Method for changing the callibration range of a drawing chain, comprising chain links, of a caterpillar-track drawing machine, and caterpillar-track drawing machine

Abstract

In the case of a caterpillar track drawing machine having a drawing die and a caterpillar track disposed behind the drawing die, which track comprises two drawing chains having drawing tools disposed on chain links of the drawing chains, it should be possible to align the drawing tools of at least one of the two drawing chains jointly with the respective chain link, perpendicular to the drawing line, so that the caliber range can be changed, in simple and operationally reliable manner, between two drawing recesses having different caliber ranges. The latter is also possible if two different drawing recesses of the second one of the two drawing chains are intended for a first caliber range for which the first drawing recesses for at least one of the two drawing chains are intended, or if the drawing recesses of a first one of the two drawing chains deviate from the drawing recesses of a second one of the two drawing chains.

Claims

1. A caliber changing method for changing a caliber range of a drawing chain of a caterpillar track drawing machine between a first caliber range and a second caliber range deviating from the first caliber range, wherein the caterpillar track drawing machine comprises chain links, a drawing die, a caterpillar track disposed behind the drawing die, viewed in a drawing direction, which caterpillar track draws a workpiece through the drawing die along a drawing line aligned parallel to the drawing direction and shapes the workpiece, and a drawing chain that comprises chain links, the method comprising the steps of: applying a press-on force to at least a gripping region of the drawing chain via a press-on bar, wherein the press-on force has a component directed at the drawing line, arranging or configuring respective drawing tools, each comprising at least first and second drawing recesses on the respective chain links of the drawing chain, wherein the first drawing recesses are used for the first caliber range and the second drawing recesses are used for the second caliber range, displacing the respective drawings tools perpendicular to the drawing line to align either the first drawing recesses or the second drawing recesses with reference to a drawing plane that intersects the drawing line and that is parallel to a plane in which the drawing chain circulates, so as to change the caliber range accordingly between the first caliber range and the second caliber range, aligning the respective drawing tools jointly with the respective chain links, and arranging idle rollers in an idle roller chain and running the idle rollers past or circulating the idle rollers around the press-on bar jointly with the drawing chain at a running speed different from a running speed of the drawing chain.

2. The caliber changing method according to claim 1, further comprising the steps of relaxing the drawing chain before aligning the drawing chain and tightening the drawing chain after aligning the drawing chain.

3. The caliber changing method according to claim 1 wherein the caterpillar track further comprises a second drawing chain that comprises second chain links, and the method comprises the steps of: applying a press-on force to at least a gripping region of the second drawing chain via a second press-on bar, wherein the press-on force has a component directed at the drawing line, arranging or configuring respective drawing tools, each (40) comprising at least two drawing recesses on the respective second chain links of this second drawing chain, wherein the drawing recesses of the second drawing chain deviate from the drawing recesses of the first drawing chain or at least are disposed in a deviating manner deviating from the first drawing chain perpendicular to the drawing line, displacing the respective drawings tools perpendicular to the drawing plane to align either the first drawing recesses of the second drawing chain or second drawing recesses of the second drawing chain with reference to a second drawing plane that intersects the drawing line and that is parallel to a plane in which the second drawing chain circulates, jointly with the respective chain link, so as to change the caliber range accordingly, between the first caliber range and the second caliber range, aligning the drawing tools and the second chain links of the second drawing chain (14) are aligned with a direction component that deviates from a direction component with which the drawing tools and chain links of the first drawing chain are aligned, and arranging idle rollers in an idle roller chain and running the idle rollers past or circulating the idle rollers around the second press-on bar jointly with the second drawing chain at a running speed different from a running speed of the second drawing chain.

4. The caliber changing method according to claim 3, wherein the two drawing recesses of the second circulating drawing chain one of the two circulating drawing chains are used for caliber ranges that differ from the first caliber range and the second caliber range ranges of the first circulating drawing chain of the two circulating drawing chains.

5. The caliber changing method according to claim 3, wherein all of the drawing recesses of the first circulating drawing chain of the two circulating drawing chains deviate from the drawing recesses of the second circulating drawing chain of the two circulating drawing chains.

