject rate.
- One proposal to address some of the shortcomings in the original “Dogbone” process was described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,403,986. This document proposed a tandem mill structure with separate spaced cold forming mills inclined to a longitudinal axis in a forming section of the mill. Shaped flanges, independently produced from separate strips of metal were brought together with a third planar web strip such that the edges of the web protruded between the free edges of the flanges prior to welding. The welding and forming stations were substantially the same as those described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,163,225.
- As used herein, the expression “ERW” refers to electrical resistance or induction welding using either contacts or induction coils/impeders to create a current in the member and other forms of electrical resistance welding.
- It is an aim of the present invention to overcome or alleviate at least some of the disadvantages of prior art methods and apparatus for the production of hollow flange seam welded beams.
- According to one aspect of the invention there is provided a cold roll forming mill for the manufacture of hollow flange seam welded beams from a single strip of metal, said mill comprising:
- a forming station;
- a seam guide and welding station; and,
- a shaping station, said mill characterized in that either or both of said forming station and said shaping station comprises independently supported side engaging roll combinations adapted, in use, to roll opposite sides of said strip, adjacent transverse pairs of said side engaging roll combinations being selectively movable relative to each other in a transverse direction perpendicular to a direction of travel of said strip.
- Suitably, some or all of said side engaging roll combinations are idler rolls.
- If required, some or all of said side engaging roll combinations are drive rolls.
- Preferably, drive rolls, spaced within said forming station and spaced within said shaping station engage a central region of said strip between formed edges thereof.
- If required, some or all of said drive rolls may engage said strip over a substantial portion thereof between formed edges of said strip.
- Alternatively, some or all of said drive rolls may engage said strip adjacent a central portion spaced from said formed edges.
- In a still further alternative, some or all of said drive rolls may engage said strip adjacent opposed formed edges thereof.
- The transverse pairs of side engaging roll combinations may be mounted on respective roll stand frames.
- If required, transverse pairs of said side engaging roll combinations may be movably mounted on a common roll stand frame.
- Suitably, said roll stand frames are selectively movable transversely of a mill bed.
- The transverse pairs of side engaging roll combinations may be aligned in a transverse plane perpendicular to a direction of travel of a strip of metal between said side engaging roll combinations.
- Preferably, each of said transverse pair of side engaging roll combinations is located in a respective longitudinally spaced transverse plane perpendicular to a direction of travel of a strip of metal between said side engaging roll combinations.
- If required, at least one of a side engaging roll of a side engaging roll combination is rotatably mounted on an inclined axis lying in a transverse plane perpendicular to a direction of travel of a strip of metal through said side engaging roll combination.
- At least one side engaging roll of a side engaging roll combination may be rotatably mounted on a horizontal axis lying in a transverse plane perpendicular to a direction of travel of a strip of metal through said side engaging roll combination.
- Suitably, at least one side engaging roll of a side engaging roll combination is rotatably mounted on a vertical axis.
- If required, said drive rolls may alternate with said side engaging roll combinations along a mill bed.
- Suitably, any or all of said at least one of a side engaging roll of a side engaging roll combination is rotatable on an axis selectively angularly adjustable in a plane lying perpendicular to a direction of travel of a metal strip in said mill.
- Preferably, said drive rolls are located between pairs of longitudinally spaced side engaging roll combinations along said mill bed.
- Suitably, said seam guide and welding station includes a seam guide roll stand having at least one seam guide roll having a circumferential shoulder pivotally mounted on an inclined rotational axis lying in a transverse plane perpendicular to a direction of travel of said strip.
- If required, said at least one seam guide roll may be selectively movable along said inclined axis.
- The rotational axis of said seam guide roll may be selectively angularly adjustable in said transverse plane.
- Preferably, the seam guide and welding station includes a weld box stand having at least one squeeze roll pivotally mounted on an inclined rotational axis lying in a transverse plane perpendicular to a direction of travel of said strip.
- Suitably, said at least one squeeze roll may be selectively movable along said inclined axis.
- If required, the rotational axis of said at least one squeeze roll may be selectively angularly adjustable in said transverse plane.
- Preferably, one or more of said forming rolls and/or said shaping rolls may be rotatably journalled in a mounting frame releasably securable to a respective forming roll stand and/or a shaping roll stand.
