US 4,080,815 A · Pinch and forming roll assembly for numerically controlled contour forming machines

Abstract

A pinch and forming roll assembly for a numerically controlled contour forming machine wherein a piece of material (part) having a preformed cross-sectional configuration is moved through pinch rolls located in between right and left hand forming rolls is disclosed. Each forming roll is position adjustable both laterally and separationwise with respect to the pinch roll along two longitudinal axes. In addition, each forming roll is position adjustable along two rotational axes. Adjustment is provided by rotatably mounting each forming roll in a position adjustable yoke. The yokes are adapted to swivel about an axis running orthogonally through the centerline defined by the rotational axis of the relative forming roll. In addition, each yoke has a semi-spherical outer surface that is position adjustable. Further, each yoke is supported by a mechanism that allows it to be position adjusted along two orthogonal longitudinal axes. In addition, a rotating shoe assembly is provided for pressing the part to be contour formed tightly against the forming rolls. Moreover, the pinch rolls are position adjustable in a manner such that they can change the leg angularity of a part, or its thickness in certain regions, if desired.

Claims32

Dependent claims

A pinch and roll forming assembly for a roll forming machine suitable for contour forming elongate parts, said pinch and roll forming assembly comprising:

(A) rotatable pinch roll means for moving an elongate part to be contour formed past at least one position adjustable forming roll, said direction of movement lying generally along the longitudinal centerline of said elongate part;
(B) at least one rotatable position adjustable forming roll;
and,
(C) support and positioning means for rotatably supporting said at least one rotatable position adjustable forming roll and positioning said at least one position adjustable forming roll along:
(1) a first longitudinal axis spaced from and lying generally parallel to the axis of rotation of said rotatable pinch roll means;
(2) a second longitudinal axis lying orthogonal to said first axis and generally orthogonal to the path of movement of said part being contour formed;
and,
(3) a first rotational axis, said first rotational axis being about the path of movement of said part.

5 more elements

A pinch and roll forming assembly for a roll forming machine comprising:

(1) a pair of pinch rolls for moving a part to be contour formed past a position adjustable forming roll;
(2) a first position adjustable forming roll;
and,
(3) a positioning means for position adjusting said first position adjustable forming roll, said positioning means comprising:
(a) a first yoke having a semi-spherical outer surface, said position adjustable forming roll being rotationally mounted between the legs of said yoke;
(b) a first yoke support mounted so as to support said yoke in a manner such that said yoke is movable along at least one arc defined by said semi-spherical outer surface;
(c) first rotational positioning means connected to said yoke for moving said yoke along said at least one arc defined by said semi-spherical outer surface;
and,
(d) first longitudinal positioning means connected to said yoke support for moving said yoke support and said yoke along at least one longitudinal axis.

6 more elements

A pinch roll assembly for use in a roll forming machine to change leg angularity, said pinch roll assembly comprising:

a first shaft;
a first pinch roll mounted on said first shaft so as to be rotated by said first shaft;
a second shaft;
a second pinch roll mounted on said second shaft, said second pinch roll including a forming segment and a transversely movable segment both mounted on said second shaft so as to be rotatable by said second shaft;
said first and second pinch rolls having adjacent peripheral regions formed such that an orifice is located between said pair of pinch rolls where said forming segment of said second pinch roll faces said first pinch roll, said orifice having an axis inclined to the axis of rotation of said pinch rolls and formed such that the size of said orifice perpendicular to said inclined axis is determined by the lateral position of said first pinch roll with respect to said second pinch roll, the inclination of said orifice being such that the angle a leg of a part lying generally parallel to the axes of rotation of said pinch roll makes with a leg lying generally orthogonal to said axes of rotation will change as said part moves through said orifice and one of said pinch rolls is moved laterally toward the other pinch roll;
and,
moving means connected to one of said first and second shafts for moving said one of said first and second shafts and the related one of said first and second pinch rolls laterally toward the other of said first and second shafts so as to control the size of said orifice perpendicular to said inclined axis.

4 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Pinch and forming roll assembly for numerically controlled contour forming machines

Life of this patent

Pinch and forming roll assembly for numerically controlled contour forming machines

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims32