WO2025124677A1

WO2025124677A1 - Supplying device for supplying elongate elements by fragmenting a continuous strand material

Info

Publication number: WO2025124677A1
Application number: PCT/EP2023/025522
Authority: WO
Inventors: Raphael Geiger; Arsalan Iqbal; Rauno BAESE; Christian ENGERT; Michael Göbel; Maximilian GÖLZ; Christian Bulander; Gabriel Friedmann; Adrian Gross
Original assignee: Knauf Gips KG
Current assignee: Knauf Gips KG
Priority date: 2023-12-14
Filing date: 2023-12-14
Publication date: 2025-06-19
Anticipated expiration: 2026-06-14

Abstract

The invention relates to a supplying device (1) for supplying elongate elements (500) by tailoring a continuous strand material (501), the supplying device comprising a first shaping unit (10), a second shaping unit (20), and a drive unit (30) configured to being capable of driving said first shaping unit (10) and/or said second shaping unit (20), wherein said first shaping unit (10) comprises a first shaping profile (1 1) and said second shaping unit (20) comprises a second shaping profile (21), and wherein said first shaping profile (11) and said second shaping profile (21) are arranged adjacent to each other at an abutting section (A), such that the continuous strand material (501) is arrangeable at the abutting section (A) between the first shaping profile (11) and the second shaping profile (21), and wherein said first shaping profile (11) and said second shaping profile (21) are configured such that upon encountering the continuous strand material (501) at the abutting section (A), said first shaping profile (11) and said second shaping profile (21) tailor the continuous strand material (501) to elongate elements (500) of a predefined geometry upon a rotational movement of the first shaping unit (10) and/or the second shaping unit (20). The invention further relates to a process of supplying elongate elements (500) by fragmenting a continuous strand material (501) by using a supplying device according to anyone of the preceding claims, wherein the elongate elements are reinforcing elements to a building structure, especially a printed building structure.

Description

Supplying device for supplying elongate elements by fragmenting a continuous strand material

The invention relates to a supplying device for supplying elongate elements, especially reinforcing elements to a building structure, by fragmenting a continuous strand material.

The technical field relates to the construction of building structures comprising a reinforcement as for example in the additive manufacturing of building structures via 3D concrete printing or the like.

It would be highly beneficial to fully automize additive manufacturing of building structures, such as robot assisted 3D printing with concrete. One part, i.e. the mere extrusion of concrete or mortar for 3D printing, can already be fully automated by using a robot that can automatically extrude the concrete or mortar.

However, it is known that it is advantageous if such 3D printed concrete or mortar structures further comprises a reinforcement in order to achieve a strong building structure. When it comes to extrusion and reinforcing in one automated process, there is no fully satisfactory solution, so far.

Either the process of reinforcement is not automated at all, meaning that it is still executed by an human operator and not the robot that performs the extrusion of the concrete or mortar, or there is the need to have at least two robots involved in the 3D printing process of reinforced building structures, i.e. one for the extrusion of the concrete or mortar and another one for supplying the reinforcement to the building structure. Further, all known processes to introduce reinforcement elements limit the speed of the printing process.

To overcome or at least reduce the problems known in the prior art, the invention provides a supplying device for supplying elongate elements, especially reinforcing elements to a building structure, by fragmenting a continuous strand material according to the independent claim and especially a supplying device that can be easily mounted onto and integrated into the printhead of a robot for automated additive manufacturing of reinforced building structures via 3D concrete printing. Advantageous aspects are the subject matter of the independent claims.

The invention comprises a supplying device for supplying elongate elements, especially reinforcing elements to a building structure, by fragmenting a continuous strand material comprising a first shaping unit, a second shaping unit, and a drive unit configured to being capable of driving said first shaping unit and/or said second shaping unit, wherein said first shaping unit comprises a first shaping profile and said second shaping unit comprises a second shaping profile, and wherein said first shaping profile and said second shaping profile are arranged adjacent to each other at an abutting section, such that the continuous strand material is arrangeable at the abutting section between the first shaping profile and the second shaping profile, and wherein said first shaping profile and said second shaping profile are configured such that upon encountering the continuous strand material at the abutting section, said first shaping profile and said second shaping profile tailor the continuous strand material to elongate elements of a predefined geometry upon a rotational movement of the first shaping unit and/or the second shaping unit. Herein, the term 'elongate elements’ shall especially comprise segments of the strand material tailored to a suitable length for an intended application - especially the reinforcement of printed building materials, as described in more detail herein

whereas ‘continuous strand material' shall mean the much longer piece of strand material that can be fragmented in a multitude of the respective elongate elements, also having a beginning and an end. Often, continuous strand material is provided being wound into a coil or a reel.

The supplying device allows for an automated process of providing (and placing) reinforcing elements into a building structure, especially when mounted onto the printhead of a robot for automated additive manufacturing of reinforced building structures via 3D concrete printing, 3D gypsum printing or the like. Especially, the supplying device can be configured such that it has a weight between 1 kg and 20 kg to be more easily mounted onto the printhead of the robot for automated additive manufacturing of reinforced building structures via 3D concrete printing, 3D gypsum printing or the like.

Further, it is possible to use the supplying device for any other applications where segments of a continuous strand material, i.e. elongate elements, are needed. Hereinafter, the term “elongate element(s)” shall each comprise it’s more specific embodiment “reinforcing element(s) for a building structure”.