6. The caliber changing method according to claim 1, wherein the drawing chains are guided or are being guided parallel to a drawing plane (23) that comprises the drawing line (20), in circulation around at least one respective chain wheel, and the drawing tools are aligned jointly with the respective chain wheel.

7. The caliber changing method according to claim 6, wherein the respective chain wheel and with it, the respective drawing chain and the respective drawing tools, to which the respective chain wheel is related are aligned via an axial drive.

8. The caliber changing method according to claim 7, wherein the caterpillar track drawing machine further comprises a chain support that comprises the respective chain wheel and the chain support and with it the respective chain wheel are aligned jointly with the drawing chain and the respective drawing tools to which the respective chain wheel is related, via the axial drive.

9. The caliber changing method according to claim 1, wherein the caterpillar track drawing machine further comprises a drawing die support and at least one axial drive for axial displacement of the drawing chain with reference to the drawing die support.

10. The caliper changing method according to claim 1, wherein the respective drawing tools are arranged or configured on blocks of the drawing chain.

11. A caterpillar track drawing machine comprising: a drawing die; a caterpillar track disposed behind the drawing die, viewed in a drawing direction, which caterpillar track is configured to draw a workpiece through the drawing die, along a drawing line that is aligned parallel to the drawing direction, to shape the workpiece; two circulating drawing chains each comprising respective chain links, two press-on bars, wherein each of the two press-on bars applies a press-on force to a respective one of the two circulating drawing chains; respective drawing tools, each comprising at least first and second drawing recesses arranged or configured on the respective chain links of at least one of the two circulating drawing chains, wherein the first drawing recesses are used for a first caliber range, and the second drawing recesses are used for a second caliber range, which deviates from the first caliber range, and wherein either the first drawing recesses or the second drawing recesses are aligned with reference to a drawing plane intersecting the drawing line and parallel to a plane in which the two circulating drawing chains circulate by displacing the respective drawing tools perpendicular to the drawing plane; idle rollers arranged in respective idle roller chains which run past or circulate around each of the two press-on bars jointly with a respective one of the two circulating drawing chains at a running speed different from a running speed of the respective one of the two circulating drawing chains; wherein (i) the drawing tools of at least one of the two circulating drawing chains is aligned perpendicular to the drawing plane jointly with the respective chain links, and/or wherein (ii) two different drawing recesses of a second of the two circulating drawing chains are used for the first caliber range, for which the first drawing recesses of at least one of the two circulating drawing chains are used, and/or wherein (iii) the drawing recesses of a first circulating drawing chain of the two circulating drawing chains deviate from the drawing recesses of a second circulating drawing chain of the two circulating drawing chains, or at least are arranged on their respective chain links in a deviating manner deviating from the second circulating drawing chain, perpendicular to the drawing line.

12. The caterpillar track drawing machine according to claim 11, wherein the respective drawing tools of the two circulating drawing chains are aligned jointly with each of the respective chain links, perpendicular to the drawing line.

13. The caterpillar track drawing machine according to claim 11, wherein the two drawing recesses of the second circulating drawing chain of the two circulating drawing chains are used for caliber ranges that differ from the first caliber range and the second caliber range of the first circulating drawing chain of the two circulating drawing chains.

14. The caterpillar track drawing machine according to claim 11, wherein all of the drawing recesses of the first circulating drawing chain of the two circulating drawing chains deviate from the drawing recesses of the second circulating drawing chain of the two circulating drawing chains.

15. The caterpillar track drawing machine according to claim 11, wherein the two circulating drawing chains are guided in circulation around at least one respective chain wheel and the respective drawing tools are aligned jointly with the respective chain wheel.

16. The caterpillar track drawing machine according to claim 15, wherein the at least one respective chain wheel and with it, a respective circulating drawing chain of the two circulating drawing chains and the respective drawing tools to which the at least one respective chain wheel is related, are aligned via an axial drive.

