Method for producing strip-shaped input stock, especially from metal, which is profiled in subsequent sections, and corresponding device

Abstract

A method is described for producing strip-shaped input stock, especially from metal, which is profiled in subsequent sections either on one side or on both sides, by rolling a metal strip in one or more rolling steps. The method is characterized by carrying out the following steps: (a) tensioning the metal strip ( 16 ), (b) positioning the metal strip ( 16 ) in a rolling gap ( 13 ) that is defined by a roller ( 12 ) and a movable plate ( 67 ) relative the roller ( 12 ), and (c) positioning the plate ( 67 ) relative the roller ( 12 ). Steps (b) and (c) are successively or simultaneously carried out or are carried out in a timewise overlapping manner or in a successive inverse order, and step (c) can also be carried out before step (a).

1 . Method for producing strip-like input stock from metal, which is profiled in subsequent sections on one or both sides, by rolling a metal strip in one or more rolling steps, comprising the following process steps: 
 (a) Tensioning the metal strip ( 16 );    (b) positioning the metal strip ( 16 ) in a rolling gap ( 13 ), which is defined by a roller ( 12 ) and a movable plate ( 67 ), relative to the roller ( 12 );    (c) positioning the plate ( 67 ) relative to the roller ( 12 );    steps (b) and (c) being carried out either successively or simultaneously or in timely overlapping fashion or in a successive inverse order, or step (c) being carried out before step (a);    (d) grooving the metal strip ( 16 ) with the roller ( 12 ) by reducing the distance of the shell surface of the roller ( 12 ) to the metal strip ( 16 ), the metal strip ( 16 ) being maintained steady or being moved only slowly at least during the beginning phase of the grooving step, and the roller ( 12 ) being rotated not at all or only very slowly so that the metal strip ( 16 ) remains under tensile stress in the rolling gap ( 13 );    (e) rolling a section of the metal strip ( 16 ) in the rolling gap ( 13 ) by rotating the roller ( 12 ) and moving the plate ( 67 ) in a rectilinear manner in synchronism with the rotation of the roller ( 12 ); and    (f) releasing the metal strip ( 16 ) by opening the rolling gap ( 13 );    steps (b) to (f) being repeated for every section to be profiled of the metal strip ( 16 ).    
     
     
         2 . The method as defined in  claim 1 , characterised in that the metal strip ( 16 ) is profiled on one side only.  
     
     
         3 . The method as defined in  claim 1 , characterised in that the metal strip ( 16 ) is at first profiled on one side only and is then turned over so that its profiled side faces the plate ( 67 ), and that the metal strip ( 16 ) is then profiled on its other side.  
     
     
         4 . The method as defined in  claim 3 , characterised in that following profiling of the one side of the metal strip ( 16 ) the plate ( 67 ) is exchanged against another plate provided with a profile complementary to the profile previously rolled into the metal strip ( 16 ).  
     
     
         5 . The method as defined in any of the preceding claims, characterised in that a flat plate ( 67 ) is used if the metal strip ( 16 ) is profiled only on one side or initially only on one side.  
     
     
         6 . The method as defined in any of the preceding claims, characterised in that recesses ( 80 ) with closed borders are formed in the metal strip ( 16 ), for which purpose the plate ( 67 ) used is one provided with bumps ( 81 ) complementary to the recesses ( 80 ).  
     
     
         7 . The method as defined in  claim 6 , characterised in that a moderate reduction of the overall thickness of the metal strip ( 16 ) is effected by having the roller ( 12 ), arranged opposite the plate ( 67 ), acting on the metal strip ( 16 ) at the same time the recesses ( 80 ) are formed.  
     
     
         8 . The method as defined in  claim 7 , characterised in that the moderate reduction in thickness of the metal strip ( 16 ) is equal to approximately 10% of its previous thickness.  
     
     
         9 . The method as defined in  claim 6 ,  7  or  8 , characterised in that the recesses ( 80 ) are formed in several steps and that the steepness of the circumferential wall of the recesses ( 80 ) increases from one step to the next.  
     
     
         10 . The method as defined in any of the preceding claims, characterised in that the tensile stress in the metal strip ( 16 ) is kept constant during the grooving and the rolling phases.  
     
