Extrusion machine, method for distance control and method for changing a friction wheel in an extrusion machine

A method for changing a friction wheel (4) of an extrusion machine (1) for the continuous manufacture of profiles (2) from a moldable extrusion material (3), which friction wheel is in drive connection with a drive device (9) and is rotatable about a drive axis (8) defined by a drive shaft (44), the method comprising the following steps:

• decoupling a coupling device (51) located between a first bearing device (49) and a main frame (5) of the extrusion machine (1) and thereby displacing it from its coupling position into its decoupling position,
• relatively moving the first bearing device (49) together with the friction wheel (4) held thereon along a guide arrangement (53) arranged or formed on at least one cantilever arm (52) in a parallel direction with respect to the drive axis (8) of the drive shaft (44), wherein the first bearing device (49) is held guided on the cantilever arm (52) located vertically above the drive shaft (44) in a suspended arrangement on the at least one cantilever arm (52), wherein the first bearing device (49) together with the friction wheel (4) held thereon is solely carried by the cantilever arm (52),
• positioning the first bearing device (49) together with the friction wheel (4) held thereon in a detached or cantilevered position shifted or displaced away from the base frame (5), so that access for carrying out a friction wheel change process is enabled from multiple sides,
• removing the friction wheel (4) to be changed from the first bearing device (49) and arranging another friction wheel (4) on the first bearing device (49),
• adjusting back the first bearing device (49) along the guide arrangement (53) arranged or formed on at least one cantilever arm (52) towards the main frame (5), and
• coupling the first bearing device (49) to the main frame (5) and in doing so, changing the coupling device (51) from its decoupling position to its coupling position.

An extrusion machine (1) for the continuous manufacture of profiles (2) from a moldable extrusion material (3), comprising

• a main frame (5),
• a drive unit (45) with a drive device (9) and with a drive shaft (44), which drive shaft (44) defines a drive axis (8);
• at least one friction wheel (4) rotatable about the drive shaft (8), which friction wheel (4) is provided with at least one peripheral groove and is in drive connection with the drive device (9),
• a bearing unit (48) with a first bearing device (49) and with a second bearing device (50), wherein the bearing devices (49, 50) are arranged on both sides of the friction wheel (4), and by means of which bearing devices (49, 50) the drive shaft (44) is rotatable mounted on the main frame (5),
• a tool holding device (6), which tool holding device (6) is mounted on a pivot axis (7) held on the main frame (5) and can be pivoted about the pivot axis (7) between a working position and a release position, the tool holding device (6) being positioned downstream of the friction wheel (4), as viewed in the pass-through direction of the profile (2) to be manufactured,
• a locking device (11), which locking device (11) in its locking position holds the tool holding device (6) locked in its working position relative to the main frame (5), and
• at least one tool unit (12), which tool unit (12) is supported on the tool holding device (6),
• wherein
• at least one cantilever arm (52) is provided, which at least one cantilever arm (52) is arranged or formed extending in parallel direction with respect to the drive axis (8), wherein the at least one cantilever arm (52) is arranged vertically above the drive shaft (44) and the first bearing device (49) is held guided in suspended arrangement on the at least one cantilever arm (52),
• a guide arrangement (53) is provided, which guide arrangement (53) is arranged or formed on the at least one cantilever arm (52),
• a support arrangement (55) is provided with a support device (56, 57),
• the support device (56, 57) is arranged on the side of the second bearing device (50) facing away from the friction wheel (4) and on the side facing the drive device (9) on the drive shaft (44) in a form-fit position in the axial direction, and
• the support device (56, 57) comprises at least two support elements (58) and the at least two support elements (58) are arranged on the outside of the drive shaft (44).

A method for changing a friction wheel (4) of an extrusion machine (1) for the continuous manufacture of profiles (2) from a moldable extrusion material (3), which friction wheel is in drive connection with a drive device (9) and is rotatable about a drive axis (8) defined by a drive shaft (44), the method comprising the following steps:

• removal of the axial tensioning force applied by a tensioning device (54) between the friction wheel (4) and the drive shaft (44),
• release of the coupling connection between the drive shaft (44) and a coupling (46) of a drive unit (45),
• release of the form-fit engagement of at least two support elements (58) of a support device (56, 57) with the drive shaft (44),
• displacing the drive shaft (44) in the axial direction relative to a bearing device (49, 50) held on both sides of the friction wheel (4) on a main frame (5), wherein the relative displacement of the drive shaft (44) on at least one cantilever arm (52) along a guide arrangement (53) arranged or formed on the at least one cantilever arm (52) is carried out in a parallel direction with respect to the drive axis (8) of the drive shaft (44) at least until the friction wheel (4) can be removed from the drive shaft (44), wherein the drive shaft (44) is held guided on the cantilever arm (52) located vertically above the drive shaft (44) in a suspended arrangement on the at least one cantilever arm (52),
• removal of the friction wheel (4) to be changed and arranging another friction wheel (4) between the two bearing devices (49, 50),
• adjusting back the drive shaft (44) and coupling the drive shaft (44) to the clutch (46) of the drive unit (45),
• arranging the at least two support elements (58) of the support device (56, 57) on the drive shaft (44) in a form-fit engagement with the drive shaft (44), and
• applying the axial tensioning force between the friction wheel (4) and the drive shaft (44) by means of the tensioning device (54).