WO2019179672A1

WO2019179672A1 - Method and tool for creating an indentation

Info

Publication number: WO2019179672A1
Application number: PCT/EP2019/051359
Authority: WO
Inventors: Sebastian PAYRLEITNER; Michael Aigner; David ADELSBERGER
Original assignee: Lisec Austria Gmbh
Priority date: 2018-03-20
Filing date: 2019-01-21
Publication date: 2019-09-26
Also published as: AT519975A4; AT519975B1

Abstract

A tool (1) for creating an indentation (16) in a hollow section (17) of a spacer frame for insulating glazing units, the hollow section (17) consisting, at least in part, of a thermoplastically deformable material and having a longitudinal direction (18), and the tool having a front end (E1) facing the hollow section (17), on which end a head (2) is located. The longitudinal extent (3) of the tool (1) runs perpendicularly to the longitudinal direction (18) of the hollow section (17). The head (2) has at least two longitudinal edges (8) running in the direction of the longitudinal extent (3), each pair of delimiting surfaces (5, 7) of these edges forming a maximum internal angle (α) of 90°.

Description

METHOD AND TOOL FOR PRODUCING AN IMPRESSION

The invention relates to a tool for producing a

Impression in a hollow profile of a spacer frame for insulating glass panes, wherein the hollow profile at least

partially made of a thermoplastically deformable material and having a longitudinal direction, wherein the tool has a front, the hollow profile facing the end, wherein a head is arranged at the front end, and wherein a

Longitudinal extension of the tool extends transversely to the longitudinal direction of the hollow profile.

The invention further relates to a device with such a tool.

Finally, the invention relates to a method for producing an impression in a hollow profile of a spacer frame for insulating glass panes, wherein the hollow profile at least

partially made of a thermoplastically deformable material and having a longitudinal direction, wherein the hollow profile and a tool are moved towards each other, while a heated head of the tool is at least partially pressed into the hollow profile to produce the impression in the hollow profile.

Insulating glass panes with two, three or more, each spaced by spacers glass sheets are known. The spacers are arranged in such insulating glass, inter alia, along the outer periphery of the glass sheets in the form of spacer frame, wherein the

Spacer frame a cavity formed between adjacent glass sheets, which is filled in the finished insulating glass pane usually with a gas other than air, enclose. Spacer frames, for example, from a

thermoplastically deformable material, whereby they are present for the time being as an "endless" strand-shaped hollow profile in the course of the production of a spacer frame is a

Hollow profile provided which is bent in several places in the form of an angle and cut to length before or after, that it finally has the desired frame shape. Finally, the ends of the hollow section are connected together, so that a closed spacer frame

arises.

When bending the hollow section in the area of a corner, the material of the hollow section is stretched on the outside and compressed on the inside. This creates visually unappealing deformations on the inside of the corner, the at a

Insulating glass pane are visible. In addition, the

Side walls of the hollow profile are pressed outwards, which is harmful to the required dimensional accuracy.

From the prior art methods and devices or tools are known with which the formation of such deformations to be counteracted. The hollow profile is first heated to a temperature at which the material of the

Hollow profiles thermoplastic deform. Subsequently, a tool is pressed into the hollow profile to create an impression at the point at which the hollow profile is bent later. The impression is on that side of the hollow profile

which, after bending, becomes the inside of the corner, reducing the upsetting of the material during bending. Such a method is known for example from US 6,354,052 Bl.

A disadvantage of the known method is that the heating of the hollow profile causes a relatively high energy consumption, especially if the hollow profile is not immediately thereafter is bent, which in turn can bring logistic disadvantages. In addition, the side walls are heated so that they can also deform undesirable when creating the impression. Furthermore, the prior art has the disadvantage that by the thus generated

Impressions Although less deformation in the area of the inner corners are generated after bending but still unclean or undefined inner corners arise.

The invention is based on the object to provide a tool, a device and a method by which the disadvantages of the prior art are avoided as far as possible.

This object is achieved according to the invention with a tool having the features of claim 1.