17. The caterpillar track drawing machine according to claim 16, further comprising a chain support that comprises the at least one respective chain wheel, wherein the chain support and the at least one respective chain wheel are aligned jointly with the respective circulating drawing chain of the two circulating drawing chains and the respective drawing tools to which the at least one respective chain wheel is related, via the axial drive.

18. The caterpillar track drawing machine according to claim 11, further comprising a drawing die support and at least one axial drive for axial displacement of at least one of the two circulating drawing chains with reference to the drawing die support.

19. The caterpillar track drawing machine according to claim 11, wherein the respective drawing tools are arranged or configured on blocks of a respective circulating drawing chain of the two circulating drawing chains.

Description

(1) Further advantages, goals, and properties of the present invention will be explained using the following description of exemplary embodiments, which are particularly also shown in the attached drawing. The drawing shows:

(2) FIG. 1 schematically, a side view of a first caterpillar track drawing machine;

(3) FIG. 2 a schematic top view of the first caterpillar track drawing machine according to FIG. 1, without drawing chains and without idler roller chains, in a first drawing tool alignment;

(4) FIG. 3 a schematic top view of the first caterpillar track drawing machine according to FIGS. 1 and 2, without drawing chains and without idler roller chains, in a second drawing tool alignment;

(5) FIG. 4 a section through the first caterpillar track drawing machine according to FIGS. 1 to 3 in its first drawing tool alignment along the line IV-IV in FIG. 1;

(6) FIG. 5 the section according to FIG. 4 through the first caterpillar track drawing machine according to FIGS. 1 to 3 in its second drawing tool alignment;

(7) FIG. 6 schematically, a side view of a second caterpillar track drawing machine;

(8) FIG. 7 a schematic top view of the second caterpillar track drawing machine according to FIG. 6, without drawing chains and without idler roller chains, in a first drawing tool alignment;

(9) FIG. 8 a schematic top view of the second caterpillar track drawing machine according to FIGS. 6 and 7, without drawing chains and without idler roller chains, in a second drawing tool alignment;

(10) FIG. 9 a section through the second caterpillar track drawing machine according to FIGS. 6 to 8 in its first drawing tool alignment along the line IX-IX in FIG. 6;

(11) FIG. 10 a drawing tool arrangement with drawing recesses alternative to the drawing recesses of the embodiments according to FIGS. 1 to 9;

(12) FIG. 11 a drawing tool arrangement with drawing recesses alternative to the drawing recesses of the embodiments according to FIGS. 1 to 10;

(13) FIG. 12 a drawing tool arrangement with drawing recesses alternative to the drawing recesses of the embodiments according to FIGS. 1 to 11; and

(14) FIG. 13 a drawing tool arrangement with drawing recesses alternative to the drawing recesses of the embodiments according to FIGS. 1 to 12.

(15) The caterpillar track drawing machines 10 shown in the figures comprise a drawing die 12, in each instance, and a caterpillar track 13 disposed behind the drawing die 12, viewed in the drawing direction 21, and serve to draw workpieces 11 through the drawing die 12 in the drawing direction, along a drawing line 20.

(16) For this purpose, the caterpillar track drawing machines 10 have a base plate 56, by means of which a drawing die support 54 for carrying the drawing die 12, on the one hand, and a cam support 52, on the other hand, are arranged fixed in place relative to one another. In deviating embodiments, it is possible to do without the base plate 46, if applicable, as long as the cam support 52 and the drawing die support 53 can be set into relation with one another in sufficient stable manner in some other way, for example in that the corresponding modules are fastened directly into a floor or into some other building unit. In this regard, it is understood that in deviating embodiments, the base plate 56 can carry the cam support 52 and the drawing die support 53 not directly but rather also merely indirectly, if applicable.

(17) In order for the drawing die support 53 to be able to counter the drawing forces that occur, which the drawing die 12 introduces into the drawing die support 53 and which the drawing die support 53 must counter by way of the base plate 56, drawing force stabilizers 55 are arranged at the side of the drawing die support 53, which stabilizers stabilize the drawing die support 53 as plate-like projections.

