Patent Application
20240351084
The disclosure relates to a straightening machine for straightening profiles, comprising a plurality of straightening rollers arranged opposite each other on both sides of a straightening line and forming a straightening path, at least some of the straightening rollers being arranged on vertically extending straightening shafts such that they can be horizontally and/or axially adjusted in relation to a profile that is moved in the straightening path.
In principle, profiles need to be straightened if they subsequently change their shape due to thermal warping, for example due to cooling after a rolling operation. For straightening profiles such as H-profiles, U-profiles, T-profiles, I-profiles, rail profiles or the like, the use of horizontal straightening machines and vertical straightening machines is known, wherein the terms “horizontal” and “vertical” refer to the alignment of the straightening tools. A horizontal straightening machine is known, for example, from WO 2016/142362 A1. This publication relates to a straightening machine for straightening an elongated semi-finished product with straightening roller elements, with a roller table line designed as a conveying section, with a stand device holding the straightening roller elements relative to the conveying section, comprising a drive-side stand half and an operator-side stand half, which is displaceable with respect to the drive-side stand half, with a changing device for changing the straightening roller elements and with a changing path, along which the straightening roller elements can be moved for changing, in which the straightening roller elements are movable on the one hand by means of the operator-side stand half along a first partial section of the changing path extending in a horizontal displacement plane and on the other hand by means of the changing device along a further partial section of the changing path extending in a horizontal changing plane. The horizontal change plane is arranged in the region of the physical vertical extension of the operating-side stand half.
A straightening machine for straightening profiles, such as rolled carriers, which has a plurality of tools arranged on parallel, driven straightening shafts above and below a fitting line in the transport direction of the material to be straightened, of which the upper straightening shafts are adjustable to set the straightening gap, is known, for example, from EP 1 294 503 B1. This publication also relates to a method for operating a straightening machine for straightening profiles, with which with such a straightening machine, during straightening operation, at least the adjustment means on the operating side, which is remote from the drive side, is subjected to a force opposing the straightening force. The straightening machine according to EP 1 294 503 B1 is designed as a horizontal straightening machine, with which each upper and lower straightening shaft can be driven individually via motors provided on the drive side and interposed gears. Drives for axial adjustment of the straightening shafts are also provided. Hydraulic cylinders are used as adjustment means.
With previous vertical straightening machines, an electromotive adjustment is used for the axial and/or horizontal adjustment. Furthermore, the forces are absorbed by a stable machine frame, also known as a stand.
CN 107790519 A discloses a straightening machine for straightening hollow profiles, which comprises a fixed roller arrangement and a hydraulically adjustable roller arrangement, the roller arrangements each comprising externally opposite rollers on two sides of the profile, which act horizontally on the sides of the profile. A counter bearing is inserted into the interior of the profile, which consists of a roller arrangement, the rollers of which are connected to one another via a four-joint gear.
The disclosure provides a straightening machine of the type mentioned at the beginning, in particular a so-called “vertical straightening machine,” which is improved with regard to the realization of the adjustment movement of the straightening tools and in particular with regard to the absorption of the reaction forces upon straightening. In particular, it provides a straightening machine that is simplified in design. Furthermore, a corresponding method for straightening profiles is disclosed.
One aspect of the disclosure relates to a straightening machine for straightening profiles, comprising a plurality of straightening rollers arranged in a manner opposite offset each other on both sides of a straightening line and forming a straightening path, at least some of the straightening rollers being arranged on vertically extending straightening shafts such that they can be horizontally and/or axially adjusted in relation to a profile that is moved in the straightening path, wherein the straightening machine is characterized in that at least some of the straightening shafts can be hydraulically horizontally and/or axially adjusted. The straightening machine is designed as a vertical straightening machine and comprises a plurality of vertically extending straightening shafts, each of which has straightening rollers. A profile within the meaning of the present disclosure is, for example, an H-profile, I-profile, U-profile or T-profile, preferably a rail profile.
