Turret roll formers, forming roller cassettes and related articles and methods

Abstract

A turret roll forming machine includes at least one turret assembly carrying multiple rows of tooling (e.g., forming rollers), rotatable about an axis to selectively align rows of tooling with an input or output. A transmission is accessible from an exterior of the turret assembly without disassembling of the turret assembly to perform a changeover of roll tooling and/or maintenance on gears, bearings, or shafts of the transmission. Thus, a chain drive may be employed, advantageously accommodating differing rotational speeds for top and bottom forming rollers of each pair of forming rollers, e.g. to reduce roll scuffing. Pairs of forming rollers may be provided as cassettes, which are removably coupleable to the turret assembly allowing quick and easy reconfiguration and/or servicing, minimizing negative effects of changeover. The turret assembly may be a unitary structure (e.g., a weldment) improving rigidity and increasing accuracy of roll forming operations.

Claims

1. A roll forming machine, the roll forming machine comprising: a first frame; a first turret assembly having a first turret rotational axis, the first turret assembly rotatable about the first turret rotational axis with respect to the first frame; a first set of two or more pairs of forming rollers mounted to the first turret assembly, the two or more pairs of forming rollers of the first set sequentially arranged extending along the first turret rotational axis, the two or more pairs of forming rollers of the first set spaced longitudinally from one another along the first turret rotational axis, the forming rollers of the first set laterally spaced outwardly from the first turret rotational axis in a first lateral direction, the forming rollers of each pair in the first set arranged to complementarily cooperate with one another to perform a respective rolling forming operation, the two or more pairs of forming rollers of the first set arranged along the first turret rotational axis to successively perform respective roll forming operations; at least a second set of two or more pairs of forming rollers mounted to the first turret assembly, the two or more pairs of forming rollers of the second set sequentially arranged extending along the first turret rotational axis, the two or more pairs of forming rollers of the second set spaced longitudinally from one another along the first turret rotational axis, the forming rollers of the second set laterally spaced outwardly from the first turret rotational axis in a second lateral direction, the second lateral direction different from the first lateral direction, the forming rollers of each pair in the second set arranged to complementarily cooperate with one another to perform a respective rolling forming operation, the two or more pairs of forming rollers of the second set arranged along the first turret rotational axis to successively perform respective roll forming operations; a drive motor; and a transmission that drivingly couples the drive motor selectively to the forming rollers of the first or at least the second set of one or more pairs of forming rollers, the transmission accessible from an exterior of the first turret assembly without dismantling of the first turret assembly, wherein the forming rollers of the first set of two or more pairs of forming rollers and the forming rollers of at least the second set of two or more pairs of forming rollers are mounted to rotate in unison with the first turret assembly about the first turret rotational axis.

2. The roll forming machine of claim 1, wherein the transmission is positioned externally to the first turret assembly.

3. The roll forming machine of claim 1, wherein the transmission comprises a forming roller drive chain, and further comprising a chain guard detachably coupleable to the first turret assembly to overlie the forming roller drive chain, the forming roller drive chain positioned externally to the first turret assembly and manually engageable selectively with the forming rollers of the first or at least the second set of one or more pairs of forming rollers with removal of the chain guard and without dismantling of the first turret assembly.

4. The roll forming machine of claim 3, wherein the transmission further comprises one or more transfer shafts and a main drive chain drivingly coupled between the drive motor and the one or more transfer shafts, and wherein the forming roller drive chain is drivingly coupled between the one or more transfer shafts and a selected one of the first or at least the second set of one or more pairs of forming rollers, the one or more transfer shafts and the main drive chain accessible from the exterior of the first turret assembly without dismantling of the first turret assembly.

5. The roll forming machine of claim 4, wherein the transmission further comprises a gear reducer drivingly coupled between the drive motor and the main drive chain, the gear reducer accessible from the exterior of the first turret assembly without dismantling of the first turret assembly.

6. The roll forming machine of claim 1, wherein the first turret assembly comprises a tube mounted to rotate about the first turret rotational axis with respect to the first frame, the tube being a unitary structure.

7. The roll forming machine of claim 6, wherein the tube is a weldment, or a cast metal or extrusion single-piece construction.