The supplying device can be configured such that a continuous strand material with a diameter between 0.1 mm and 5 mm, preferably between 0.5 mm and 2.0 mm, is arrangeable at the abutting section. Examples of typical strand materials have diameters of 0.2 mm, 0.5 mm, 0.8 mm or 1.0 mm.

The continuous strand material may comprise metal wire, e.g. steel wire, carbon fibre, glass fibre, or other reinforcing materials and the continuous strand material may have a tensile strength in a range between 100 N/mm² and 3000 N/mm², preferably between 500 N/mm² and 2000 N/mm². Metal wires segments are advantageous as reinforcing elements for printed concrete or gypsum walls and other building components.

The predefined geometry of elongate elements to which the continuous strand material is tailored can be controlled by choosing the shape of the first shaping profile and the second shaping profile and by their arrangement relative to each other at the abutting section. Especially, the shape of the first shaping profile and the second shaping profile can be chosen in order to fragment the continuous strand material to elongate elements with a length between 5 mm and 250 mm, preferably between 20 mm and 150 mm. Tailoring the continuous strand material can comprise, but is not limited to, controlling the shape along a longitudinal direction, controlling the shape along a transverse direction, and controlling the diameter. Especially, ‘to tailor’ means ‘to shape and/or fragment’ the continuous strand material. Typically, the tailoring of the continuous strand material to elongate elements of a predefined geometry comprises a fragmentation of the continuous strand material, i.e. to produce segments of the initially continuous strand material. For example, fragmentation may being effected by cutting, breaking, squeezing etc. The tailoring process may also optionally comprise further shaping steps, for example a deformation process, of the strand material, which may occur before and/or during and/or after the fragmentation. Very preferably, the tailoring comprises fragmenting and bending the continuous strand material, to produce respectively shaped elongate elements. The first shaping unit and the second shaping unit can be arranged in such a way as to being replaceable, if either one of the first shaping profile and/or the second shaping profile is worn out or in order to supply elongate elements, especially reinforcing elements, with a different geometry. The supplying device can be configured for a rotational movement of the first shaping unit and/or the second shaping unit providing between 0.1 revolutions per second and 10 revolutions per second. The rate at which elongate elements are supplied by fragmenting the continuous strand material can be controlled by configuring the first shaping profile and the second shaping profile and adjusting the revolutions per second of the rotational movement of the first shaping unit and/or the second shaping unit. In this way, the supplying device can supply elongate elements, at a rate between 0.1 pcs/sec and 100 pcs/sec, preferably between 1 pcs/sec and 50 pcs/sec.

According to a preferred aspect, the first shaping profile is arranged at a first circumferential portion of the first shaping unit, and the second shaping profile is arranged at a second circumferential portion of the second shaping unit, and wherein the first shaping profile and the second shaping profile are formed complementary to each other.

The first circumferential portion may be arranged along all or part of a circumference of the first shaping unit, such that when the first forming unit performs a rotational movement, the first circumferential portion performs a rotational movement in a first rotational plane. The second circumferential portion may be arranged along all or part of a circumference of the second shaping unit, such that when the second forming unit performs a rotational movement, the second circumferential portion performs a rotational movement in a second rotational plane. A surfacenormal of the first rotational plane and a surface-normal of the second rotational plane may be inclined or parallel to each other.

According to another preferred aspect, the first shaping profile and the second shaping profile are arranged at a distance d > 0 + x mm mm, preferably d > 0.1 + x mm, most preferably d > 0.2 + x mm, from each other at the abutting section, wherein x is the initial diameter of the strand material, i.e. the diameter of the strand material when entering the abutting station.

The distance d between the first shaping profile and the second shaping profile at the abutting section can be selected to be small enough to reliably tailor the continuous strand material to reinforcing elements of a predefined geometry and at the same time be selected to be large enough to prevent a fast wear out of the first shaping profile and the second shaping profile depending on the thickness, material composition, and tensile strength of the continuous strand material and/or the shape of the first shaping profile and the second shaping profile. According to a particularly preferred aspect, the first shaping unit comprises a first gearing profile and the second shaping unit comprises a second gearing profile engageable with said first gearing profile, and wherein the second gearing profile is arranged at the second shaping unit in such manner as to be engaged with the first gearing profile.

In this way, it can be ensured that the first shaping unit and the second shaping unit perform a simultaneous and synchronized rotational movement, whereby the rotational movement is transmitted by the engagement of the first gearing profile with the second gearing profile.

According to an advantageous aspect, the first shaping unit comprises a first gearwheel and a first shaping disc arranged essentially concentrically to the first gearwheel, and wherein the second shaping unit comprises a second gearwheel and a second shaping disc arranged essentially concentrically to the second gearwheel.

Thereby, the first shaping profile may be arranged at a first circumferential portion of the first shaping disc, and the second shaping profile may be arranged at a second circumferential portion of the second shaping disc. The concentric arrangement of the first gearwheel and the first shaping disc allows for a circular rotation of the first shaping profile arranged at the first shaping disc upon a rotational movement of the first shaping unit, and the rotational movement is therefore stable. The concentric arrangement of the second gearwheel and the second shaping disc allows for a circular rotation of the second shaping profile arranged at the second shaping disc upon a rotational movement of the second shaping unit, and the rotational movement is therefore stable.

