Machine for continuously bending an elongated workpiece at predetermined radii

Abstract

A machine for continuously bending an elongated workpiece at predetermined radii, machine that uses a series of driving rollers ( 1, 2, 3 ) for bending, includes a 2D laser displacement sensor ( 5 ) downstream the series of driving rollers ( 1, 2, 3 ) for bending and a computer ( 7 ) that is coupled among other to the 2D laser displacement sensor ( 5 ) for calculating a radius of a bend section and comparing the calculated radius of curvature with the desired radius of curvature. The computer ( 7 ) is coupled to a length meter ( 4 ) for measuring a length of the bend section concentrically to the elongated workpiece (T) and, further, to operating elements ( 8 ) adapted to operate a roller ( 2 ) of the series of driving rollers ( 1, 2, 3 ) for bending in order to adjust it on the base of a difference between the measured radius of curvature and the desired radius of curvature.

1 . A machine for continuously bending an elongated workpiece at predetermined curvature radii, machine that uses a series of driving rollers ( 1 ,  2 ,  3 ) for bending, and a computer ( 7 ) that is coupled among other to a laser meter for calculating a radius of a bend section and comparing the calculated radius of curvature with the desired radius of curvature in said bend section, the computer ( 7 ) being coupled also to a length meter ( 4 ) for measuring a length of said bend section concentrically to the elongated workpiece (T) and to operating means ( 8 ) adapted to operate a roller ( 2 ) of the series of driving rollers ( 1 ,  2 ,  3 ) for bending in order to adjust it in real time on the base of a difference between said measured radius of curvature and the desired radius of curvature in said bend section, characterised in that said laser meter is a high-accuracy 2D laser displacement sensor ( 5 ) for measuring the radius of curvature of the elongated workpiece (T) downstream said series of driving rollers ( 1 ,  2 ,  3 ) for bending. 
     
     
         2 . The machine according to  claim 1 , characterised in that said length meter ( 4 ) is an encoder. 
     
     
         3 . The machine according to  claim 1 , characterised in that said 2D laser displacement sensor ( 5 ) is fixed in its position in such a way that its measurement direction crosses the elongated workpiece near an exit roller of the series of driving rollers ( 1 ,  2 ,  3 ) for bending.