This object is further achieved with a device having the features of claim 14.

Finally, this task is done using a procedure with the

Characteristics of claim 15 solved.

Preferred and advantageous embodiments of the invention are subject of the dependent claims.

According to the invention, it is provided in a constructional respect that the head has at least two longitudinal edges running in the direction of the longitudinal extent, the limiting surfaces of which each include an interior angle of at most 90 °. Such a head shape has the advantage that the material of the hollow profile when creating the impression not from the head (in the longitudinal direction of the hollow profile) to the sides as in the prior art, but mainly in the interior of the

Hollow profiles pressed into (displaced) is. As a longitudinal edge delimiting surfaces are understood in the context of the invention, the two surfaces which collide at the longitudinal edge _Z. Furthermore, as an impression in the context of the invention, a recess pressed into the hollow profile is to be understood.

As far as the inventive method is concerned, the previously heated head of the tool is in the hollow profile

pressed, wherein the hollow profile in the region of the impression to be produced has a temperature below that

Temperature is at which the material of the hollow section

is thermoplastically deformable. This ensures that only the area of the hollow profile, ie the later inner wall of the spacer frame, is heated and deformed by the head of the tool, whereas the other, adjacent portions of the hollow profile are not heated and deformed undesirable. By applying the heated at least in the region of the head tool to the hollow profile when creating the impression material of the hollow section is thus selectively targeted only in the interior of the hollow section pressed (displaced).

Also, immediately before producing the impression, only the tool in the region of the head must be heated, not the hollow profile.

In particular, in the context of the invention, an embodiment is preferred in which the head is parallel to the

Has longitudinal extension extending front and rear side surface, and wherein each one of the longitudinal edges in the region of these side surfaces is arranged. By the at the

Side surfaces arranged longitudinal edges with a sharp or right acute angle is achieved that the softened

Material of the later inner wall of the corner is pressed into the interior of the hollow section and does not dodge to the side. Preferably, the front and rear side surfaces are substantially parallel to each other and to a center through the tool in the direction of the longitudinal extension

Center plane aligned.

In the context of the invention can also be provided that the head has further longitudinal edges, which in the direction of

Longitudinal extent run, and that surfaces, the

limit further longitudinal edges, each enclosing an internal angle of maximum 90 °.

Embodiments in which the head has further side surfaces running parallel to the longitudinal extent are preferred. These side surfaces can be aligned parallel to one another and parallel to the median plane, but also obliquely to the median plane.

In a preferred embodiment, the head has at least one, in particular two or more than two, to the front end facing end face / n. The faces can be in

Essentially aligned at a right angle but also obliquely to the center plane of the tool, where they

preferably drop from the front end towards a rear end of the tool and towards the center plane and thus form substantially V-shaped recesses. This material of the hollow profile can be pressed even more targeted in the interior of the hollow section.

It is preferred if the head is designed symmetrically to a plane of symmetry, in particular the median plane, which extends in the direction of the longitudinal extent. Are conceivable in the

However, embodiments of the invention, in which the head is formed asymmetrically to material of the

Hollow profiles when creating the impression targeted unevenly to press into the interior of the hollow section. In a preferred embodiment, two surfaces enveloping the longitudinal edges are arranged substantially V-shaped, so that the head narrows towards the front end. At this

Embodiment, the material of the hollow profile is first heated by the tip of the tool and pressed into the interior of the hollow profile, wherein at most laterally evasive material from the subsequent and further outward longitudinal edges

in turn pushed into the interior of the hollow section. If

Finally, the rearmost and outermost or distant from the median plane longitudinal edges of the head of

Tool be effective, the top of the hollow section in the area of the tip has been softened by this already so far that even edge-side material can be reliably pressed into the interior of the hollow section.