     
         11 . The method as defined in any of the preceding claims, characterised in that when several rolling steps are carried out for profiling the metal strip ( 16 ) in the respective sections, the process steps (b) to (e) are repeated, for which purpose the metal strip ( 16 ) is recalled after opening the rolling gap ( 13 ), and the recalled section of the metal strip ( 16 ) is rolled once again in the rolling gap ( 13 ) under the action of the same roller ( 12 ).  
     
     
         12 . The method as defined in any of the preceding claims, characterised in that the metal strip ( 16 ) is not rolled during the recalling phase.  
     
     
         13 . The method as defined in any of  claims 1  to  11 , characterised in that the metal strip ( 16 ) is rolled also during the recalling phase.  
     
     
         14 . The method as defined in any of the preceding claims, characterised in that plate ( 67 ) is floatingly supported.  
     
     
         15 . The method as defined in any of the preceding claims, characterised in that the roller ( 12 ) defines the rolling gap ( 13 ) from above, and that the plate ( 67 ) is arranged in horizontal position and is supported by a back-up roller ( 15 ).  
     
     
         16 . The method as defined in any of the preceding claims, characterised in that the plate ( 67 ) is supported on both sides of the rolling gap ( 13 ).  
     
     
         17 . The method as defined in  claim 15  or  claim 16 , characterised in that the plate ( 67 ) is supported on both sides of the rolling gap ( 13 ) by rolling elements.  
     
     
         18 . The method as defined in any of the preceding claims, characterised in that the surface of the plate ( 67 ), facing the roller ( 12 ), is configured to be flat.  
     
     
         19 . The method as defined in any of the preceding claims, characterised in that the plate ( 67 ) is moved during the rolling process by being entrained by the driven roller ( 12 ) and/or the metal strip ( 16 ).  
     
     
         20 . The method as defined in any of  claims 13  to  17 , characterised in that the plate ( 67 ) is moved by its back-up roller ( 15 ), which is driven for that purpose.  
     
     
         21 . The method as defined in any of the preceding claims, characterised in that the metal strip ( 16 ) is recalled by a length shorter than the circumference of the roller ( 12 ).  
     
     
         22 . The method as defined in any of the preceding claims, characterised in that the metal strip ( 16 ) is simultaneously equalised by the rolling process.  
     
     
         23 . The method as defined in any of the preceding claims, characterised in that using the roller ( 12 ) a profile is rolled, into the sections of the metal strip ( 16 ), the profile extending over the full width of the metal strip ( 16 ), so that the metal strip ( 16 ) exhibits a thickness that varies over its length.  
     
     
         24 . The method as defined in  claim 23 , characterised in that a periodically recurring profile is rolled into the metal strip ( 16 ).  
     
     
         25 . The method as defined in any of the preceding claims, characterised in that the roller ( 12 ), the plate ( 67 ) and the metal strip ( 16 ) are accelerated and braked, resp., in synchronism and to the same degree during the rolling steps.  
     
     
         26 . The method as defined in any of the preceding claims, characterised in that for producing strip-shaped input stock with a selected profile, which recurs in successive sections of the input stock, the sections to be profiled of the metal strip ( 16 ) are guided through the rolling gap ( 13 ) in steps of predetermined lengths, and the height of the rolling gap ( 13 ) is reduced from one rolling step to the next until the desired depth of the selected profile of the input stock is obtained in the respective sections of the metal strip ( 16 ).  
     
     
         27 . The method as defined in any of the preceding claims in combination with  claim 14 , characterised in that in the first rolling step the metal strip ( 16 ) is only reduced in thickness, but is not yet profiled.  
     
     
         28 . The method as defined in  claim 27 , characterised in that the metal strip ( 16 ) is equalised in the first rolling step.  
     
     
         29 . The method as defined in  claim 27  or  claim 28 , characterised in that the reducing rolling step is followed by one or more profiling rolling steps in one and the same rolling gap ( 13 ).  
     
     
         30 . The method as defined in  claim 27 ,  28  or  29 , characterised in that the length (L2) of the reducing rolling step, during which the metal strip may also be equalised, is longer than the length (L1) of the next following profiling rolling step, taking into account the elongation of the reduced section occurring in the next following profiling step.  
     
