COMBINED DEVICE FOR BENDING AND CUTTING RIBBON-SHAPED ELEMENTS AND METHOD FOR BENDING AND CUTTING RIBBON-SHAPED ELEMENTS THROUGH SUCH DEVICE

Abstract

A combined device for bending and cutting ribbon-shaped elements is described, comprising first guiding and supporting means (1, 101) adapted to allow positioning a ribbon-shaped element (T, T1), second guiding and supporting means (3, 103) adapted to prevent the rotation of the ribbon-shaped element (T, T1) with respect to an axis belonging to a plane on which the ribbon-shaped element (T, T1) rests, first translating means (41, 1041) and rotation means (4, 104) adapted to move a tool (5, 105) with respect to the second guiding and supporting means (3, 103); the second guiding and supporting means (3, 103) comprise a portion of bending profile (8, 108) adapted to bend theribbon-shaped element (T, T1) and a portion of cutting profile (9, 109) adapted to cut the ribbon-shaped element (T, T1). A method is further described for bending and cutting ribbon-shaped elements performed through such device.

Claims

1. Combined device for bending and cutting ribbon-shaped elements, of the type comprising first guiding and supporting means (1, 101) adapted to allow positioning at least one ribbon-shaped element (T, T1), second guiding and supporting means (3, 103) adapted to prevent the rotation of said ribbon-shaped element (T, T1) with respect to an axis belonging to a plane on which said ribbon-shaped element (T, T1) rests, first translating means (41, 1041) and rotation means (4, 104) adapted to move at least one tool (5, 105) with respect to said second guiding and supporting means (3, 103), characterized in that said second guiding and supporting means (3, 103) comprise at least one portion of bending profile (8, 108) adapted to bend said ribbon-shaped element (T, T1) and at least one portion of cutting profile (9, 109) adapted to cut said ribbon-shaped element (T, T1).

2. Combined device for bending and cutting ribbon-shaped elements according to the previous claim, characterized in that said first translating means (41, 1041) allow aligning at least one portion of bending profile (10, 110) of said at least one tool (5, 105) with said at least one portion of bending profile (8, 108) of said second guiding and supporting means (3, 103) to be able to bend said ribbon-shaped element (T, T1) and at least one portion of cutting profile (11, 111) of said at least one tool (5, 105) with said at least one portion of cutting profile (9, 109) of said second guiding and supporting means (3, 103) to be able to cut said ribbon-shaped element (T, T1).

3. Combined device for bending and cutting ribbon-shaped elements according to the previous claim, characterized in that it comprises second translating means (6, 7, 12, 112) adapted to move, with respect to said first guiding and supporting means (1, 101), an assembly composed of said second guiding and supporting means (3, 103) and said at least one tool (5, 105).

4. Combined device for bending and cutting ribbon-shaped elements according to the previous claim, characterized in that said first and second translating means (41, 1041, 6, 7, 12, 112) through suitable alignments and translations allow placing the bending and cutting action of said at least one portion of bending profile (8, 108 10, 110) and of said at least one portion of cutting profile (9, 109, 11, 111) next to certain heights on said ribbon-shaped element (T, T1), and in that said rotation means (4, 104) allow bending and cutting said ribbon-shaped element (T, T1).

5. Combined device for bending and cutting ribbon-shaped elements according to the previous claim, characterized in that said second guiding and supporting means (3, 103) comprise at least one slit (2, 102) adapted to be crossed by said at least one ribbon-shaped element (T, T1), said slit (2, 102) comprising said at least one portion of bending profile (8, 108) to be able to bend said ribbon-shaped element (T, T1) and said at least one portion of cutting profile (9, 109) to be able to cut said ribbon-shaped element (T, T1).

6. Combined device for bending and cutting ribbon-shaped elements according to the previous claim, characterized in that said rotation means (4, 104) and said first translating means (41, 1041) belong to at least one rotary template equipped with a groove, said groove adapted to allow said tool (5, 105) to translate with respect to said at least one rotary template, said at least one rotary template adapted to rotate with respect to an axis of said second translating means (6, 7, 12, 112).