(18) As can be seen, in particular, in FIGS. 2, 3, 7, and 8, the drawing force stabilizer 55 reaches all the way to the cam support 52 on the side of the cam support 52 and actually beyond it, so as to further stabilize the entire arrangement in this manner and, in particular, also to guarantee stable support of the cam support 52 with reference to the drawing die support 53.

(19) In the case of the present exemplary embodiments, the caterpillar tracks 13 each comprise two drawing chains 14, which circulate parallel to a drawing plane 23. In this regard, each of the drawing chains 14 is guided around two chain wheels 15, the axes of which are oriented perpendicular to the drawing plane 23.

(20) It is understood that in deviating embodiments, even more drawing chains, which circulate correspondingly, can be provided. Thus, it is conceivable, for example, to align two drawing chains parallel to one another and allow them to circulate in parallel, in each instance, if these parallel drawing chains then jointly carry drawing tools, directly or indirectly, that accordingly circulate in parallel with the drawing chains. Also, it is conceivable to provide more than two drawing chains 14 that are aligned relative to one another with reference to the drawing line 20, for example three drawing chains 14 that are arranged at an angle of 120° around the drawing line 20, wherein then, the drawing planes to be assigned to the respective drawing chains 14 intersect in the drawing line 20. In the case of the arrangement of the present caterpillar tracks 13, the drawing planes 23 to be assigned to the respective drawing chains 14 also intersect in the drawing line 20, but this leads to superimposition of these drawing planes 23 to form the single drawing plane 23.

(21) A plane 25 can be defined perpendicular to the drawing plane 23, which plane 25 also intersects the drawing line 20 and, in principle, represents the plane of symmetry, with regard to which the two drawing chains 14 and their chain wheels 15 are fundamentally arranged with reference to the drawing line 20.

(22) Each of the drawing chains 14 has a press-down force applied to it, at least in a gripping region 18, by means of a press-down bar 82, which force has a component 22 directed at the drawing line 20.

(23) By means of the press-down force, drawing tools 40 that are arranged or configured on chain links of the drawing chains 14 can be pressed against a tool 11 situated on the drawing line 20, so as to guarantee a sufficient friction fit or force fit in this manner, which allows drawing the corresponding workpiece 11 through the drawing die 12.

(24) During this drawing, the drawing die 12 can then act on the corresponding workpiece 11, shaping it, wherein during this shaping process, at least a material distribution of the material of which the workpiece 11 consists takes place in a plane perpendicular to the drawing line 20, wherein preferably, the redistribution actually takes place along the drawing line 20, so that the workpiece is also stretched during the drawing process.

(25) In this way, it is particularly possible to work rods, tubes or posts, in particular metallic rods, tubes or posts, shaping them.

(26) The drawing chains 14 of the exemplary embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 to 5 are configured as block/plate-link chains and comprise blocks 17A, plate links 17B, as well as pins 19 as chain links.

(27) Deviating from this, the drawing chains 14 of the exemplary embodiment shown in FIGS. 6 to 9 are configured as block chains and comprise only blocks 17A and pins 19 as chain links.

(28) The remaining chain links are connected with one another in articulated manner by way of the pins 19 of the respective drawing chains 14.

(29) It is understood that in deviating exemplary embodiments, more complex chains or double chains and the like can accordingly be used as drawing chains 14.

(30) In the case of the present exemplary embodiments, the pins 19 each carry chain rollers 16, which can engage into chain wheel rings of the chain wheels 15, so that the drawing chains are guided around the chain wheels 15, in each instance, and can also be driven by them, if applicable.

(31) The caterpillar track 13 of the exemplary embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 to 5 has a chain drive 54 per drawing chain 14, which engages on the chain wheel 15 that lies at the back in the drawing direction 21, in each instance, and drives the respective drawing chain 14 in this manner.

(32) In the case of the exemplary embodiment shown in FIGS. 6 to 9, in contrast, two chain wheels 15 of the drawing chains 14, in each instance, are driven by means of a chain drive 54, and this allows somewhat more uniform application of the drawing forces required for drawing.

(33) It is understood that in deviating embodiments, the types of drive can also be exchanged between these two exemplary embodiments.

