Metal fiber, and method and apparatus for producing metal fiber

Abstract

A metal fiber for fiber reinforced concrete includes a linear main body that extends in an X-Y plane, having width in a Y direction, a length in an X direction, and a thickness in a Z direction within a three dimensional space defined by X, Y, and Z axes which are perpendicular to each other. Ends of the linear main body are bent portions which are bent at an obtuse angle in the Z direction. An elongate metal plate is intermittently conveyed in the Y direction on a die of a pressing machine at a pitch corresponding to the width of the metal fiber in the Y direction. The leading end of the metal plate is sheared to cut out and produce the metal fiber.

1 . A metal fiber for fiber reinforced concrete comprising:
 a width in a Y direction, a length in an X direction, and a thickness in a Z direction within a three dimensional space defined by X, Y, and Z axes which are perpendicular to each other;   the metal fiber being constituted by a linear main body in the form of a wave that extends within the X-Y plane, and a bent portion at at least one end of the main body which is bent at an obtuse angle in the Z direction.   
     
     
         2 . A method for producing the metal fiber according to  claim 1 , comprising
 intermittently advancing a metal plate in the form of a band having a thickness in the Z direction of the metal fiber, a width in the X direction greater than or equal to the length of the metal fiber, and extends in the Y direction on a die of a pressing machine at a pitch corresponding to the width of the metal fiber in the Y direction, and   cutting the ends in the X direction of the metal fiber with a cutting blade of a punch of the pressing machine, while a pressing portion that protrudes in the Z direction from the lower surface of the punch simultaneously presses the metal fiber in the Z direction.   
     
     
         3 . A pressing machine for cutting the metal fiber by the method according to  claim 2 , comprising:
 a die having a lower blade in the form of a wave which is the contour of the linear main body that extends in the X-Y plane of the metal fiber; and   a punch that moves vertically in the Z direction, having an upper blade that corresponds to the lower blade of the die, the punch having a pressing portion that protrudes downward from the lower surface thereof, for pressing the metal fiber downward in the Z direction simultaneously with the punch cutting the ends in the X direction of the metal fiber.   
     
     
         4 . A pressing mold utilized by the pressing machine for cutting the metal fiber according to  claim 3 , comprising:
 a die having a lower blade in the form of a wave which is the contour of the linear main body that extends in the X-Y plane of the metal fiber; and   a punch that moves vertically in the Z direction, having an upper blade that corresponds to the lower blade of the die, the punch having a pressing portion that protrudes downward from the lower surface thereof, for pressing the metal fiber downward in the Z direction simultaneously with the punch cutting the ends in the X direction of the metal fiber.   
     
     
         5 . A method for producing a metal fiber for reinforcing concrete having a width in a Y direction, a length in an X direction, and a thickness in a Z direction within a three dimensional space defined by an X, a Y, and a Z axis which are perpendicular to each other and is constituted by a linear main body in the form of a wave that extends in an X-Y plane with a pressing machine, comprising:
 intermittently advancing a metal plate in the form of a band that extends in the Y direction having the above thickness in the Z direction and a width greater than or equal to the above length in the X direction at a pitch corresponding to the width in the Y direction in the Y direction onto a die equipped with a lower blade in the shape of a wave having the contour of the linear main body in the form of a wave; and   cutting the leading edge of the metal plate in a conveyance direction with a punch that moves vertically in the Z direction and has an upper blade in the shape of a wave that corresponds to the lower blade of the die of the pressing machine.   
     
     
         6 . A pressing machine to be utilized for the method defined in  claim 5 , comprising:
 a die having lower blade in the shape of a wave which is the contour of a linear main body in the form of a wave that extends in an X-Y plane of the metal fiber; and   a punch that moves vertically in the Z direction and has an upper blade in the shape of a wave that corresponds to the lower blade of the die.   
     
     
         7 . A pressing mold to be utilized for the method defined in  claim 5 , comprising:
 a die having lower blade in the shape of a wave which is the contour of a linear main body in the form of a wave extends in an X-Y plane of the metal fiber; and   a punch that moves vertically in the Z direction and has an upper blade in the shape of a wave that corresponds to the lower blade of the die.