Variable adjustable cutoff device for roll formers
AssigneeShape Corp.
InventorsRichard D. Heinz, James H. Dodd, Wayne L. Ferris
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A cutoff unit for cutting a variably swept continuous beam extending from a roll forming mill includes a pickup subassembly for tracking a shape of the continuous beam, and a cutoff subassembly that engages and supports sides of the continuous beam while a blade slices transversely through the continuous beam. A controller connected to the roll forming mill and to the cutoff unit controls the cutoff unit to allow pass through of the continuous beam, and is configured to actuate the pickup and then actuate the blade to cut the continuous beam into longitudinally symmetrical beam segments, each having a center section (swept or not) and with mirror-image equally-swept end sections.
Claims9
A cutoff unit for receiving a continuous beam from a roll former apparatus having a sweep unit, where a length of the continuous beam has different longitudinal sweeps defining different radii along the length formed by the sweep unit, comprising:
- a pickup device that rollingly engages and tracks with the continuous beam as the continuous beam exits the roll former apparatus, the pickup device including an extendable pickup member for engaging the beam to cause the pickup device to temporarily move with the continuous beam and including a shock absorber to reduce impact when the pickup member engages the continuous beam and first begins to move therewith;
- a cutter device attached to the pickup device for cutting the continuous beam;
- and
- a controller operably connected to the pickup device and to the cutter device to actuate the extendable pickup member to engage the continuous beam and then actuate the cutter device to cut a beam segment of predetermined length from the continuous beam;
- and
- a support supporting at least portion of the weight of the pickup device at multiple different-height home positions to accommodate an oscillating movement of the continuous beam caused by the different longitudinal sweeps imparted by the sweep unit as the continuous beam exits the sweep unit, and also constructed to accommodate longitudinal movement of the cutter device with the beam during a cutting operation.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.