CATERPILLAR TRACK DRAWING METHOD AND CATERPILLAR TRACK DRAWING MACHINE

Abstract

A caterpillar track drawing method includes drawing a workpiece through a drawing die using a caterpillar track disposed behind the drawing die as seen in a drawing direction; and drawing a workpiece along a drawing line aligned parallel to the drawing direction while forming the workpiece by the drawing die. The caterpillar track includes circulating first and second drawing chains including chain links circulating parallel to a drawing plane. Each drawing chain is guided around first and second chain wheels having first and second axes aligned perpendicular to the drawing plane At least one measurable variable, inherent to the caterpillar track, of modules of the caterpillar track that resist or apply drawing force is recorded and optionally used for activation of a manipulated variable. In another aspect, a caterpillar track drawing machine includes the drawing die, the caterpillar track, and at least one measurable variable recorder.

Claims

1. A caterpillar track drawing method comprising: drawing a workpiece through a drawing die using a caterpillar track disposed behind the drawing die as seen in a drawing direction; and drawing a workpiece along a drawing line aligned parallel to the drawing direction while forming the workpiece by the drawing die; wherein the caterpillar track comprises circulating first and second drawing chains comprising chain links circulating parallel to a drawing plane; wherein each of the first and second drawing chains is guided around first and second chain wheels having first and second axes aligned perpendicular to the drawing plane; wherein at least one of steps (i) and (ii) is performed: (i) recording at least one measurable variable, inherent to the caterpillar track, of modules of the caterpillar track that resist or apply drawing force; (ii) recording, and using for activation of a manipulated variable, inherent to the caterpillar track, of modules of the caterpillar track that resist or apply drawing force, at least one measurable variable inherent to the caterpillar track.

2. The caterpillar track drawing method according to claim 1, wherein the at least one measurable variable is a drawing chain measurable variable of at least one of the first and second drawing chains selected from the following group of drawing chain measurable variables: drawing chain speed drawing chain clamping pressure drawing chain vibration drawing chain temperature drawing chain offset.

3. The caterpillar track drawing method according to claim 1, wherein the at least one measurable variable is a drive train measurable variable of at least one of the first and second drawing chains selected from the following group of drive train measurable variables: chain wheel torque chain wheel rpm chain wheel vibration chain wheel temperature.

4. The caterpillar track drawing method according to claim 1, wherein the at least one measurable variable is a frame measurable variable selected from the following group of frame measurable variables: frame vibration oscillation pressing pressure.

5. The caterpillar track drawing method according to claim 1, further comprising recording a material speed as an additional measurable variable and using the material speed for activation of a manipulated variable inherent to the caterpillar track in step (i) or as the manipulated variable inherent to the caterpillar track in step (ii).

6. The caterpillar track drawing method according to claim 1, wherein in step (ii) the manipulated variable is a drawing chain measurable variable of at least one of the first and second drawing chains selected from the following group of drawing chain measurable variables: drawing chain speed drawing chain clamping pressure.

7. The caterpillar track drawing method according to claim 1, wherein in step (ii) the manipulated variable is a drive train measurable variable of at least one of the first and second drawing chains selected from the following group of drive train measurable variables: gear mechanism settings chain wheel torque chain wheel rpm.

8. The caterpillar track drawing method according to claim 1, wherein in step (ii) the manipulated variable is a frame manipulated variable comprising a pressing pressure.

9. The caterpillar track drawing method according to claim 1, further comprising determining from the at least one measurable variables inherent to the caterpillar track at least one of the following: a chain offset of the first and second drawing chains relative to one another a wear of the first and second drawing chains a slipping between the workpiece and at least one of the first and second drawing chains.

10. The caterpillar track drawing method according to claim 1, wherein in step (ii) at least one regulating variable inherent to the caterpillar track is regulated by manipulating the manipulated variable.

11. The caterpillar track drawing method according to claim 10, further comprising regulating at least one of the following: the chain offset of both the first drawing chain and the second drawing chain relative to one another a slipping between at least one of the first and second drawing chains and the workpiece the chain tension of at least one of the first and second drawing chains.

