WO2021181306A2

WO2021181306A2 - A method for shaping a sheet

Info

Publication number: WO2021181306A2
Application number: PCT/IB2021/052000
Authority: WO
Inventors: Marco OLIOSI
Original assignee: Iscom S.P.A.
Priority date: 2020-03-11
Filing date: 2021-03-10
Publication date: 2021-09-16
Also published as: EP4117838A2; WO2021181306A3; IT202000005284A1

Abstract

The present invention relates to a shaping or profiling method of an initial or raw plate or sheet (1) to obtain a final curved profile (2) with shaped edges (2a, 2b).

Description

“A METHOD FOR SHAPING A SHEET”

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a shaping method of an initial or rough plate, made of a material, if desired, a metal material, to obtain a final curved profile with shaped edges.

STATE OF THE PRIOR ART

Many solutions have been proposed for the obtainment of profiles with shaped edges, in particular for the obtainment of a unit for covering roofs.

Such profiles are for example described in the international applications published under numbers WO2014181153A1 or W02006117605A2.

Furthermore, sometimes it is necessary to shape starting sheets with curved or irregular edges, i.e. non-straight edges, since coverings usually not flat, for example cap-shaped coverings or in any case coverings with an irregular shape, must be obtained.

In order to produce these profiles, manual methods must be employed or methods adapted from time to time according to requirements.

The international application published under number W02005082559A1 teaches a machine for shaping edges of sheets which comprises a plurality of roller shaping units, each unit being individually movable so as to allow machining or shaping the edges of sheets even with an irregular configuration.

One such a solution, if, on the one hand, makes it possible to shape curved edges of sheets, on the other it entails a high purchase and use cost of the respective machine, both from a mechanical and an electronic point of view.

Moreover, the management of the roller shaping unit is rather complicated as it must be adapted from time to time according to the shape of the profiles to be treated.

Furthermore, the method taught by the international application now under consideration starts from a rectangular plate or sheet which is suitably cut so as to obtain a curved sheet to be shaped at the respective edges. This determines evident dimensional limits in the profiles which can be obtained by means of the solution taught by W02005082559A1.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

An object of the present invention is to provide a new shaping method of an initial or rough sheet to obtain a final curved profile with shaped edges.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a method as indicated above which is simple and quick to carry out.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a method as above which is economical to carry out.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a shaping method for obtaining a curved profile with shaped edges that has fewer dimensional limits with reference to the size of the final profiles compared to the methods proposed so far.

According to an aspect of the invention, a method according to claim 1 is provided.

The dependent claims refer to preferred and advantageous embodiments of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Other features and advantages of the invention will be more evident from the description of an embodiment of a method for shaping profile, illustrated by way of example in the accompanying drawings in which:

- figure 1 illustrates a step of shaping or profiling of a first side of an initial plate in a method according to the present invention;

- figure 2 is a top view of figure 1;

- figure 3 illustrates a step of shaping or profiling of a first side of an initial sheet as well as of trimming and cutting in a method according to the present invention;

- figure 4 illustrates a step of preparing an intermediate piece for a step of profiling a second side in a method according to the present invention;

- figure 5 is a top view of figure 4; - figure 6 illustrates a step of deforming an intermediate piece in a method according to the present invention;

- figures 7 and 8 illustrate shaping steps of a second side of an intermediate piece in a method according to the present invention; and

- figure 9 illustrates a step of obtaining or discharge of a final curved profile 2 with shaped edges 2a, 2b in a method according to the present invention.

In the accompanying drawings, identical parts or components are indicated by the same reference numbers.

EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

With reference to the attached figures, a method according to the present invention has been illustrated for shaping or profiling an initial or raw plate or sheet 1, if desired, made of a metallic material, for example aluminum, or even of a non-metallic material, for example a plastic laminate, to obtain a final curved profile 2 with shaped edges 2a, 2b.