The first gearwheel and the second gearwheel may be arranged in a gear housing, while the first shaping disc and the second shaping disc may be arranged outside the gear housing. In this way, the first gearwheel and the second gearwheel can be spatially separated and sealed in a fluid- tight manner from the first shaping disc and the second shaping disc. This allows the first gearwheel and the second gearwheel to be arranged in an oil bath - or another lubricating fluid - inside the gear housing, which results in better operation with reduced wear. Further, metal chips produced during the tailoring step, or other contaminations, are not able to enter into the gear housing, which, otherwise, could lead to a malfunction of the drive unit.

According to another advantageous aspect, the first shaping unit comprises fastening means which are configured to adjust the radial orientation of the first shaping disc relative to the first gearwheel in steps of 1 °, preferably in steps of 0.25° and/or wherein the second shaping unit comprises fastening means which are configured to adjust the radial orientation of the second shaping disc relative to the second gearwheel in steps of 1 °, preferably in steps of 0.25°.

Adjusting the radial orientation of the first shaping disc and/or the second shaping disc allows to precisely adjust the way the first shaping disc and the second shaping disc encounter the continuous strand material at the abutting section to ensure the precise shaping and fragmenting of the continuous strand material to elongate elements of a predefined geometry.

According to a particularly advantageous aspect, the supplying device comprises a guiding unit configured to route the continuous strand material to the abutting section.

Routing the continuous strand material to the abutting section with the guiding unit allows to reliably and precisely arrange the continuous strand material at the abutting section between the first shaping profile and the second shaping profile. The guiding unit can be configured as groove large enough to accommodate at least partially the diameter of the continuous strand material.

According to a preferred aspect, the first shaping profile and/or the second shaping profile comprises at least one protruding section and/or at least one indenting section.

The at least one protruding section and/or at least one indenting section can be configured to tailor the continuous strand material to elongate elements of a predefined geometry upon encountering the continuous strand material at the abutting section. Therefore, during a rotational movement a protruding section can engage into an indenting section to shape and/or fragment the continuous strand material arranged therein between. According to another preferred aspect, the first shaping profile and/or the second shaping profile comprises at least one cutting portion.

The cutting portion may comprise at least one sharp edge for cutting the continuous strand material.

According to a particularly preferred aspect, the first shaping profile comprises at least one protruding section shaped essentially as circular segment, and wherein the second shaping profile comprises at least one indenting section shaped essentially as circular segment with a cutting portion arranged within the indenting section.

During a rotational movement the protruding section can engage into the indenting section to simultaneously shape the continuous strand material arranged there in between and fragment the continuous strand material to elongate elements by cutting the continuous strand material with the cutting portion.

According to an advantageous aspect, the first shaping profile comprises four protruding sections identically shaped essentially as circular segment, and wherein the second shaping profile comprises four indenting sections identically shaped essentially as circular segment with a cutting portion arranged within each indenting section.

In this way, during a full 360° rotational movement of the first shaping unit and the second shaping unit four elongate elements of a predefined geometry can be supplied.

According to another advantageous aspect, each protruding section of the first shaping profile that encounters a cutting portion of the second shaping profile at the abutting section is shaped as circular segment with at least one flat section interrupting the circular section, preferably with at least two flat sections interrupting the circular section. In an advantageous embodiment, the at least one flat section is located geometrically within the encircled radius from the circular section.

This leads to an increased stability of the protruding section.

According to a particularly advantageous aspect, each protruding section of the first shaping profile that encounters a cutting portion of the second shaping profile at the abutting section comprises a notch that is shaped complementary to the cutting portion, especially such that the cutting portion is engageable in the notch.

In that each protruding section of the first shaping profile that encounters a cutting portion of the second shaping profile at the abutting section comprises a notch that is shaped complementary to the cutting portion, such that the cutting portion is engageable in the notch, can prevent a fast wear out of the cutting portion.

The supplying device may comprise a second guiding unit to prevent a spin of the elongate element effected in the abutting section, and to steer it in the direction of the ejection point after passing the abutting section. The second guiding unit is preferably configured as groove or channel, preferably being large enough to accommodate the full diameter of the elongate element.

The ejection speed can be simply determined by the insertion speed of the continuous strand material into the supplying device. According to a preferred aspect, the supplying device comprises an ejecting device configured to receive the reinforcing element after passing the abutting section to eject the reinforcing element from the supplying device at an adjustable ejection speed.

In this way, the ejected reinforcing element may not only be supplied to, but also automatically be placed in the building structure for the automatic additive manufacturing of reinforced building structures via 3D concrete printing.

With or without specific ejecting device, the ejection speed may be adjusted to lie within a broad range, especially between 0.1 m/s and 5 m/s, preferably between 0.2 m/s and 1 m/s.

According to another preferred aspect, the ejecting device comprises a guiding roller and a driving roller, wherein said driving roller is arranged at the first shaping unit or at the second shaping unit so as to receive a driving force, and wherein the driving roller is connected to the guiding roller so as to transmit driving force to the guiding roller.

The guiding roller may be configured to receive the reinforcing element after passing the abutting section and to accelerate the reinforcing element to the ejection speed.

According to a particularly preferred aspect, the driving roller is arranged in contact with the first shaping unit at an adjustable distance from a centre of rotation of the first shaping unit or the driving roller is arranged in contact with the second shaping unit at an adjustable distance from a centre of rotation of the second shaping unit, such that the driving roller receives a driving force from the first shaping unit or the second shaping unit to rotate at an adjustable rotational speed.

