PROFILING STATION, PROFILING UNIT FORMED THEREFROM AND PROFILING SYSTEM

Abstract

A profiling station, a profiling unit formed therefrom and also a profiling installation continuously form a material strip into a profile. The profiling station includes a rack frame, a profiling arrangement with a forming roller and also a first and a second counter roller as well as a drive assembly. A first roller axis and a second roller axis of the counter rollers form between them a buckling angle, wherein the counter rollers define a bending edge for the material strip to be formed. The first counter roller and also the second counter roller are driven by the drive assembly in such a way that the first counter roller has a circumferential speed at its outer circumference and the second counter roller has a circumferential speed at its outer circumference that are equal to one another.

Claims

1-19. (canceled)

20. A profiling station (2) for the continuous forming of a material strip (3) into a profile, in particular into a longitudinally welded profile with a polygonal cross-section or an open cross-section, wherein the material strip (3) has a first flat side (8) and a second flat side (9) that is arranged opposite the first flat side (8), and wherein the profiling station (2) defines a longitudinal axis (7) in a pass direction of the material strip (3), the profiling station (2) comprising: a rack frame (10), a profiling arrangement (11) with at least one forming roller (12), which at least one forming roller (12) can be turned toward the first flat side (8) of the material strip (3), a first counter roller (13), which first counter roller (13) is cylindrically designed and defines a first roller axis (15) and a first roller diameter (16), a second counter roller (14), which second counter (14) roller is cylindrically designed and defines a second roller axis (17) and a second roller diameter (18), wherein the first counter roller (13) and the second counter roller (14) form a counter roller pair (19), and the counter roller pair (19) can be turned toward the second flat side (9) of the material strip (3), and wherein the first roller axis (15) and the second roller axis (17) enclose a buckling angle (21) between them, and wherein the counter rollers (13, 14) of the counter roller pair (19) define between them a bending edge (22) for the material strip (3) to be formed, a drive assembly (23) with at least one drive unit (24, 32), wherein at least one of the counter rollers (13, 14) of the counter roller pair (19) is drive-connected to the at least one drive unit (24, 32), and wherein the profiling arrangement (11) and possibly the drive assembly (23) are held on the rack frame (10), wherein a mechanical rotation transmission device (25) is provided between the first counter roller (13) and the second counter roller (14), and wherein counter roller (13), which is drive-connected to the first drive unit (24), transmits the drive torque to the other counter roller (14) by means of the mechanical rotation transmission device (25) the mechanical rotation transmission device (25) comprises a cardan joint (30) the first counter roller (13) and also the second counter roller (14) are driven by the drive assembly (23) and by means of the mechanical rotation transmission device (25) such that the first counter roller (13) at its outer circumference and the second counter roller (14) at its outer circumference each have a circumferential speed that is equal to the other.

21. A profiling station (2) for the continuous forming of a material strip (3) into a profile, in particular into a longitudinally welded profile with a polygonal cross-section or an open cross-section, wherein the material strip (3) has a first flat side (8) and a second flat side (9) that is arranged opposite the first flat side (8), and wherein the profiling station (2) defines a longitudinal axis (7) in a pass direction of the material strip (3), the profiling station (2) comprising: a rack frame (10), a profiling arrangement (11) with at least one forming roller (12), which at least one forming roller (12) can be turned toward the first flat side (8) of the material strip (3), a first counter roller (13), which first counter roller (13) is cylindrically designed and defines a first roller axis (15) and a first roller diameter (16), a second counter roller (14), which second counter (14) roller is cylindrically designed and defines a second roller axis (17) and a second roller diameter (18), wherein the first counter roller (13) and the second counter roller (14) form a counter roller pair (19), and the counter roller pair (19) can be turned toward the second flat side (9) of the material strip (3), and wherein the first roller axis (15) and the second roller axis (17) enclose a buckling angle (21) between them, and wherein the counter rollers (13, 14) of the counter roller pair (19) define between them a bending edge (22) for the material strip (3) to be formed, a drive assembly (23) with at least one drive unit (24, 32), wherein at least one of the counter rollers (13, 14) of the counter roller pair (19) is drive-connected to the at least one drive unit (24, 32), and wherein the profiling arrangement (11) and possibly the drive assembly (23) are held on the rack frame (10), wherein a mechanical rotation transmission device (25) is provided between the first counter roller (13) and the second counter roller (14), and wherein counter roller (13), which is drive-connected to the first drive unit (24), transmits the drive torque to the other counter roller (14) by means of the mechanical rotation transmission device (25), the mechanical rotation transmission device (25) comprises a bevel gear arrangement (26) having a first bevel gear wheel (27) and a second bevel gear wheel (28) or an angular gearbox (31), and the first counter roller (13) and also the second counter roller (14) are driven by the drive assembly (23) and by means of the mechanical rotation transmission device (25) such that the first counter roller (13) at its outer circumference and the second counter roller (14) at its outer circumference each have a circumferential speed that is equal to the other.