12. A caterpillar track drawing machine comprising: a drawing die; and a caterpillar track disposed behind the drawing die as seen in a drawing direction and configured to draw a workpiece along a drawing line aligned parallel to the drawing direction while forming the workpiece by the drawing die; wherein the caterpillar track comprises circulating first and second drawing chains comprising chain links circulating parallel to a drawing plane; wherein each of the first and second drawing chains is guided around first and second chain wheels having first and second axes aligned perpendicular to the drawing plane; wherein the caterpillar track drawing machine further comprises at least one of features (i) and (ii): (i) measurable variable recording means for recording at least one measurable variable, inherent to the caterpillar track, of modules of the caterpillar track (11) that resist or apply drawing force; (ii) measurable variable recording means for recording at least one measurable variable inherent to the caterpillar track and at least one actuator, inherent to the caterpillar track, of modules of the caterpillar track that resist or apply drawing force, and a control unit, wherein the control unit has a recording means input and an actuator output, wherein the recording means input is connected with the measurable variable recording means in a relationship that transmits measurable variables and the actuator output is connected with the actuator, inherent to the caterpillar track, in an activating relationship.

13. The caterpillar track drawing machine according to claim 12, wherein the measurable variable recording means comprise drawing chain measurable variable recording means selected from the following group of drawing chain measurable variable recording means: drawing chain speed recording means drawing chain clamping pressure recording means drawing chain vibration recording means drawing chain temperature recording means drawing chain offset recording means.

14. The caterpillar track drawing machine according to claim 12, wherein the measurable variable recording means comprise drive train measurable variable recording means selected from the following group of drive train measurable variable recording means: chain wheel torque recording means chain wheel rpm recording means chain wheel vibration recording means chain wheel temperature recording means.

15. The caterpillar track drawing machine according to claim 12, wherein the measurable variable recording means comprise frame measurable variable recording means selected from the following group of frame measurable variable recording means: frame vibration recording means oscillation recording means pressing pressure recording means.

16. The caterpillar track drawing machine according to claim 12, further comprising material speed recording means.

17. The caterpillar track drawing machine according to claim 12, wherein in feature (ii) the actuator is a drawing chain manipulated variable actuator selected from the following group of drawing chain manipulated variable actuators: drawing chain speed actuator drawing chain clamping pressure actuator.

18. The caterpillar track drawing machine according to claim 12, wherein in feature (ii) the actuator is a drive train manipulated variable actuator selected from the following group of drive train manipulated variable actuators: gear mechanism setting actuator chain wheel torque actuator chain wheel rpm actuator.

19. The caterpillar track drawing machine according to claim 12, wherein in feature (ii) the actuator is a frame manipulated variable actuator comprising a pressing pressure actuator.

20. The caterpillar track drawing machine according to claim 12, further comprising at least one of the following determining means configured to use the at least one measurable variable inherent to the caterpillar track: chain offset determining means wear determining means slipping determining means.

21. The caterpillar track drawing machine according to claim 12, wherein in feature (ii) the control unit comprises at least one of the following: a chain offset control unit a slipping control unit a chain tension control unit.

22. A regulating method for regulating the caterpillar track drawing machine according to claim 12, wherein the caterpillar track drawing machine comprises feature (ii) and the control unit comprises at least one of the following: a neural network fuzzy logic artificial intelligence a control program for a programmable computing machine.

23. A regulating method for regulating the caterpillar track drawing machine according to claim 12, wherein the caterpillar track drawing machine comprises feature (ii) and wherein at least one of a drawing chain offset between the drawing chains and a slipping between the workpiece and at least one drawing chain are regulated by manipulation of the at least one actuator as a function of the at least one measurable variable, inherent to the caterpillar track, recorded by the measurable variable recording means.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0141] Further advantages, objectives and properties of the present invention will be explained on the basis of the following description of exemplary embodiments, which are also illustrated in particular in the accompanying drawing.