The initial or raw plate or sheet 1 can be made by any suitable method. Moreover, this initial plate or sheet 1 is preferably flexible and substantially free of any significant or evident deformations or shapes or surface roughness.

The initial plate 1 can have a width, for example, between 100 and 1500 mm.

If desired, the thickness of the initial plate varies between 0.5 and 1.5 mm.

More specifically, the initial sheet 1 has two opposite main sides la, lb that are not parallel to each other or at least one of which is curved or non- rectilinear or it can also have two opposite main sides la, lb which are parallel and is processed, before, during or after shaping one of one side la thereof, so as to obtain a first intermediate plate or an intermediate piece 3 having two opposite main flanks 3a, 3b not parallel to each other or at least one of which 3b is curved or non-rectilinear. For example, a first main flank 3a straight and a second main flank 3b curved could be present.

Clearly, the two sides la, lb or the flanks 3a, 3b could also be both curved and not parallel or both curved and parallel to each other. The method may first envisage shaping or profiling (see figures 1 and 2) a first main side la of the initial sheet 1 or of an intermediate plate. The first main side la or a first main flank 3a can also be shaped after shaping the second side lb or flank 3b.

Clearly, this step can be preceded by a trimming or cutting step (see figure 3) of a second main side lb of the initial sheet 1 so as to obtain an intermediate plate having a second curved or irregular main side, i.e. not straight.

A step can then be provided for cutting the initial sheet 1 or intermediate plate 3 into pieces or parts 3 with predefined length (see figure 3).

Naturally, the step of cutting in intermediate pieces or parts 3 can also be performed before shaping or profiling of the first side la or flank 3 a.

Subsequently, the initial sheet 1 or a sheet or an intermediate piece or part 3 is deformed (see figure 6), if desired manually or by means of a suitable device, so that a respective second side or main flank lb or 3b curved, for example, but not necessarily, not parallel to the respective first main side la or 3a, is or becomes either straight or in any case less curved than the condition before the relative deformation.

As regards the deformation step in detail, it can be carried out by pulling and/or pushing the sheet 1 or better a intermediate piece or part 3 thereof so as to reduce the concavity or convexity on a respective second side or flank lb or 3b, thereby obtaining a deformed sheet or better a deformed intermediate piece or part 3c.

This can also be done with the aid of an appropriate abutment component 8a, for example a vertical wall, if desired, rising from a table 8 on which the sheet 1 or part 3 of it rests. In this case, the sheet 1 or the part 3 of the sheet 1 is preferably deformed until the respective second side lb or flank 3b abuts in whole or in part on and aligns itself in whole or in part with this abutment component 8a. The abutment component 8a is preferably straight.

Of course, the abutment component 8a is optional.

Moreover, the deformation step could also be carried out until the curvature of the second side lb or flank 3b is varied or better suitably reduced, although it is not completely eliminated.

At this point, the second main side lb or the second main flank 3b is shaped or profiled (see figures 7 and 8) with the initial sheet 1 or better the intermediate piece 3 in a deformed condition and then the thus obtained profile 2 is released (see figure 9), so that the second main side lb or 3b resumes a curved condition or with curvature greater than the step or condition after that of deformation, thus obtaining a final curved profile 2 with both 2a, 2b their main shaped edges, which main edges 2a, 2b have a main extension direction that is not parallel to each other, for example a first main edge 2a with a rectilinear main extension direction and a second main edge 2b with a curved or irregular or non rectilinear main extension direction.

Preferably, the second main side lb or the second main flank 3b, before the deformation step, is curved with concavity facing outwards of the respective initial or intermediate sheet 1 or piece 3.

Advantageously, the second main side lb or the second main flank 3b, before the deformation step, is curved with a single concavity facing outwards. Basically, this side lb or flank 3b does not advantageously have a “sinusoidal” trend or with alternating concavity or convexity or in any case with recessed edge sections alternating with protruding edge sections.