22. The profiling station (2) according to claim 20, wherein the first roller diameter (16) of the first counter roller (13) and the second roller diameter (18) of the second counter roller (14) are designed to be the same size.

23. The profiling station (2) according to claim 20, wherein the drive assembly (23) comprises a further drive unit (33), and the at least one forming roller (12) is drive-connected to the further drive unit (33).

24. The profiling station (2) according to claim 20, wherein a guide assembly (29) is provided, by means of which guide assembly (29) the at least one forming roller (12) is displaceably guided on the rack frame (10).

25. The profiling station (2) according to claim 20, wherein the first roller axis (15) and second roller axis (17) of the counter rollers (13, 14) of a counter roller pair (19) are arranged in a common plane (20), and the common plane (20) is arranged in a normal orientation with respect to the longitudinal axis (7).

26. The profiling station (2) according to claim 20, wherein the first roller axis (15) of the first counter roller (13) is arranged in a first plane (37), and the second roller axis (17) of the second counter roller (14) of a counter roller pair (19) is arranged in a second plane (38), and wherein the two planes (37, 38) are arranged so as to be parallel to and offset from each other.

27. A profiling unit (5) for the continuous forming of a material strip (3) into a profile, in particular into a longitudinally welded profile with a rectangular cross-section, comprising multiple profiling stations (2) arranged in immediate succession in the direction of longitudinal axis (7), wherein the profiling unit (5) comprises two profiling stations (2) arranged in immediate succession, and wherein each of the profiling stations (2) is formed according to claim 20.

28. The profiling unit (5) according to claim 27, wherein a base frame (6) is provided and the two profiling stations (2) arranged in immediate succession are arranged and held on the base frame (6).

29. The profiling unit (5) according to claim 27, wherein the profiling stations (2) arranged in immediate succession are arranged opposite each other, with respect to a central plane (4) running in a parallel direction with respect to the longitudinal axis (7), and offset from each other.

30. The profiling unit (5) according to claim 27, wherein the profiling stations (2) arranged in immediate succession are arranged in a mirror-imaged manner, with respect to a central plane (4) running in a parallel direction with respect to the longitudinal axis (7).

31. The profiling unit (5) according to claim 27, wherein the profiling stations (2) arranged in immediate succession are guided on the base frame (6) so as to be displaceable in the normal direction with respect to the longitudinal axis (7), in particular in the normal direction with respect to the central plane (4).

32. A profiling installation (1) for the continuous forming of a material strip into a profile, in particular into a longitudinally welded profile with a rectangular cross-section, comprising multiple profiling stations (2) arranged in immediate succession in the direction of longitudinal axis (7), wherein the profiling stations (2) are formed according to claim 20.

33. A profiling installation (1) for the continuous forming of a material strip into a profile, in particular into a longitudinally welded profile with a rectangular cross-section, comprising multiple profiling stations (2) arranged in immediate succession in the direction of longitudinal axis (7), wherein in each case two profiling stations (2) each form multiple profiling units (5), and the profiling units (5) are formed according to claim 27.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0057] For the purpose of better understanding of the invention, it will be elucidated in more detail by means of the figures below.