7. Combined device for bending and cutting ribbon-shaped elements according to any one of the previous claims, characterized in that said rotation means (4, 104) allow supporting with projection said at least one tool (5).

8. Combined device for bending and cutting ribbon-shaped elements according to claim 6, characterized in that a pair of said rotation means (104) allow supporting the ends of said at least one tool (105) in order to symmetrically divide the bending and cutting loads.

9. Method for bending and cutting ribbon-shaped elements by means of a device according to any one of the previous claims, characterized by the following steps: a—rotating said rotation means (4, 104) by a suitable angle (Alfa0) to allow the sliding of said ribbon-shaped element (T, T1) routed by said first guiding and supporting means (1, 101), through and over said slit (2, 102) of said second guiding and supporting means (3, 103); b—translating said ribbon-shaped element (T, T1) by an amount (L1), corresponding to a bending position of said ribbon-shaped element (T, T1); c—translating said at least one tool (5, 105) through said first translating means (41, 1041), in order to align said at least one portion of bending profile (10, 110) of said at least one tool (5, 105) with said at least one portion of bending profile (8, 108) of said at least one slit (2, 102); d—translating the assembly of said second guiding and supporting means (3, 103) with said at least one tool (5, 105) with respect to said first guiding and supporting means (1, 101) by an amount (H1), corresponding to a bending height of said ribbon-shaped element (T, T1); e—rotating said rotation means (4, 104) by a suitable angle (Alfa1) to be able to bend said ribbon-shaped element (T, T1); f—repeating said step a; g—translating said ribbon-shaped element (T, T1) by an amount (L2) corresponding to a cutting position of said ribbon-shaped element (T, T1); h—translating said at least one tool (5, 105) through said first sliding means (41, 1041), in order to align said at least one portion of cutting profile (11, 111) of said at least one tool (5, 105) with at least one portion of cutting profile (9, 109) of said at least one slit (2, 102); i—translating the assembly of said second guiding and supporting means (3, 103) with said at least one tool (5, 105) with respect to said first guiding and supporting means (1, 101) by an amount (H2), corresponding to a cutting height of said ribbon-shaped element (T, T1); l—rotating said rotation means (4, 104) by a suitable angle (Alfa2) to be able to cut said ribbon-shaped element (T, T1).

Description

[0025] The present invention will be better described by some preferred embodiments thereof, provided as a non-limiting example, with reference to the enclosed drawings, in which:

[0026] FIGS. 1 and 2 show an axonometric view of an embodiment of the device according to the present invention;

[0027] FIG. 3 shows an axonometric exploded view of the embodiment of the device of the previous Figures;

[0028] FIG. 4 shows an axonometric view of a tool for bending and cutting belonging to an embodiment of the device according to the present invention;

[0029] FIG. 5 shows an enlarged view of a portion of the previous Figure;

[0030] FIGS. 6 and 6 show an orthogonal projection view of a tool for bending and cutting shown in the previous Figure;

[0031] FIG. 8 shows an axonometric view of a rotary template belonging to an embodiment of the device according to the present invention;

[0032] FIG. 9 shows a front view of the rotary template of the previous Figure;

[0033] FIG. 10 shows a side view of a fixed template with portion of profile for bending and for cutting, belonging to an embodiment of the device according to the present invention;

[0034] FIGS. 11 and 12 show an enlarged sectional view, respectively along line XI-XI and line XII-XII of the previous Figure;

[0035] FIGS. 13, 14, 16, 17 and 18 show axonometric views of the steps for bending and cutting ribbon-shaped elements, of an embodiment of the device according to the present invention;

[0036] FIGS. 15 and 19 show partially and enlarged sectional views of the fixed template and of the tool during the bending and cutting actions, of an embodiment of the device according to the present invention;

[0037] FIG. 20 shows an axonometric view of an embodiment of the device arranged for bending, in a version doubling the rotation means;

[0038] FIG. 21 shows an axonometric view of an embodiment of the device arranged for cutting, in a version doubling the rotation means according to the previous Figure;

[0039] FIG. 22 shows an axonometric and partially sectioned view of some components of an embodiment of the device, in a first variation of the version of the previous Figure;

[0040] FIG. 23 shows an axonometric view of some components of an embodiment of the device, in a second variation of the version of FIG. 21;

[0041] FIG. 24 shows an exploded axonometric view of the elements of the previous Figure.