Preferably, the sheet 1 or the piece (or pieces) 3 is deformed by pressing and/or pulling the sheet 1 or better the piece 3 (see figure 6) so as to make straight or substantially straight or reducing the curvature of the second side lb or flank 3b, while maintaining the sheet 1 or piece 3 substantially in the same main initial or before the deformation lying plane.

In this regard, the sheet 1, 3 can for example be arranged with a horizontal arrangement or with a horizontal main lying plane and is deformed while keeping it in the same horizontal plane, but making it substantially straight or less curved with respect to before or to a rest non deformed condition the second side lb or flank 3b and bending the first side la or flank 3a. More particularly, according to the non-limiting embodiment illustrated in the figures, the first side la or flank 3a before deformation has a straight main extension direction, while the second side lb or flank 3b before deformation has a curved main development direction with concavity facing outwards or away from sheet 1 or piece 3.

The first side la or flank 3a instead, after it has been deformed, if it is initially straight, has a curved main extension direction with concavity facing outwards or away from the plate 1 or piece 3, while the second side lb or flank 3b has straight main extension direction. According to a variant, in the event that both sides la, lb are curved and substantially parallel or in any case curved with a concavity facing in the same direction, the deformation step would cause a reduction in the curvature of both sides.

The first main side la or the first main flank 3a of the initial plate 1 or of the first intermediate plate 3 is in any case advantageously, but not necessarily, straight.

Moreover, preferably during the shaping of one main side or flank, the other side or flank is not shaped, so that the two sides la, lb or flanks 3a, 3b are not shaped simultaneously, but in different or subsequent steps of the method. If instead both sides la, lb are curved and substantially parallel, they could be shaped simultaneously as a result of the deformation step.

As regards the shaping step of the first la, 3a and/or the second lb, 3b main side or flank, it is preferably carried out by means of a roller or line forming machine 4 comprising units with opposing shaping or profiling rollers, preferably first 5 and second 6 units with opposing shaping or profiling rollers. More specifically, this line 4 comprises a main frame 9 supporting two, three, four or more first units 5 arranged in sequence one after the other along the extension of the line 4.

The main frame 9 then supports two, three, four or more second units 5 arranged in sequence one after the other along the extension of the line 4. The first units 5 are preferably mutually aligned along a rectilinear direction, so that they can work in sequence on a first side la or flank 3a.

The second units 6 are instead preferably aligned with each other along a rectilinear direction, so that they can work in sequence on a second side lb or flank 3b.

It will be understood how the passage of a side la, lb or flanks 3a, 3b in a subsequent unit 5 or 6 serves to gradually and progressively deform this side la, lb or flanks 3a, 3b until the desired shaping or profiling is obtained.

A final curved profile 2 according to the present invention with shaped edges can be for example as described in applications WO2014181153A1 or W02006117605A2.

According to the present invention, “shaped edge” means an edge that is deformed so as to have recessed areas and protruding areas, in particular passing from the inside of the profile to the outside. Basically, a method according to the present invention is designed to shape or profile edges for example flat so as to make them suitably shaped in a complex way or in any case with alternating curved zones with concavity towards a first direction and curved zones with concavity in a second direction opposite to the first direction.

Preferably, the sides la, lb or flanks 3a, 3b must be profiled or shaped in a different way one with respect to the other, so that the first units 5 or better the respective rollers 5a, 5b will be shaped differently from the second units 6.

If desired, the sides la, lb or flanks 3a, 3b must be shaped so that a first edge 2a can be engaged to size with or in any case resting on, if desired substantially complementary a second edge 2b, so that the first edge 2a of a profile 2 can be engaged to size with or in any case resting on, if desired substantially complementary a second edge 2b of an adjacent profile.

In this regard, each unit 5, 6 comprises at least two rollers 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, if desired, an upper one 5a, 6a and a lower one 5b, 6b, which are designed to define between them a passage area for one side la, lb or a flank 3a, 3b, which area is an area of pressure and shaping or profiling of such side la, lb or flanks 3a, 3b by means of the pressure applied by such rollers 5a, 5b or 6a, 6b in a direction one towards the other.