- If required, one or more sets of said forming rolls and/or said shaping rolls may be rotatably journalled in a mounting frame releasably securable to a respective forming roll stand and/or a shaping roll stand.
- Suitably, said mounting frame is adjustable in a transverse plane perpendicular to a direction of travel of said strip through said mounting frame.
- Preferably, said seam guide and welding station comprises:
- a seam roll stand rotatably supporting at least one seam roll adapted, in use, to guide a free edge of a contoured edge region of said metal strip into linear alignment with a predetermined weld axis spaced from said free edge on a surface of said metal strip; and,
- a weld box stand rotatably supporting at least one pair of squeeze rolls, in use, to urge said free edge when heated to a predetermined temperature into fused engagement with a correspondingly heated said weld axis on said surface, said pair of squeeze rolls co-operating, in use, to guide said free edge through a predetermined linear trajectory substantially along an incidence axis of a subsequent weld junction between said free edge and said surface of said metal strip whereby energy imparted to said cold formed member is focussed by a proximity effect along said predetermined weld axis of said surface.
- Suitably, said electrical current is induced in said free edge and said weld region by electrical contactors slidably engaging said metal strip adjacent said free edge and said weld region.
- Preferably, said electrical current is induced in said free edge and said weld region by an induction coil transversely surrounding said metal strip in a plane perpendicular to a direction of travel of said metal strip therethrough.
- Preferably, at least one of said pair of squeeze rolls is angularly adjustable in a plane perpendicular to a direction of travel of said metal strip therebetween.
- At least one of said pair of squeeze rolls may be adjustable relative to the other of said pair in a direction perpendicular to a rotational axis of said at least one of said pair of squeeze rolls.
- Suitably, said weld box includes web support rolls rotatable about parallel respective axes perpendicular to a direction of travel of a metal strip member therebetween.
- If required, a web support roll may have a contoured outer edge to function as one of said pair of squeeze rolls.
- The apparatus may include more than one seam roll stand.
- If required, at least one of said seam roll stands includes a seam roll having a circumferential shoulder thereon, said circumferential shoulder, in use, providing an abutment for said free edge of said metal strip.
- Suitably, a contoured guide roll is provided, in use, to urge said free edge of said metal strip into abutment with said circumferential shoulder.
- If required, a rod-shaped impeder supported at one end thereof, upstream of said one or more seam roll stands, extends into a hollow interior of a contoured edge region of said metal strip.
- According to another aspect of the invention there is provided a method of cold roll forming a hollow flange member from a single strip of metal, said method comprising the steps of:
- driving a metal strip through a cold rolling mill by driven rolls engaging a planar central region of said strip;
- forming a contour along at least one edge region of said strip by forming rolls;
- continuously seam welding by an ERW process a free edge of said at least one edge region to a surface of said strip along a predetermined weld region to form a hollow flange; and,
- shaping said hollow flange by shaping rolls to form a shaped hollow flange of desired cross-sectional configuration.
- If required, one or more of said forming rolls may be driven.
- In addition, or alternatively, one or more of said shaping rolls may be driven.
- Suitably, forming of said hollow flange is effected by one or more forming rolls rotatably supported about a pivotal axis inclined at an angle between vertical and horizontal in a transverse plane perpendicular to a direction of travel of said strip of metal.
- If required, shaping may be effected by one or more shaping rolls rotatably supported about a pivotal axis inclined at an angle between vertical and horizontal in a transverse plane perpendicular to a direction of travel of said strip of metal.
- Forming of said hollow flange may be effected by forming rolls mounted in longitudinally spaced transverse operating planes, said spaced operating planes being parallel to each other and perpendicular to a direction of travel of said strip of metal.
- Suitably, shaping of said hollow flange may be effected by shaping rolls mounted in longitudinally spaced transverse operating planes, said spaced operating planes being parallel to each other and perpendicular to a direction of travel of said strip of metal.
- Preferably prior to said step of continuous seam welding, said free edge is aligned linearly with a predetermined weld axis on said surface of said strip and said at least one free edge is guided through a predetermined linear trajectory along an incidence axis of a subsequent weld junction between said at least free one free edge and said surface whereby energy imparted to said hollow flange member is focussed by a proximity effect along said predetermined weld axis on said surface prior to fusing said at least one free edge thereto.