8. The roll forming machine of claim 6, wherein the first turret assembly further comprises at least one shaft that is coaxial with the first turret rotational axis, the tube is a cylindrical tube, and the at least one shaft is received through a central passage of the cylindrical tube.

9. The roll forming machine of claim 6, wherein, the first turret assembly comprises a plurality of brackets that extend laterally outwardly from an outer perimeter of the tube, each of the brackets comprising a number of attachment features, the attachment features positioned and operable to allow detachably coupling of each of a number of cassettes of forming rollers to the first turret assembly, each cassette of forming rollers detachably coupleable as a unit via a number of fasteners.

10. The roll forming machine of claim 9, wherein the brackets and the tube are a unitary structure, and when each cassette of forming rollers is detachably coupleable to a respective pair of the brackets, the pair of brackets and the respective cassettes of forming rollers form a triangular structure.

11. The roll forming machine of claim 10, wherein the first turret assembly further comprises a plurality of tie rods that extend laterally from the tube, the tie rods which detachably couple the cassette of forming rollers to the tube.

12. The roll forming machine of claim 1, further comprising: a second turret assembly having a second turret rotational axis, the second turret assembly rotatable about the second turret rotational axis; a third turret assembly having a third turret rotational axis, the third turret assembly rotatable about the third turret rotational axis; and a carousel turret assembly mounted to a carousel frame, the carousel turret assembly having a carousel turret rotational axis, the carousel turret assembly rotatably about the carousel turret rotational axis with respect to the carousel frame, wherein the first turret assembly, the second turret assembly and the third turret assembly are each mounted to rotate with the carousel turret assembly about the carousel turret rotational axis, wherein rotation of the carousel turret assembly allows any one of the first, the second or the third turret assemblies to be selected, and rotation about a respective one of the first, the second or the third turret axes allows any one of a plurality of sets of one or more pairs of forming rollers of the selected one of the first, the second or the third turret assemblies to be aligned with an input and an output of the roll forming machine.

13. A roll forming machine, the roll forming machine comprising: a first frame; a first turret assembly having a first turret rotational axis, the first turret assembly rotatable about the first turret rotational axis with respect to the first frame; a first set of two or more pairs of forming rollers mounted to the first turret assembly, the two or more pairs of forming rollers of the first set sequentially arranged extending along the first turret rotational axis, the two or more pairs of forming rollers of the first set spaced longitudinally from one another along the first turret rotational axis, the forming rollers of the first set laterally spaced outwardly from the first turret rotational axis in a first lateral direction, the forming rollers of each pair in the first set arranged to complementarily cooperate with one another to perform a respective rolling forming operation, the two or more pairs of forming rollers of the first set arranged along the first turret rotational axis to successively perform respective roll forming operations; at least a second set of two or more pairs of forming rollers mounted to the first turret assembly, the two or more pairs of forming rollers of the second set sequentially arranged extending along the first turret rotational axis, the two or more pairs of forming rollers of the second set spaced longitudinally from one another along the first turret rotational axis, the forming rollers of the second set laterally spaced outwardly from the first turret rotational axis in a second lateral direction, the second lateral direction different from the first lateral direction, the forming rollers of each pair in the second set arranged to complementarily cooperate with one another to perform a respective rolling forming operation, the two or more pairs of forming rollers of the second set arranged along the first turret rotational axis to successively perform respective roll forming operations; a drive motor; and a transmission that drivingly couples the drive motor selectively to the forming rollers of the first or at least the second set of one or more pairs of forming rollers, the transmission accessible from an exterior of the first turret assembly without dismantling of the first turret assembly, wherein each pair of forming rollers are part of a respective cassette of forming rollers of a plurality of cassettes of forming rollers, each cassette of forming rollers detachably coupleable to the first turret assembly as a unit.

14. The roll forming machine of claim 13 wherein each cassette of forming rollers comprises a respective frame with a plurality of attachment points, a first block and a second block carried by the frame, a first shaft and a second shaft rotatably mounted to the first block and the second block respectively, a first chain sprocket and a first forming roller of a respective pair of forming rollers coupled to the first shaft to rotate therewith when driven, and a second chain sprocket and a second forming roller of the respective pair of forming rollers coupled to the second shaft to rotate therewith when driven.

