Spacer formation cell

A cell for forming a spacer usable in configuration of a window assembly, the cell comprising:

• a plurality of stages through which a spacer work piece is routed, the stages including bending stage and a connecting stage;
• the bending stage including a plurality of bending heads and a bending table, the bending heads aligned and in spaced-apart orientations with an edge of the table and selectively movable along the bending table edge, each bending head being equipped with a clamp assembly, the clamp assemblies being vertically displaceable relative to the bending table, the clamp assemblies seating corresponding bending tools therein, the clamp assemblies configured for securing retaining extents of the spacer work piece and being entirely rotatable about the tools;
• and
• the connecting stage including an angled wall, a pair of connecting heads, and a transport mechanism, the transport mechanism comprising a pair of spaced apart conveyor belts separated by a connecting window defined in the wall, the connecting heads extending from the connecting window and configured to mate with corresponding pair of platforms situated between the spaced-apart conveyor belts, whereby positioning of the open ends of the spacer work piece between the platforms enables the connecting heads to mate and shift collectively with the stations in joining the open ends together;
• wherein the plurality of stages further comprise a holding stage and a cutting stage positioned upstream of the bending and connecting stages, the plurality of stages arranged in interlinked configuration and grouped together via a framework, the framework forming an exterior enclosure for the stages of the cell;
• wherein the stages are configured in a rectangular-shaped grouping, around which operations on the spacer work piece are conducted in roundabout manner, wherein at least a majority of the stages are observable by an operator from single vantage points around the cell;
• and
• wherein an inner area of the cell is vacant, said area sized for an operator to be positioned and monitor all of the stages of the cell from single location.

A cell for forming a spacer usable in configuration of a window assembly, the cell comprising:

• a plurality of stages through which a spacer work piece is routed, the stages including a bending stage and a connecting stage;
• the bending stage including a plurality of bending heads and a bending table, the bending heads aligned and in spaced-apart orientations with an edge of the table and selectively movable along the bending table edge, each bending head being equipped with a clamp assembly, the clamp assemblies being vertically displaceable relative to the bending table, the clamp assemblies seating corresponding bending tools therein, the clamp assemblies configured for securing retaining extents of the spacer work piece and being entirely rotatable about the tools;
• and
• the connecting stage including an angled wall, a air of connecting heads, and a transport mechanism, the transport mechanism comprising a pair of spaced apart conveyor belts separated by a connecting window defined in the wall, the connecting heads extending from the connecting window and configured to mate with corresponding pair of platforms situated between the spaced-apart conveyor belts, whereby positioning of the open ends of the spacer work piece between the platforms enables the connecting heads to mate and shift collectively with the stations in joining the open ends together;
• wherein the plurality of stages further comprise a holding stage and a cutting stage positioned upstream of the bending and connecting stages, the plurality of stages arranged in interlinked configuration and grouped together via a framework, the framework forming an exterior enclosure for the stages of the cell;
• wherein the cutting stage includes a cutting station equipped with cutting tool;
• and
• wherein the cutting stage has a longitudinal extent along which the spacer work piece is locatable, wherein the cutting station is positioned at one end of the longitudinal extent and one or more sensors are positioned at an opposing end of the longitudinal extent, the one or more sensors configured for providing proximity information of the transferred spacer work piece.

A cell for forming a spacer usable in configuration of a window assembly, the cell comprising:

• a plurality of stages through which a spacer work piece is routed, the stages including a bending stage and a connecting stage;
• the bending stage including a plurality of bending heads and a bending table, the bending heads aligned and in spaced-apart orientations with an edge of the table and selectively movable along the bending table edge, each bending head being equipped with a clamp assembly, the clamp assemblies being vertically displaceable relative to the bending table, the clamp assemblies seating corresponding bending tools therein, the clamp assemblies configured for securing retaining extents of the spacer work piece and being entirely rotatable about the tools;
• and
• the connecting stage including an angled wall, a pair of connecting heads, and a transport mechanism, the transport mechanism comprising a pair of spaced apart conveyor belts separated by a connecting window defined in the wall, the connecting heads extending from the connecting window and configured to mate with corresponding pair of platforms situated between the spaced-apart conveyor belts, whereby positioning of the open ends of the spacer work piece between the platforms enables the connecting heads to mate and shift collectively with the stations in joining the open ends together;
• wherein the bending stage further includes a carriage carrying a plurality of replacement bending tools from an underside of the carriage, the carriage situated above and vertically displaceable relative to the bending table, wherein the clamp assemblies are alignable with the replaceable bending tools of the carriage.