     
         31 . The method as defined in any of  claims 27  to  30 , characterised in that following the reducing rolling step the metal strip ( 16 ) is recalled by a length shorter than the length (L2) of the reducing rolling step and longer than the length (L1) of the next following profiling rolling step to be performed on the same section of the metal strip ( 16 ).  
     
     
         32 . The method as defined in any of the preceding claims in combination with  claim 14 , characterised in that it is performed in a roll stand ( 2 ), in which the surface of the roller ( 12 ) includes a profiled section ( 35 ,  40 ) having a contour which together with the plate ( 67 ) defines the rolling gap ( 13 ).  
     
     
         33 . The method as defined in any of the preceding claims, characterised in that the roller ( 12 ) has a cylindrical shell which is preferably subdivided into segments of equal or different diameter.  
     
     
         34 . The method as defined in any of  claims 1  to  32  in combination with  claim 19 , characterised in that prior to rolling a profile the metal strip ( 16 ) is initially equalised in the rolling gap ( 13 ), with moderate reduction of its thickness, between the roller ( 12 ) and the plate ( 67 ) in steps having a length (L2) not shorter than the length (L1) of the first profiling rolling step, and is then recalled by a step at least equal to the length (L1) of the first profiling rolling step and maximally equal to the second length (L2), whereafter the profile is rolled into the recalled section of the metal strip ( 16 ), 
 and that for equalising the metal strip ( 16 ) the shell of the roller ( 12 ) has a cylindrical circumferential section ( 36 ) separate from those one or more profiled circumferential sections ( 35 ,  40 ) that exhibit a non-cylindrical contour.  
 
     
     
         35 . The method as defined in any of the preceding claims, characterised in that during rolling of the metal strip ( 16 ) the roller ( 12 ) of the roll stand ( 2 ) is displaced for varying the height of the rolling gap ( 13 ).  
     
     
         36 . The method as defined in  claim 35 , characterised in that the roller ( 12 ) is displaced by a servo drive ( 32 ,  34 ,  44 ).  
     
     
         37 . The method as defined in  claim 36 , characterised in that one or two electric motors ( 34 ) or one or two short hydraulic cylinders are used for the servo drive.  
     
     
         38 . The method as defined in any of  claims 35  to  37 , characterised in that the displacement of the roller ( 12 ) is effected with the aid of a program-controlled drive ( 32 ,  33 ,  34 ,  44 ), the profile to be produced in the respective rolling step being stored in a programmable control unit ( 43 ) as control curve for the drive ( 32 ,  33 ,  34 ,  44 ) effecting the displacement of the roller ( 12 ).  
     
     
         39 . The method as defined in any of  claims 35  to  38 , characterised in that the roller ( 2 ) has a notch ( 45 ), which is parallel to the axis of the roller ( 2 ).  
     
     
         40 . The method as defined in any of the preceding claims, characterised in that the roller ( 12 ) is driven in synchronism with the feeding motion of the metal strip ( 16 ).  
     
     
         41 . The method as defined in any of the preceding claims in combination with  claim 18 , characterised in that a relieved portion ( 37 ,  38 ,  39 ) is provided in the shell surface of the roller ( 12 ) between the circumferential sections ( 35 ,  38 ,  40 ) which are active during the rolling process, which relieved portion extends over a circumferential angle sufficient to ensure that the circumferential section ( 35 ,  36 ,  40 ), which is active during the rolling process, will groove the metal strip ( 16 ) only after the metal strip ( 16 ) has been released by the circumferential section active during the preceding rolling step.  
     
     
         42 . The method as defined in any of the preceding claims, characterised in that the metal strip ( 16 ) to be rolled is uncoiled from a first coiler ( 5 ) and the rolled metal strip ( 16 ) is wound up on a second coiler ( 6 ), and that the rotary speed of the roller ( 12 ) and the circumferential speed of the coilers ( 5 ,  6 ) are matched, especially during the phase when the roller ( 12 ) grooves the metal strip ( 16 ).  
     