15. The roll forming machine of claim 14 wherein the first chain sprocket, the first forming roller, the second chain sprocket, and the second forming roller of the respective cassette are accessible from the exterior of the first turret assembly without dismantling of the first turret assembly while the respective cassette of forming rollers is physically mounted to the first turret assembly.

16. The roll forming machine of claim 14 wherein each of the first and the second blocks of each cassette of forming rollers are slideably mounted in the frame of the respective cassette of forming rollers to translate along an axis that extends between the respective first and second forming rollers of the respective cassette of forming rollers.

17. The roll forming machine of claim 16 wherein each cassette of forming rollers comprises at least one spring positioned between the first and the second blocks of the cassette of forming rollers to bias the first and second blocks apart.

18. The roll forming machine of claim 16 wherein each cassette of forming rollers comprises at least one threaded member operable to selectively adjust a positioned of the first and the second blocks of the cassette of forming rollers along the axis that extends between the respective first and second forming rollers of the respective cassette of forming rollers.

19. The roll forming machine of claim 16 wherein each cassette of forming rollers comprises a first number of bearings that rotatably mount the first shaft to the first block of the respective cassette of forming rollers and a second number of bearings that rotatably mount the second shaft to the second block of the respective cassette of forming rollers.

20. The roll forming machine of claim 13 wherein the respective frame of each cassette is rectangular and has four corners, and comprises six attachment points, one attachment point at each of the four corners of the frame and one attachment point at each of two intermediary locations between respective pairs of the four corners of the frame.

21. A roll forming machine, the roll forming machine comprising: a frame; a first turret assembly having a first turret rotational axis, the first turret assembly rotatable about the first turret rotational axis with respect to the frame, the first turret assembly which comprises a tube, the tube being a unitary weldment, or a cast metal or extrusion single-piece construction, the first turret assembly which further comprises a plurality of brackets that extend laterally outwardly from an outer perimeter of the tube, each of the brackets comprising a number of attachment features; a first set of two or more pairs of forming rollers, the two or more pairs of forming rollers of the first set sequentially arranged extending along the first turret rotational axis and detachably coupled to the first turret assembly via the attachment features of a first pair of the brackets of the first turret assembly, the forming rollers of the first set laterally spaced outwardly from the first turret rotational axis in a first lateral direction, the two or more pairs of forming rollers of the first set spaced longitudinally from one another along the first turret rotational axis, the forming rollers of each pair in the first set arranged to complementarily cooperate with one another to perform a respective rolling forming operation, the two or more pairs of forming rollers of the first set arranged along the first turret rotational axis to successively perform respective roll forming operations; at least a second set of two or more pairs of forming rollers mounted to the first turret assembly, the two or more pairs of forming rollers of the second set sequentially arranged extending along the first turret rotational axis and detachably coupled to the first turret assembly via the attachment features of a second pair of the brackets of the first turret assembly, the forming rollers of the second set laterally spaced outwardly from the first turret rotational axis in a second lateral direction, the two or more pairs of forming rollers of the second set spaced longitudinally from one another along the first turret rotational axis, the second lateral direction different from the first lateral direction, the forming rollers of each pair in the second set arranged to complementarily cooperate with one another to perform a respective rolling forming operation, the two or more pairs of forming rollers of the second set arranged along the first turret rotational axis to successively perform respective roll forming operations; a drive motor; and a transmission that drivingly couples the drive motor selectively to the forming rollers of the first or at least the second set of one or more pairs of forming rollers, wherein the brackets and the tube are a unitary structure, and each pair of the forming rollers are part of a respective cassette of forming rollers that is detachably coupleable to a respective pair of the brackets, the respective pairs of brackets and the respective cassette which forms a triangular structure when the respective cassette is coupled to the respective pair brackets, the first turret assembly further comprises a plurality of tie rods that extend laterally from the tube, the tie rods which detachably couple the cassettes of forming rollers to the tube, the first turret assembly further comprises at least one shaft that is coaxial with the first turret rotational axis, the tube is a cylindrical tube having a central passage, and the at least one shaft is received through the central passage of the cylindrical tube, and the transmission comprises a drive chain, the drive manually engageable selectively with the forming rollers of the first or at least the second set of one or more pairs of forming rollers without dismantling of the first turret assembly and at least one component of the transmission is accessible from an exterior of the first turret assembly without dismantling of the first turret assembly, wherein the forming rollers of the first set of two or more pairs of forming rollers and the forming rollers of at least the second set of two or more pairs of forming rollers are mounted to rotate in unison with the first turret assembly about the first turret rotational axis.

