An apparatus and method for manufacturing a steel component

Abstract

An apparatus for edging a steel component, the apparatus having at least one edger roll ( 402, 404, 406 ) mounted to a slider housing ( 422 ) and a feed housing connected to the slider housing, wherein the feed housing is configured to drive the steel component through the at least one edger roll, and wherein the edger roll is adjustably mounted to the slider housing.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An apparatus for edging a steel component, the apparatus comprising:
 at least one edger roll mounted to a slider housing;   a feed housing connected to the slider housing, wherein the feed housing is configured to drive the steel component through the at least one edger rolls, and wherein the edger roll is adjustably mounted to the slider housing.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising at least a one guide roll mounted to the slider housing, wherein the at least one edger roll comprises a plurality of sets of edger rolls positioned in parallel, and the least one guide roll comprises a plurality of set of guide rolls, wherein the sets of guide rolls are mounted the slider housing intermittently between can set of edger rolls. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a mounting plate configured to connect the feed housing to the slider housing. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the feed housing comprises:
 a first pulley wheel;   a thread rod connected to the first pulley wheel; and   a pneumatic cylinder attached to a mounting bracket, and mechanical communication with the thread rod wherein the pneumatic cylinder attached to a mounting bracket which has a corresponding bore configured for passage of the thread rod into the feed housing.   
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 4 , wherein the thread rod is configured transfer a linear force from the pneumatic cylinder in to a reciprocal rotating force via a first pulley wheel. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a feed top plate attached to the feed housing, the feed top plate configured to support a motor and gear box. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 6 , wherein the wherein the motor is an A/C motor configured to provide motive force and power to a second pulley wheel, which is coupled to the gearbox. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the slider housing comprises:
 a first side plate;   a second side plate connected to the first side plate; and   at least one adjustable slider block, wherein the edger rolls are mounted on a top portion of the adjustable slider block, and wherein slide blocks re configured to adjust laterally.   
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a pinch pull disposed between the mounting plates and configured to direct the steel component away from the edger rolls. 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising at least one mounting bar connected to the side plates of the slider housing and configured for attachment to an adjustable frame. 
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the slider housing further comprises:
 a thread attached to the slider housing using at least two bearings.   an adjustable slide attached to the thread and configured to rotate manually or via a fully automated system, wherein the adjustable slider is attached to the slider block;   wherein the slider housing is further coupled to the adjustable slide at one end, and is connected at its other end to the edger rolls.   
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the slider housing further comprises a f a plate attached to the adjustable slide and configured to receive an end of a shaft, wherein the shaft passes vertically through the slider housing, such that the shaft is sandwiched on each of its sides. 
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the adjustable slider further comprises a plurality of springs are disposed within the adjustable slider and are sandwiched between an adjustment hex nut and a side panel of the slider block. 
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a processor-based controller configured to provide motive control to the pinch pull and the motor and the slider blocks. 
     
     
         15 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the controller is configured to adjust the power of the pinch pull and the motor, and also configured to laterally adjust the slider blocks to correspond to a dimension of the steel component, and wherein the controller is further configured to alter a type of edge the steel sheet requires. 
     
     
         16 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the steel component comprises a galvanized hot-dipped steel coil, and wherein the steel component comprises a steel stud. 
     
     
         17 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the roll edgers are configured to form the steel component having deburred vertical edges. 
     
     
         18 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a hole punch disposed immediately prior to roll former configured to punch a hole of predetermined size in the steel component; and.   a slitter configured to split the steel component prior to punching the hole in the steel sheet, splitting the steel sheet prior to the roll forming step;   wherein the edger rolls are connected to the slitter such that us step and the splitting step occur approximately simultaneously.   
     
     
         19 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising at least one fluid sprayer attached to the side panels, wherein the fluid sprayer is configured to lubricate and cool the component. 
     
     
         20 . The apparatus of  claim 19 , wherein the fluid sprayer is attached to the mounting bar.