Method of joining metal strips
AssigneeBWG Bergwerk- und Walzwerk-Maschinenbau GmbH
InventorsAndreas Noe, Jens Hoffmann, Friedhelm Ambaum
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A trailing end of a leading metal strip is joined to a leading end of a trailing metal strip by first overlapping the leading end of the trailing strip with the trailing end of the leading strip and then clinching the ends together at the overlap by pressing at least one punch of a joining tool into one of the strips at the overlap sufficiently to complementarily deform both of the strips. The thickness of the leading and trailing ends is measured and a depth of engagement of the punch into the strips is controlled in accordance with the measured thickness.
Claims8
A method of joining a trailing end of a leading metal strip to a leading end of a trailing metal strip, the method comprising the steps of:
- measuring a thickness of the leading end of the trailing strip;
- measuring a thickness of the trailing end of the leading strip;
- and thereafter
- overlapping the leading end of the trailing strip with the trailing end of the leading strip;
- clinching the ends together at the overlap by pressing at least one punch of a clinching tool into one of the strips at the overlap sufficiently to complementarily deform both of the strips at a plurality of joining points;
- and
- controlling a depth of engagement of the punch into the strips in accordance with the measured thicknesses.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.