- If required, said at least one free edge is aligned with said weld region by one or more seam rolls each having a circumferential shoulder providing an abutment for said at least one free edge.
- Said at least one free edge of said metal strip may be urged into abutment with said circumferential shoulder by a contoured guide roll.
- Suitably, said metal strip is supported centrally by opposed cylindrical roll surfaces adjacent said weld region as said at least one free edge is urged into abutment with said circumferential shoulder.
- Said at least one free edge may be guided toward said closure region at a predetermined angle relative to strip surface by adjustably mounted seam rolls.
- Preferably, said at least one free edge of said metal strip is guided through said predetermined trajectory by a contoured squeeze roll extending over said contoured surface of said metal strip between spaced substantially parallel contact faces of said contoured squeeze roll.
- Weld energy may be imparted to said free edge and said predetermined weld region by an electrical induction coil or contactors, said coil extending substantially around said metal strip in a plane substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal axis thereof.
- If required, an elongate rod-like induction impeder supported at one end may extend within a hollow interior cavity of said contoured surface to a region adjacent a closure region where said at least one free edge is fused to said surface of said metal strip.
- In order that the various aspects of the invention may be more fully understood and put into practical effect, reference will now be made to preferred embodiments illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which:
-
FIG. 1 is a schematic side elevational view of a forming station and edge preparation and welding station of a cold roll forming mill; -
FIG. 2 is a schematic side elevational view of a shaping station of a cold roll forming mill; -
FIG. 3 shows schematically a front elevation of a driven roll stand fitted with side rolls; -
FIG. 4 shows schematically a rear elevation of a forming roll stand; -
FIG. 5 shows schematically a rear elevation of a seam guide roll stand; -
FIG. 6 shows schematically a side elevation of a welding apparatus; -
FIG. 7 shows schematically a front elevation of a weld box stand; -
FIG. 8 shows schematically the operation of the squeeze rolls in the weld box stand; -
FIG. 9 shows schematically front, side and rear elevations of a shaping roll stand; -
FIG. 10 shows schematically side and front elevations of a turk's head roll stand. - As used herein, the expression “front elevation” means a view in the direction of travel of a strip of metal therethrough.
- Moreover, like numerals are employed for like features in the drawings for the sake of clarity.
- In
FIGS. 1 and 2 , the cold forming mill comprises a formingstation 1, an edge preparation and welding station 2 and a shaping station 3. Conventional slit strip roll handling and let off rolls upstream of the formingstation 1 and flying saw and take-off table assemblies at the downstream end of shaping station 3 are omitted for the sake of clarity. - In
FIG. 1 ,mill beds 4 support a conventional entry table 5, a series of drive roll stands 6, a series of forming roll stands 7,side roll assemblies 8, a seamguide roll stand 9, aweld coil 10 and aweld box 11. -
FIG. 2 shows a downstream portion of the cold forming mill whereinmill beds 4 support drive roll stands 6, shaping roll stands 12 and a turk'shead roll stand 13. -
FIG. 3 shows a front elevational view of drive roll stand 6 a ofFIG. 1 . This roll stand differs from other roll stands 6 only in that it includes side rolls to steady the formed strip prior to entry into the seamguide roll stand 9. - Drive roll stand 6 a comprises a pair of spaced
frames 20 in which arejournalled roll shafts 21, each supporting a respectivecylindrical drive roll 22.Roll shafts 21 are coupled viauniversal joints 23 to driveshafts 24 coupled to a conventional drive train (not shown). As can be seen, drive rolls 22 engage thecentral web 25 of a formed hollowflange beam member 26 and because the grip on the web is so good, it has been found unnecessary to drive any of the forming or shaping rolls in the mill. A conventionalheight adjustment mechanism 27 provides vertical height adjustment toupper roll shaft 21 to adjust the nip between upper andlower rolls 22 to accommodate differing metal strip feedstock thickness. If required, selected drive rolls may be contoured to assist in forming or shaping hollow flanges. - Mounted on an upstream side of roll stand 6 a is a side roll assembly comprising a pair of side rolls 28 supported on respective mounting
brackets 29. Side rolls 28 engage thehollow flanges 30 ofmember 26 for precise lateral location prior to entry into the seamguide roll stand 9 and are adapted for lateral adjustment byscrew adjuster 31 and for vertical adjustment byscrew adjusters 32. -
FIG. 4 illustrates a rear elevational view of a typical undriven formingroll stand 7 showing a pair offrames 35 adjustably mounted on abase 36 for selective relative lateral movement by ashaft 37 having threadedportions Frames 35 are slidably adjustable between inner andouter stops - Upper and lower forming