[0058] These show in a respectively very simplified schematic representation:

[0059] FIG. 1 a graphic representation of a profiling installation with multiple profiling stations arranged in succession;

[0060] FIG. 2 a first possible embodiment of a rotation transmission device between the counter roller pair of the profiling arrangement, which is configured as a bevel gear arrangement, in a view;

[0061] FIG. 3 a further embodiment of the rotation transmission device between the counter roller pair and the profiling arrangement, which is configured as a cardan joint, in a view;

[0062] FIG. 4 a possible further embodiment of the rotation transmission device between the counter roller pair of the profiling arrangement, which is configured as an angular gearbox, in a view;

[0063] FIG. 5 a different drive arrangement for the counter rollers of the counter roller pair, which, however is not covered by the scope of protection, in which each counter roller is drive-connected to its own drive unit, in a view;

[0064] FIG. 6 an example of a profile to be produced with a hexagonal cross-section with multiple adumbrated forming stages.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0065] First of all, it is to be noted that in the different embodiments described, equal parts are provided with equal reference numbers and/or equal component designations, where the disclosures contained in the entire description may be analogously transferred to equal parts with equal reference numbers and/or equal component designations. Moreover, the specifications of location, such as at the top, at the bottom, at the side, chosen in the description refer to the directly described and depicted figure and in case of a change of position, these specifications of location are to be analogously transferred to the new position.

[0066] The term “in particular” shall henceforth be understood to mean that it may refer to a possible more specific formation or more detailed specification of an object or a process step, but need not necessarily depict a mandatory, preferred embodiment of same or a mandatory practice.

[0067] FIG. 1 shows in further detail and describes a profiling installation 1 and the following FIGS. 2 to 5 show in further detail and describe various details of the profiling installation 1, in particular their profiling stations 2.

[0068] The profiling installation 1 serves to permanently form a material strip 3, which may also be referred to as a sheet metal strip or sheet metal band, in multiple profiling stations 2 arranged in immediate succession into a profile with a polygonal cross-section, by means of a continuous forming process. A polygonal cross-section may be e.g. a triangular cross-section, a square cross-section, a rectangular cross-section, a hexagonal cross-section, or an octagonal cross-section. Generally, such cross-sections having multiple straight line segments may also be referred to as polygonal cross-sections. In this regard, it should be noted that cross-sections which are open via their circumference, such as L-profiles, U-profiles, C-profiles, Z-profiles or the like may be made out of the material strip 3 by means of forming.

[0069] The forming process takes place by means of so-called roll-profiling, also referred to as roll-forming or cold rolling of profiles. In roll-profiling, most commonly, an originally flat material strip 3, in particular a sheet metal strip, which may be formed of various materials, is guided through multiple cooperating rolls or rollers arranged modularly and in succession, and thereby keeps being formed further until the final cross-sectional shape is reached. The forming process is carried out such that a permanent deformation of the formed material is permanently maintained. The aspect ratio of the rectangular profile may be at least 1:3 in its cross-section. However, rectangular profiles having an aspect ratio of up to 1:6 or more shall also be able to be formed thereby. This example shows that, in this regard, the shorter side of the rectangular profile may be that side on which the longitudinal weld seam is also formed. The longitudinal weld seam may also be arranged and formed at a cross-sectional location deviating therefrom or even in a corner or angle region of the profile.

[0070] It is preferred that in this profiling installation 1, a profile, particularly a polygonal profile or an open profile, is formed out of the mostly flat material strip 3, in particular made of a metallic material. As metallic materials, ferrous materials or non-ferrous metals may be formed. For producing longitudinally welded tubes, in particular rectangular tubes or square tubes, the flat sheet metal strip and/or the material strip 3 is preferably or predominantly formed symmetrically to a central plane 4 running in the longitudinal direction of the strip, such that the tube wall formed by the central strip of the material strip 3 is opposite the weld seam to be formed or already formed. The tube wall having the weld seam is therefore composed of two angled marginal webs of the material strip 3, which are first bent up from the flat material strip 3. However, an asymmetrical forming of the material strip 3 with respect to the central plane 4 would also be possible and may be applicable to some cross-sectional shapes.