(34) In the case of the present exemplary embodiments, the drawing tools 40 are configured in the blocks 17A of the drawing chains 14, in each instance. In this regard, in the case of the present exemplary embodiments, the drawing tools 40 and the blocks 17A as well as the tool holders 30 that hold the drawing tools 40 on the chain links are configured in one piece.

(35) It is understood that the drawing tools 40 can also be configured by the blocks 17A as separate modules in deviating embodiments, as is sufficiently known from the state of the art. However, this requires a somewhat greater construction effort, since then the corresponding blocks must be configured as tool holders 30 and correspondingly holding devices must be provided on the tool holders 30 and/or on the drawing tools 40. On the other hand, this allows replacement of the drawing tools 40 if they were to wear out.

(36) It is also understood that in deviating embodiments separate tool holders 30 can be provided, if necessary, which can then be provided on or affixed onto chain links, for example blocks, plate links or pins of the corresponding drawing chains 14, so as to hold the drawing tools 40 accordingly. Here, too, it might be conceivable to structure the tool holders 30 and the drawing tools 40 in one piece.

(37) The drawing tools 40 of all the exemplary embodiments have at least two drawing recesses 41 on their sides of the respective drawing tool 40 arranged perpendicular to the drawing plane 23 and directed at the plane 25. In this regard, the drawing recesses 41 of the respective drawing tool 40 are intended for different caliber ranges, in each instance, so that in total, a relatively great total caliber range can be covered by these drawing tools 40.

(38) In this regard, the drawing recesses 41 are configured, in terms of their cross-section, in such a manner that if they are pressed down against a workpiece 11 that is situated within the caliber range for which the corresponding drawing recess 41 is intended, sufficiently great press-down forces having a force-fit or friction-fit effect are applies so that the drawing chains 14 can draw the workpiece 11 through the drawing die 12, without the workpiece 11 being impaired to a critical degree, for example damaged or deformed.

(39) As has already been explained above, these press-down forces are made available by means of press-down bars 82, wherein for this purpose, the press-down bars 82 can be moved toward the drawing line 20 or away from it, parallel to the drawing plane 23, using cams 51.

(40) The cams 51 are mounted in the cam support 52 so as to be able to counter not only the corresponding press-down forces but also the corresponding drawing forces.

(41) It is understood that in deviating embodiments, other devices, such as, for example, linear drives driven by an electric motor, if applicable in combination with suitable gear mechanisms, levers and/or guides, can be used instead of the cams 51, in order to apply the required press-down forces perpendicular to the plane 25 or in the respective drawing planes 23. Accordingly, alternative suitable supports are then used instead of the cam supports 52; these supports stand in a spatial relationship with the respective drawing die supports 53 and carry the corresponding devices and absorb the corresponding press-down forces and also the drawing forces, if applicable.

(42) In the case of the present exemplary embodiments, the drawing chain 14 and the related chain wheels 15 are disposed on chain supports 50, in each instance, which are carried by the cams 51, wherein this is done directly by way of the cams 51 in the case of the exemplary embodiment according to FIGS. 1 to 5, and the respective chain supports 50 also carry or form the press-down bar 82. In the case of the exemplary embodiment shown in FIGS. 6 to 9, in contrast, the press-down bar 82 is configured as a separate module and carried directly by the cams 51, so as to apply the related press-down forces, while then, the related chain support 50 is carried in displaceable manner. It is understood that in this regard, depending on the concrete requirements, the concrete embodiment of chain support 50 with reference to the press-down bar 82 and with reference to the cams 51 or other devices that apply the press-down forces can be adapted or replaced.

(43) In order to meet the press-down forces that the press-down beam 82 is supposed to exert on the drawing tools 40, idle rollers 80 are provided in the case of the exemplary embodiments according to FIGS. 1 to 9, in each instance, which rollers are arranged in idle roller chains 81, in each instance, and run past or circulate around the press-down bars 82 jointly with the respective drawing chains 14 but at a deviating running speed.