Arranging the driving roller nearer to the centre of rotation of the first shaping unit or nearer to the centre of rotation of the second shaping unit leads to a slower rotational speed of the driving roller. Arranging the driving roller farther away from the centre of the first shaping unit or farther away from the centre of the second shaping unit leads to a faster rotational speed of the driving roller.

The supplying device may be designed for lightweight construction (i.e. compact design, special selection of materials - like aluminium housing with hardened surface, choice of optimal metal for each component. Light weight is favourable for 3D printing applications, when being fixed on the robot head and the use in motion.

It is advantageous if certain parts of the device, especially those in connection with the fragmentation step - for example such components building the shaping profiles, the guideway for the strand material and or the driving and guiding rollers -, are made of or coated with nonmagnetic and/or non chip-building material, like for example stainless steel or ceramics. This prevents agglomeration of chips in case of metal strand material, which otherwise could lead to blockages of the transport path of the continuous strand material or the elongate elements, respectively.

In the following, the invention is described in connection with drawings, where

Fig. 1 shows a perspective view onto a first embodiment of the supplying device with an open housing;

Fig. 2 shows a perspective view onto a second embodiment of the supplying device with an open housing;

Figs. 3a - 3c each show schematic views of a first shaping profile and a second shaping profile for a supplying device from Fig. 1 or Fig. 2;

Figs. 4a - 4c each show a schematic view of an embodiment of the first shaping profile shaped complementary to the second shaping profile from Fig. 3a;

Fig. 5a shows a detailed view of the first shaping profile from Fig. 4a and the second shaping profile from Fig. 3a;

Fig. 5b shows a detailed view of the first shaping profile from Fig. 4c and the second shaping profile from Fig. 3a;

Figs. 6a - 6d each show a detailed view onto the first shaping unit and the second shaping unit of the supplying device from Fig. 1 , while the first shaping profile from Fig. 3a and the second shaping profile from Fig. 3a are shaping and fragmenting the continuous strand material to a reinforcing element of a predefined geometry upon a rotational movement of the first shaping unit and the second shaping unit.

Fig. 1 shows a perspective view onto a first embodiment of the supplying device 1 with an open housing.

The supplying device 1 comprises a first shaping unit 10, a second shaping unit 20, and a drive unit 30 configured to being capable of driving said first shaping unit 10. The first shaping unit 10 comprises a first gearwheel 10a with a first gearing profile 12 and comprises a first shaping disc 10b arranged essentially concentrically to the first gearwheel 10a. Moreover, the second shaping unit 20 comprises a second gearwheel 20a with a second gearing profile 22 and comprises a second shaping disc 20b arranged essentially concentrically to the second gearwheel 20a.

The first gearing profile 12 of the first gearwheel 10a is engaged with the second gearing profile 22 of the second gearwheel 20a. In this way, the rotational driving motion of the first shaping unit

10 is transmitted to the second shaping unit 20, whereby the first shaping unit 10 and the second shaping unit 20 perform a simultaneous and synchronized rotational movement.

The first shaping profile 1 1 is arranged at a first circumferential portion 13 of the first shaping disc 10b, specifically along all of the circumference of the first shaping disc 10b. The second shaping profile 21 is arranged at a second circumferential portion 23 of the second shaping disc 20b, specifically along all of the circumference of the second shaping disc 20b. The first shaping profile

11 and the second shaping profile 21 are formed complementary to each other (compare also Figs. 3a - 3c and Figs. 5a - 5b).

Because of the concentric arrangement of the first gearwheel 10a and the first shaping disc 10b, a rotational movement of the first shaping unit 10 leads to a circular rotation in a first rotational plane of the first shaping profile 1 1 arranged at the first shaping disc 10b. Because of the concentric arrangement of the second gearwheel 20a and the second shaping disc 20b, a rotational movement of the second shaping unit 20 leads to a circular rotation in a second rotational plane of the second shaping profile 21 arranged at the second shaping disc 20b. As can be seen, the surface-normal of the first rotational plane and the surface-normal of the second rotational plane are parallel to each other. The shown arrangement leads to rotational movements of the first shaping unit 10 and second shaping unit 20 that are very stable.

The first shaping profile 1 1 and the second shaping profile 21 are arranged adjacent to each other at the abutting section A, such that a continuous strand material 501 (shown in Fig. 6a - 6d) is arrangeable at the abutting section A between the first shaping profile 1 1 and the second shaping profile 21 . The supplying device 1 comprises an ejecting device 50 with a guiding roller 51 that is configured to receive the reinforcing element 500 after passing the abutting section A and to accelerate the reinforcing element 500 to an adjustable ejection speed.

The rotational driving motion of the first shaping unit 10 is transmitted to the second shaping unit 20, whereby the first shaping unit 10 and the second shaping unit 20 perform a simultaneous and synchronized rotational movement. A driving roller 52 (not visible in the perspective view shown in Fig. 1 ) is arranged in contact with the second shaping unit 20 (at the backside of the perspective view shown in Fig. 1 ) at an adjustable distance from a centre of rotation of the second shaping unit 20, such that the driving roller 52 receives a driving force from the second shaping unit 20 to rotate at an adjustable rotational speed. The driving roller 52 is further connected to the guiding roller 51 so as to transmit the driving force to the guiding roller 51 .