The rollers 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b are advantageously mounted for rotation around a respective axis or pin 5c, 6c if desired horizontal, which is preferably orthogonal to the direction of passage or advancement A-A from one unit 5, 6 to the next. In this regard, one or more motors for actuating in rotation the rollers 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b are also clearly provided.

Clearly, the passage or advancement direction A-A through the first units 5 could also be different (if desired also opposite) to the direction of passage or advancement A-A through the second units.

More particularly, the rollers 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b have a side face for shaping or profiling suitably configured or shaped so as to suitably shape or profile a side la, lb or flanks 3a, 3b.

Moreover, the side face of a roller 5a, 6a of a unit is preferably complementary to or in any case engageable from the side face of the other roller 5b, 6b of the same unit 5, 6, i.e. the side face of a roller 5a, 6a has a projecting part designed to engage or insert into a recessed part of the side face of the other roller 5b, 6b or a recessed part in which a protruding part of the other 5a, 6a can be engaged, so as to define a pressure or shaping or profiling area. Thanks to this expedient, when the rollers 5a, 5b or 6a, 6b are driven into rotation, they engage a side la, lb or flank 3a, 3b and press it so that it takes the shape of the pressure or shaping or profiling area between the side faces of the rollers 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b.

Preferably, the rollers 5a, 5b of all the first units 5 have rotation axes 5c all parallel to each other. Even more preferably, the upper, in use, rollers 5a of the first units 5 all have rotation axes lying in the same first horizontal plane, while the lower, in use, rollers 5b of the first units 5 all have rotation axes lying in the same second horizontal plane offset and lower than the first horizontal plane.

Similar considerations naturally apply to the rollers 6a, 6b of the second units 6.

Preferably, the sheet 1 or piece 3 is made to advance along the line 4 by the rollers 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, which by engaging the respective side faces against a respective section of a side la, lb or flank 3a, 3b actually support and drag the sheet 1 or the piece 3 in the advancement direction A-A.

In addition or as an alternative to this, it is of course also possible to provide means for moving the sheet 1 or piece 3 along the line 4.

Advantageously, the line 4, for each section or area TA1 transverse or orthogonal to the advancement direction A-A of the sheet 1 or piece 3 in the line 4 itself, comprises units with opposing shaping or profiling rollers 5, 6 only on a respective side or side part 4a, 4b, and thus there are no units with opposing shaping or profiling rollers 5, 6 on both sides 4a, 4b of line 4 designed to simultaneously work the sides la, lb or flanks 3a, 3b of a sheet 1 or piece 3. This means in substance that first units 5 facing or in the same cross section or area TA1 of second units 6 are not provided.

With reference to this aspect, it will be understood that the sides la, lb or flanks 3a, 3b of a sheet 1 or piece 3 according to a method according to the present invention are not shaped or profiled at the same time, but in successive steps, so that the line 4 may not include pairs of units 5, 6 with shaping rollers in the same transverse or orthogonal area TA1, TA2.

In this regard, it is possible to provide in the line 4 in a first area or in the first areas TA1, first units 5 designed to work a first side la or flank 3a placed on a first side or side part 4a of the line 4 and in a second area TA2 downstream of the first area or areas TA1, second units 6 designed to work a second side lb or flank 3b placed on a second side or side part 4b of line 4. Clearly, the first zone of line 4 should not be aligned with the second zone of line 4 and such first and second zones could also be distant from each other.

Alternatively, the first units with opposing shaping or profiling rollers 5 could be mounted first on a first side or side part of the line 4 and then, after having shaped or profiled a first side fa or flank 3a, dismount said first units 5 and mount the second units 6 for shaping or profiling the second side lb or flank 3b.