In particular, in the context of the invention, an embodiment is preferred in which at least two of the longitudinal edges of the head of the tool have different lengths. The length of a longitudinal edge closer to the front end is shorter than the length of a lying away from the front end

Longitudinal edge, so that the head in the direction of the longitudinal extent seen toward the front end is narrower. Thereby

arises an optionally elongated, step-shaped pyramid, which brings with it the advantage that the hollow profile wall

predominantly only in the central area and less in the area of the side walls is pressed inwards, so that the side walls are practically not deformed.

Basically, it is in the invention of advantage, and this is particularly true in the above-mentioned embodiment, when the walls of the hollow section, in particular the

Side walls and the bottom, in which the tool is not pressed, are cooled in the area of the tool. This undesirable deformations of the hollow section, in particular the side walls of the hollow profile can be avoided.

Additionally or alternatively, in an advantageous

Embodiment be provided that arranged at the same distance from the front end longitudinal edges over transverse edges

are interconnected, and that the transverse edges bounding surfaces each include an internal angle of maximum 90 °. This also or additionally prevents the material of the hollow profile is displaced transversely to the longitudinal direction, ie to the side walls of the hollow profile and not into the interior of the hollow profile into it.

Further details, features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which preferred

Embodiments are shown. It shows:

Fig. 1 shows an inventive tool in isometric

View,

2 to 10 different embodiments of a head of a tool according to the invention in cross section,

11 to 13 different embodiments of the head of the tool according to the invention in isometric view,

Fig. 14 is a schematic view of a detail of a

Fig. 15 shows a section XV-XV of the details of Fig. 14, and

Fig. 16 to 18 are schematic representations of various

Embodiments of a device according to the invention.

Fig. 1 shows a first embodiment of a tool 1 according to the invention with a longitudinal extension 3, a front end El and a rear end E2. At its front end El has the Tool 1 a head 2 and at its rear end E2 a shaft 4.

The head 2 is in the illustrated embodiment in the direction of the longitudinal extent 3 and viewed transversely to the longitudinal extension 3 designed to be narrower than the shaft 4 of the tool 1. Conceivable, however, are embodiments in which the head 2 in the direction of the longitudinal extent 3 and / or transversely to

Longitudinal extension 3 viewed the same width and / or wider than the shaft 4 is executed.

The head 2 has parallel to the longitudinal extension 3 extending side surfaces 5, transverse to the longitudinal extension 3 extending

Transverse surfaces 6 and in the direction of the front end El-facing end surfaces 7.

In the illustrated embodiment, the head 2 has two

Longitudinal edges 8, which in the direction of or parallel to

Longitudinal extension 3 extend, and each of a parallel to the longitudinal extension 3 extending side surfaces 5 and the adjoining end face 7 are limited. Each one of the longitudinal edges 8 bounding surfaces 5, 7th

include an interior angle that is a maximum of 90 °. In the illustrated embodiment, the angle is 60 °.

The shaft 4 has a means 11 for mounting the tool 1 in a device 23 shown in FIGS. 16 to 18 for producing an impression 16 in a hollow profile 17 for a spacer frame for insulating glass panes. The means 11 is in the illustrated embodiment, a transverse to

Longitudinal extension 3 running through bore.

Figs. 2 to 10 show different embodiments of the head 2, each in a cross section, wherein the

Cross-sectional plane S transverse to the longitudinal extension 3 of the tool. 1 runs. 2 to 10 are each a transversely to the longitudinal extent 3 seen centrally arranged and extending in the direction of the longitudinal extent 3 through the head 2 center plane 12 located.

FIG. 2 shows the embodiment of the head 2 shown in FIG. 1 with two longitudinal edges 8 extending in the direction of the longitudinal extension 3, whose limiting surfaces 5, 7 each enclose an internal angle of 60 °. In the center plane 12 is a corner 9, the limiting end faces 7 enclose an angle of more than 90 °.

In the embodiment shown in Fig. 3, the head 2 more than two in the direction of the longitudinal extension 3 extending longitudinal edges 8, which are each bounded by a side surface 5 and an end face 7. As a result, on both sides of the head 2 in the direction of the front end El and the center plane 12 extending towards steps 13 are formed, so that the head 2 in the direction of the front end El with each stage 12 is narrower. Accordingly, two surfaces F enveloping the longitudinal edges 8 are arranged substantially V-shaped. The surfaces F can be flat, but they do not have to. In particular, they can be at all

Embodiments of the invention also be curved convex or concave.