Arranging the driving roller 52 nearer to the centre of rotation of the second shaping unit 20 leads to a slower rotational speed of the driving roller 52. Arranging the driving roller 52 farther away from the centre of the second shaping unit 20 leads to a faster rotational speed of the driving roller 52.

In this way, the ejected reinforcing element 500 may not only be supplied to, but also automatically be placed in the building structure for the automatic additive manufacturing of reinforced building structures via 3D concrete printing. The ejection speed can be adjusted to lie within a range between 0.1 m/s and 5 m/s, for example.

The supplying device 1 allows for an automated process of providing and placing reinforcing elements 500 into a building structure, especially when mounted onto the printhead of a robot for automated additive manufacturing of reinforced building structures via 3D concrete printing. Especially, the supplying device 1 is configured such that it has a weight between of 6 kg to be easily mounted onto the printhead of the robot for automated additive manufacturing of reinforced building structures via 3D concrete printing.

Fig. 2 shows a perspective view onto a second embodiment of the supplying device 1 with an open housing.

As with the first embodiment of the supplying device 1 shown in Fig. 1 , this second embodiment of the supplying device 1 comprises a first shaping unit 10, a second shaping unit 20, and a drive unit 30 configured to being capable of driving said first shaping unit 10, such that the first shaping unit 10 and the second shaping unit 20 perform a simultaneous and synchronized rotational movement.

A key difference between this second embodiment of the supplying device 1 and the first embodiment of supplying device 1 from Fig. 1 is that in this second embodiment of the supplying device 1 both the first gearwheel 10a (not shown) of the first shaping unit 10 and the second gearwheel 20a (not shown) of the second shaping unit 20 are arranged in a gear housing 60 and are part of a gearing system, while the first shaping disc 10b of the first shaping unit 10 is arranged outside the gear housing 60 essentially concentrically to the first gearwheel 10a (not shown) and the second shaping disc 20b of the second shaping unit 20 is arranged outside the gear housing 60 essentially concentrically to the second gearwheel 20a (not shown). In this way, the first gearwheel 10a (not shown) and the second gearwheel 20a (not shown) are spatially separated and sealed in a fluid-tight manner from the first shaping disc 10b and the second shaping disc 20b. This allows the first gearwheel 10a (not shown) and the second gearwheel 20a (not shown) to be arranged in an oil bath inside the gear housing 60, which results in better operation with reduced wear.

The first shaping profile 1 1 is arranged at a first circumferential portion 13 of the first shaping disc 10b, specifically along all of the circumference of the first shaping disc 10b. The second shaping profile 21 is arranged at a second circumferential portion 23 of the second shaping disc 20b, specifically along all of the circumference of the second shaping disc 20b. The first shaping profile 11 and the second shaping profile 21 are formed complementary to each other (compare also Figs. 3a - 3c and Figs. 5a - 5b).

The first shaping profile 11 and the second shaping profile 21 are arranged adjacent to each other at the abutting section A, such that a continuous strand material 501 (not shown) is arrangeable at the abutting section A between the first shaping profile 1 1 and the second shaping profile 21 .

A second guidance unit 53, configured as groove large enough to accommodate the full diameter of elongate element, is provided downstream to the abutting section (A), to prevent a spin of the elongate element and to steer it in the direction of the ejection point after passing the abutting section.

Figs. 3a - 3c each show schematic views of a first shaping profile 1 1 and a second shaping profile 21 for a supplying device 1 from Fig. 1 or Fig. 2.

In Fig. 3a the first shaping profile 1 1 comprises four protruding sections 104 identically shaped as circular segment, specifically as nearly semicircle, and the second shaping profile 21 comprises four indenting sections 103 identically shaped as circular segment, specifically as nearly semicircle, with a cutting portion 100 arranged within each indenting section 103. Each cutting portion 100 comprises a sharp edge for cutting the continuous strand material 501 (shown in Fig. 6c).

Thus, the first shaping profile 1 1 and the second shaping profile 21 are formed complementary to each other and during a rotational movement each protruding section 104 engages into an indenting section 103 to simultaneously tailor - i.e. shape and fragment - the continuous strand material 501 (shown in Fig. 6c) arrangeable there in between to reinforcing elements 500 (shown in Fig. 6c).

In Fig. 3b the first shaping profile 1 1 comprises four larger protruding sections 104 identically shaped as circular segment, specifically as nearly semicircle, four smaller protruding sections 104a identically shaped as circular segment, specifically as nearly semicircle, and four smaller indenting sections 103a identically shaped as circular segment, specifically as nearly semicircle.

The second shaping profile 21 comprises four larger indenting sections 103 identically shaped as circular segment, specifically as nearly semicircle, with a cutting portion 100 arranged within each indenting section 103, and four smaller indenting sections 103a identically shaped as circular segment, specifically as nearly semicircle, and four smaller protruding sections 104a identically shaped as circular segment, specifically as nearly semicircle. Each cutting portion 100 comprises a sharp edge for cutting the continuous strand material 501 (shown in Fig. 6c).

Thus, the first shaping profile 1 1 and the second shaping profile 21 are formed complementary to each other. During a rotational movement each larger protruding section 104 engages into a larger indenting sections 103 to simultaneously tailor - i.e. shape and fragment - the continuous strand material 501 (shown in Fig. 6c) arrangeable there in between to reinforcing elements 500 (shown in Fig. 6c).