22. A cassette of forming rollers for use with a roll forming machine, the cassette of forming rollers comprising: a frame with a plurality of attachment points; a first block carried by the frame; a second block carried by the frame, a first shaft rotatably mounted to and extending from the first block; a second shaft rotatably mounted to and extending from the second block; a first chain sprocket coupled to the first shaft to rotate the first shaft when the first chain sprocket is driven; a first forming roller coupled to the first shaft to rotate therewith when the first chain sprocket is driven; a second chain sprocket coupled to the second shaft to rotate the second shaft when the second chain sprocket is driven; a second forming roller coupled to the second shaft to rotate therewith when the second chain sprocket is driven, and wherein the first forming roller and the second forming roller are arranged to complementarily cooperate with one another to perform a respective rolling forming operation.

23. The cassette of forming rollers of claim 22 wherein each of the first and the second blocks of the cassette of forming rollers are slideably mounted in the frame of the cassette of forming rollers to translate along an axis that extends between the first and the second forming rollers of the cassette of forming rollers, further comprising: at least one spring positioned between the first and the second blocks of the cassette of forming rollers to bias the first and second blocks apart.

24. The cassette of forming rollers of claim 23, further comprising: at least one threaded member operable to selectively adjust a positioned of the first and the second blocks of the cassette of forming rollers along the axis that extends between the respective first and second forming rollers of the cassette of forming rollers; a first threaded fastener operable to selectively adjust a positioned of the first block of the cassette of forming rollers along the axis that extends between the respective first and second forming rollers of the cassette of forming rollers; a second threaded fastener operable to selectively adjust a positioned of the second block of the cassette of forming rollers along the axis that extends between the respective first and second forming rollers of the cassette of forming rollers.

25. The cassette of forming rollers of claim 22, further comprising: a first set of bearings and a second set of bearings that rotatably mount the first shaft for rotation about a first shaft rotational axis; and a third set of bearings and a fourth set of bearings that rotatably mount the second shaft for rotation about a second shaft rotational axis, the second shaft rotational axis parallel to the first shaft rotational axis.

26. The cassette of forming rollers of claim 22 wherein the frame of the cassette of forming rollers has a profile with four corners, and comprises six attachment points, one attachment point at each of the four corners of the frame and one attachment point at each of two intermediary locations between respective pairs of the four corners of the frame, wherein the attachment points allow the cassette of forming rollers to be detachably coupleable to a turret assembly as a unit via a plurality of fasteners, and the first chain sprocket, the first forming roller, the second chain sprocket, and the second forming roller of the respective cassette are accessible from an exterior of the turret assembly with at most removal of a chain guard and without dismantling of the turret assembly while the cassette of forming rollers is physically mounted to the turret assembly.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) In the drawings, identical reference numbers identify similar elements or acts. The sizes and relative positions of elements in the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale. For example, the shapes of various elements and angles are not necessarily drawn to scale, and some of these elements may be arbitrarily enlarged and positioned to improve drawing legibility. Further, the particular shapes of the elements as drawn, are not necessarily intended to convey any information regarding the actual shape of the particular elements, and may have been solely selected for ease of recognition in the drawings.

(2) FIG. 1 is an isometric view of a roll forming machine including a frame, a turret assembly mounted to the frame, a plurality of sets of pairs of forming rollers carried by the turret assembly, and a drive system including a motor and a transmission, according to an embodiment, with a detailed illustration of a cassette of one pair of the forming rollers.