The surfaces 5, 7 defining the longitudinal edges 8, in the embodiment of Fig. 3 each include an interior angle of 90 °.

In the embodiments shown in FIG. 4 and FIG. 5, the head 2 has a similar cross-section as in the embodiment shown in FIG. 3, with the difference that the surfaces 5, 7, that in the direction of longitudinal extension. 3

limit extending longitudinal edges 8, each enclosing an internal angle of 65 ° or 75 °. In the embodiment of Fig. 4, the side surfaces 5 are substantially parallel and the end faces 7 obliquely to

Middle plane 12 is arranged. The steps 13 formed on the head 2 by the longitudinal edges 8 fall back to the center plane 12 in FIG

Towards the rear end towards E2

accordingly again bounded by V-shaped, enveloping surfaces F limited.

In the embodiment of Fig. 5, the end faces 7 are arranged substantially at a right angle and the side surfaces 5 obliquely to the center plane 12. In this embodiment, the steps 13 have an overhang on the longitudinal edges 8, so that the side surfaces 5 extend from the front end E1 towards the rear end E2 in the direction of the center plane 12.

In Fig. 6, an embodiment of a head 2 is shown, which results from a combination of the embodiments shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, so that the steps 13 both fall off and have an overhang. The longitudinal edges 8 are otherwise arranged so that they of convex surfaces F

be wrapped up.

Fig. 7 shows an embodiment of the head 2, which the in Fig.

4 embodiment is similar, but the end faces 7, which fall from the longitudinal edges 8 to the median plane 12 in the direction of the rear end E2 out not flat, but are concavely curved. The angle at the longitudinal edges 8 is about 30 ° here.

Fig. 8 shows an embodiment of the head 2, which the in Fig.

3 embodiment is similar, but the head 2 has a plurality of longitudinal edges 8, which in the direction of

Longitudinal extension 3 run and each of a side surface

5 and an end face 7 are limited. Such a thing designed head 2 has more and smaller steps 13, as the head 2 shown in Fig. 3.

Fig. 9 shows a further embodiment in which the head 2 has a V-shaped tip, which is bounded by end faces 7.

In the embodiments shown in FIGS. 2 to 9, the head 2 is symmetrical in each case, the center plane 12 forming the plane of symmetry. Are conceivable in the context of

Invention but also embodiments in which the head 2 is not formed symmetrically, such as in the illustrated in Fig. 10 head second

The embodiments illustrated in FIGS. 2 to 10 can be combined as desired within the scope of the invention to include further embodiments of a head 2 of the invention

Tool 1 to get. In the context of the invention, the longitudinal edges 8, 9 corners and surfaces 5, 6, 7 also be chamfered or rounded.

FIGS. 11 to 13 show different embodiments of heads 2 in oblique gripping.

In the embodiment of the head 2 shown in FIG. 11, the longitudinal edges 8 and corners 9 pointing in the direction of the

Longitudinal extension 3 extend, substantially the same length 14, so that the head 2 only two in the direction of

Longitudinal extension 3 extending and parallel to each other

Transverse surfaces 6 has.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 12, the longitudinal edges 8 and corners 9 of the head 2, which extend in the direction of the longitudinal extent 3, have different lengths 14.

The longitudinal edges 8, the adjacent surfaces 5, 7 an angle of exactly 90 °, towards the front end El down ever shorter, so that the head at the front end El in the direction of the longitudinal extent 3 is narrower than in the region of the shaft 4. The lying substantially at the same height longitudinal edges 8 are thus to front end 1 out with shorter and shorter transverse edges 20 connected in terms of their

Preferably geometry, but of course not mandatory, as the longitudinal edges 8 shown in Figs. 2 to 7 may be performed. The transverse edges 20 can accordingly, but not necessarily, be enveloped by two substantially V-shaped surfaces F.