During a rotational movement each smaller protruding section 104a engages into a smaller indenting sections 103a to only shape the continuous strand material 501 (shown in Fig. 6c) arranged there in between without fragmenting it.

In Fig. 3c the first shaping profile 1 1 and the second shaping profile 21 are identically shaped and each comprise four protruding sections 104 and four indenting sections 103. Moreover, the first shaping profile 1 1 and the second shaping profile 21 each comprise four cutting portions 100 with a sharp edge for cutting the continuous strand material 501 (not shown).

Thus, the first shaping profile 1 1 and the second shaping profile 21 are formed complementary to each other and during a rotational movement each protruding section 104 engages into an indenting section 103 to simultaneously tailor - i.e. shape and fragment - the continuous strand material 501 (not shown) arrangeable there in between to reinforcing elements 500 (not shown).

Figs. 4a - 4c each show a schematic view of an embodiment of the first shaping profile 1 1 shaped complementary to the second shaping profile 21 from Fig. 3a.

Each shaping profile 11 comprises four identically shaped protruding sections 104. A detailed view of a protruding section 104 is shown on the right hand side of each figure.

In Fig. 4a each protruding section 104 is shaped as nearly semicircle comprising a notch 105.

In Fig. 4b each protruding section 104 is shaped as nearly semicircle (dashed line) with two flat sections 106 interrupting the circular section.

In Fig. 4b each protruding section 104 is shaped as nearly semicircle (dashed line) with two flat sections 106 interrupting the circular section and with a notch 105.

Figs. 5a shows a detailed view of the first shaping profile 1 1 from Fig. 4a and the second shaping profile 21 from Fig. 3a.

The protruding section 104 of the first shaping profile 1 1 that encounters the cutting portion 100 of the second shaping profile 21 at the abutting section A comprises a notch 105 that is shaped complementary to the cutting portion 100, such that the cutting portion 100 is engageable in the notch 105. This prevents a fast wear out of the cutting portion 100. Figs. 5b shows a detailed view of the first shaping profile 1 1 from Fig. 4c and the second shaping profile 21 from Fig. 3a.

The protruding section 104 of the first shaping profile 11 that encounters the cutting portion 100 of the second shaping profile 21 at the abutting section A is shaped as circular segment with two flat sections 106 interrupting the circular section and comprises a notch 105. On the one hand, this prevents a fast wear out of the cutting portion 100, and on the other hand, this leads to an increased stability of the protruding section 104.

Figs. 6a - 6d each show a detailed view onto the first shaping unit 10 and the second shaping unit 20 of the supplying device 1 from Fig. 1 , while the first shaping profile 1 1 from Fig. 3a and the second shaping profile 21 from Fig. 3a are shaping and fragmenting the continuous strand material 501 to a reinforcing element 500 (shown in Fig. 6c) of a predefined geometry upon a rotational movement of the first shaping unit 10 and the second shaping unit 20.

The first shaping unit 10 comprises a first gearwheel 10a with a first gearing profile 12 and comprises a first shaping disc 10b arranged essentially concentrically to the first gearwheel 10a. Moreover, the second shaping unit 20 comprises a second gearwheel 20a (arranged behind the second shaping disc 20b and not visible) with a second gearing profile 22 (arranged behind the second shaping disc 20b and not visible) and comprises a second shaping disc 20b arranged essentially concentrically to the second gearwheel 20a.

The first gearing profile 12 of the first gearwheel 10a is engaged with the second gearing profile 22 of the second gearwheel 20a. In this way, the rotational driving motion of the first shaping unit 10 is transmitted to the second shaping unit 20, whereby the first shaping unit 10 and the second shaping unit 20 perform a simultaneous and synchronized rotational movement.

The first shaping profile 1 1 is arranged at a first circumferential portion 13 of the first shaping disc 10b, specifically along all of the circumference of the first shaping disc 10b. The second shaping profile 21 is arranged at a second circumferential portion 23 of the second shaping disc 20b, specifically along all of the circumference of the second shaping disc 20b.

Here, the first shaping unit 10 and the second shaping unit 20 are arranged in such a way as to being replaceable, if either one of the first shaping profile 1 1 or the second shaping profile 21 is worn out or in order to supply reinforcing elements 500 (shown in Fig. 6c) with a different geometry. Because of the concentric arrangement of the first gearwheel 10a and the first shaping disc 10b, a rotational movement of the first shaping unit 10 leads to a circular rotation in a first rotational plane of the first shaping profile 1 1 arranged at the first shaping disc 10b. Because of the concentric arrangement of the second gearwheel 20a and the second shaping disc 20b, a rotational movement of the second shaping unit 20 leads to a circular rotation in a second rotational plane of the second shaping profile 21 arranged at the second shaping disc 20b. As can be seen, the surface-normal of the first rotational plane and the surface-normal of the second rotational plane are parallel to each other. The shown arrangement leads to rotational movements of the first shaping unit 10 and second shaping unit 20 that are very stable.

The first shaping profile 11 and the second shaping profile 21 are arranged adjacent to each other at the abutting section A and a continuous strand material 501 is arranged at the abutting section A between the first shaping profile 11 and the second shaping profile 21 .