(3) FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the frame, the turret assembly, the sets of pairs of forming rollers, and part of the transmission of the roll forming machine illustrated in FIG. 1 taken along a vertical plane that extends through a rotational axis of the turret assembly.

(4) FIG. 3 a cross-sectional view of the frame, the turret assembly, the sets of pairs of forming rollers, and part of the transmission of the roll forming machine illustrated in FIG. 1 taken along a vertical plane that is perpendicular to the rotational axis of the turret assembly and passes through a center point along the rotational axis.

(5) FIG. 4 is an isometric view of a portion of a turret assembly that includes a tube and a plurality of brackets that extend laterally outwardly from an outer perimeter of the tube, each of the brackets comprising a number of attachment features to allow detachably coupling of each of a number of cassettes of forming rollers to the turret assembly, according to at least one illustrated embodiment.

(6) FIG. 5 is an end elevational view of the portion of a turret assembly illustrated in FIG. 4.

(7) FIG. 6 is a side elevational view of the portion of a turret assembly illustrated in FIG. 4.

(8) FIG. 7 is a rear, side isometric view of a cassette of forming rollers to be used with a turret assembly, the cassette including a pair of forming rollers, portions of a transmission, and attachment features positioned and operable to allow detachably couple the cassette of forming rollers to the turret assembly, according to at least one illustrated embodiment.

(9) FIG. 8 is a front, side isometric view of the cassette of forming rollers illustrated in FIG. 7.

(10) FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of the cassette of forming rollers illustrated in FIG. 7.

(11) FIG. 10 shows a roll forming machine installation comprising a plurality of turret assemblies, according to at least one illustrated implementation.

(12) FIG. 11 is a schematic view of a roll forming machine include a carousel turret assembly, according to at least one illustrated embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

(13) In the following description, certain specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of various disclosed embodiments. However, one skilled in the relevant art will recognize that embodiments may be practiced without one or more of these specific details, or with other methods, components, materials, etc. In other instances, well-known structures associated with metal fabrication and forming have not been shown or described in detail to avoid unnecessarily obscuring descriptions of the embodiments.

(14) Unless the context requires otherwise, throughout the specification and claims which follow, the word comprise and variations thereof, such as, comprises and comprising are to be construed in an open, inclusive sense, that is as including, but not limited to.

(15) Reference throughout this specification to one embodiment or an embodiment means that a particular feature, structure or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment. Thus, the appearances of the phrases in one embodiment or in an embodiment in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment. Furthermore, the particular features, structures, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments.

(16) As used in this specification and the appended claims, the singular forms a, an, and the include plural referents unless the content clearly dictates otherwise. It should also be noted that the term or is generally employed in its broadest sense, that is as meaning and/or unless the content clearly dictates otherwise.

(17) The term aligned as used herein in reference to two elements along a direction means a straight line that passes through one of the elements and that is parallel to the direction will also pass through the other of the two elements. The term between as used herein in reference to a first element being between a second element and a third element with respect to a direction means that the first element is closer to the second element as measured along the direction than the third element is to the second element as measured along the direction. The term between includes, but does not require that the first, second, and third elements be aligned along the direction.

(18) The term plurality as used herein means more than one. The terms a portion and at least a portion of a structure include the entirety of the structure.

(19) The headings and Abstract of the Disclosure provided herein are for convenience only and do not interpret the scope or meaning of the embodiments.

(20) FIGS. 1, 2, and 3 show a roll forming machine 100, according to at least one illustrated implementation.

(21) The roll forming machine 100 includes a frame 102; a turret assembly 104; a plurality of sets 106a, 106b, 106c, 106d (four sets shown, collectively 106) of one or more pairs 108a, 108b (four pairs per set illustrated, only two pairs called out in FIG. 1, collectively 108) of forming rollers 110a, 110b (only two forming rollers called out called out in FIGS. 1 and 3, collectively 110); a drive motor 112 (shown in FIG. 1); and a transmission 114 (called out in FIG. 1) that drivingly couples the drive motor 112 selectively to one of the sets 106 of the forming rollers 110 at a time. As explained herein, the turret assembly 104 may be selectively rotated to align any given set 106 of pairs 108 of forming rollers 110 with a desired position or orientation, for instance aligned with one or both of an input feed 116a (shown in FIG. 1) and an output feed 116b (shown in FIG. 1) of a production line.