[0042] With reference to FIGS. 1 to 12, 20, 21, it is possible to note that a combined device for bending and cutting ribbon-shaped elements comprises: first guiding and supporting means 1, 101 adapted to allow positioning at least one ribbon-shaped element T, T1; second guiding and supporting means 3, 103 adapted to prevent the rotation of the ribbon-shaped element T, T1 with respect to an axis belonging to the plane on which the ribbon-shaped element T, T1 rests; first translating means 41, 1041 and rotation means 4, 104 adapted to move at least one tool 5, 105 with respect to the second guiding and supporting means 3, 103.

[0043] Such second guiding and supporting means 3, 103 comprise at least one portion of bending profile 8, 108 adapted to bend the ribbon-shaped element T, T1 and at least one portion of cutting profile 9, 109 adapted to cut the ribbon-shaped element T, T1.

[0044] The first translating means 41, 1041 allow aligning at least one portion of bending profile 10, 110 of the tool 5, 105 with the portion of bending profile 8, 108 of the second guiding and supporting means 3, 103 and at least one portion of cutting profile 11, 111 of the tool 5, 105 with the portion of cutting profile 9, 109 of the second guiding and supporting means 3, 103.

[0045] A device according to the principles of the invention also comprises second translating means 6, 7, 12, 112 adapted to move the assembly of the second guiding and supporting means 3, 103 with the tool 5, 105 with respect to the first guiding and supporting means 1, 101.

[0046] In this way, it is possible to move the aligned portions of profile, being them for bending 8, 108 with 10, 110, and/or for cutting 9, 109 with 11, 111, belonging to the second guiding and supporting means 3, 103 and to the tool 5, 105 respectively, so that such portions of profile can operate next to certain heights on the ribbon-shaped element T, T1.

[0047] Finally, the rotation means 4, 104 impose a rotation to the tool 5, 105 and therefore, since the ribbon-shaped element T, T1 is prevented in its rotation by the second guiding and supporting means 3, 103, allow cutting or bending the ribbon-shaped element T, T1.

[0048] According to a preferred configuration, the second guiding and supporting means 3, 103 are connected to a slider 12, 112 adapted to translate along guides 6, 7 with respect to the first guiding and supporting means 1, 101. Moreover, the second guiding and supporting means 3, 103 comprise at least one slit 2, 102 adapted to be crossed by said at least one ribbon-shaped element T, T1. The slit 2, 102 comprises the portion of bending profile 8, 108 and the portion of cutting profile 9, 109 to be able to bend and cut the ribbon-shaped element T, T1.

[0049] The rotation means 4, 104 and the first translating means 41, 1041 belong to at least one rotary template equipped with a groove adapted to allow the tool 5, 105 to translate with respect to the rotary template, which can rotate with respect to an axis of the slider 12, 112.

[0050] In a first configuration of the device, the rotation means 4 allow projectingly supporting the tool 5.

[0051] If with the embodiment with projections excessive stresses are created on the tool, it is possible to use currently known solutions. For example, Japanese Patent 62-181835 deals with a bending device composed of two sections in which in each one two supports are present, which coaxially rotate in the same way, the element to be bent passes between such supports and the sliding tool of every section reaches and uses both rotary supports. Therefore, by exploiting the same technique, in a second configuration of the device shown in FIGS. 20, 21, a pair of rotation means 104 allows supporting the ends of the tool 105.

[0052] In both configurations of the device, the translation of the tool 5, 105 with respect to the rotation means 4, 104 allows mating the bending or cutting profiles of the tool 5, 105 with those obtained along the slit 2, 102 of the second guiding and supporting means 3, 103.