rolls brackets brackets 44 are slidably mounted on frames for vertical adjustment by adjustingscrews 46 to accommodate differing thicknesses of the metal strip feedstock or differing roll set configurations. -
FIG. 5 shows a rear elevational view of a seam guide roll stand 9 having a base 50 and asupport frame 51. On the downstream side of the frame as viewed are a pair of contoured support rolls 52 which support thehollow flange regions 30 on either side ofweb 25.Rolls 52 are rotatably journalled in lowerroll support brackets 53 slidably mounted onframe 51 and movable laterally relative to each other by an oppositely handed threadedscrew adjustment 54. Vertical adjustment of lowerroll support brackets 53 is achieved by screw-threadedadjusters 55. Seam guide rolls 56 are mounted on upperroll support brackets 57 which are mounted for lateral relative movement onframe 51 byadjuster 58 having ashaft 59 with oppositely handed screw-threads and also for vertical movement by adjuster screws 60. - Seam guide rolls 56 have a
circumferential shoulder 61 which provides an abutment against with thefree edge 62 ofhollow flange 30 is urged. Seam guide rolls rotatably journalled in slide blocks 63 which are linearly adjustable along respectiverotational axes 64 byadjuster screws 65 and, if required slide blocks 63 may be pivotally mounted on upper roll support brackets for angular adjustment in a transverse plane perpendicular to a direction of travel of the metal strip feedstock therethrough. - Mounted on a front side of
frame 51 is a pair of web support rolls 66,67,upper support roll 66 having acircumferential rim 68 engaging between thefree edge 62 of theflange 30 and the side ofweb 25 as shown in thecutaway region 69. Theend wall 70 ofsupport roll 66 also serves as an abutment forfree edge 62 offlange 30. Also shown incutaway region 69 is acontoured end wall 71 oflower support roll 67 which also supports thehollow flange 30. Relative vertical movement between web support rolls 66 and 67 is achieved byadjuster screw 72. -
FIG. 6 shows a high frequency electricalinduction welding apparatus 10 shown schematically inFIG. 1 between seamguide roll stand 9 andweld box 11. -
Welding apparatus 10 comprises aninduction coil assembly 75 in the form of asheet copper loop 76 which surrounds ahollow flange member 77 as it passes therethrough.Loop 76 is supported at its free ends 78 by respective sheetcopper support brackets 79 separated by an electrical insulatingmedium 80.Coil assembly 75 is cooled by water recirculating incopper tubes 81 secured toassembly 75. - Located within each
hollow flange 30 in the region ofcoil 76 is animpedance device 82 comprising a fibreglass tube filled with ferrite rods (not shown). Eachimpeder 82 is supported by anelongate rod 83 supported by a bracket 84 (shown inFIG. 1 ) which extends into the hollow interior of a respective web via the gap between the free edge of the hollow flange and the side of the web as seen inFIG. 5 . Cooling water is recirculated through theimpeder 82 viatubes 85 and a source of compressed air is pumped through theimpeder 82 viatube 86. After the free edges of the hollow flanges and the weld seam lines along the respective sides of the web are heated to fusion temperature by thewelding apparatus 10, the heated free edges of the flanges are urged into contact with respective heated weld seam lines by squeeze roll sets, shown schematically at 87, in theweld box 11 ofFIG. 1 . -
FIG. 7 shows the configuration of the fourroll weld box 11 inFIG. 1 . -
Weld box 11 comprises a cylindricaltop roll 90 and a cylindricallower roll 91 with contourededges 91 a, each ofrolls rotational axes inclined axes free edges hollow flanges 30 into respective heated weld seam line regions along the opposed boundaries ofweb 25 to effect fusion therebetween to create a continuous weld seam. It will be noted that the cavities defined between squeeze rolls 94 a,94 b and respective contourededges 91 a ofcylindrical support roll 91 are ovoid in shape. - The free edges 62 a,62 b are urged toward respective weld lines in a linear fashion perpendicular to the respective
rotational axes web 25. -
Cylindrical roller 90 is adjustably mounted for movement in an upright plane byadjustment screw 96, thescrew 96 being coupled to rollcarriage 98, slidably mounted insupport frame 100. - Squeeze rolls 94 a,94 b are slidably mounted in
respective carriages axes screw 108 coupling mountings for support frames 103,104 by a threadedshaft 109 and for upright movement byscrews 110. Preferably, roll support frames are pivotally mounted onframe 100 for pivotal movement about respective axes parallel to the direction of movement of a hollow flanged member moving throughweld box stand 11. - The adjustable roll mounting enables a wide range of hollow flange members of varying dimensions and cross-sectional configurations to be welded in the weld box with extremely precise control over the trajectory through which the free edges of the hollow flanges travel towards a precisely located weld seam line adjacent or at the edges of the member web.
