A release device developed for an industrial machine for the bending of metal elements via a plurality of sheet-pressing tools arranged on a support frame is disclosed. The device includes a longitudinal member whereupon the sheet- pressing tools are positioned via an inclined interface. A modular coupling interface is included and situated between the wall of the machine and tightening elements, which keeps the tools locked in position. Clamping elements are set out which are suitable for locking the interface against the upper wall of the tools and which are arranged in an alternate manner in relation to a plurality of actuators. The actuators, once actuated, exert a force against the wall that is opposite to that exerted by clamping elements, and therefore allow for the horizontal displacement of the clamping elements, such a displacement making it possible for the interface to move itself vertically in such a way as to allow for the removal of the sheet-pressing tool.

A release device developed for an industrial machine for the bending of metal elements via a plurality of sheet-pressing tools arranged on a support frame is disclosed. The device includes a longitudinal member whereupon the sheet- pressing tools are positioned via an inclined interface. A modular coupling interface is included and situated between the wall of the machine and tightening elements, which keeps the tools locked in position. Clamping elements are set out which are suitable for locking the interface against the upper wall of the tools and which are arranged in an alternate manner in relation to a plurality of actuators. The actuators, once actuated, exert a force against the wall that is opposite to that exerted by clamping elements, and therefore allow for the horizontal displacement of the clamping elements, such a displacement making it possible for the interface to move itself vertically in such a way as to allow for the removal of the sheet-pressing tool.

An actuating device is disclosed for actuating a contractible element for a bending element of an industrial machine for bending metal elements provided with a lower component and an upper component apt to move relative to each other from a first position to a second position, the actuation device including a connecting plate configured to be connected to the lower component of the contractible element. A rack and pinion gear unit is also set out and includes a pinion having an axis, at least a first rack and a second rack actuated simultaneously by the pinion. The first rack is configured to be fixed to the upper component and the second rack is configured to be coupled to the connecting plate. The pinion is operable in a first direction of rotation to move the first rack and the second rack transverse to the axis in opposite directions. The pinion is operable in a second direction of rotation, contrary to the first one, to move the racks in opposite directions towards a second position.

The invention relates to a bending device for forming corrugations in a metal sheet including: a lower frame; an upper frame able to move vertically between a rest position and a bending position; at least two dies, carried by the lower frame; one being fixed with respect to the lower frame and the other mounted with the ability to slide; at least two punches carried by the upper frame; one being fixed and the other being mounted with the ability to slide on the upper frame; the bending device being designed so that, in operation, as the upper frame moves towards its bending position, the metal sheet transmits a pulling force to the sliding punch and to the sliding die which force moves them from a spaced-apart position toward a close-together position.

A production installation for producing workpieces from sheet metal by reshaping includes a bending machine, a support table defining a support plane, and a manipulation device having a support arrangement and a holding arrangement. The holding arrangement has interacting upper and lower holding units. The support arrangement has a separate upper support unit and a separate lower support unit, wherein the upper holding unit is arranged on the upper support unit, and the lower holding unit is arranged on the lower support unit. In an open insertion position of the manipulation device for the sheet metal to be accommodated therein, and in a loading region in front of the bending machine, the upper support unit, together with the upper holding unit, is arranged entirely above the support plane, and the lower support unit, together with the lower holding unit, is arranged entirely below the support plane.

A production installation for producing workpieces from sheet metal by reshaping includes a bending machine, a support table defining a support plane, and a manipulation device having a support arrangement and a holding arrangement. The holding arrangement has interacting upper and lower holding units. The support arrangement has a separate upper support unit and a separate lower support unit, wherein the upper holding unit is arranged on the upper support unit, and the lower holding unit is arranged on the lower support unit. In an open insertion position of the manipulation device for the sheet metal to be accommodated therein, and in a loading region in front of the bending machine, the upper support unit, together with the upper holding unit, is arranged entirely above the support plane, and the lower support unit, together with the lower holding unit, is arranged entirely below the support plane.

The bending machine (100) has an upper beam (211) and a lower beam (212), each of the beams (211, 212) having a clamping element extending therefrom adapted for clamping an elongated flat sheet metal workpiece (218) with a portion extending from the machine in cantilever fashion. Bending tool carriers (221, 222) having a bending tool (223, 224) extending therefrom are movable relative to the beams so that the bending tool (223, 224) can extend and pivot to form an elongated bend in the workpiece (218). A plurality of wedges (251, 252)are selectively extendable between the beams (211, 212) and the carriers (221, 222) to provide uniform depth of the bend in the workpiece (218) along the length of the bend, the depth of extension being adjustable with ball screws (261, 262) attached to synchro or servomotors (265, 266).

A duct making apparatus includes a first station configured to accept a formable sheet material and a second station configured to receive the formable sheet material from the first station. The first station includes a mechanism for forming one of a male lock bend and a female lock seam in a leading edge of the formable sheet material. The second station includes a retractable conveyor. Movement of the sheet material from the first station to the second station defines an axis of travel of the sheet material. The retractable conveyor is selectively movable from a first position in which the retractable conveyor is in close association with the first station, and a second position in which the retractable conveyor is spaced from the first station.

A duct making apparatus includes a first station configured to accept a formable sheet material and a second station configured to receive the formable sheet material from the first station. The first station includes a mechanism for forming one of a male lock bend and a female lock seam in a leading edge of the formable sheet material. The second station includes a retractable conveyor. Movement of the sheet material from the first station to the second station defines an axis of travel of the sheet material. The retractable conveyor is selectively movable from a first position in which the retractable conveyor is in close association with the first station, and a second position in which the retractable conveyor is spaced from the first station.

A sheet metal bending machine comprises main bending tool assembly (2; 6) that extends along a longitudinal direction (A) and is movable so as to bend a workpiece (50), a guide (3) associated and parallel to the main bending tool assembly (2; 6), extending through a working zone (W) of the bending machine (1) and sideways protruding from the latter at least with a first end portion (4), and shuttles (21, 22, 23) slidably mounted on said guide (3) and supporting at least one auxiliary tool (41, 42) to be associated with the main bending tool assembly (2; 6) in order to execute partial bends on the workpiece (50); the shuttles (21, 22, 23) are movable along the longitudinal direction (A) between a first active position (P1), in which the shuttle (21, 22, 23) are inside the working zone (W) and the auxiliary tool (41, 42) is mounted on the main bending tool assembly (2; 6), and a first inactive position (R1), in which the shuttle (21, 22, 23) are outside the working zone (W) and positioned at the first end portion (4) of the guide (3); the shuttle comprise a first set (11) of shuttles (21, 22, 23), each shuttle (21, 22, 23) carrying a respective auxiliary tool (41, 42), said shuttles (21, 22, 23) being mutually connectable to form a first shuttle convoy (13) having a selectable number of shuttles (21, 22, 23); the first shuttle convoy (13) is movable between said first inactive position (R1) and said first active position (P1) in order to mount a defined composition of auxiliary tools (41, 42) on the main bending tool assembly (2; 6).