[0142] In the drawings,

[0143] FIG. 1 shows a caterpillar track drawing machine in a side view;

[0144] FIG. 2 shows the caterpillar track drawing machine according to FIG. 1 in perspective view; and

[0145] FIG. 3 shows a schematic view of a regulating method for the caterpillar track drawing machine according to FIGS. 1 and 2.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0146] A caterpillar track drawing machine 10 comprises, as illustrated by way of example in FIGS. 1 to 3, a drawing die 21 and a caterpillar track 11, which is disposed behind the drawing die 21 as seen in a drawing direction 30 and which comprises two drawing chains 12, which respectively circulate parallel to a drawing plane 32, which in FIG. 1 represents the plane of the diagram, and which respectively comprise several chain links 13. In addition, each of the two drawing chains 12 is guided around two chain wheels 14, which respectively have axes 15, which are oriented perpendicular to the drawing plane 32.

[0147] The caterpillar track 11 is set up to draw a workpiece 20 along a drawing line 31 oriented parallel to the drawing direction 30 while forming it by the drawing die 21. In addition, the drawing die 21 comprises a motor adjustment 22, which is able to adjust the drawing die 21 correspondingly, wherein the formability of the drawing material as well as the temperature prior to the drawing process can also be measured at the drawing die.

[0148] The main drive of the caterpillar track drawing machine 10 or of the caterpillar track 11 takes place via drive 16, which in this exemplary embodiment is of electric motor construction. In differing embodiments, other drive types, for example hydraulic, are conceivable here. This drive is part of a drive train, in order to drive the caterpillar track 11.

[0149] The drive train additionally comprises, between the drive 16 and the chain wheels 14, two gear mechanisms 17, so that all drive forces from the drive 16 are distributed to two gear mechanisms 17. A first gear mechanism 17 is operationally connected with the chain wheel 14 of a first drawing chain 12, while the second gear mechanism 17 is connected with the chain wheels 14 of the second drawing chain 12, so that each gear mechanism 17 ensures the drive of the chain wheels 14 of respectively one drawing chain 12. The driven chain wheels 14 are likewise part of the drive train, just as is ultimately the respective drawing chain 12, which for its part then drives the workpiece 20 together with the other drawing chain 12.

[0150] Because the drawing chains 12 respectively run around two chain wheels 14, the gear mechanisms 17 respectively also drive one of the two drawing chains 12, so that, in the drive train of the caterpillar track 11, the drive 16 drives both drawing chains 12 via the gear mechanisms 17 and via the chain wheels 14.

[0151] During the drawing process, each of the drawing chains 12 then grips the workpiece 20 with a certain pressing pressure due to its chain links 13 and thereby draws the workpiece 20 along the drawing line 31 in drawing direction 30, wherein the workpiece 20 is formed by the drawing die 21.

[0152] In this exemplary embodiment, the chain links 13 respectively carry, in a manner known in itself, drawing tools, which bear on the workpiece 20 in a drawing area (not numbered), so that a drawing force can be transmitted from the drawing chains 12 to the workpiece 20 or to the drawing stock.

[0153] It will be understood that, in differing embodiments, it is possible to provide further drawing chains and other constructive differences, such as, for example, the exact mounting of the drawing chains 12, the concrete configuration of the gear mechanisms and the like. In particular, it is conceivable in a differing embodiment, that, for example, both chain wheels 14 of a drawing chain 12 are driven, in order to influence the running of the drawing chains 12, wherein it is then advantageous to match the torque distribution in the drive of these chain wheels 14 or their rpm suitably with one another.

[0154] During the drawing process, the drawing chains 12 move with a certain drawing chain speed, which is dependent on the drive 16, in a manner depending on how this drive drives the drawing chains 12. This drawing chain speed may be recorded or measured by drawing chain speed recording means 51. The drawing chain speed recording means 51 of the present exemplary embodiment are disposed directly in the surroundings of the chain links 13 of the drawing chain 12 that are traveling past. For example, the speed may be measured concretely by an inductive excitation of magnets that are traveling past and are mounted on the chain links 13. Likewise, for example, a photoelectric cell is able to record a passage of the chain links 13, in order then to deduce the speed from the clock cycle or the passage duration. It will be understood, however, that the drawing chain speed recording means 51 may also be disposed at another place in order to measure the drawing chain speed.