[0071] The profiling installation 1 comprises multiple profiling stations 2 which are arranged in immediate succession in the pass direction of the material strip 3. The pass direction is adumbrated with an arrow above the profiling installation 1. Moreover, two profiling stations 2 at a time, which are arranged in immediate succession, can form an associated profiling unit 5. Therefore, the profiling station 2 are always arranged in pairs. Each of the profiling units 5 can be arranged and held at or on its own base frame 6. Each of the profiling stations 2 moreover defines a longitudinal axis 7 running in the passage direction of the material strip 3 and oriented in parallel thereto. The longitudinal axis 7 and the central plane 4 run in parallel to one another, wherein the central plane 4 preferably forms a vertical plane.

[0072] The profiling stations 2 arranged in immediate succession are arranged so as to be opposite one another with respect to the central plane 4, which runs in the parallel direction with respect to the longitudinal axis 7, and thus offset from each other. This means that the first profiling station 2 is arranged at one side of the central plane 4 and the second profiling station 2 is arranged is arranged at the opposite side of the central plane 4. In order to have a sufficient width available transversely or orthogonally with respect to the central plane 4 in each profiling station 2, profiling stations 2 arranged in immediate succession are arranged so as to be offset from each other in the direction of the longitudinal axis 7 and not directly opposite one another.

[0073] Preferably, the profiling stations 2 arranged in immediate succession may additionally be arranged so as to mirror each other with respect to the central plane 4. This allows always using structurally identical profiling stations 2 in a profiling unit 5, wherein, however, the arrangement that is offset from each other in the longitudinal direction of the longitudinal axis 7 takes place.

[0074] In order to be able to produce different scales and/or dimensions in profile cross-sections, material strips 3 with different initial widths are required. For adapting and adjusting the forming width, the profiling stations 2 arranged in immediate succession are guided on the base frame 6 so as to be displaceable in the normal direction with respect to the longitudinal axis 7. This takes place in particular in the normal direction with respect to the central plane 4.

[0075] When the material strip 3 passes through the profiling units 5, each of them preferably carries out a symmetrical forming step with respect to the central plane 4. With the progressing passage of the material strip 3 through the profiling installation 1, the material strip 3 approximates the cross-sectional shape to be produced until it is reached. The joining (welding) of the ends of the bent-up legs into a closed profile cross-section is carried out either at the end of the profiling installation 1 or in a further, separate welding installation provided therefor.

[0076] FIG. 2 shows and describes in more detail a first possible and possibly independent embodiment of a profiling station 2.

[0077] The material strip 3 to be formed is formed by a strip or a longitudinal band and has a first flat side 8 or a first surface and a second flat side 9 which is arranged so as to be opposite the first flat side 8. With progression of the forming, the flat sides 8, 9 are divided in mostly multiple partial flat sides arranged next to each other and/or the material strip 3 is divided into multiple partial longitudinal bands.

[0078] The profiling station 2 in turn comprises a rack frame 10 shown in a simplified manner, which serves to accommodate and hold a profiling arrangement 11. In the following description of the profiling arrangement 11, its cooperating rollers or rolls and their drive are described by way of example. The profiling arrangement 11 serves to form the material strip 3 during the continuous passage by means of the rollers or rolls. As already described above, each of the profiling stations 2 defines the longitudinal axis 7 in the pass direction of the material strip 3. The central plane 4 preferably extends in the longitudinal axis 7, wherein the central plane 4 preferably also extends in the middle of the profile cross-section.

[0079] Here, the profiling arrangement 11 comprises at least one forming roller 12, which faces the first flat side 8—in this case the upper side—of the material strip 3. The at least one forming roller 12 serves to press the material strip 3 against a first counter roller 13 and a second counter roller 14 during the passage, as is generally known. For passing the material strip 3 through the profiling arrangement 11, a gap between the at least one forming roller 12 and the two counter rollers 13, 14, which gap corresponds to the gauge and/or thickness of the material strip 3 to be formed, is to be developed.

