Method and apparatus for forming a helical type flight

A flight forming apparatus for the formation of a helical screw flight from a blank having an outer peripheral edge, a central hole having an inner peripheral edge, and a split extending from the outer peripheral edge to the inner peripheral edge of the blank so as to provide for opposed side edge sections, the apparatus comprising:

• a drive;
• first and second support heads that are configured to hold the blank at the opposite side edge sections, wherein the first and second support heads are movable relative to one another in an axial direction of a main axis from a pre-forming position towards a formed position, wherein when in the pre-forming position the support heads are disposed adjacent each other so as to be at least partially side by side while holding the blank, wherein when the drive is actuated the first and second support heads move relative to one another and axially away from each other in the axial direction of the main axis from the pre-forming position towards the formed position during formation of the helical screw flight;
• wherein the first and second support heads are further configured so as to be able to provide for a plurality of position adjustments including a lateral position adjustment whereby the first and second support heads can be displaced or moved laterally with respect to the main axis in a direction of respective lateral axes during formation of the helical screw flight while the first and second support heads move relative to one another in the direction of the main axis from the pre-forming position towards the formed position and a rotational position adjustment wherein at least one of the first and second support heads can be rotated about a rotation axis which extends in a direction parallel to or coaxial with the main axis while the first and second support heads move relative to one another in the direction of the main axis from the pre-forming position towards the formed position during formation of the helical screw flight from the blank, and wherein when in the pre-forming position the first and second support heads and the blank are positioned in a plane that is perpendicular to the main axis;
• and
• a control system that controls relative movement of the support heads away from one another in the axial direction of the main axis from the pre-forming position so that the side edge sections of the blank are moved relative to one another in the axial direction of the main axis to a position where the helical flight is formed.