(44) In this regard, the idle roller chains 81 are configured as plate link chains, on the pins of which the idle rollers 80 are disposed, in each instance, wherein the plate links 84 of the idle roller chains 81 are disposed on both sides of the idle rollers 80, in each instance.

(45) In the case of the exemplary embodiment according to FIGS. 1 to 5, the idle roller chains 81 also carry guide disks 83, which are provided between the plate links 84 and the idle rollers 80 in the case of this exemplary embodiment, and which project beyond the running path of the idle rollers 80. Both the idle rollers 80 or the idle roller chains 81, on the one hand, and—indirectly—the drawing chains 14 or the chain links of the drawing chain 14, on the other hand, are guided with reference to the drawing plane 23, perpendicular to the drawing plane 23 by means of these plate links 84.

(46) Guidance of the drawing chains 14 or of the chain links of the drawing chains 14, perpendicular to the drawing plane 23, by way of the press-down bar 82, is not provided for in the exemplary embodiment shown in FIGS. 6 to 9, in which the idle rollers 80 or the idle roller chains 81 are guided by way of lateral idle roller guides 85, which are provided on the press-down bars 82 and engage around the idle rollers on the side, parallel to the drawing plane 23, in each instance. In the case of this exemplary embodiment, guidance of the drawing chains 14 takes place, with reference to the drawing plane 23, by means of the chain wheels 15 and/or—if applicable—external lateral guides not shown separately here, which are provided, for example, on the chain supports 50 or even entirely independent of them. Such an embodiment makes it possible to displace the drawing chains 14 perpendicular to the respective drawing plane 23 with reference to the idle rollers 80 or with reference to the press-down bars 82, if this is desired—as will still be explained in greater detail below. It is understood that if a corresponding displacement with reference to the idle rollers 80 or to the press-down bar 82 is not desired, corresponding guides such as those that engage around the idle rollers 80 as idle roller guides 85 can also be provided on the chain links of the drawing chain 14 or on the tool holders 30 or on the drawing tools 40, so as to guarantee corresponding lateral guidance with reference to the drawing plane 23.

(47) Instead of the latter guidance, here the guidance can also be provided according to the exemplary embodiment of FIGS. 1 to 5—and vice versa—if applicable.

(48) In the case of the exemplary embodiment shown in FIGS. 6 to 9, the press-down bar 82, as a separate module, carries the idle roller chain 81, serves as a guide bar both for the idle roller chain 81 and for application of the press-down forces, and is carried directly by the cams 51, which in turn are mounted in the cam support 52.

(49) As has already been explained above, the drawing tools 40 of the present exemplary embodiments each have at least two drawing recesses 41, which are situated parallel to the drawing line 20 and offset perpendicular to the drawing plane 23, and can optionally be aligned with reference to the drawing line 20, in each instance. This can take place, in the case of the exemplary embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 to 5, by means of corresponding displacements of the press-down bar 82 jointly with the chain supports 50, while this takes place by means of displacement of the chain wheels 15 jointly with the chain support 50 or with the lateral guides, not shown separately, in the case of the exemplary embodiments shown in FIGS. 6 to 9.

(50) For such displacement, the exemplary embodiments of FIGS. 1 to 9 have axial drives 60, which are configured as hydraulics 61 in the case of the exemplary embodiment according to FIGS. 1 to 5 and as linear motors 62 in the case of the embodiments according to FIGS. 6 to 9. It is understood that here, too, replacement of the type of drive by other suitable drives or by one another can take place, if applicable.

(51) In the case of the exemplary embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 to 5, the hydraulics 61 are configured directly in the cams 51 and the cam supports 52, so that here, no separate modules are required and the cams 51 themselves can be correspondingly displaced by the hydraulics 61 themselves. It is understood that in deviating exemplary embodiments, a separate axial drive 60 can also be provided, which—if applicable—also axially displaces the entire cam support 52 or a module that carries the module that applies the press-down forces, accordingly.

(52) In the case of the exemplary embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 to 9, the drawing tools 40 of both drawing chains can be aligned jointly with the respective chain link, perpendicular to the drawing line 20 or perpendicular to the drawing plane 23. Depending on the concrete embodiments, however, it can be sufficient if only one of the two drawing chains 14 meets this requirement.