FIG. 13 shows a further embodiment of the tool 1 according to the invention, in which the head 2 is similar to that in FIG. 12

is executed. Unlike in FIG. 12, the head 2 in FIG.

13, however, at the front end El a recess 15, which extends transversely to the longitudinal extent 3 and substantially centrally through the head 2. The recess 15 can, transversely to the

Seen longitudinal extension 3, have an angular or at least partially round shape and / or in

Longitudinal extension 3 not centered, but staggered.

In the embodiments illustrated in FIGS. 11 to 13, the head 2 in each case has the same cross-sectional shape as in the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 3. However, the embodiments of the head 2 shown in FIGS. 11 to 13 can also be used with any other within the scope of the invention

provided cross-sectional shape, for example, with one of the in Figs. 4 to 9 shown

Cross-sectional shapes.

FIGS. 14 and 15 show a step of a method according to the invention for producing an impression 16 in a hollow profile 17 for a spacer frame for insulating glass panes. The Hollow section 17 has a longitudinal direction 18, in which the hollow profile 17 is conveyed, and a top 19, in which the impression 16 is generated on. The top 19 is formed by a wall of the hollow profile 17, which later the inner wall of the

Spacer frame is.

The tool 1 is aligned before generating the impression 16 to the hollow section 17, that the longitudinal extension 3 of the tool 1 is transverse or at right angles to the longitudinal direction 18 of the hollow section 17. Furthermore, the front end El, and thus also the end faces 7 of the head 2 of the tool 1, to the top 19 of the hollow section 17 aligned.

Before the illustrated process step, the previously heated tool 1 is moved toward the hollow profile 17, wherein the hollow profile 17 substantially has a temperature which is below a temperature at which the material of the hollow section 17 is thermoplastically deformable. By pressing the head 2 in the hollow section 17, the material of the top 19 of the hollow section 17 from the top 19 into the interior 21 of the

Hollow sections 17 pushed in and creates the impression 16.

The impression 16 produced is formed substantially opposite to the head 2 of the tool 1, and has at least two transverse to the longitudinal direction 18 extending inside corners 35, the limiting surfaces of an internal angle of a maximum of 90 °

lock in. These inner corners 35 are passing through the at least two longitudinal extension 3 of the tool 1

Longitudinal edges 8 of the tool 1 formed, the limiting

Surfaces 5, 7 also include an internal angle of maximum 90 °. The impression 16 extends across the

Longitudinal direction 18 of the hollow profile 17th

Preferably, although not mandatory for the invention, it is when the impression 16 is not over the entire width of Hollow sections 17 extends, so that the surface 19 on both sides of the indentation 16 along a narrow strip 22 which lies over side walls 30 of the hollow section 17, is not pressed.

16 to 18 show different embodiments of a device 23 for producing an impression 16 in a hollow profile 17 for a spacer frame for

Insulating glass panes.

The device 23 shown in Fig. 16 has a

Conveyor system 24, with the hollow section 17 in a

Conveying direction 25, which corresponds to the longitudinal direction 18 of the hollow profile is conveyed. The tool 1 according to the invention is with its longitudinal extent 3 transversely to the conveying direction 25, and thus transversely to the longitudinal direction 18 of the hollow section 17,

aligned.

To produce the impression 16, the tool 1 previously heated with a heating element 26 arranged on the tool 1 is moved toward the hollow profile 17 with the aid of a drive 27. The

Hollow profile 17 is in the area in which the impression 16 is generated on a support 28.