-
FIG. 8 shows schematically the configuration of the rolls inweld box 11 ofFIG. 7 to more clearly illustrate the guidance of the free edges of the hollow flanges into the weld seams along the edges of the web. - In the drawing a somewhat exaggerated position of the formed
hollow flanges 30 and their respectivefree edges 62 is shown in phantom. As the formed section approaches the roll combination,hollow flanges 30 are urged inwardly towards the contoured ends 91 a ofseparate rollers 91 which correspond to the movement ofrollers axes FIG. 7 . - Importantly, it can be seen that about half of the outer portion of the hollow flanges which terminate in the
free edges 62 is urged in the direction shown byarrows 111 whereby the almost flat region of the flange adjacent thefree edge 62 and a corresponding portion of the opposite side of the flange are driven together as a unitary portion towardsroll 91 whereby deformation of the remaining portion of the flange adjacent theboundary 79 of theweb 25 is accommodated in the contourededges 91 a of rolls 91. Equally, it will be seen that thefree edge 62 of theflange 30 travels in a straight line trajectory to theboundary 79 ofweb 25 where the weld seam is formed. -
FIG. 9 shows a shaping roll stand 12 ofFIG. 2 whereinFIG. 9 a is a rear elevational view,FIG. 9 b is a side elevation andFIG. 9 c is a front elevational view. - Roll stand 12 comprises an arched plate-
like frame 120 reinforced by aweb 121 attached about an outer edge thereof.Frame 120 is supported onbase pads 122 and includes liftingeyes 123 for ease of handling.Track members roll carriage 126 which is transversely adjustable byadjuster screw 127. Mounted about acentral aperture 128 inframe 120 are shaping roll support frames 129, each slidably locating aroll mounting bracket 130 in which is rotatably journalled a shapingroll 131. Roll mountingbrackets 130 are slidably adjustable in respective support frames 129 byadjuster screws 132 which move the shaping rolls 131 in a transverse plane perpendicular to the direction of travel of ahollow flange 133 a of abeam 133 moving therethrough. Shaping rolls 131 are mounted with respective rotational axes in a common transverse mounting plane represented at 134 inFIG. 9 b and respective adjuster screws 127 move the shaping rolls 131 in their common mounting plane in a direction perpendicular to respective rotational axes. - Just visible via
aperture 128 is a set of three shaping rolls 131 a engaged about an oppositehollow flange 133 b ofbeam 133 on the other side offrame 120. - As can be seen from
FIGS. 9 b and 9 c a front elevational view of the shaping roll stand is substantially identical except thatroll carriage 126 is displaced to the left to accommodatehollow flange 133 b spaced fromhollow flange 133 a by the width of the web therebetween. - Although like reference numerals have been employed for like features, the reference numerals for the features on the front face are distinguished by a prime.
- The particular advantages conferred by this configuration of roll stand, whether for shaping rolls or forming rolls is its adaptability to a wide range of sizes of hollow flanged beams with a wide range of cross-sectional shapes possible in the hollow flanges. Moreover, location of the roll sets for opposite flanges in longitudinally spaced planes permits the ruse of multiple roll combinations such as that illustrated without the interference with an adjacent set of rolls in the same plane for shaping or forming of an opposite hollow flange. By using a three roll set of forming rolls as shown hollow flange beams with closely spaced or otherwise relatively deep flanges can now be rolled without the limitations otherwise imposed in conventional mills.