Ideally, the straightening rollers are arranged in a manner offset opposite each other along the straightening path in such a way that they enable alternating bending on both sides of the profile. Thereby, preferably, three straightening rollers in each case form a triangle of forces.
With the straightening machine, it is provided that at least some of the straightening shafts are in each case designed to be individually hydraulically horizontally and axially adjustable.
With a particularly advantageous embodiment of the straightening machine, it is provided that at least one straightening shaft for horizontal adjustment is arranged to be movable about a pivot axis on a horizontal circular arc section with respect to the straightening line. In contrast to the prior art, the disclosure provides a pivot point bearing/a swinging arm adjustment for at least some of the straightening shafts. A linear infeed of chocks, as is common in the prior art, is not necessary. The straightening shafts are adjusted via a pivot point bearing and an associated change in angle. Such a design completely eliminates the need for balancing of adjustable straightening shafts or straightening axes, which is otherwise common and disadvantageous in the prior art.
For this purpose, it can be provided that at least one straightening shaft is pivotably mounted in a machine frame of the straightening machine. Thanks to this design, the machine frame can be simpler than the usual arrangement of vertically extending straightening shafts in bearing chocks of the stands used in the prior art.
Preferably, the at least one pivotably mounted straightening shaft has an abutment on an opposite side of the straightening line.
The straightening shafts can in each case be mounted in parallel carriers of the machine frame, wherein preferably only the straightening shafts arranged on one side of the straightening line are adjustable horizontally and actively, whereas the straightening shafts in each case arranged on the opposite side of the straightening line can be arranged in a fixed position in a horizontal plane.
Preferably, the at least one pivotably mounted straightening shaft is adjustable via at least one hydraulic piston-cylinder arrangement, which is pivotably articulated on an opposite side of the straightening line.
The ideal line in which the profile to be straightened is to extend after the straightening operation is referred to as the straightening line within the meaning of the present disclosure. The straightening shafts arranged on both sides of the straightening line define a straightening path in which the profile to be straightened is conveyed.
For this purpose, at least some of the straightening shafts are in each case preferably driven individually. This offers, among other things, the advantage that in the event of a drive failure, the straightening machine can still be operated, which is not possible with the summing gears that are otherwise commonly used. The distribution of torque and rotational speed can also be controlled individually for each straightening shaft via individual drives. Such data can be linked to corresponding data with respect to the horizontal and/or axial adjustment, wherein such data can be recorded via corresponding displacement and/or force and/or position sensors of hydraulic adjustment cylinders. At least one control of the adjustment force and/or position of at least one straightening shaft, preferably all straightening shafts individually, is provided.
A particular advantage of the kinematics of the straightening machine is that the machine frame can be designed to be significantly stiffer, such that there is less deflection of the machine frame and thus also a more effective flow of force upon straightening.
Given that the straightening shafts are individually adjustable hydraulically, the forces of the straightening process can be recorded. An uneven force distribution of the individual straightening rollers allows direct conclusions to be drawn about the straightening operation and the correctly adjusted axial position of the individual straightening rollers/straightening shafts.
A further aspect of the disclosure relates to a method for straightening profiles in a straightening machine, wherein the method comprises the straightening of a profile by means of a plurality of straightening rollers on vertically extending straightening shafts, which are individually and independently hydraulically positioned horizontally and/or axially against a profile on both sides of a straightening line in a straightening path, at least partially, while applying a straightening force.
With the method for straightening profiles, it can be provided that a part of the straightening rollers is actively adjusted, whereas another part of the straightening rollers only passively absorbs straightening forces. Such straightening rollers are not adjustable horizontally, but are designed to be adjustable axially.
Preferably, the straightening rollers arranged on one side of the straightening line are actively adjustable, whereas the straightening rollers provided on the opposite side of the straightening line are passively adjustable.
With a particularly preferred variant, it is provided that the straightening rollers are adjusted via a pivot point bearing/perform a so-called “swinging arm adjustment.” This is a scissor-like infeed movement of the straightening rollers/straightening shafts, as a result of which the abutment forces are introduced into the machine frame in a particularly favorable manner.