[0053] In particular, with the second configuration of the device, the pair of rotation means 104 is placed so that such ribbon-shaped element T1 are approximately at the center between them and such rotation means 104 are connected through transmission members in order to perform the same angular displacements.

[0054] Object of such second configuration is guaranteeing a second support to such tool 105 in order to reduce its flexure during the bending and cutting actions.

[0055] Merely as an example, FIG. 22 shows a possible version of the device in which the portions of profile for cutting and bending are associated with separate tools, two in this specific case. In the particular case, the tools slide in two rotary templates, but there could also be a single rotation element with different sliding tools. The view is limited to essential elements.

[0056] In the same way, merely as an example, FIGS. 23 and 24 show a possible version of the device in which the tool have a null sliding, namely t is fastened to the rotation means. In this way, however, there could be problems to obtain bending and cutting on both sides of the ribbon-shaped element, to solve which the fixed tool is doubled.

[0057] From the kinematic point of view, therefore, there are at least three chances of movement: [0058] two secondary movements for arranging the bending or cutting action. Taking into account the meaningful elements, this is the sliding movement of the tool 5, 105 with respect to the second guiding and supporting means 3, 103 and of the movement of the assembly of the tool 5, 105 with the second guiding and supporting means 3, 103 with respect to the ribbon-shaped element T, T1; in case of a non-sliding tool 5, 105, only the second movement is possible; [0059] a main movement, namely the rotation movement of such tool 5, 105 around the second guiding and supporting means 3, 103; such main movement performs the bending or cutting action.

[0060] Since the main movement is the one that usually needs most power, it is also the most encumbrant and costly one. Therefore, the structure of the invention composed as such, allowing to use a single movement member for both bending and cutting actions, is economic and compact.

[0061] With reference to FIGS. 13 to 19, a method for bending ribbon-shaped elements by means of an embodiment of such device comprises the following steps:

[0062] a—rotating the rotation means 4, 104 by a suitable angle Alfa0 to allow the sliding of the ribbon-shaped element T, T1 routed by the first guiding and supporting means 1, 101, through and over the slit 2, 102 of the second guiding and supporting means 3, 103;

[0063] b—translating the ribbon-shaped element T, T1 by an amount L1, corresponding to a bending position of the ribbon-shaped element T, T1;

[0064] c—translating the tool 5, 105 through the first translating means 41, 1041, in order to align the portion of bending profile 10, 110 of the tool 5, 105 with the portion of bending profile 8, 108 of the slit 2, 102;

[0065] d—translating the assembly of the second guiding and supporting means 3, 103 with the tool 5, 105 with respect to the first guiding and supporting means 1, 101, by an amount H1, corresponding to a bending height of the ribbon-shaped element T, T1;

[0066] e—rotating the rotation means 4, 104 by a suitable angle Alfa1 to be able to bend the ribbon-shaped element T, T1;

[0067] f—repeating step a;

[0068] g—translating the ribbon-shaped element T, T1 by an amount L2, corresponding to a cutting position of the ribbon-shaped element T, T1;

[0069] h—translating the tool 5, 105 through the first sliding means 41, 1041, in order to align the portion of cutting profile 11, 111 of the tool 5, 105 with the portion of cutting profile 9, 109 of the slit 2, 102;

[0070] i—translating the assembly of the second guiding and supporting means 3, 103 with the tool 5, 105 with respect to the first guiding and supporting means 1, 101, by an amount H2, corresponding to a cutting height of the ribbon-shaped element T, T1;

[0071] l—rotating the rotation means 4, 104 by a suitable angle Alfa2 to be able to cut the ribbon-shaped element T, T1.

[0072] With respect to handling of the two embodiments of the invention, there are elements related to position detection, such as proximities or encoders or limit switches (not shown). There are also suitable electric or electronic elements for driving the motors and interacting towards the users (not shown). It is provided to use suitable control algorithms.