     
         43 . The method as defined in any of the preceding claims, characterised in that grooving by the roller ( 12 ) is effected at reduced rotary speed of the roller ( 12 ) and, correspondingly, at reduced feeding speed of the metal strip ( 16 ), and that the movements are then accelerated.  
     
     
         44 . The method as defined in any of  claims 1  to  40 , characterised in that the metal strip ( 16 ) is recalled by means of a first gripper mechanism ( 52 ).  
     
     
         45 . The method as defined in  claim 44 , characterised in that by means of the first gripper mechanism ( 52 ) the metal strip ( 16 ) is also advanced for rolling.  
     
     
         46 . The method as defined in  claim 43  or  claim 44 , characterised in that the metal strip ( 16 ) is pulled during the rolling process with the aid of a second gripper mechanism ( 53 ) which engages that section of the metal strip ( 16 ) that leaves the rolling gap ( 13 ).  
     
     
         47 . The method as defined in any of the preceding claims, characterised in that a tensile stress is continuously maintained in the metal strip ( 16 ) during rolling and also during recalling of the strip.  
     
     
         48 . The method as defined in any of the preceding claims, characterised in that a tensile stress is continuously maintained in the metal strip ( 16 ) during the grooving of the metal strip ( 16 ) by the roller ( 12 ).  
     
     
         49 . The method as defined in any of the preceding claims characterised in that the width of the metal strip ( 16 ) is so selected to allow two or more of the objects, which are intended to be punched out from the input stock formed by the rolling process, can be punched out one beside the other across the width of the metal strip ( 16 ).  
     
     
         50 . The method according to any of the preceding claims as applied to strips consisting of a plastic material and to strips consisting of a compound material based on a plastic material or including a plastic material as substantial component.  
     
     
         51 . Device for producing strip-shaped input stock, especially from metal, by rolling a strip ( 16 ), especially for performing the method defined in  claim 1  or  claim 46 , 
 having a roll stand ( 2 ) in which a roller ( 12 ) defines a rolling gap ( 13 ), and having recalling means ( 5 ,  52 ) for the strip ( 16 ) arranged on the intake side of the rolling gap ( 13 ),  
 characterised in that a drive motor ( 7 ,  54 ), especially a servomotor, is provided for the recalling means ( 5 ,  52 ), which drive motor permits the strip ( 16 ) to be recalled in steps of a predeterminable length, and that the rolling gap ( 13 ) is additionally defined by a plate ( 67 ) that faces the roller ( 12 ) and can be linearly displaced, and can be driven in synchronism with the roller ( 12 ) and/or with the strip ( 16 ) in the predetermined direction of movement of the strip ( 16 ) in the rolling gap ( 13 ), and can also be driven and recalled independently of the strip ( 16 ).  
 
     
     
         52 . The device as defined in  claim 51 , characterised in that the plate ( 67 ) is arranged below the roller ( 12 ).  
     
     
         53 . The device as defined in  claim 51  or  claim 52 , characterised in that the height of the rolling gap ( 13 ) is variable.  
     
     
         54 . The device as defined in  claim 51  for producing strip-shaped input stock, having a selected profile which recurs in successive sections of the input stock, characterised in that the roller ( 12 ) and/or the plate ( 67 ) can be displaced during the rolling operation in upward and downward direction in the roll stand ( 2 ) in controlled fashion, namely by a distance determined by the selected profile and in response to the feeding motion of the strip ( 16 ).  
     
     
         55 . The device as defined in any of the preceding  claims 51  to  54 , characterised in that the roller ( 12 ) has a cylindrical shell surface.  
     
     
         56 . The device as defined in  claim 53  for producing strip-shaped input stock, having a profile which recurs in successive sections of the input stock characterised in that the shell surface of the roller ( 12 ) has two or more separate circumferential sections ( 35 ,  36 ,  40 ), that follow each other in the circumferential direction and that do not all exhibit the same contour.  
     
     
         57 . The device as defined in any of  claims 51  to  56 , wherein the recalling means for the strip ( 16 ) is a first coiler ( 5 ).  
     
     
         58 . The device as defined in any of  claims 51  to  56 , wherein the recalling means for the strip ( 16 ) is a first gripper mechanism ( 52 ).  
     