[0080] The first counter roller 13 is designed cylindrically and is rotatable about a first roller axis 15 and/or defines it. Moreover, the first counter roller 13 has a first roller diameter 16. The second counter roller 14 is also designed cylindrically and is in turn rotatable about a second roller axis 17 and/or defines it. The second roller diameter 18 of the second counter roller 14 corresponds, in its dimension, to the dimension of the first roller diameter 16 of the first counter roller 13. Therefore, in this exemplary embodiment, the two counter rollers 13, 14 are designed to have the same size with respect to their diameter. Moreover, the two counter rollers 13, 14 form a counter roller pair 19 and they face the second flat side 9—in this case the underside—of the material strip 3. The first roller axis 15 and the second roller axis 17 may be arranged so as to run in a common plane 20. The two roller axes 15 and 17 form between them a buckling angle 21. Moreover, the two roller axes 15 and 17 may be arranged so as to cut one another and/or intersect. The roller diameters 16 and 18 may also be different from each other, as will be described below.

[0081] However, it would also be possible to arrange the first roller axis 15 of the first counter roller 13 in a first plane 37 and to arrange the second roller axis 17 of the second counter roller 14 of a counter roller pair 19 in a second plane 38. The two planes 37 and 38 are preferably arranged so as to be parallel and offset from one another. The offset may be in the direction of the longitudinal axis 7, wherein the two planes 37 and 38 may also be arranged in a normal orientation with respect to the longitudinal axis 7. The two planes 37 and 38 are adumbrated in a simplified manner using dashed lines, wherein one of the two planes 37 or 38 may also form the previously described common plane 20. The offset arrangement of the two planes 37 and 38 relative to each other may also be selected for the exemplary embodiments described below.

[0082] At the start of the forming process, the enclosed buckling angle 21 is an obtuse angle and, in the case of a rectangular profile to be produced, approximates the right angle (90°) with progressing passage. Due to the elastic rebound of the material strip 3, the enclosed buckling angle 21 may also be slightly less than 90°. Moreover, outer enveloping surfaces of the counter rollers 13, 14, viewed in an axial section, define a bending edge 22 for the material strip 3.

[0083] Another essential factor in this exemplary embodiment and also in the further possible exemplary embodiments described below is that the counter rollers 13, 14 are each driven on their outer circumference, on which, in each case, the material strip 3 rests or is supported, such that they have the same circumferential speed relative to one another.

[0084] Here, the profiling station 2 additionally comprises a drive assembly 23 for rotationally driving at least one of the counter rollers 13, 14 of the counter roller pair 19. This way, the drive assembly 23 may comprise at least a first drive unit 24, which, in this exemplary embodiment, is drive-connected to the first counter roller 13. The first drive 24 and/or also the drive units described below may preferably be driven by and/or supplied with electric energy, wherein they also may be configured as gear motors or the like. Here, the term drive unit is understood to be any device or machine, which is designed for applying a rotational movement for driving the counter rollers 13, 14. In this regard, this may mean motors or other engines which are supplied with or driven by various drive means or energy sources. Possible bearing point and drive shafts for the counter rollers 13, 14 are not described in more detail as this falls under general expertise and can be freely selected. The profiling arrangement 11 as well as possibly also the drive assembly 23 are either held directly and/or indirectly on the rack frame 10 or accommodated therein. It should be noted that the first drive unit 24 does not have to be drive-connected to the first counter roller 13 as shown in this exemplary embodiment, but can be directly drive-connected to only the second counter roller 14. This may also be the case in the exemplary embodiments described below.

[0085] If, as shown here, the two counter rollers 13, 14 have the same roller diameter 16, 18, the same rotational frequency (same number of rotations within the same time unit) is to be selected for each of the counter rollers 13, 14.

[0086] Here, only the first counter roller 13 is driven and/or is drive-connected to the first drive unit 24. In order to be able to transmit the rotational movement and thus also the torque from the first counter roller 13 to the second counter roller 14, a mechanical rotation transmission device 25 is provided for that purpose, which is therefore arranged between the first counter roller 13 and the second counter roller 14. Thus, the drive torque can be transmitted originating from the first drive unit 24 to the first counter roller 13, from there to the mechanical rotation transmission device 25 and further on to the second counter roller 14. This way, a synchronous and low-slip to nearly no-slip drive of both counter rollers 13, 14 with the same circumferential speed is achieved.