[0155] Because the drawing chains 12 are driven by the chain wheels 14 or the drawing chains 12 circulate around the chain wheels 14, the drawing chain speed is also dependent on the chain wheel rpm. The chain wheel rpm is also dependent on the drive by the gear mechanism 17 as well as by the transmission of force or rpm via the gear mechanisms 17. In the present exemplary embodiment, this chain wheel rpm can be recorded or measured via chain wheel rpm recording means 62, which are disposed on the gear mechanism 17. It is also conceivable, however, that the chain wheel rpm recording means 62 may be disposed at another place of the drive train, such as, for example, directly on the chain wheel 14, in order to measure the chain wheel rpm.

[0156] In addition, the drawing chains 12 are tensioned by the chain wheels 14 with a drawing chain clamping pressure. This drawing chain clamping pressure may be recorded or measured at the two drawing chains 12 by drawing chain clamping pressure recording means 52. These drawing chain clamping pressure recording means 52 are disposed in the region between the two chain wheels 14 of a drawing chain 12, respectively on an associated drawing chain clamping pressure actuator 92, by means of which the drawing chain clamping pressure can be manipulated, and they measure the drawing chain clamping pressure that the drawing chain 12 exerts on the drawing chain clamping pressure recoding means 52 or on the drawing chain clamping pressure actuator 92.

[0157] During the process of drawing of the workpiece 20 by the caterpillar track 11, vibrations that may be referred to as drawing chain vibrations naturally develop on the drawing chains 12. These vibrations may be recorded via drawing chain vibration recording means 53, which are disposed in a region that the drawing chain 12 passes through during circulation of the chain wheels 14.

[0158] The drawing chain temperature, which changes naturally during a drawing process, in particular rises, for example, may also be recorded or measured by drawing chain temperature recording means 54. These drawing chain temperature recording means 54 may be disposed directly in a region between the chain wheels 14 past which the drawing chain 12 travels. It will be understood, however, that the drawing chain temperature recording means 54 may also be disposed at any other place in the region of the caterpillar track 11, provided that the drawing chain temperature can also be measured at this place.

[0159] It is possible that the two drawing chains 12 have a drawing chain offset relative to one another, which is to be recognized in that, for example, individual chain links 13 of the drawing chains 12 no longer run parallel to one another but instead have an offset relative to one another. Such a drawing chain offset may then be detected, as in the present exemplary embodiment, by drawing chain offset recording means 55, which in the present version is disposed in the region of the workpiece 20 between the two drawing chains 12, because the synchronous running of the two drawing chains 12 or of the chain links 13 can be recorded particularly well here. Other measuring methods, however, are also conceivable in order to record a drawing chain offset between the two drawing chains 12. Thus, for example, respectively an inductive excitation of magnets that are traveling past and mounted on the chain links 13 or a passage of the chain links 13 recorded by a photoelectric cell may be used in order to deduce the offset from the deviation of the passages from one another or a change of the offset from a change of the deviation.

[0160] For a drive of the chain wheels 14, these chain wheels are naturally driven with a certain torque, which may be referred to as the chain wheel torque. Aside from natural oscillations of the chain wheels or aside from tensions and torsions of the chain wheels, etc., the chain wheel torque also describes the torque with which the chain wheels 14 drive the drawing chains 12. The chain wheel torque may be recorded or measured by chain wheel torque recording means 61. In the present exemplary embodiment, the torque measurement takes place, for example, via strain gauges, wherein the chain wheel torque recording means 61 are disposed on the chain wheel 14. It will be understood that the torque may also be recorded or measured in another region of the drive train, for example, such as, for example, in the gear mechanism 17 or between gear mechanism 17 and chain wheel 14 or via other torque sensors.

[0161] The vibrations present at the chain wheel 14 and developed during the drawing process may also be recorded as chain vibration via chain wheel vibration recording means 63, which in the present exemplary embodiment are disposed on the gear mechanism 17. The chain wheel vibration recording means 63 may also be disposed, however, directly on the chain wheel 14 or another part of the drive train. In particular, if the chain wheel torque recording means 61 are implemented as strain gauges, for example, they may also be used as chain wheel vibration recording means 63.