The first shaping unit 10 comprises fastening means 14 which are configured to adjust the radial orientation of the first shaping disc 10b relative to the first gearwheel 10a in steps of 0.25° and the second shaping unit 20 comprises fastening means 14 which are configured to adjust the radial orientation of the second shaping disc 20b relative to the second gearwheel 20a in steps 0.25°.

Adjusting the radial orientation of the first shaping disc 10b and the second shaping disc 20b allows to precisely adjust the way the first shaping disc 10b and the second shaping disc 20b encounter the continuous strand material 501 at the abutting section A to ensure the precise shaping and fragmenting of the continuous strand material 501 to reinforcing elements 500 (shown in Fig. 6c) of a predefined geometry.

The supplying device 1 comprises a first guiding unit 40 upstream to the abutting section A. The first guiding unit 40 is configured as groove large enough to accommodate the full diameter of the continuous strand material 501 and to route the continuous strand material 501 to the abutting section A. Routing the continuous strand material 501 to the abutting section A with the first guiding unit 40 allows to reliably and precisely arrange the continuous strand material 501 at the abutting section A between the first shaping profile 1 1 and the second shaping profile 21 .

The supplying device 1 is configured such that the continuous strand material 501 , in this case a steel wire with a diameter of 1 mm, is arrangeable at the abutting section A. Such a continuous strand material 501 has a tensile strength around 1000 N/mm². The predefined geometry of reinforcing elements 500 (shown in Fig. 6c) to which the continuous strand material 501 is shaped and fragmented is controlled by choosing the shape of the first shaping profile 1 1 and the second shaping profile 21 and by their arrangement relative to each other at the abutting section A. Especially, the shape of the first shaping profile 11 and the second shaping profile 21 are chosen as in Fig. 3a with dimensions to fragment the continuous strand material 501 to reinforcing elements 500 (shown in Fig. 6c) with a length of 10 mm.

The shape of the first shaping profile 1 1 and the second shaping profile 21 leads to shaping the continuous strand material 501 along a transverse direction in such a way as to form an anchor section in the reinforcing element 500 (shown in Fig. 6c).

The first shaping profile 1 1 and the second shaping profile 21 are arranged at a distance d = 0.1 mm from each other at the abutting section A. The distance d is selected depending on the thickness, material composition, and tensile strength of the continuous strand material 501 , as well as the shape of the first shaping profile 1 1 and the second shaping profile 21. On the one hand, this distance d is small enough to reliably tailor the continuous strand material 501 to reinforcing elements 500 of a predefined geometry. On the other hand, this distance d is large enough to prevent a fast wear out of the first shaping profile 1 1 and the second shaping profile 21 .

Four successive steps in the process of shaping and fragmenting the continuous strand material 501 to a reinforcing element 500 (shown in Fig. 6c) of a predefined geometry are shown in Figs. 6a - 6d.

First, in Fig. 6a the continuous strand material 501 is arranged at the abutting section A between the first shaping profile 1 1 and the second shaping profile 21. The previous shaping and fragmenting step of the continuous strand material 501 has left one end section of the continuous strand material 501 being bent along a transverse direction in such a way as to form an anchor section.

The protruding section 104 of the first shaping profile 11 has not yet engaged into the indenting section 103 of the second shaping profile 21 . Thus, the cutting portion 100 has not yet fragmented the continuous strand material 501 to a reinforcing elements 500 (shown in Fig. 6c).

Then, in Fig. 6b the protruding section 104 of the first shaping profile 1 1 has partially engaged into the indenting section 103 of the second shaping profile 21. Thus, the continuous strand material 501 is being bent along a transverse direction in such a way as to form an anchor section. Then, in Fig. 6c the protruding section 104 of the first shaping profile 11 has fully engaged into the indenting section 103 of the second shaping profile 21. Thus, the continuous strand material 501 is fully bent along a transverse direction in such a way as to form an anchor section and the cutting portion 100 fragments the continuous strand material 501 to a reinforcing element 500. The guiding roller 51 receives an end portion of the reinforcing element 500 to accelerate the reinforcing element 500.

Then, in Fig. 6d the guiding roller 51 has fully received the reinforcing element 500 and accelerates it further to the ejection speed of 1 m/s, for example. In the automatic additive manufacturing of reinforced building structures via 3D concrete printing, the so ejected reinforcing element 500 is then automatically placed in the building structure.

The supplying device 1 is configured for a rotational movement of the first shaping unit 10 and the second shaping unit 20 providing 3 revolutions per second. In this way, the supplying device 1 supplies reinforcing elements 500 at a rate of 12 pcs/sec.

Claims

1 . Supplying device (1 ) for supplying elongate elements (500) by tailoring a continuous strand material (501 ), the supplying device comprising a first shaping unit (10), a second shaping unit (20), and a drive unit (30) configured to being capable of driving said first shaping unit (10) and/or said second shaping unit (20), wherein said first shaping unit (10) comprises a first shaping profile (11 ) and said second shaping unit (20) comprises a second shaping profile (21 ), and wherein said first shaping profile (11 ) and said second shaping profile (21 ) are arranged adjacent to each other at an abutting section (A), such that the continuous strand material (501 ) is arrangeable at the abutting section (A) between the first shaping profile (1 1 ) and the second shaping profile (21 ), and wherein said first shaping profile (1 1 ) and said second shaping profile (21 ) are configured such that upon encountering the continuous strand material (501 ) at the abutting section (A), said first shaping profile (11 ) and said second shaping profile (21 ) tailor the continuous strand material (501 ) to elongate elements (500) of a predefined geometry upon a rotational movement of the first shaping unit (10) and/or the second shaping unit (20).