     
         59 . The device as defined in any of  claims 51  to  58 , wherein a pulling device ( 6 ,  53 ) for the strip-shaped input stock is provided on a discharge side of the rolling gap ( 13 ).  
     
     
         60 . The device as defined in  claim 59 , wherein the pulling device is a second coiler ( 6 ) intended to wind up the strip-shaped input stock.  
     
     
         61 . The device as defined in  claim 59 , wherein the pulling device is a second gripper mechanism ( 53 ).  
     
     
         62 . The device as defined in  claim 56 , wherein the roller ( 12 ) has a cylindrical circumferential section ( 36 ).  
     
     
         63 . The device as defined in any of  claims 51  to  62 , wherein the roll stand ( 2 ) is designed as an equalising rolling mill.  
     
     
         64 . The device as defined in any of  claims 51  to  63 , wherein the drive motor ( 7 ,  52 ) for the recalling device ( 5 ,  52 ) provided on the intake side of the rolling gap ( 13 ) is an electric servomotor.  
     
     
         65 . The device as defined in any of  claims 51  to  64 , wherein the pulling device ( 6 ,  53 ) provided on the discharge side of the rolling gap ( 13 ) is driven by an electric servomotor ( 8 ,  55 ).  
     
     
         66 . The device as defined in any of the preceding claims, characterised in that a roller coupled to an incremental rotary transducer, which can be rotated by the strip ( 16 ) running over it, is associated to the recalling device ( 5 ,  52 ) and/or the pulling device ( 6 ,  53 ).  
     
     
         67 . The device as defined in any of  claims 51  to  66 , wherein the roller ( 12 ) and the plate ( 67 ), respectively, are engaged on their sides facing away from the rolling gap ( 13 ) by a back-up roller ( 14 ,  15 ), respectively, whose roller necks ( 25 ) preferably can be prestressed in their roller neck bearings ( 26 ) in order to reduce their bearing play.  
     
     
         68 . The device as defined in any of  claims 51  to  67 , wherein the roller ( 12 ) is driven intermittently so that during the advance motion of the strip ( 16 ) it is driven in synchronism with the pulling device ( 6 ,  53 ) provided on the discharge side of the rolling gap ( 13 ), whereas when the recalling device ( 5 ,  52 ) provided on the intake side of the rolling gap ( 13 ) is driven in reverse direction for the purpose of maintaining the strip tension and for recalling the strip ( 16 ), it is temporarily stopped and/or repositioned by rotating it in forward or in reverse direction.  
     
     
         69 . The device as defined in any of  claims 51  to  68 , wherein the circumferential speed of the roller ( 12 ) and the speed of the pulling device ( 6 ,  53 ), and preferably also the speed of the recalling device ( 5 ,  52 ) can be controlled at desire.  
     
     
         70 . The device as defined in  claim 53  or  claim 54 , wherein one or more servo drives ( 32 ,  33 ,  34 ,  44 ) are provided for displacing the roller ( 12 ).  
     
     
         71 . The device as defined in  claim 70 , wherein each of the servo drives ( 32 ,  33 ,  34 ,  44 ) comprises an electric motor ( 34 ) or one or two short hydraulic cylinders.  
     
     
         72 . The device as defined in  claim 65 , wherein an electronic control unit ( 43 ) is provided in which the displacement of the roller ( 12 ) required for an envisaged profile is stored as curve, preferably digitally, and wherein the servomotors ( 7 ,  8 ;  54 ,  55 ) of the recalling device ( 5 ,  52 ) and the pulling device ( 6 ,  53 ), a servomotor ( 42 ) for rotation of the roller ( 12 ) and one or more setting drives ( 32 ,  33 ,  34 ) with an incremental rotary transducer ( 44 ) for the roller ( 12 ) are connected with that control unit ( 13 ), and wherein preferably a servomotor is also provided for the back-up roller ( 15 ) that may be provided for the plate ( 67 ).  
     
     
         73 . The device as defined in any of  claims 51  to  72 , wherein the sense of rotation of the roller ( 12 ) and of the coilers ( 5 ,  6 ) can be reversed for rolling in both directions.  
     
     
         74 . The device as defined in any of  claims 51  to  73 , wherein the roller ( 12 ) has a notch ( 45 ) parallel to its axis.