It will also be understood that the line 4 could also comprise units with opposing shaping or profiling rollers 5, 6 on both side or side parts 4a, 4b without the need to alternatively dismount the first units 5 and the second units, since the piece or part (or pieces) 3 has a width smaller than the distance between the sides 4a and 4b and therefore between the first 5 and second units 6. In this regard, it would be necessary to align the first side la or flank 3a to be shaped with the first units 5 and subsequently (after cutting and deformation) the second flank 3b at the second side 4b to the pressure area of the second units 6 and distant from the first side 4a.

In the event that the units 5 have to be dismounted to then mount the units 6 or if units 5 facing unit 6 are provided, each pin 5c of a first unit could actually correspond to a pin 6c of a second unit 6.

Going into detail in the structure of each first unit 5 or second unit 6, the pins 5c, 6c extend from a respective shaping or profiling roller 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, on a respective side 4a, 4b of the line 4 up to a respective support component on the other side 4b, 4a or at an intermediate part between the sides. The support component can comprise a respective roller, preferably lower, if desired a not- shaper or profiler roller, for example with a cylindrical side wall or even a plate or a support. The support component can include a component that can rotate or not around the axis of the respective pin 5c, 6c.

In this case, the motor could be designed to directly drive the rollers 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b and/or the support component into rotation.

It will be understood that the support component can be arranged at any point of the pin 5c, 6c, and thus both at one end of the pin 5c, 6c far from the respective rollers 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, and at an intermediate section of the pin 5c, 6c. Of course, a plurality of support components could be provided for each pin.

The support component can be designed only to support a respective section or portion of the plate 1, 3 or also to at least partly contain or guide such section or portion.

In this regard, it will be understood that the shaping or profiling rollers 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b engage a respective side la, lb or flank 3a, 3b, but the other side lb, la or flank 3b, 3a must be supported during the shaping or profiling by the rollers 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b. The support component can provide such support.

Clearly, other solutions can also be provided in which while one side la, lb or flanks 3a, 3b is shaped or profiled, the other side is supported with another component not necessarily supporting also the pin 5c, 6c.

As regards the trimming or removal step (see figure 3), moreover, if foreseen, it is carried out by means of one or more first cutting units 10, for example placed, preferably downstream of the units 5. This first cutting unit 10 can have cutting means, such as blades or the like, which can be suitably moved, by means of suitable motors, to perform the desired trimming or cuts. More specifically, the cutting means can be moved in the direction of the width or the direction from one side la or flank 3a to the other lb, 3b of the initial sheet 1 or of the first intermediate plate or of the intermediate piece 3 to be cut. This essentially ensures that by advancing the sheet 1 or the piece 3 to be cut or trimmed within or below or in the area of the cutting means and by suitably moving the latter, it is possible to vary the width from one side la or flank 3a to the other lb, 3b along the length of the sheet 1 or piece 3, thereby obtaining the desired shape or curvature for the second side lb or flank 3b.

According to the embodiment illustrated in the figures, the cutting unit or units 10 are designed to cut the sheet la, lb in a direction transverse or orthogonal to the advancement direction A-A and transverse or orthogonal to the direction of the pins or axes 5c.

According to the non-limiting embodiment illustrated in the figures, the first cutting unit(s) 10 make a cut along a vertical direction.

In this case, the first cutting unit(s) 10 or better a respective cutting component can be moved in the direction from one side 4a to the other 4b, in particular while the sheet 1 is made to advance, so as to suitably trim the sheet 1.

One or more second cutting unit(s) 11 can then be provided, for example placed, preferably downstream of the units 5 and of the first cutting unit(s) 10. Such second cutting unit 11 may have cutting means, such as blades or the like, suitably movable, by means of suitable motors, to perform a cut along a direction transversal or orthogonal to the advancement direction A-A, but parallel to the direction of the pins or axes 5c. Basically, the second cutting unit(s) 11 is/are designed to cut the sheet 1 into pieces or parts 3 with a predefined length.

According to the non-limiting embodiment illustrated in the figures, the second cutting unit(s) 11 make a cut along a horizontal direction from one side 4a to the other 4b.