[0162] At the chain wheel 14 itself, temperature fluctuations, which develop naturally due to the physical processes, also develop during the drawing process, wherein this chain wheel temperature may be recorded or determined via chain wheel temperature recording means 64, which are disposed directly on the chain wheel 14. It is conceivable that the chain wheel temperature recording means 64 are also not disposed directly on the chain wheel 14 and, for example, are able to measure the chain wheel temperature contactlessly.

[0163] The vibrations developing during the drawing process are also transmitted to a frame 18 of the caterpillar track 11. These frame vibrations may be recorded or measured at some place on the frame via frame vibration recording means 71. In the present exemplary embodiment, the frame vibration recording means 71 is disposed in a region between the two chain wheels 14 on a pressing beam 19, known in itself, which via an intermediate chain, likewise known in itself and illustrated only schematically as well as unnumbered, exerts a pressing pressure in the direction of the workpiece 20, so that the drawing tools are able to grip the workpiece 20, wherein these load-bearing components may also be disposed if necessary at another suitable place of the caterpillar track 11.

[0164] This pressing beam 19 can be positioned via pressing pressure actuators 111 in or parallel to the drawing plane 32 with a component perpendicular to the drawing line 31 or drawing direction 30, which actuators, in this exemplary embodiment, are constructed as eccentric gears, known in themselves, with which a chain wheel carrier, comprising the pressing beam 19 and not separately numbered here, can be positioned in or parallel to the drawing plane 32 with a component perpendicular to the drawing line 31 or drawing direction 30.

[0165] In addition, oscillations, which in the present exemplary embodiment can be measured or recorded via oscillation recording means 72, develop naturally on the caterpillar track drawing machine 10.

[0166] During the process of drawing of the workpiece 20 by the drawing chains 12, the drawing chains 12 exert, on the workpiece 20, a certain pressing pressure, which, as already suggested in the foregoing, can be applied by the pressing beam 19 and is also of importance for an operationally reliable drawing process as well as for preserving the quality of the workpiece 20. This pressing pressure may be measured or recorded via pressing pressure recording means 73 on the caterpillar track 11.

[0167] The oscillation recording means 72 and the pressing pressure recording means 73 are also provided on the pressing beam 19 in this exemplary embodiment, wherein, in differing embodiments, they may also be provided at another suitable place.

[0168] In addition, the material speed of the workpiece 20 is measured by material speed recording means 41 in a region in drawing direction 30 behind the caterpillar track 11. It will be understood that the material speed may also be measured in other regions of the caterpillar track 11, such as, for example, in the region in which the workpiece 20 is in contact with the drawing chains 12 or, viewed in drawing direction 30, in front of the caterpillar track 11 or between the drawing die 21 and the caterpillar track 11.

[0169] In addition, the caterpillar track drawing machine 10 of the present exemplary embodiment has numerous possibilities for being able to adjust parameters that concern the process of drawing by the caterpillar track 11 or the caterpillar track 11 directly.

[0170] Thus, the caterpillar track 11 has drawing chain speed actuators 91, which are able to change the drawing chain speed. These drawing chain speed actuators 91 are in particular part of the drive 16 or of the gear mechanism 17 and as such are disposed within these units, so that the drawing chain speed actuators 91 are not further illustrated in the diagrams according to FIGS. 1 and 2 of the present exemplary embodiment. For example, however, devices are also conceivable by which the running radius of the drawing chains 12 around the chain wheels 14 may be modified, which, in the case of a driven chain wheel 14, then has a corresponding influence on the drawing chain speed, so that such a device is likewise to be rated as a drawing chain speed actuator 91.

[0171] Drawing chain clamping pressure actuators 92, which are able to push the drawing chains 12 perpendicular to the drawing direction 30 at the side of the drawing chains 12 facing away from the workpiece 20, in order to clamp the drawing chains 12 or to change the drawing chain clamping pressure, are disposed between the chain wheels 14, as already explained in the foregoing. In the present exemplary embodiment, the drawing chain clamping pressure recording means 52, the drawing chain vibration recording means 53 and the drawing chain temperature recording means 54 are also disposed on this drawing chain clamping pressure actuator 92.