- A still further advantage of a roll stand as illustrated in
FIG. 9 with a three roll shaping set is that by operating one of the rolls with an inclined rotational axis as shown, a tapered edge roll of a relatively small diameter can still provide a deep support face for an upright flange edge without “scrubbing” the face of the flange as a result of the forming velocity differential across a planar side wall of a cylindrical roll. - The roll stand shown in
FIG. 9 is considered to permit substantial cost savings in the cost of roll sets as diameters of 25-30% less than conventional roll diameters may be employed. Moreover, the adjustability of the rolls allows a large range of beam sizes can be rolled without having to effect roll changes simply to accommodate changes in web width. Where roll changes are required either for a change in hollow flange beam size or configuration or merely for maintenance purposes, a complete roll carriage changeover may be effected in minutes and similarly replacement of a mounting roll bracket also can be effected rapidly. -
FIG. 10 shows a double sided turk's head roll stand 13 having a configuration similar to shaping roll stands 12 shown inFIG. 9 . - Referring in particular to
FIG. 10 b, turk's head roll stand 13 comprises a plate-like frame 140 with top andside reinforcing webs base 143 is adapted for mounting on a mill bed as shown inFIG. 2 and liftingeyes 144 are provided for handling purposes. Mounted on opposite faces offrame 140 areroll mounting plates 145 with alignedcentral apertures 146. Mounted aboutapertures 146 areroll mounting frames 147 slidably locatingroll mounting brackets 148 which are axially adjustable by respective adjuster screws 149. Roll mountingplates 145 are axially adjustable by adjustingscrews 150. - Roll mounting
frames 147 are mounted on aface plate 151 in turn rotatably mounted onroll mounting plates 145 and at least partial rotation offace plate 151 relative thereto is effected by adjustingscrew 152. Relative rotational adjustment between theface plates 151 on the front and rear sides of the turk'shead frame 140 permits any twisting or axial deformations in the hollow flange beam to be removed byidler rolls - It readily will be apparent to persons skilled in the art that many modifications and variations may be made to the various aspects of the invention without departing from the spirit and scope thereof.
Claims (20)
1. A cold roll forming mill for the manufacture of hollow flange seam welded beams from a single strip of metal, said mill comprising:
a forming station;
a seam guide and welding station; and,
a shaping station;
wherein either or both of said forming station and said shaping station comprises independently supported side engaging roll combinations adapted, in use, to roll either or both of opposite sides of said strip, adjacent transverse pairs of said side engaging roll combinations being selectively movable relative to each other in a transverse direction perpendicular to a direction of travel of said strip through said mill, and all forming and shaping rolls of either or both of said forming station and said shaping station consist of said side engaging roll combinations; and
wherein each of said roll stand frames is independently and selectively movable transversely of a mill bed.
2. A mill as claimed in claim 1 wherein some or all of said side engaging roll combinations are idler rolls.
3. A mill as claimed in claim 1 wherein some or all of said side engaging roll combinations are drive rolls.
4. A mill as claimed in claim 1 wherein drive rolls, spaced within said forming station and spaced within said shaping station engage a central region of said strip between formed edge regions thereof.
5. A mill as claimed in claim 4 wherein some or all of said drive rolls engage said strip over a substantial portion thereof between formed edge regions of said strip.
6. A mill as claimed in claim 4 wherein some or all of said drive rolls engage said strip adjacent a central portion spaced from said formed edges.
7. A mill as claimed in claim 4 wherein some or all of said drive rolls engage said strip adjacent opposed formed edges thereof.
8. A mill as claimed in claim 1 wherein transverse pairs of side engaging roll combinations are mounted on respective roll stand frames.
9. A mill as claimed in claim 1 wherein transverse pairs of said side engaging roll combinations are movably mounted on a common roll stand frame.
10. A mill as claimed in claim 1 wherein at least one side engaging roll of a side engaging roll combination is rotatably mounted on an inclined axis lying in a transverse plane perpendicular to a direction of travel of a strip of metal through said side engaging roll combination.
