Device and method for roll forming profiles with changeable cross-section

Abstract

The invention relates to a device for bending flat semi-finished products into a profile having a changeable cross-section along the length thereof˜comprising at least one roll stand having profiling units in form of rollers and/or matrices. The semi-finished product can be led lengthwise between the profiling units. The invention further comprises at least two linear actuators ( 10, 12, 14, 16 ), arranged transversely to the length (Z) of the semi-finished product in order to produce translatory movements of the roll stand and rotational movements of the roll stand about an axis (Y) thereof. According to the invention, each of the at least two linear actuators are connected to the roll stand at a point provided at a distance from the axis (Y) of the roll stand.

1 . A device for bending flat semi-finished products into a profile having a variable cross-section along the length thereof, with at least one roll stand with profiling units in the form of rollers and/or matrices between which the semi-finished product can be passed through lengthwise, and having at least two linear actuators, the at least two present linear actuators being arranged in order to produce translatory movements of the at least one roll stand transversely to the length of the semi-finished product and rotational movements of the at least one roll stand about an axis thereof, wherein each of the at least two present linear actuators is articulated to the roll stand at a position provided at a distance from the axis. 
   
   
       2 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein the linear actuators are provided in pairs, the linear actuators of a pair being arranged parallel or substantially parallel to each other. 
   
   
       3 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein the at least two present linear actuators have linear drives which engage in positions on the roll stand that are substantially opposite to each other with respect to the axis of the roll stand, via push rods articulated at both ends. 
   
   
       4 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein each linear actuator has a threaded spindle with a motor for rotating the same, a carriage slidable on a linear guide along the threaded spindle and in engagement therewith, and a push rod one end of which is articulated to the carriage and the other end of which is articulated to the position on the roll stand which is engaged by the linear actuator. 
   
   
       5 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein the at least two present linear actuators are articulated and supported by a bottom plate of the device. 
   
   
       6 . The device according to  claim 4 , wherein the roll stand has a base plate extending in a parallel direction to a bottom plate on which the linear actuators are disposed and which is mounted rotatably about its center axis and slidably parallel to the linear actuators, the positions on the roll stand that are engaged by the linear actuators being diametrically opposed positions on the base plate with respect to the center axis of the base plate. 
   
   
       7 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein additionally to the at least two present linear actuators, another linear actuator for producing a translational movement of the roll stand in a direction different from the translational movement in  claim 1 , or a rotational movement of the roll stand in a direction different from the rotational movement in  claim 1 , is provided. 
   
   
       8 . The device according to  claim 7 , wherein the additional linear actuator is arranged parallel or substantially parallel to the at least two present linear actuators. 
   
   
       9 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein a total of four linear actuators for translation and rotation of the roll stand in four degrees of freedom are provided, the roll stand being coupled to points fixed to the machine via two push rods. 
   
   
       10 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein a total of six linear actuators for translation and rotation of the roll stand in six degrees of freedom are provided. 
   
   
       11 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein the linear actuators each have a threaded spindle, a hydraulic cylinder or a linear motor. 
   
   
       12 . A method for roll forming flat semi-finished products into a profile having a variable cross-section along the length thereof, the semi-finished product passing lengthwise between profiling units in the form of rollers and/or matrices, each of which is attached to at least one roll stand, which roll stand is shifted during roll forming by at least two linear actuators translatorily transversely to the length (Z) of the semi-finished product and rotatorily about an axis of the roll stand, wherein both a translation-only movement and a rotation-only movement of the roll stand are produced by the at least two present linear actuators in common. 
   
   
       13 . The method according to  claim 12 , wherein the at least one roll stand is moved in n degrees of freedom by means of n (n=1, 2, . . . , 6) linear actuators.