[0172] Moreover, important parameters for the drive of the chain wheels 14 can also be changed via gear mechanism setting actuators 101, which are disposed within the gear mechanism 17. The gear mechanism setting actuators 101 are also disposed within these units, so that they are not further illustrated in the diagrams according to FIGS. 1 and 2 of the present exemplary embodiment.

[0173] The chain wheel torque or the chain wheel torques are also changed in the present exemplary embodiment via chain wheel torque actuators 102, so that, for example, the torque of the chain wheels 14 or their rpm may be changed as needed. Likewise, the chain wheel torque actuators 102 are disposed within the gear mechanism 17, so that they are likewise not further illustrated in the diagrams according to FIGS. 1 and 2 of the present exemplary embodiment.

[0174] The chain wheel rpm of the chain wheels 14 may also be changed in similar manner, in that chain wheel rpm actuators 103, which likewise are not separately visible in the diagrams of FIGS. 1 and 2, are disposed, however, in the region of the chain wheel 14 or of the gear mechanism 17 or in the region of the drive train.

[0175] In addition, the pressing pressure is set by the pressing pressure actuator 111 already explained in the foregoing, so that the pressure with which the drawing chains 12 press on the workpiece 20 can be changed.

[0176] The caterpillar track drawing machine 10 of the present exemplary embodiment comprises a regulating and control system, as is illustrated schematically in FIG. 3. The drawing chain speed recording means 51, the drawing chain clamping pressure recording means 52, the drawing chain vibration recording means 53, the drawing chain temperature recording means 54 and the drawing chain offset recording means 55 are assembled as the drawing chain measurable variable recording means 50 and thus represent all variables that concern the drawing chain 12 and correspondingly may be grouped as drawing chain measurable variable recording means 50.

[0177] In addition, the chain wheel torque recording means 61, the chain wheel rpm recording means 62, the chain wheel vibration recording means 63 and the chain wheel temperature recording means 64 may be assembled as the drive train measurable variable recording means 60, which respectively describe the measurable variables concerning the drive train.

[0178] The frame vibration recording means 71, the oscillation recording means 72 and the pressing pressure recording means 73 may be grouped under frame measurable variable recording means 70, because these recording means record measurable variables that are related to the frame 18.

[0179] It will be understood that, in addition to the recording means mentioned in the foregoing, further recording means may be included under the drawing chain measurable variable recording means 50, the drive train measurable variable recording means 60 and the frame measurable variable recording means 70, because it is conceivable that still further physical parameters, not mentioned, may be recorded on the caterpillar track 11 or on the caterpillar track drawing machine 10, for which corresponding recording means may then be expedient. The mentioned recording means 50, 60 and 70 as well as also the material speed recording means 41 can be grouped on the whole as measurable variable recording means 40 for recording measurable variables, inherent to the caterpillar track, of modules of the caterpillar track 11 that resist the drawing force or apply it.

[0180] Supplementarily, still further recording means may be provided, such as the material speed recording means 41 provided by way of example in this exemplary embodiment.

[0181] In addition, all actuators 80 may also be grouped correspondingly.

[0182] Thus, drawing chain speed actuators 91 and drawing chain clamping pressure actuators 92 are grouped together as drawing chain manipulated variable actuators 90.

[0183] The gear mechanism setting actuators 101, the chain wheel torque actuators 102 and the chain wheel rpm actuators 103 are referred to collectively as drive train manipulated variable actuators 100.

[0184] The pressing pressure actuator 111 may also be described in general as a frame manipulated variable actuator 110, wherein, in differing embodiments, further frame manipulated variable actuators 110 may be provided, as already explained in the introduction.

[0185] The actuators 80 therefore comprise all drawing chain manipulated variable actuators 90, drive train manipulated variable actuators 100 and frame manipulated variable actuators 110. In addition, it is conceivable that further actuators 80 may also be provided in order to be able to adjust any manipulated variables whatsoever that may be part of the caterpillar track 11.

