# US 2014/0196515 A1 · Apparatus and Method for Forming a Screw Flight > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2014/0196515 A1 - Document ID: US20140196515A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 14/130,837 - Filed: 2012-07-05 - Published: 2014-07-17 - Earliest claimed: 2011-07-05 - Assignees: Advanced Spiral Technology Pty Limited - Inventors: Gregory John Bloxham - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20140196515A1 ## CPC - B21D 11/14: Twisting - B21D 11/06: Bending into helical or spiral form; Forming a succession of return bends, e.g. serpentine form (making helically seamed tubing B21C37/12) - B21D 11/07: Making serpentine-shaped articles by bending essentially in one plane - B21D: WORKING OR PROCESSING OF SHEET METAL OR METAL TUBES, RODS OR PROFILES WITHOUT ESSENTIALLY REMOVING MATERIAL; PUNCHING METAL (working or processing of wire B21F) ## Abstract This invention relates to an apparatus for forming a helical screw flight from a flight blank. The apparatus includes a base and an engaging means. The engaging means is movably mounted to the base and is configured to formingly engage the blank so as to form a twist in at least a portion of the flight blank corresponding to a predetermined pitch of the flight. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An apparatus for forming a helical screw flight from a flight blank, the apparatus including: a base; and engaging means movably mounted to the base, the engaging means being configured to formingly engage the blank so as to form a twist in at least a portion of the flight blank substantially corresponding to a predetermined pitch of the flight. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the engaging means engages opposed sides of the blank such that forming movement of the engaging means forms the twist in the flight blank. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1, 2) An apparatus according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the engaging means includes primary engaging means for engaging the blank at at least two spaced apart positions, whereby the primary engaging means is configured to cause relative movement between the at least two engaged positions so as to form the twist in the blank. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) An apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the primary engaging means includes two pairs of side plates. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) An apparatus according to claim 4, wherein each side plate is arranged so as to extend in a direction substantially normal to the mean radius line of the blank. ### Claim 6 (depends on 4, 5) An apparatus according to claim 4 or claim 5, wherein each pair of side plates has a first fixed plate and a second movable plate, the second plate being movable relative to the fixed plate. ### Claim 7 An apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the engaging means includes secondary engaging means for engaging the blank at at least one position in between the primary engaging means. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) An apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the secondary engaging means engages the blank at a mid-point between the primary engaging means. ### Claim 9 (depends on 7, 8) An apparatus according to claim 7 or claim 8, wherein the secondary engaging means includes a pair of mid-plates. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) An apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the mid-plates include a fixed mid-plate and a movable mid-plate, the movable mid-plate being movable relative to the fixed mid-plate. ### Claim 11 A method of forming a helical screw flight, the method including: providing a flight blank of a predetermined size; and formingly engaging the blank so as to form a twist in at least a portion of the flight blank, the twist substantially corresponding to a predetermined pitch of the flight. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) A method according to claim 11, including engaging opposed sides of the blank with engaging means such that forming movement of the engaging means forms the twist in the flight blank. ### Claim 13 (depends on 11, 12) A method according to claim 11 or claim 12, including engaging the blank with primary engaging means at at least two spaced apart positions, whereby the primary engaging means is configured to cause relative movement between the at least two engaged positions so as to form the twist in the blank. ### Claim 14 (depends on 11, 12, 13) A method according to any one of claims 11 to 13, including engaging the blank with secondary engaging means at at least one position in between the primary engaging means. ### Claim 15 A method of setting up an apparatus for forming a helical screw flight from a flight blank, the method including: securing a central engaging means to the apparatus; aligning a set up device with the central engaging means; securing the set up device to the central engaging means in the aligned position; determining a position for mounting side engaging means relative to the central engaging means with the set up device; and securing the side engaging means to the apparatus at the determined position. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) A method according to claim 15, wherein the set up device has a mounting bracket and a pair of oppositely directed rulers is mounted on the mid-plate. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) A method according to claim 16, including securing the side engaging means at a base offset distance from the central engaging means, wherein the base offset distance is measured with the rulers of the set up device. ### Claim 18 (depends on 15, 16, 17) A method according to any one of claims 15 to 17, including securing flight support brackets to the side engaging means at a support offset distance measured from the set up device.