[0087] The mechanical rotation transmission device 25 may be designed in a variety of ways, wherein in this exemplary embodiment, a bevel gear arrangement 26 having a first bevel gear wheel 27 and a second bevel gear wheel 28 meshing with the first is provided. Each of the bevel gears 27, 28 is arranged or formed on the corresponding counter roller 13, 14 in particular fastened thereon. The respective fastenings are not further described for the sake of clarity.

[0088] A guide assembly 29 may be provided around the previously described gap width for passing the material strip 3 through the cooperating rollers of the profiling arrangement 11. Preferably, the counter rollers 13, 14 of the counter roller pair 19 are arranged and held fixed in place with respect to and on the rack frame 10. By means of the guide assembly 29 the at least one forming roller 12 is displaceably guided on the rack frame 10. An additional locking device and/or clamping device may be provided for determining the set position of the forming roller 12.

[0089] The previously described plane 20, in which the two roller axes 15, 17 run so as to intersect, is preferably arranged or oriented in a normal orientation with respect to the longitudinal axis 7.

[0090] FIG. 3 shows a further possible embodiment of the profiling station 2, wherein again, equal reference numbers and/or component designations are used for equal parts as before in FIGS. 1 and 2. In order to avoid unnecessary repetitions, it is pointed to/reference is made to the detailed description in FIGS. 1 and 2 preceding it.

[0091] The general structure corresponds to that which has been described in the two FIGS. 1 and 2. Here, merely a different embodiment of the mechanical rotation transmission device 25 was chosen.

[0092] Thus, it is provided here that instead of the previously described bevel gear 26, the drive torque is transferred from the driven first counter roller 13 to the second counter roller 14 by means of a cardan joint 30.

[0093] Instead of the cardan joint 30, which may also be referred to as universal joint, however, a jointed shaft, which is not further illustrated, could be used for transmitting the drive torque.

[0094] FIG. 4 shows a further possible embodiment of the profiling station 2, wherein again, equal reference numbers and/or component designations are used for equal parts as before in FIGS. 1 and 2. In order to avoid unnecessary repetitions, it is pointed to/reference is made to the detailed description in FIGS. 1 and 2 preceding it.

[0095] The general structure corresponds to that which has been described in the two FIGS. 1 and 2. Here, merely a different embodiment of the mechanical rotation transmission device 25 was chosen.

[0096] Thus, it is provided here that, instead of the bevel gear 26 previously described in FIG. 2, the torque is transmitted from the first counter roller 13 to the second counter roller 14 of the counter roller pair 19 by means of an angular gearbox 31. This applies particularly when the two roller axes 15, 17 enclose a right angle.

[0097] With the angular gearbox 31, it would also be possible for a speed reduction or speed increase of the rotational frequency from the driven counter roller 13, 14 to the further counter roller 14, 13 to take place between the counter rollers 13, 14. This applies particularly when roller diameters 16, 18 that are different from each other are used.

[0098] FIG. 5 shows a further possible exemplary embodiment, in which the two counter rollers 13, 14 are each drive-connected to their own drive means. In this regard, the mechanical rotation transmission device 25 as previously described in FIGS. 2 to 4 is dispensed with.

[0099] Additionally, the drive assembly 23 also comprises a second drive unit 32 in addition to the first drive unit 24. The first counter roller 13 is drive-connected to the first drive unit 24, wherein the second counter roller 14 is drive-connected to the second drive unit 32.

[0100] In this embodiment, it is not obligatorily required to design the counter rollers 13, 14 having the same roller diameter 16, 18. Each of the counter rollers 13, 14 of the drive unit 24, 32 correspondingly drive-connected thereto can be driven with the rotational frequency attuned to the respective roller diameter 16, 18 in order to ensure an equal circumferential speed. This way, the counter rollers 13, 14 may also be designed having different roller diameters 16, 18. Accordingly, here, the second counter roller 14 has a greater roller diameter 18 relative to the first counter roller 13. Additionally, a separate control device for the drive assembly 23 may be provided for setting a rotational frequency in the respective drive unit 24, 32, which rotational frequency corresponds to the predefined circumferential speed.