[0186] By way of example, part of the regulating and control system in the present exemplary embodiment are also determining means 120, which comprise chain offset determining means 121, wear determining means 122 and slipping determining means 123. As indicated in FIG. 3, these determining means use measured data supplied by the measurable variable recording means 40 as well as the material speed recording means 41 and, in other embodiments, further or alternative recording means, in order to determine corresponding data by implementing suitable data links.

[0187] In addition, the entire process in this exemplary embodiment is controlled supplementarily via a control unit 130, which comprises a chain offset control unit 133, a slipping control unit 134 and a chain tension control unit 135.

[0188] The control unit 130 has, in this exemplary embodiment, a determining means input 131, by which parameters are transmitted from the determining means 120, as well as also an actuator output 132, in order to transmit corresponding settings or adjustments to the actuators 80.

[0189] Alternatively or cumulatively, it is also possible to provide, in the control unit 130, recording means input, by which measurable variables from the measurable variable recording means 40 or further recording means, such as the material speed recording means 41, may be fed correspondingly to the control unit 130, in order then to be able to transmit corresponding settings or adjustments to the actuators 80.

[0190] The regulating method for regulating the caterpillar track drawing machine 10 of the present exemplary embodiment regulates, as is illustrated in FIG. 3, the chain offset between the two drawing chains 12 via the chain offset control unit 133. In addition, the slipping control unit 134 regulates a slipping between the workpiece 20 and at least one of the two drawing chains 12. Furthermore, the chain tension control unit 135 regulates the chain tension of the two drawing chains 12.

[0191] For this purpose, the measurable variables, inherent to the caterpillar track, of modules of the caterpillar track that resist or apply drawing force, are recorded via the measurable variable recording means 40. From these measurable variables and possibly the material speed, which is recorded via the material speed recording means 41, a chain offset, a wear, and a slipping are then determined via the determining means 120. These variables may be determined from at least one of the measurable variables that are recorded by the measurable variable recording means 40, or by a combination of various measurable variables. This determination is possible because the measurable variables are in a direct relationship with the chain offset, with the wear or with a slipping between workpiece 20 and drawing chain 12. For example, a chain offset could be deduced from different drawing chain speeds between the two drawing chains 12. A high wear of the drawing chains 12 could be determined, for example, from increased vibrations. An unequal material speed of the workpiece 20 makes it possible, for example, to deduce an at least partial slipping between the workpiece 20 and at least one of the two drawing chains 12.

[0192] It will be understood that all other measurable variables or combinations of these measurable variables may also be used in order to determine a chain offset, a wear, or a slipping with the determining means 120.

[0193] Depending on the measurable variables, inherent to the caterpillar track, measured by the measurable variable recording means 40 and on the chain offset, wear, or slipping determined from them, the actuators 80 are then adjusted.

[0194] Because both a chain offset and also an increased wear as well as a slipping between workpiece 20 and the drawing chains 12 is undesired, the actuators 80 will adapt the manipulated variables correspondingly, in order to counteract these situations.

[0195] For example, if a chain offset occurs, the drawing chain speed of at least one of the two drawing chains 12 may be adjusted, so that the two drawing chains 12 again run synchronously with one another.

[0196] Also, for example, the pressing pressure could be adapted by the pressing pressure actuator 111, in order to counteract an increased wear.

[0197] It is possible to react, for example, to a slipping between the workpiece 20 and at least one of the two drawing chains 12 in that the drawing chain clamping pressure actuator 92 increases the drawing chain clamping pressure, in order to prevent a corresponding slipping.

[0198] It will be understood that various measures or positioning capabilities of the actuators 80 are possible in order to regulate the process correspondingly.

[0199] In this regard, especially a difference of the measurable variables or of the manipulated variables of the two drawing chains 12 relative to one another may also be of importance, because especially a disequilibrium between the two drawing chains 12 may cause a non-synchronous running of the two drawing chains 12.

