Forming machine for bending metal strips

A metal forming machine adapted to bend opposite first and second longitudinal margins of a flat strip of metal to form a panel piece having a desired profile, comprising:

• (a) a rigid framework extending about a forming region through which said flat strip may be advanced from an upstream entrance to a downstream exit;
• (b) a drive mechanism disposed in the forming region and mounted to said framework, said drive mechanism operative to engage said flat strip and advance said flat strip in a downstream direction from said entrance to said exit;
• (c) an elongated first rail structure adapted to be removably secured in a mounted state to said framework in the forming region thereof alongside said drive mechanism on a first side thereof by first mounting blocks interconnecting said framework and said first rail structure, each said first mounting block having a plurality of first discrete mounting locations whereby said first rail structure may be secured at selected first lateral distance from said drive mechanism;
• (d) an elongated second rail structure adapted to be removably secured in a mounted state to said framework in the forming region thereof alongside a second side thereof side drive mechanism and on a second side thereof by second mounting blocks each said second mounting block having a plurality of second discrete mounting locations whereby said second rail structure may be secured at a selected second lateral distance from said drive mechanism;
• (e) a plurality of first forming elements secured to said first rail structure and organized to provide at least two first forming stations located in a longitudinally spaced relation to one another along said first rail structure, said first forming stations positioned to receive a first longitudinal margin of said strip when said first rail structure is in the mounted state whereby said first forming stations are operative to bend said longitudinal margin into a first desired edge profile as said flat strip is advanced through the forming region by said drive mechanism, said first rail structure being detachable from said framework and removable from the forming region without detachment of said first forming stations therefrom;
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• (f) a plurality of second forming elements secured to said second rail structure and organized to provide at least two second forming stations located in a longitudinally spaced relation to one another along said second rail structure, said second forming stations positioned to receive a second longitudinal margin of said strip when said second rail structure is in the mounted state whereby said second forming stations are operative to bend said longitudinal margin into a second desired edge profile as said flat strip is advanced through the forming region by said drive mechanism, said second rail structure being detachable from said framework and removable from the forming region without detachment of said second forming stations therefrom.

A metal forming machine adapted to bend a longitudinal margin of a flat strip of metal into a desired profile, comprising:

• (a) a rigid framework having side frames rigidly interconnected to one another by transverse members to form a rigid cage surrounding an interior extending about a forming region through which said flat strip may be advanced from an upstream entrance to a downstream exit;
• (b) a drive mechanism disposed in the forming region interiorly of said rigid cage and mounted to said framework, said drive mechanism operative to engage opposite surfaces of said flat strip and advance said flat strip in a downstream direction from said entrance to said exit;
• (c) an elongated rail structure adapted to be removably secured in a mounted state to said framework in the forming region interiorly of said rigid cage alongside said drive mechanism and spaced a selected lateral distance therefrom;
• and
• (d) a plurality of forming elements secured to said first rail structure to define at least two forming stations each comprising at least a pair of said forming elements, said forming stations located in a longitudinally spaced relation to one another along said rail structure and positioned to receive said longitudinal margin when said rail structure is in the mounted state whereby said forming stations are operative to bend said longitudinal margin into the desired profile while maintaining a flat central portion of said flat strip of metal as said flat strip is advanced through the forming region by said drive mechanism, said rail structure being demountable from said framework and removable from the forming region out of one of said entrance and said exit without detachment of said forming stations therefrom.