In the conveying direction 25 after the tool 1 is another

Heating element 29 is arranged, with which the hollow profile 17 is heated in the region of the impression 16 to a temperature at which the material of the hollow section 17 can be deformed thermoplastic. After heating, the hollow section 17 in a

Bending device 31 to a system 32 or bent so far, to a corner of the spacer frame has a desired angle. A arranged on the system 32 cooling device 33 then cools the hollow section 17 so far that it is no longer thermoformable and solidifies in the curved shape with the bent angle at the desired angle. The embodiment of the device 23 shown in Fig. 17 is similar to the embodiment shown in Fig. 16, except that the heating element 26 is not arranged on the tool 1 but on the support 28 and thus separated from the tool 1. Before the hollow section 17 with the conveyor system 24 for

Tool 1 is promoted, the tool 1 is heated from the arranged on the support 28 heating element 26 from below.

After creating the impression 16 and before bending the hollow profile 17 can be arranged by the on the support 28

Heating element 26 are heated to the temperature required for the bending process. As a result, a further heating element 29, such as that of FIG. 16, can be dispensed with in this embodiment.

The illustrated in Fig. 18 embodiment of the

Device 23 according to the invention is essentially identical

likewise the embodiment shown in FIG. 16,

differs from this, however, in that the heating element 26 by means of an adjusting device 34 is movable.

By adjusting 34, the heating element 26 can be arranged before generating an impression 16 on the tool 1 to heat it. Subsequently, the heating element 26 can be used to heat the hollow section 17 before the bending process in the region of an impression 16. As a result, in this embodiment of the device 23 according to the invention, a further heating element 29 can be dispensed with.

In all the devices 23 according to the invention, cooling elements 37 can be provided which cool the hollow profile 17 before the impression 16 is produced. In particular, the walls 30, 36 of the hollow profile 17, in which the tool 1 is not pressed, such as the side walls 30 and a bottom 36, during the Creating the impression 16 cooled. Such a cooling element may alternatively be arranged in the support 28.

Furthermore, in the support 28, an additional heating element may be arranged, so that no further heating element 29 in

Transport direction 25 seen after the tool 1 must be arranged.

After the impression 16 has been produced, a grinding or deburring process can be provided in the method according to the invention. In this material of the hollow section 17, which is not generated by the generation of the impression 16 in the interior 21 of the

Hollow sections 17 is pressed, but protrudes from the top 19 or from the side walls 30, away, in particular

separated or ground off. The device 23 according to the invention can be seen in the conveying direction 25 after the tool 1, a corresponding grinding or deburring

exhibit .

Claims

Claims :

1. tool (1) for generating an impression (16) in one

Hollow profile (17) of a spacer frame for

Insulating glass panes, wherein the hollow profile (17) at least partially made of a thermoplastic deformable

Material consists and a longitudinal direction (18), wherein the tool (1) has a front, the hollow profile (17)

facing end (El), wherein at the front end (El) a head (2) is arranged, and wherein a longitudinal extent (3) of the tool (1) transversely to the longitudinal direction (18) of the

Hollow sections (17) extends, characterized in that the head (2) at least two in the direction of the longitudinal extent (3) extending longitudinal edges (8), the limiting surfaces (5, 7) each include an internal angle () of at most 90 °.

2. Tool according to claim 1, characterized in that the head (2) has a parallel to the longitudinal extent (3) extending front and rear side surface (5), and that in each case one of the longitudinal edges (8) in the region of this

Side surfaces (5) is arranged.

3. Tool according to one of claims 1 or 2, characterized

in that the head (2) has further longitudinal edges (8) which extend in the direction of the longitudinal extension (3).

extend, and that surfaces which the other longitudinal edges (8) limiting, each include an internal angle () of a maximum of 90 °.

4. Tool according to claim 2 or 3, characterized

that the head (2) further, parallel to the longitudinal extent (3) extending side surfaces (5).

5. Tool according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the head (2) at least one to the front end (El) of the tool (1) directed towards

End face (7).

6. Tool according to one of claims 2 to 5, characterized

characterized in that at least two of the side surfaces (5), preferably the front and the rear side surface (5), are aligned substantially parallel to each other.

7. Tool according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized

characterized in that the head (2) is symmetrically shaped towards a plane of symmetry facing towards the plane of symmetry

Longitudinal extension (3) runs.