11. A method of cold roll forming a hollow flange member from a single strip of metal, said method comprising:
driving a metal strip through a cold rolling mill by driven rolls engaging a planar central region of said strip;
forming a contour along at least one edge region of said strip by forming rolls;
continuously seam welding by an ERW process a free edge of said at least one edge region to a surface of said strip along a predetermined weld region to form a hollow flange; and,
shaping said hollow flange by shaping rolls to form a shaped hollow flange of desired cross-sectional configuration;
wherein said forming rolls and said shaping rolls consist of side engaging roll combinations each being independently and selectively movable relative to each other in a transverse direction perpendicular to a direction of travel of said strip through said mill.
12. A method as claimed in claim 11 wherein one or more of said forming rolls are driven to assist in driving said strip through said mill.
13. A method as claimed in claim 11 wherein one or more of said shaping rolls are driven.
14. A method as claimed in claim 11 wherein prior to continuous seam welding, said free edge is aligned linearly with a predetermined weld axis on said surface of said strip and said at least one free edge is guided through a predetermined linear trajectory along an incidence axis of a subsequent weld junction between said at least free one free edge and said surface wherein energy imparted to said hollow flange member is focussed by a proximity effect along said predetermined weld axis on said surface prior to fusing said at least one free edge thereto.
15. A method as claimed in claim 11 wherein said at least one free edge is aligned with said weld region by one or more seam rolls each having a circumferential shoulder providing an abutment for said at least one free edge.
16. A method as claimed in claim 15 wherein at least one free edge of said metal strip is urged into abutment with said circumferential shoulder by a contoured guide roll.
17. A method as claimed in claim 15 wherein said metal strip is supported centrally by opposed cylindrical roll surfaces adjacent said weld region as said at least one free edge is urged into abutment with said circumferential shoulder.
18. A method as claimed in claim 15 wherein at least one free edge is guided toward said closure region at a predetermined angle relative to strip surface by adjustably mounted seam rolls.
19. A method as claimed in claim 11 wherein said at least one free edge of said metal strip is guided through said predetermined trajectory by a contoured squeeze roll extending over said contoured surface of said metal strip between spaced substantially parallel contact faces of said contoured squeeze roll.
20. A method as claimed in claim 11 wherein weld energy is imparted to said free edge and said predetermined weld region by an electrical induction coil, said coil extending substantially around said metal strip in a plane substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal axis thereof.
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US13/154,502 US20110247384A1 (en) | 2004-06-23 | 2011-06-07 | Cold roll forming apparatus |
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US57093706A | 2006-12-19 | 2006-12-19 | |
US12/750,016 US20100180654A1 (en) | 2004-06-23 | 2010-03-30 | Cold roll forming apparatus |
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US5943892A (en) * | 1997-09-01 | 1999-08-31 | Sanyo Seiki Co., Ltd. | Method of breakdown-forming electro-unite tubes |
US20020170940A1 (en) * | 2001-05-21 | 2002-11-21 | Takashi Kazama | Welded tube manufacturing apparatus and welded tube internal surface bead cutting apparatus |
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US6644086B1 (en) * | 2002-05-14 | 2003-11-11 | Formtek, Inc. | Retro-fit roll forming mill with jack screw |
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DK0557874T3 (en) * | 1992-02-26 | 1997-09-15 | Danieli Off Mecc | Universal rolling mill stand |
JP4473307B2 (en) | 2004-06-23 | 2010-06-02 | スモーゴン スチール ライトスチール プロダクツ プロプライエタリー リミテッド | Improved welding of hollow flange members |