(22) The frame 102 may have a large variety of shapes, sizes and/or forms. In the illustrated implementation, the frame 102 includes a front rectangular end 118 (called out in FIG. 1) formed by upright members 120 (two shown, only one called out) and horizontal members 122 (two shown, only one called out), a rear rectangular end 124 formed by upright members 126 (two shown, only one called out) and horizontal members 128 (two shown, only one called out), and a number of longitudinal members 130 (two shown, only one called out) that couple the front rectangular end 118 and rear rectangular end 124 together. The horizontal members 122 may include a front top plate and a back top plate which extend horizontally across the front rectangular end 118 and rear rectangular end 124 of the frame 102, respectively. The various members of the frame 102 are preferably welded together to form a stiff and rigid unitary structure. The frame 102 may include a number of rollers or wheels 132, (shown in FIG. 1) and may be mounted on rails 134 (shown in FIG. 1) to allow the roll forming machine 100 to be translated, for instance translated with respect to a portion of a production line (e.g., input feed 116a, output feed 116b). In such an implementation, the roll forming machine 100 optionally includes one or more actuators 152 (shown in FIG. 1) positioned and operable to cause the frame to translate on the rails 134. The one or more actuators 152 may, for example, include one or more hydraulic pistons and cylinders, valves and/or pressurized reservoir of hydraulic fluid, and associated plumbing.

(23) The turret assembly 104 has a turret rotational axis 136 (shown in FIGS. 1 and 2). The turret assembly 104 is rotatably mounted to the frame 102 for rotation about the turret rotational axis 136 with respect to the frame 102. Some specific examples of the rotatable mounting of the turret assembly 104 to the frame 102 are described herein. The roll forming machine 100 optionally includes a locking mechanism operable to secure the turret assembly 104 in a desired rotational orientation. In the illustrated implementation, the locking mechanism includes a number of pins 154 (two of four visible in FIG. 1, one called out) extending from the turret assembly 104, a number of hooks 156 (two of two visible in FIG. 1, one called out) pivotally coupled to the frame 102, and optional a bias member 157 (one of two visible in FIG. 1) that biases the hook(s) into an locked or engaged position with the respective pin(s). In other implementations, the pins 154 may extend from the frame 102 and the hooks 156 coupled to the turret assembly 104. The bias member 157 may take a variety of forms, for example springs, solenoids, piston and cylinders, to name a few. Other types of restraints (e.g., pin or rod slides into hole; threaded fastener) could be employed as a locking mechanism.

(24) In the illustrated implementation, the sets 106 of one or more pairs 108 of forming rollers 110 includes four distinct sets, a first set 106a of one or more pairs 108 of forming rollers 110, a second set 106b of one or more pairs 108 of forming rollers 110, a third set 106c of one or more pairs 108 of forming rollers 110, and a fourth set 106d of one or more pairs 108 of forming rollers 110, Other implementations may include less than four sets 106 or more than four sets 106 of pairs 108 of forming rollers 110. The pairs 108 of forming rollers 110 of each set 106 are sequentially arranged extending along the turret rotational axis 136, the forming rollers 110 of the each set 106 laterally spaced outwardly from the turret rotational axis 136 in a respective lateral direction (e.g., forming rollers 110 of the first set 106a are spaced laterally outwardly in a first lateral direction 138a (illustrated in FIG. 3), forming rollers 110 of the second set 106b are spaced laterally outwardly in a second lateral direction 138b (illustrated in FIG. 3), forming rollers 110 of the third set 106c are spaced laterally outwardly in a third lateral direction 138c (illustrated in FIG. 3), and forming rollers 110 of the fourth set 106d are spaced laterally outwardly in a fourth lateral direction 138d (illustrated in FIG. 3).