[0200] Thus, depending on the measurable variables inherent to the caterpillar track and on the parameters determined from them by the determining means 120, the manipulated variables, inherent to the caterpillar track, of modules of the caterpillar track 11 that resist or apply drawing force, can be activated by the actuators 80, in order to achieve an automatic synchronization of the drawing chains 12 of the caterpillar track 11 of the caterpillar track drawing machine 10 as well as an optimization of the quality and useful life of the drawing stock.

[0201] In addition, the possibility exists in the regulating method of the present caterpillar track drawing machine 10, that the measurable variables, inherent to the caterpillar track, of modules of the caterpillar track 11 that resist or apply drawing force, recorded by the measurable variable recording means 40, or measurable variables recorded by further recording means, such as the material speed recording means 41, can be fed partly or completely to an artificial intelligence, to a neural network and/or to a fuzzy logic, in order to activate the actuators 80 correspondingly or else only in order to output suitable parameters as information about the quality of the drawing process, for example via a monitor, a warning system in the case of critical deviations, or a data memory or paper printout.

[0202] In this regard, the determining means 120 or even the control unit 130 may be implemented if necessary in the artificial intelligence, in the neural network or in the fuzzy logic and not in standalone manner. If necessary, however, corresponding parameters may furthermore be output for information purposes or for control purposes.

[0203] Depending on concrete configuration, it is also possible here to employ in particular mixed forms between conventional control and regulation technology, computer-assisted control and regulation technology as well as modern control and regulation methods, such as can be realized by artificial intelligence, neural networks or the fuzzy logic.

[0204] It appears essential that especially at least one measurable variable, inherent to the caterpillar track, of modules that resist or apply drawing force or corresponding measurable variable recording means be used as input variables or that the activation of manipulated variables, inherent to the caterpillar track, of modules that resist or apply drawing force take place from the recording at least of one measurable variable inherent to the caterpillar track or that the latter be used for activation of a manipulated variable, inherent to the caterpillar track, of modules of the caterpillar track 11 that resist or apply drawing force.

[0205] Although only a few embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described, it is to be understood that many changes and modifications may be made thereunto without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

LIST OF REFERENCE SYMBOLS

[0206] 10 Caterpillar track drawing machine [0207] 11 Caterpillar track [0208] 12 Drawing chain [0209] 13 Chain link [0210] 14 Chain wheel [0211] 15 Axis of the chain wheel 14 [0212] 16 Drive [0213] 17 Gear mechanism [0214] 18 Frame [0215] 19 Pressing beam [0216] 20 Workpiece [0217] 21 Drawing die [0218] 22 Motor adjustment [0219] 30 Drawing direction [0220] 31 Drawing line [0221] 32 Drawing plane [0222] 40 Measurable variable recording means [0223] 41 Material speed recording means [0224] 50 Drawing chain measurable variable recording means [0225] 51 Drawing chain speed recording means [0226] 52 Drawing chain clamping pressure recording means [0227] 53 Drawing chain vibration recording means [0228] 54 Drawing chain temperature recording means [0229] 55 Drawing chain offset recording means [0230] 60 Drive train measurable variable recording means [0231] 61 Chain wheel torque recording means [0232] 62 Chain wheel rpm recording means [0233] 63 Chain wheel vibration recording means [0234] 64 Chain wheel temperature recording means [0235] 70 Frame measurable variable recording means [0236] 71 Frame vibration recording means [0237] 72 Oscillation recording means [0238] 73 Pressing pressure recording means [0239] 80 Actuator [0240] 90 Drawing chain manipulated variable actuator [0241] 91 Drawing chain speed actuator [0242] 92 Drawing chain clamping pressure actuator [0243] 100 Drive train manipulated variable actuator [0244] 101 Gear mechanism setting actuator [0245] 102 Chain wheel torque actuator [0246] 103 Chain wheel rpm actuator [0247] 110 Frame manipulated variable actuator [0248] 111 Pressing pressure actuator [0249] 120 Determining means [0250] 121 Chain offset determining means [0251] 122 Wear determining means [0252] 123 Slipping determining means [0253] 130 Control unit [0254] 131 Determining means input [0255] 132 Actuator output [0256] 133 Chain offset control unit [0257] 134 Slipping control unit [0258] 135 Chain tension control unit