US 4,232,540 AGranted

Controlled variable radius roll forming apparatus

OwnerJack C. Cain, Maynard E. Carlsoninventors

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Abstract

A roll forming apparatus for curling a sheet of metal into a curved configuration having a plurality of sheet contours which apparatus automatically and sequentially varies the degree of curvature of a sheet of metal being treated by the apparatus as the sheet progresses through the apparatus. The apparatus includes a pair of pinch rolls and a bending roll for curving the sheet into predetermined arcs dependent upon the relative positions of the bending and pinch rolls, and a control mechanism to alter the relative positions of the bending and pinch rolls for each of a successive plurality of segments of the sheet as it travels through the apparatus. The control mechanism includes means to sense the actual distance the sheet has progressed through the roll forming apparatus and to compare the actual distance with one or more pre-established distances of sheet travel at which the radius of curvature of the sheet is to be changed. Responsive to the comparison, the control mechanism then varies the position of the bending roll relative to the pinch rolls to effect changes in the contour of the sheet being roll formed.

Claims16

Dependent claims

A roll forming apparatus for curling a sheet of metal into a curved configuration having a plurality of sheet contours each in a respective segment of said sheet, the apparatus including a pair of pinch rolls and a bending roll for curving the sheet into predetermined arcs dependent upon the relative positions of the bending and pinch rolls, and power means for varying the relative positions of the bending and pinch rolls, said apparatus being characterized by:

measuring means responsive to the movement of the sheet through the roll forming apparatus and to generate progressive signals indicative of the extent of that movement;
and
control means connected to said measuring means and to said power means for determining from said progressive signals which segment of the sheet is in the appropriate position for bending between the pinch and bending rolls and for causing said power means to establish said relative positions of the pinch and bending rolls to produce the desired contour for that segment, said control means comprising
command value generator means to produce command value signals related to the distances of travel for the segments respectively,
comparator means connected to receive the signals from the measuring means and the command value generator means for comparing said signals and for producing a further signal when a distance corresponding to the end of the segment being rolled and the beginning of the next successive segment is reached, and
radius control and modification means connected to receive said further signal for producing a signal to the power means indicative of the relative positions of the pinch and bending rolls for said next successive segment.

3 more elements

radius control means, and means connecting the radius control means to said power means for establishing said relative positions as dictated by a signal from the radius control means, said radius control means including a plurality of channels, each channel having an input, an output, an adjustable command generator means and means connecting said input and output to the command generator means, said command generator means producing a radius control signal at the output of the respective channel when a signal is applied to the input of that channel, said radius control signal having a characteristic which is varied as said command generator means is adjusted to thereby render the signal indicative of a different radius, said connecting means being connected to each of said outputs;
measuring and control means responsive to the movement of the sheet through the roll forming apparatus and including a plurality of outputs, said measuring and control means determining which of a plurality of said segments is in position to be curved by the apparatus and producing a signal at a respective output thereof depending upon which segment is so positioned;
and
means for connecting the outputs of the measuring and control means with channel inputs of the radius control means;
whereby as each segment is in a position to be curved said measuring and control means produces a signal at a respective output thereof which signal upon receipt by a channel of the radius control means causes the command generator means of that channel to produce a radius control signal at the output of that channel.

2 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.