With the method for straightening profiles, it is further preferably provided that the straightening rollers and/or straightening shafts are each driven individually.
The adjustment force and/or the adjustment position of the straightening rollers can be recorded and/or controlled and/or regulated by means of pressure sensors and/or position sensors.
The method is characterized in particular by the use of a straightening machine with the features described above.
The invention is explained below with reference to an exemplary embodiment shown in the drawings.
The straightening machine 1 shown in
The straightening machine 1 comprises a total of eight straightening rollers 3 as straightening tools, each of which is arranged for co-rotation on a straightening shaft 4. The machine frame 2 comprises a bearing carrier 11 extending parallel to the straightening line and supports 12 arranged on one side of the bearing carrier 11 in each case, which are arranged so that they can be displaced on rails 13 by means of the displacement cylinders 10. The supports 12 are connected by means of a traverse 14 extending parallel to the straightening line. The supports 12 in each case accommodate the inlet side guide 6 and the outlet side guide 8.
As can be seen from
It is provided that both the horizontal adjustment movement of some straightening rollers 3 and the vertical/axial adjustment movement of all straightening rollers 3 are effected hydraulically. As already mentioned above, the straightening rollers 3 adjoining the inlet side guide 6 on one side of the straightening line/on one side of the roller table line 5 perform an active horizontal adjustment movement about a vertical pivot axis 23 on a circular arc section, whereas the opposite straightening rollers 3 in each case are mounted in a fixed position in the bearing carrier 11 in this respect.
As can be seen in particular from the illustration in
Pressurizing the cylinder 18 with a hydraulic fluid causes a displacement of the tension rod 16 transverse to the rail profile 7 and thus a displacement of the straightening rollers 3 in the direction of the profile flank 9 of the rail profile 7 facing the relevant straightening roller 3. Thereby, the straightening roller 3 moving on the circular arc section exerts a straightening force transverse to the straightening line/longitudinal extension of the rail profile 7 on the profile flank 9 of the rail profile 7 facing the straightening roller 3. A corresponding counterforce is exerted by the adjacent opposite straightening roller 3 on the opposite profile flank 9 of the rail profile 7.
A view in the direction of the straightening line/the roller table line 5, which shows the relative position of two straightening shafts 4/two opposite straightening rollers 3 in relation to the rail profile 7, is shown in
With the exemplary embodiment described, the straightening rollers 3 rest against the profile flanks 9 of the rail profile 7 in each case. However, the straightening machine 1 can be designed such that the profile to be straightened, in this case the rail profile 7, can also be guided through the straightening rollers 3 such that the rail profile 7 can also be straightened with respect to its axis with the greater moment of resistance.
As already mentioned above, each of the straightening shafts 4 can be rotated by means of an individual motor 21 via an angular gear 22 in each case.
As already noted above, all straightening shafts 4 of the described exemplary embodiment are axially hydraulically adjustable, but it can also be provided that one or another straightening shaft 4 is mounted in an axially fixed/axially non-adjustable manner.
The fact that each of the straightening shafts 4 with the straightening rollers 3 arranged in a rotationally fixed manner on them can be individually adjusted axially and/or radially hydraulically makes it possible to record and control and/or regulate the individual positions of the straightening rollers 3 both axially and horizontally via corresponding position sensors and their adjustment force via corresponding pressure measuring devices. The adjustment forces can be recorded via a central regulation and control system. The recorded adjustment force can be used to draw immediate conclusions as to whether, for example, all straightening rollers 3 are axially in alignment and correctly aligned with respect to the rail profile 7.
As can be seen in particular from the combined view of
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10 2021 210 458.4 | Sep 2021 | DE | national |
This application is a national stage application, filed under 35 U.S.C. § 371, of International Patent Application PCT/EP2022/073237, filed on Aug. 19, 2022, which claims the benefit of German Patent Application DE 10 2021 210 458.4, filed on Sep. 21, 2021.
| Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| PCT/EP2022/073237 | 8/19/2022 | WO |