(53) Furthermore, the drawing recesses 41 of the two drawing chains 14 are configured symmetrically with reference to the plane 25 directed perpendicular to the drawing plane 23, so that the drawing tools are displaced with identical direction components with reference to the drawing plane 23 when the caliber range is supposed to be changed. For this purpose, the drawing recesses 41 of the respective drawing tools 40 have a different cross-section, in each instance.

(54) On the other hand, the drawing recesses can also be disposed not with mirror symmetry but rather with line symmetry with reference to the plane 25, as is shown as an example using the exemplary embodiment according to FIG. 11. If this symmetry relative to the drawing line 20 remains, displacement of the drawing tools 40 can take place in a manner similar to FIGS. 11b and 11c, so as to align the two caliber ranges in accordance with the drawing line 20, in each instance.

(55) In particular, it is also conceivable to structure all of the drawing recesses 41 differently, in each instance, and thereby to determine them for differing caliber ranges, in each instance, as is shown in the concrete exemplary embodiment according to FIG. 11. By means of a different offset of the respective drawing tools, different drawing recesses can then be arranged with diverse caliber ranges accordingly, with reference to the drawing line 20 on which the workpiece 11 is drawn. Accordingly, two different drawing recesses 41 of the second of the two drawing chains 14 are intended for the first caliber range, for which the first drawing recesses 41 of the at least one of the two drawing chains 14 are intended.

(56) In the case of such an embodiment, it follows that the drawing tools 40 and the respective chain links of the second drawing chain 14 are aligned with a direction component that deviates from the direction component with which the drawing tools 40 and chain links of the first drawing chain 14 are aligned, as is directly evident in the case of the transition of the arrangement according to FIGS. 11b and 11c, for example.

(57) The same holds true even if more than two drawing recesses 41 are provided per drawing tool 40 or drawing chain 14.

(58) It is understood that not necessarily both or all the drawing chains 14 must have multiple drawing recesses 41. Instead, it is also conceivable that here, different numbers can be provided, and, in particular, also one of the drawing chains 14 can have merely one drawing recess 41.

(59) In the case of the concrete exemplary embodiments shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, all the drawing recesses 41 of the respective drawing chains 14 deviate from one another. It is understood that here, the drawing tools 40 can be used jointly or in one piece with the chain links or also separately, wherein for the latter, corresponding tool holders 30 as well as suitable holding devices should preferably be provided on the tool holders 30 and the drawing tools 40, in each instance, as well.

(60) The drawing recesses 41 shown in FIGS. 12 and 13 are suitable, in particular, for tubes, wherein ultimately, here, too, the drawing tools 40 can be used jointly or in one piece with the chain links or also separately.

(61) In the case of the drawing tools 40 shown in FIG. 13, the drawing recesses 40 are designed for identical calibers, so that here, instead of a caliber change, wear, for example, can be countered by means of displacement or alignment of the drawing tools 40, without the drawing tools 40 or even the drawing chains 14 having to be replaced right away.

REFERENCE SYMBOL LIST

(62) 10 caterpillar track drawing machine 11 workpiece 12 drawing die 13 caterpillar track 14 drawing chain 15 chain wheel 16 chain roller 17A block of the drawing chain 14 17B plate link of the drawing chain 14 18 gripping region 19 pin of the drawing chain 14 20 drawing line 21 drawing direction 22 component of the press-down force directed at the drawing line 20 23 drawing plane 25 plane directed perpendicular to the drawing plane 23 30 tool holder 40 drawing tool 41 drawing recess 42 side of the drawing tool 40 arranged perpendicular to the drawing plane 23 and directed at the plane 25 50 chain support 51 cam 52 cam support 53 drawing die support 54 chain drive 55 drawing force stabilizer 56 base plate 60 axial drive 61 hydraulics 62 linear motor 80 idle roller 81 idle roller chain 82 press-down bar 83 guide disk 84 plate link of the idle roller chain 81 85 idle roller guide