Therefore, following the trimming or removal step by means of the unit(s) 10, a waste part 7 of the sheet 1 and an intermediate sheet are produced, and then the latter, following another cut by means of the unit(s) 11, gives rise to intermediate pieces or parts 3.

Clearly, cutting can be performed first with the first cutting unit(s) 10 and then with the second cutting unit(s) 11 or vice versa.

Moreover, such cutting units 10, 11 could be designed to operate even before shaping by means of the first units 5. The initial plate or sheet 1 can be unwound from a roll 12, which is motorized or not and placed upstream of the units 5 and, if desired, suitably returned by means of rollers 13, which are motorized or not, until the plate or sheet reaches, if desired with a horizontal arrangement, the pressure or shaping or profiling area and thus it is taken over by the rollers 5a, 5b. Advantageously, the plate 1 or the piece (or better the pieces) 3 crosses with a horizontal arrangement the pressure or shaping or profiling area defined between the rollers 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b.

Preferably, the roll 12 is placed with the main axis of rotation or unwinding transverse or orthogonal to the direction of advancement A-A and, if desired, parallel to the pins 5c, 6c.

Basically, in accordance with the present invention, an initial plate or sheet 1 is first produced, which can then or may not be wound into a roll 12.

Then, if desired by unwinding from the roll 12, this plate 1 is fed to the line 4 or better with a respective first side la in the pressure area between rollers 5a, 5b of a row of first units 5 so as to shape or profile such first side la (see figures 1 and 2), by subsequent deformation as it passes through the units 5. During this phase the second side lb or an intermediate part of the plate or sheet 1 is advantageously suitably supported by one or more suitable components, such as one or more support components.

Subsequently or before this step, the second side lb of the sheet 1 is cut or trimmed (see figure 3) by means of the first cutting unit(s) 10 and the second cutting unit(s) 11, thereby obtaining, after the steps described above, pieces or parts 3 with a first shaped or profiled side, which is, if desired, rectilinear and a second flank 3b obtained by cutting or trimming the second side lb, which second flank 3b is curved or in any case with irregular shape not parallel or not unwinding along the main extension direction of the first flank 3 a.

As indicated above, first the first cutting unit(s) 10 and then with the second cutting unit(s) 11 could be provided or viceversa.

It is then reiterated that the cutting by the first and/or second cutting units 10, 11 is preferably carried out after the action of the first units 5, but it could also be carried out before.

Subsequently, a piece or part 3 is taken and suitably deformed (see figure 6), if desired manually or by means of a suitable device, so that a respective second main flank 3b not parallel to the respective first flank 3a is straight or in any case less curved than before of its deformation. This step, as indicated above, can be carried out by pulling and/or pushing, if desired manually or not, the piece or part 3 so as to reduce the concavity or convexity on a respective second side or flank lb or 3b.

This step can be carried out by taking, for example manually, the piece or part from the zone or area downstream of the first units 5 and placing it on a table 8 or a similar component, if desired, upstream of the second units 6.

It is fed, for example by pushing manually and/or by means of appropriate mechanisms/devices, then this deformed piece or part 3 with a respective second flank 3b straight or less curved than before the deformation, in the pressure area between rollers 6a, 6b of a row of second units 6 (see figures 7 and 8) so as to shape or profile such second flank 3b, when it is in a straight deformed condition or in any case less curved than before the deformation. During this phase, the first flank 3a of the piece 3 is advantageously suitably supported by means of a suitable component, such as a support component. As it will be understood, this phase can be obtained by means of second units 6 placed on the line 4 in a part downstream of that where the first units 5 are arranged or by dismounting the first units 5, mounting the second units 6 at a second side 4b of the line and then conveying the piece or pieces 3 between the rollers 6a, 6b of the second units 6. Moreover, it will be understood that it may not even be necessary to dismount the first units 5, since the piece or part (or pieces) 3 has a width smaller than the distance between the sides 4a and 4b and therefore between the first 5 and second units 6, so it would be necessary to align the second flank 3b at the second side 4b to the pressure area of the second units 6 and far from the first side 4a. The passage through the rollers 6a, 6b ensures that the piece 3 maintains the previously imparted state of deformation, so that during the deformation by the rollers 6a, 6b the straight or deformed condition of the piece 3 is guaranteed and it is not necessary to force manually or with another device the maintenance of the deformation state. At the exit of the line 4 or in any case of the pressure area between the rollers 6a, 6b of the units 6, the piece 3 naturally returns to its non-deformed condition (see figure 9) and in this way a final curved profile 2 with sides or edges 2a, 2b shaped according to the present invention.