[0101] As is further evident from FIG. 5, the drive assembly 23 may comprise a further drive unit 33. The further drive unit 33 is drive-connected to the forming roller 12 for also being able to subject the latter to a drive torque. This additional arrangement may be applied optionally and does not necessarily have to be provided in each of the profiling stations 2 arranged in succession. Preferably, the further drive unit 33 may be used for forming rollers 12 having a cylindrical outer circumference. This way, different circumferential speeds in the contact region with the material strip 3 to be formed can be avoided. The further drive unit 33 may also be applied in the previously described embodiment and/or designs according to FIG. 1, 2, 3, or 4.

[0102] FIG. 6 shows an example of a continuous forming of the material strip 3 into the profile, in the present case a hexagonal profile. In this regard, the finished cross-section is represented in full lines and the forming steps performed until then in the individual profiling stations 2 are represented in dashed lines. The depiction of the connection seam in the region of the longitudinal edges to be joined for forming the closed profile was forgone.

[0103] In the center of the profile, the central plane 4 is depicted. This exemplary embodiment additionally shows that those two partial longitudinal bands 34, 35 arranged so as to have a longitudinal extension on the edges of the material strip 3 each have a different width in a cross-sectional plane running in a normal orientation with respect to the longitudinal axis 7. In the present case, the partial longitudinal band 34 initially located to the left of the central plane 4 has a larger width than the partial longitudinal band 35 initially located on the right side. The two partial longitudinal bands 34, 35 together form one of the partial flat sides of the profile to be produced. Due to the widths of the two partial longitudinal bands 34, 35 being selected to be different from each other, the butt joint and the subsequently formed longitudinal connection region are not arranged so as to run symmetrically with respect to the central plane 4. Thus, the butt joint and the subsequently formed longitudinal connection region are arranged so as to run around an offset 36 off-center and thus laterally offset with respect to the central plane 4.

[0104] Finally, it should be noted that the previously described different rotation transmission devices 25 may be combined as desired to form the profiling installation 1.

[0105] The exemplary embodiments show possible embodiment variants, and it should be noted in this respect that the invention is not restricted to these particular illustrated embodiment variants of it, but that rather also various combinations of the individual embodiment variants are possible and that this possibility of variation owing to the teaching for technical action provided by the present invention lies within the ability of the person skilled in the art in this technical field.

[0106] The scope of protection is determined by the claims. However, the description and the drawings are to be adduced for construing the claims. Individual features or feature combinations from the different exemplary embodiments shown and described may represent independent inventive solutions. The object underlying the independent inventive solutions may be gathered from the description.

[0107] All indications regarding ranges of values in the present description are to be understood such that these also comprise random and all partial ranges from it, for example, the indication 1 to 10 is to be understood such that it comprises all partial ranges based on the lower limit 1 and the upper limit 10, i.e. all partial ranges start with a lower limit of 1 or larger and end with an upper limit of 10 or less, for example 1 through 1.7, or 3.2 through 8.1, or 5.5 through 10.

[0108] Finally, as a matter of form, it should be noted that for ease of understanding of the structure, elements are partially not depicted to scale and/or are enlarged and/or are reduced in size.

TABLE-US-00001 List of reference numbers 1 profiling installation 2 profiling station 3 material strip 4 central plane 5 profiling unit 6 base frame 7 longitudinal axis 8 first flat side 9 second flat side 10 rack frame 11 profiling arrangement 12 forming roller 13 first counter roller 14 second counter roller 15 first roller axis 16 first roller diameter 17 second roller axis 18 second roller diameter 19 counter roller pair 20 plane 21 buckling angle 22 bending edge 23 drive assembly 24 first drive unit 25 rotation transmission device 26 bevel gear arrangement 27 first bevel gear wheel 28 second bevel gear wheel 29 guide assembly 30 cardan joint 31 angular gearbox 32 second drive unit 33 further drive unit 34 partial longitudinal band 35 partial longitudinal band 36 offset 37 first plane 38 second plane