8. Tool according to one of claims 3 to 7, characterized

in that two surfaces (F) enveloping the longitudinal edges (8) are arranged in a substantially V-shaped manner.

9. Tool according to one of claims 3 to 8, characterized

characterized in that at least two of the longitudinal edges (8) have different lengths (14), and that the length (14) of a longitudinal edge (8) closer to the front end (El) is shorter than the length (14) of a front end (El) more distant longitudinal edge (8).

10. Tool according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized

in that equidistant from the front end (El) arranged longitudinal edges (8) via transverse edges (20) are interconnected, and that the transverse edge (20) delimiting surfaces (5, 7) each include an internal angle () of at most 90 ° ,

11. Tool according to claim 10, characterized in that

at least two of the transverse edges (20) have different lengths (14), and that the length (14) of a front edge (El) closer transverse edge (20) is shorter than the length (14) of the front end (El) more distant transverse edge (20).

12. Tool according to claim 11, characterized in that two transverse edges (20) enveloping surfaces (F) are arranged substantially V-shaped.

13. Tool according to one of claims 1 to 12, characterized

characterized in that it comprises a heating element (26).

14. Device (23) for producing an impression (16) in a hollow profile (17) of a spacer frame for

Material consists and a longitudinal direction (18), wherein the device (23) has a support (28) for laying the hollow profile (17), a tool (1) with a transverse to

Longitudinal direction (18) of the hollow profile (17) extending

A longitudinal extension (3) and with a front end (El), on which a head (E2) is arranged, a heating element (26) for heating the tool (1), in particular in the region of a head (2), and a drive (27 ) to move the tool (1) and the support (28) towards each other, characterized in that the tool (1) is in one of the

Claims 1 to 12 is executed.

15. A method for producing an impression (16) in one

Hollow profile (17) of a spacer frame for

Material consists and a longitudinal direction (18), wherein the hollow profile (17) and a tool (1) are moved towards each other, and thereby a heated head (2) of the Tool (1) is at least partially pressed into an upper surface (19) of the hollow profile (17) to produce the impression (16) in the hollow profile (17), characterized in that the head (2) of the tool (1) in the Hollow profile (17) is pressed, which in the region of the impression to be produced (16) has a temperature which is below that temperature at which the material of the

Hollow sections (17) is thermoplastically deformable.

16. The method according to claim 15, characterized in that the head (2) displaced material of the upper side (19) of the hollow profile (17) is pressed or displaced substantially only in an interior (21) of the hollow profile (17).

17. The method of claim 15 or 16, characterized in that a width of the impression produced is narrower than a width of the hollow profile (17), and that the impression (16) substantially centrally between side walls (30) of the

Hollow sections (17) in the hollow profile (17) is generated.

18. The method according to any one of claims 15 to 17, characterized

in that, after the impression (16) has been produced in the region of the indentation (16), the hollow profile (17) is heated to a temperature at which the material of the

Hollow sections (17) is thermoplastically deformable, and that after heating the hollow profile (17) is bent.

19. The method according to claim 18, characterized in that the hollow profile (17) is bent laterally exposed.

20. The method according to any one of claims 15 to 19, characterized

characterized in that the impression (16) produced has at least two transverse to the longitudinal direction (18) extending inner corners (35), wherein the inner corners (35) delimiting surfaces each include an inner angle () of at most 90 °.

21. The method according to any one of claims 15 to 20, characterized in that the walls (30) of the hollow profile (17), in which the tool (1) is not pressed, are cooled in the region of the tool (1).

22. The method according to any one of claims 15 to 21, characterized

in that the hollow profile (17) is cooled before the head (2) of the tool (1) is pressed into the hollow profile (17).

23. The method according to any one of claims 18 to 22, characterized

in that after the impression (16) has been produced in the hollow profile (17) from the upper side (19) and / or the

Side walls (30) of the hollow section (17) protruding material removed, in particular weggeschliffen is.

24. The method according to any one of claims 15 to 23, characterized

in that the impression (16) is produced with a tool (1) according to one of claims 1 to 13.