Production line and a method of forming profiles

Abstract

Profiles (50) are formed in a production line with a cross-section that varies along their length from a plane metal strip (10) that is unwound from a coil (9), whereby edge cutters (14) and a number of roll-forming units (17-24) are used where not only the edge cutters but also the roll-forming units can be displaced individually sideways relative to the strip. The edge cutters (14) and the roll-forming units (17-24) are individually controlled such that they follow the lines of extent of the side edges (51, 52) that are cut and the lines of the corners (53-56) that are subsequently formed, and the forming of one corner with a number of roll-forming units is started only after the forming of a corner that lies more closely to the edge of the strip has been completed. The formed profile is bent in a bending station integrated into the line, which bending station comprises rollers (35-40) that can be controlled to roll sections of the profile (50) to become thinner such that the profile is bent or twisted as it is formed.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.