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2005
- 2005-06-22 JP JP2007516891A patent/JP2008503349A/en not_active Ceased
- 2005-06-22 DE DE602005014229T patent/DE602005014229D1/en active Active
- 2005-06-22 ES ES05756252T patent/ES2326486T3/en active Active
- 2005-06-22 CA CA002571328A patent/CA2571328A1/en not_active Abandoned
- 2005-06-22 MX MXPA06014948A patent/MXPA06014948A/en active IP Right Grant
- 2005-06-22 AT AT05756252T patent/ATE429984T1/en not_active IP Right Cessation
- 2005-06-22 ZA ZA200700214A patent/ZA200700214B/en unknown
- 2005-06-22 RU RU2006143716/02A patent/RU2371271C2/en not_active IP Right Cessation
- 2005-06-22 NZ NZ551942A patent/NZ551942A/en not_active IP Right Cessation
- 2005-06-22 WO PCT/AU2005/000898 patent/WO2006000019A1/en active Application Filing
- 2005-06-22 DK DK05756252T patent/DK1758695T3/en active
- 2005-06-22 US US11/570,937 patent/US7721579B2/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 2005-06-22 EP EP05756252A patent/EP1758695B1/en not_active Not-in-force
- 2005-06-22 CN CNB2005800209459A patent/CN100540171C/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 2005-06-22 BR BRPI0512019-5A patent/BRPI0512019A/en not_active IP Right Cessation
- 2005-06-23 TW TW094121025A patent/TWI327937B/en not_active IP Right Cessation
-
2006
- 2006-12-11 IL IL179964A patent/IL179964A/en not_active IP Right Cessation
- 2006-12-19 NO NO20065876A patent/NO20065876L/en not_active Application Discontinuation
-
2007
- 2007-04-13 HK HK07103872.0A patent/HK1096338A1/en not_active IP Right Cessation
-
2010
- 2010-03-30 US US12/750,016 patent/US20100180654A1/en not_active Abandoned
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2011
- 2011-06-07 US US13/154,502 patent/US20110247384A1/en not_active Abandoned
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US3391267A (en) * | 1964-08-04 | 1968-07-02 | American Mach & Foundry | Manufacture of welded beams |
US5163225A (en) * | 1988-07-25 | 1992-11-17 | Tube Technology Pty Ltd. | Process for forming a structural member utilizing high frequency electrical induction or resistance welding |
US5403986A (en) * | 1990-09-28 | 1995-04-04 | Tube Technology Pty. Ltd. | Structural member and method of making by cold rolling followed by induction or resistance welding |
US5943892A (en) * | 1997-09-01 | 1999-08-31 | Sanyo Seiki Co., Ltd. | Method of breakdown-forming electro-unite tubes |
US6604397B2 (en) * | 2001-02-05 | 2003-08-12 | Dietrich Industries, Inc. | Rollforming machine |
US20020170940A1 (en) * | 2001-05-21 | 2002-11-21 | Takashi Kazama | Welded tube manufacturing apparatus and welded tube internal surface bead cutting apparatus |
US6644086B1 (en) * | 2002-05-14 | 2003-11-11 | Formtek, Inc. | Retro-fit roll forming mill with jack screw |
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Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
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KR102469063B1 (en) * | 2022-06-28 | 2022-11-22 | 주식회사 진웅테크놀러지 | Pocket Flange Forming Device for Duct |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
BRPI0512019A (en) | 2008-02-06 |
RU2006143716A (en) | 2008-07-27 |
ATE429984T1 (en) | 2009-05-15 |
CA2571328A1 (en) | 2006-01-05 |
JP2008503349A (en) | 2008-02-07 |
ES2326486T3 (en) | 2009-10-13 |
US7721579B2 (en) | 2010-05-25 |
EP1758695B1 (en) | 2009-04-29 |
TWI327937B (en) | 2010-08-01 |
EP1758695A1 (en) | 2007-03-07 |
HK1096338A1 (en) | 2007-06-01 |
IL179964A (en) | 2010-12-30 |
WO2006000019A1 (en) | 2006-01-05 |
IL179964A0 (en) | 2007-05-15 |
CN1972766A (en) | 2007-05-30 |
NZ551942A (en) | 2009-10-30 |
TW200613075A (en) | 2006-05-01 |
CN100540171C (en) | 2009-09-16 |
US20080289390A1 (en) | 2008-11-27 |
DE602005014229D1 (en) | 2009-06-10 |
DK1758695T3 (en) | 2009-08-03 |
EP1758695A4 (en) | 2007-10-24 |
RU2371271C2 (en) | 2009-10-27 |
US20110247384A1 (en) | 2011-10-13 |
ZA200700214B (en) | 2008-06-25 |
MXPA06014948A (en) | 2007-03-23 |
NO20065876L (en) | 2007-03-21 |
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Free format text: ABANDONED -- FAILURE TO RESPOND TO AN OFFICE ACTION |