Clearly, a method according to the present invention can be applied to obtain a final curved profile 2 with one or both 2a, 2b its edges curved or with curved or irregular main extension direction.

If both edges 2a, 2b of the final profile 2 must be curved then the deformation and shaping steps in the deformed state described for the second flank 3b must also be provided for the first side la or flank 3a. In this regard, the initial sheet 1 or a sheet or an intermediate piece or part 3 should be deformed, if desired manually or by means of a suitable device, so that the first curved main side or flank la or 3a is or becomes straight or in any case less curved with respect to the condition before its deformation.

This phase could be carried out by pulling and/or pushing the plate 1 or better an intermediate piece or part 3 of the same so as to reduce the concavity or convexity on a respective first side or flank la or 3a, thereby obtaining a deformed plate or better a deformed intermediate piece or part. Even in this case an abutment component 8a could be used as indicated above.

On the other hand, the deformation step could also be carried out until the curvature of the first side la or flank 3a is suitably varied or better reduced, but without completely eliminating it.

At this point, the first main side la or the first main flank 3a would be shaped or profiled with the initial plate 1 or better the intermediate piece 3 in a deformed condition and then the thus obtained profile 2 would be released, so that the first main side la or flank 3a resumes a curved condition or one with curvature greater than the phase or condition after the deformation condition.

As will be understood, the shaping of the first side la or flank 3a, whether it is straight or curved, could be carried out before, during (if both sides la, lb or flanks 3a, 3b are curved and substantially parallel) or after the second side lb or flank 3b has been shaped.

Moreover, if also the first side la, 3a is curved, a step of trimming or removal on the same could also be provided, in a manner similar to that described for the second side lb or flank 3b.

Clearly, the steps now described will be repeated for all the pieces or parts 3 to be suitably shaped to obtain a respective final profile 2.

As will be understood, the method according to the present invention is very simple and quick to carry out, since it requires normal shaping or profiling of the sides or flanks of plates with a step of deforming or bending, if desired manually, of the plates. Of course, the deformation can also be carried out using a specific machine. Therefore, this method does not imply using specific machines or complex and expensive electronic systems.

It should then be considered that by means of a method according to the present invention, it is necessary to trim or cut fewer parts of the plates or sheets, this entailing a lower consumption of metallic material.

Moreover, a method according to the present invention is capable of producing a curved profile of any shape starting from plates or sheets of standard dimensions.

Changes and variants of the invention are possible within the scope defined by the claims.

Claims

1. A method for shaping or profiling an initial or raw plate or sheet (1) for obtaining a curved final profile (2) with shaped edges (2a, 2b), said initial plate (1) having two opposite main sides (la, lb) not parallel to each other, or at least one of which is curved or not straight, or being processed so as to obtain a first intermediate plate or intermediate piece (3) having two opposite main flanks (3a, 3b) not parallel to each other, or at least one of which is curved or not straight, said method comprising the following steps:

- deforming said initial plate (1), or said first intermediate plate, or said intermediate piece (3) so that a respective curved second main side (lb) or flank (3b) is or becomes straight, or in any case less curved than the condition before the deformation thereof,

- shaping said second main side (lb) or flank (3b) with the initial plate (1) or with the intermediate piece (3) in a deformed condition (3c),

- releasing the profile (2) thus obtained so that said second main side (lb) or flank (3b) takes again a condition being curved or having a greater curvature compared to the step or condition after the deformation step, said method further comprising, before, during or after the shaping of the second main side (lb) or flank (3b), a step of shaping a first main side (la) of said initial plate or of said first intermediate plate, or a first main flank (3a) of said intermediate piece (3), so that as a result of this method a curved final profile (2) with both (2a, 2b) its main edges being shaped, the main edges (2a, 2b) having main extension directions that are not parallel to each other, or at least one of which (2b) is curved or not straight.