2. Supplying device (1) according to claim 1 , wherein the first shaping profile (11 ) is arranged at a first circumferential portion (13) of the first shaping unit (10), and wherein the second shaping profile (21 ) is arranged at a second circumferential portion (23) of the second shaping unit (20), and wherein the first shaping profile (11 ) and the second shaping profile (21 ) are formed complementary to each other.

3. Supplying device (1 ) according to anyone of the preceding claims, wherein the first shaping profile (11 ) and the second shaping profile (21 ) are arrangeable at variable distances from each other at the abutting section (A).

4. Supplying device (1 ) according to anyone of the preceding claims, wherein the first shaping unit (10) comprises a first gearing profile (12) and the second shaping unit (20) comprises a second gearing profile (22) engageable with said first gearing profile (12), and wherein the second gearing profile (22) is arranged at the second shaping unit (20) in such manner as to be engaged with the first gearing profile (12).

5. Supplying device (1 ) according to claim 4, wherein the first shaping unit (10) comprises a first gearwheel (10a) and a first shaping disc (10b) arranged essentially concentrically to the first gearwheel (10a), and wherein the second shaping unit (20) comprises a second gearwheel (20a) and a second shaping disc (20b) arranged essentially concentrically to the second gearwheel (20a).

6. Supplying device (1 ) according to claim 5, wherein the first shaping unit (10) comprises fastening means (14) which are configured to adjust the radial orientation of the first shaping disc (10b) relative to the first gearwheel (10a) in steps of 1 °, preferably in steps of 0.25° and/or wherein the second shaping unit (20) comprises fastening means (14) which are configured to adjust the radial orientation of the second shaping disc (20b) relative to the second gearwheel (20a) in steps of 1 °, preferably in steps of 0.25°.

7. Supplying device (1 ) according to anyone of the preceding claims comprising a first guiding unit (40) upstream to the abutting section (A), configured to route the continuous strand material (501 ) to the abutting section (A), and/or comprising a second guiding unit (53) downstream to the abutting section (A), configured to prevent a spin of the elongate element effected in the abutting section (A).

8. Supplying device (1 ) according to anyone of the preceding claims, wherein the first shaping profile (1 1 ) and/or the second shaping profile (21 ) comprises at least one protruding section (104) and/or at least one indenting section (103).

9. Supplying device (1 ) according to anyone of the preceding claims, wherein the first shaping profile (1 1 ) and/or the second shaping profile (21 ) comprises at least one cutting portion (100).

10. Supplying device (1 ) according to claims 8 and 9, wherein the first shaping profile (1 1 ) comprises at least one protruding section (104) shaped essentially as circular segment, and wherein the second shaping profile (21 ) comprises at least one indenting section (103) shaped essentially as circular segment with a cutting portion (100) arranged within the indenting section (103).

11 . Supplying device (1) according to claim 10, wherein the first shaping profile (11 ) comprises four protruding sections (104) identically shaped essentially as circular segment, and wherein the second shaping profile (21 ) comprises four indenting sections (103) identically shaped essentially as circular segment with a cutting portion (100) arranged within each indenting section (103).

12. Supplying device (1 ) according to claim 10 or 1 1 , wherein each protruding section (104) of the first shaping profile (1 1 ) that encounters a cutting portion (100) of the second shaping profile (21 ) at the abutting section (A) is shaped as circular segment with at least one flat section (106) interrupting the circular section, preferably with at least two flat sections (106) interrupting the circular section.

13. Supplying device (1 ) according to anyone of the claims 10 to 12, wherein each protruding section (104) of the first shaping profile (11 ) that encounters a cutting portion (100) of the second shaping profile (21 ) at the abutting section (A) comprises a notch (105) that is shaped complementary to the cutting portion (100), preferably such that the cutting portion (100) is engageable in the notch (105).

14. Supplying device (1 ) according to anyone of the preceding claims, comprising an ejecting device (50) configured to receive the reinforcing element (500) after passing the abutting section (A) to eject the reinforcing element (500) from the supplying device (1 ) at an adjustable ejection speed.

15. Supplying device (1 ) according to claim 14, wherein the ejecting device (50) comprises a guiding roller (51 ) and a driving roller (52), wherein said driving roller (52) is arranged at the first shaping unit (10) or at the second shaping unit (20) so as to receive a driving force, and wherein the driving roller (52) is connected to the guiding roller (51 ) so as to transmit driving force to the guiding roller (51 ).

16. Supplying device (1 ) according to claim 15, wherein the driving roller (52) is arranged in contact with the first shaping unit (10) at an adjustable distance from a centre of rotation of the first shaping unit (10) or the driving roller (52) is arranged in contact with the second shaping unit (20) at an adjustable distance from a centre of rotation of the second shaping unit (20), such that the driving roller (52) receives a driving force from the first shaping unit (10) or the second shaping unit (20) to rotate at an adjustable rotational speed.

17. A process of supplying elongate elements (500) by fragmenting a continuous strand material (501 ) by using a supplying device according to anyone of the preceding claims, wherein the elongate elements are reinforcing elements to a building structure, especially a printed building structure.