A Steel Component and Method of Making the Same

Abstract

A system for fabricating a steel component is provided. The system includes an edging apparatus configured to receive a steel sheet from an uncoiler and configured to edge and deburr the vertical edge of the steel sheet; and a roll-forming device configured to receive die edged steel sheet. A method for fabricating a steel component and the product of the method is also provided.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method for forming a steel component, the method comprising:
 feeding the steel sheet through an edging apparatus, wherein the edging apparatus is proximate a roll-forming device; and   edging and deburring a vertical edge of the steel sheet prior to forming the steel component.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the edging and deburring step occurs as a continuous operation as part of the method for forming the steel component, requiring no user intervention, and wherein edging device is configured to guide the steel sheet through a roll-forming device. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the edging and deburring process comprises mechanical deburring, electrochemical deburring, thermal deburring or manual deburring. 
     
     
         4 . The method according to  claim 1 , further comprising providing a coiled steel sheet at an uncoiling device, wherein the uncoiling device is configured to uncoil the coiled steel sheet to yield the steel sheet prior to feeding the steel sheet rough the edging apparatus;
 wherein the uncoiling device is motorized or non-motorized.   
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising passing the steel sheet though the roll forming apparatus after the steel sheet has been edged and deburred, wherein the roll forming apparatus is configured to form the steel sheet into the steel component. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the edging device comprises:
 a head portion;   a laterally adjustable flange connected to the head, the flange configured to be fitted with a mechanical, thermal, or electrochemical edging component;   wherein the flange is configured to receive the steel sheet, and as the sheet passes through the flange, edge and deburr the steel sheet the vertical edges of the steel sheet to create a smoothed edge.   
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the deburring and edging step is automated and adjustable using a processor-based controller configured to provide motive control to the steel sheet, wherein the controller is configured to adjust the flange laterally corresponding to a dimension of the steel sheet, and wherein the controller is further configured to alter a type of edge the steel sheet requires. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the steel coiled sheet comprises a galvanized hot-dipped steel coil, and wherein the steel component comprises a steel stud. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising punching a hole of predetermined size in the steel sheet, wherein punching the hole in the steel sheet comprises providing a rotary punch press to form the hole of a predetermined size in the steel sheet. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising splitting the steel sheet prior to the roll forming step, wherein the edging step and the splitting step occur approximately simultaneously. 
     
     
         11 . A system for fabricating a steel component, the system comprising:
 an edging apparatus configured to receive a steel sheet from an uncoiler and configured to edge and deburr the vertical edge of the steel sheet;   a roll-forming device configured to receive the edged steel sheet.   
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein the edging apparatus is disposed between the uncoiler and the roll forming device, and is configured to guide the steel sheet through the roll-forming device. 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein the edging apparatus is configure to mechanically deburr, electrochemically deburr, or thermally deburr. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein the uncoiler is configured to uncoil the coiled steel sheet to form the steel sheet prior to feeding the steel sheet rough the edging apparatus, and wherein the uncoiling device is motorized or non-motorized. 
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein the roll forming device is configured to form the steel sheet into the steel component having deburred vertical edges. 
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein the edging apparatus comprises:
 a head portion;   a laterally adjustable flange connected to the head, the flange configured to be fitted with a mechanical, thermal, or electrochemical edging component;   wherein the flange is configured to receive the steel sheet, and as the sheet passes through the flange, edge and deburr the steel sheet the vertical edges of the steel sheet to create a smoothed edge.   
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising a processor-based controller in electronic communication with the edging device, wherein the processor is configured to automate each of the edging apparatus, uncoiler, and roll-forming device, and wherein the controller is configured to adjust the flange laterally, corresponding to the dimensions of the steel sheet, and wherein the controller is further configured to alter a type of edge the steel sheet requires. 
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein the steel coiled sheet comprises a galvanized hot-dipped steel coil, and wherein the steel component comprises a steel stud. 
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 11 , further comprising:
 a hole punch disposed immediately prior to the roll-forming apparatus and configured to punch a hole of predetermined size in the steel sheet; and   a slitter configured to split the steel sheet prior to punching the hole in the steel sheet, splitting the steel sheet prior to the roll forming step;   wherein the edging device is connected to the slitter such that us step and the splitting step occur approximately simultaneously.   
     
     
         20 . A steel component comprising:
 a formed sheet, wherein the sheet comprises a vertically deburred and/or edged side, and wherein the steel component comprises a steel stud.