2. Method according to claim 1, wherein said deformation step is carried out by manually deforming the initial plate (1), or the intermediate plate, or the intermediate piece or part (3).

3. Method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein said deformation step is carried out by pulling and/or pushing the initial plate (1), or the intermediate plate, or the intermediate piece or part (3) so as to reduce the concavity or convexity on a respective second side or flank (lb, 3b), thereby obtaining a deformed intermediate plate, or rather, piece or part (3c).

4. Method according to claim 3, wherein the deformation step is carried out with the aid of an abutment component (8a), and wherein the initial plate (1), or the intermediate plate, or the intermediate piece or part (3) is deformed until the respective second side (lb) or flank (3b) fully or partly abuts against and fully or partly aligns with such abutment component (8a).

5. Method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein during the deformation step the initial plate (1), or the intermediate plate, or the intermediate piece or part (3) is deformed by pressing and/or pulling the initial plate (1), or the intermediate plate, or the intermediate piece or part (3) so as to make the second side (lb) or flank (3b) straight or substantially straight, or by reducing the curvature thereof, while maintaining the plate (1) or piece (3) substantially in the same main plane of initial lying position or before deformation.

6. Shaping method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said second main side (lb) or flank (3b), before the deformation step, is curved with the concavity facing outwards of the respective initial or intermediate plate (1) or of the intermediate piece (3).

7. Shaping method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said first main side (la) or flank (3a) of said initial plate (1), or of said intermediate plate, or of said intermediate piece or part (3) is straight or curved.

8. Shaping method according to any of the preceding claims, wherein said first side (la) or side (3a) is curved and is shaped according to a sequence similar to that provided for the second main side (lb) or flank (3b).

9. Shaping method according to any of the preceding claims, wherein said shaping step of said first and/or said second main side (la, lb) or flank (3a, 3b) is carried out by means of a roller profiling machine or line (4) comprising units with opposing shaping or profiling rollers (5a, 5b, 6a, 6b).

10. Method according to claim 9, wherein the initial plate (1), or the intermediate plate, or the intermediate piece or part (3) is advanced along the line (4) using the rollers (5a, 5b, 6a, 6b), which, by engaging the respective lateral faces against a respective section of a side (la, lb) or flank (3a, 3b) of said initial plate (1), or of said intermediate plate, or of said intermediate piece or part (3), support and actually drag the initial plate (1), or the intermediate plate, or the intermediate piece or part (3) in a respective advancement direction (A- A).

11. Method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein during the shaping of one main side or flank (la, 3a, lb, 3b), the other side or flank (lb, 3b, la, 3a) is not shaped, whereby the two sides (la, lb) or flanks (3a, 3b) are not shaped at the same time.

12. Shaping method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said curved second main side (lb) or flank (3b) is obtained by trimming or removing an edge of said initial plate (1), or of said first intermediate plate or of said intermediate piece (3).

13. Shaping method according to claims 9 and 12, or 10 and 12, wherein said trimming or removal step is carried out by means of a cutting unit (10) placed downstream of said opposite shaping or profiling rollers (5a, 5b, 6a, 6b).

14. Method according to claim 12 or 13, wherein said trimming or removal step is carried out by means of at least one first cutting unit (10) having cutting means suitably movable in the direction of the width or direction from one side (la) or flank (3a) to the other one side (lb, 3b) of the initial plate (1), or of said first intermediate plate, or of said intermediate piece (3) to be cut.