(25) The turret assembly 104 has been illustrated with a substantially square profile, with two of the sets 106a, 106d of the pairs 108 of forming rollers 110 diametrically opposed to one another across the turret rotational axis 136 and the other two of the sets 106b, 106c of the pairs 108 of forming rollers 110 diametrically opposed to one another across the turret rotational axis 136. Such is not intended to be limiting. Some implementations may include only two sets 106 of the pairs 108 of forming rollers 110 diametrically opposed to one another across the turret rotational axis 136. Other implementations may have a hexagonal profile with six sets 106 of the pairs 108 of forming rollers 110 with pairs of the sets 106 diametrically opposed to one another across the turret rotational axis 136, or even an octagonal profile with eight sets 106 of the pairs 108 of forming rollers 110 with pairs of the sets 106 diametrically opposed to one another across the turret rotational axis 136. Other implementations may employ an odd number of sets 106 of pairs 108 of forming rollers 110.

(26) The forming rollers 110 of each pair 108 in a given set 106 are arranged to cooperate with one another to perform a respective rolling forming operation on material passing therebetween. The pairs 108 of forming rollers 110 of each set 106 are arranged relative to one another along the turret rotational axis 136 to successively perform respective roll forming operations as material sequentially passes through the pairs 108 of forming rollers 110 from a location of the input feed 116a to a location of the output feed 116b.

(27) As explained herein and as best illustrated by the detailed view of FIG. 1, each pair of forming rollers 110 may be part of a respective cassette 174 (called out detailed view of FIG. 1) of forming rollers 110, each cassette 174 of forming rollers 110 advantageously detachably coupleable to the turret assembly 104 as a unit.

(28) In at least some implementations, the transmission 114 is accessible from an exterior 140 (FIG. 3) of the turret assembly 104 without dismantling of the turret assembly 104. For example, a portion or preferably all of the transmission 114 is positioned externally to the turret assembly 104.

(29) In the illustrated implementation, the transmission 114 advantageously comprises a forming roller drive chain 142. The forming roller drive chain 142 (shown in FIG. 1) may be positioned externally to the turret assembly 104. The transmission 114 may further comprises one or more transfer shafts 144a (shown in FIG. 1) and a main drive chain 146 (shown in FIG. 1) drivingly coupled between the drive motor 112 and the one or more transfer shafts 144b. The transfer shafts 144a, 144b and/or the main drive chain 146 may be positioned externally to the turret assembly 104. The forming roller drive chain 142 is drivingly coupled between the one or more transfer shafts 144b and a selected one of the sets 106 of one or more pairs 108 of forming rollers 110. The transmission 114 may further comprise a gear reducer 148 (shown in FIG. 1) drivingly coupled between the drive motor 112 and the main drive chain 146. The gear reducer 148 may be positioned externally to the turret assembly 104.

(30) The forming roller drive chain 142 is preferably accessible from the exterior of the turret assembly 104 without dismantling of the turret assembly 104. The one or more transfer shafts 144a, 144b is preferably accessible from the exterior 140 of the turret assembly 104 without dismantling of the turret assembly 104. The main drive chain 146 is preferably accessible from the exterior 140 of the turret assembly 104 without dismantling of the turret assembly 104. The gear reducer 148 is preferably accessible from the exterior 140 of the turret assembly 104 without dismantling of the turret assembly 104.

(31) The roll forming machine 100 may optionally include one or more chain guards 150 (show removed in FIG. 1) detachably coupleable to the turret assembly 104 to overlie the forming roller drive chain 142 when the forming roller drive chain 142 is positioned to drivingly engage the forming rollers 110 of one of the sets 106 of pairs 108 of forming rollers 110. The forming roller drive chain 142 may be positioned to be manually engageable selectively with the forming rollers 110 of a selected one of the sets 106 of one or more pairs 108 of forming rollers 110 on removal of the chain guard 150 and advantageously without dismantling of the turret assembly 104.

(32) As best illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3, the turret assembly 104 comprises a tube 158 mounted to rotate about the turret rotational axis 136 with respect to the frame 102. The tube 158 may advantageously be a unitary structure. For example, the tube 158 may be a weldment (i.e., one or more portions secured to one another or to itself by a weld); a cast metal single-piece construction; or an extrusion single-piece construction. The tube 158 has a passage 160 (also referred to as central passage) extending therethrough.

