Apparatus and method for prenotching and dimensionally measuring a roll formed part
OwnerJohn F. Jacobs, Jr.inventor
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A plurality of successively spaced notches are formed in a side edge of a metal strip by first and second adjustably positionable dies prior to roll forming of the strip to a formed configuration. After roll forming, fingers engage selected edges of the notches to detect a notch length dimension and a full part length dimension. Sensors detect the position of the fingers and generate output signals to a controller which generates an adjustment signal based on the switch conditions to adjustably position the first and second dies to accommodate any elongation of the metal strip during roll forming.
Claims21
A method for forming a roll formed part from a metal strip having opposed longitudinally extending side edges, the method comprising the steps of:
- successively forming a plurality of longitudinally spaced first notches each having longitudinally opposed first and second edges in one side edge of a metal strip by notch forming means;
- roll forming the strip to a formed configuration by passing the strip progressively through a plurality of roller sets;
- sensing a notch dimension in the strip after roll forming;
- comparing the sensed notch dimension with a nominal notch dimension;
- and
- if a difference is detected between the sensed notch dimension and the nominal notch dimension, adjusting the longitudinal position of the notch forming means to reduce the difference toward zero.
An apparatus for forming a roll form part from a metal strip having opposed first and second side edges, the apparatus comprising:
- notch forming means for successively forming a plurality of longitudinally spaced first notches in one of the first and second side edges of a longitudinally advancing metal strip, each first notch having longitudinally spaced first and second edges;
- means for adjustably positioning the notch forming means;
- roll forming means for forming the metal strip into a formed configuration;
- means for sensing a first notch dimension in the formed configuration of the metal strip, the sensing means generating an output signal indicative of the sensed first notch dimension;
- and
- control means, responsive to the output signal, for comparing the output signal with a nominal first notch dimension and for generating an adjustment signal to the means for adjustably positioning the notch forming means upon determining a difference between the sensed first notch dimension and the nominal first notch dimension.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.