(33) The turret assembly 104 may further comprise at least one shaft 162 that is coaxial with the turret rotational axis 136. In the illustrated implementation, the tube 158 is a cylindrical tube having the passage 160 extending longitudinally therethrough, and the at least one shaft 162 is received through the passage 160 of the tube 158 and extends out of both ends of the tube 158. A number of bearings 164 (e.g., ball bearings, cylindrical bearings, metal bearings, ceramic bearings, bearing races) are located at each end of the tube 158, and rotatable mount the tube 158 to the shaft 162 such that the tube 158 is able to rotate about the turret rotational axis 136 with respect to the shaft 162. The bearings 164 should be sufficiently strong to support the weight of the turret assembly 104 and any forces applied to the frame 102 via the turret assembly 104.

(34) The shaft 162 is fixedly mounted to the frame 102 such that the shaft 162 does not rotate or translate with respect to the frame 102. The shaft 162 thereby supports the remainder of the turret assembly 104 from an upper portion of the frame 102. Brackets or other securement structures may be employed to secure the shaft 162 to the frame 102. Thus, the tube 158 is able to rotate about the turret rotational axis 136 with respect to the shaft 162 and frame 102.

(35) As best illustrated in FIGS. 3, 4, 5 and 6, the turret assembly 104 comprises a plurality of brackets 166 that extend laterally outwardly from an outer perimeter 168 of the tube 158. Each of the brackets 166 comprises a number of attachment features 170 (e.g., holes, threaded holes, slots, pins). The attachment features 170 are positioned and operable to allow detachably coupling of each of a number of cassettes 174 of forming rollers 110 to the turret assembly 104 via the attachment features 170 of the brackets 166. Each cassette 174 of forming rollers 110 is detachably coupleable to the brackets 166 as a unit, for example via a number of fasteners (e.g., threaded bolts, screws, clamps).

(36) The brackets 166 and the tube 158 are preferably a unitary structure, for example a weldment, or unitary single-piece construction casting. The brackets 166 and the tube 158 are preferably arranged such that, when each cassette 174 of forming rollers 110 is detachably coupleable to a respective pair of the brackets 166, the pair of brackets 166 and the respective cassettes 174 form a triangular structure (best shown in FIG. 3), the cassette 174 spanning between the distal ends of a pair of brackets 166.

(37) The turret assembly 104 may include a number of ribs 176 that extend from the outer surface of the tube 158, and which extend along a length of the tube 158. The ribs 176 may include a number of attachment features 178 (e.g., holes, threaded holes, slots, pins).

(38) As best illustrated in FIG. 3, the turret assembly 104 further comprises a plurality of tie rods 172 that extend laterally from the tube 158. The tie rods 172 may, for example, be physically coupled (e.g., threadedly engaged) at one end thereof to the tube 158 via the attachment features 178 of the ribs 176. The tie rods 172 may, for example, be detachably physically coupled (e.g., threadedly engaged) at the other end thereof to the cassettes 174 of forming rollers 110, thereby further securing the cassettes 174 to the tube 158 of the turret assembly 104.

(39) As best illustrated in FIGS. 7, 8, and 9, each pair of forming rollers 110 may be part of a respective cassette 174 of forming rollers 110, each cassette 174 of forming rollers 110 detachably coupleable to the turret assembly 104 (FIGS. 1-6) as a unit.

(40) Each cassette 174 of forming rollers 110 comprises a respective cassette frame 180 with a plurality of attachment points 194 (also interchangeably referred to or attachment features). The cassette frame 180 may hold or support or otherwise carry a first block 184a and a second block 184b. Each cassette 174 may include a first shaft 186a and a second shaft 186b rotatably mounted to the first block 184a and the second block 184b, respectively. Each cassette 174 may include a first chain sprocket 188a and a first forming roller 110a of a respective pair of forming rollers 110 coupled to the first shaft 186a to rotate therewith when driven, and a second chain sprocket 188b and a second forming roller 110b of the respective pair of forming rollers 110 coupled to the second shaft 186b to rotate therewith when driven. The first forming roller 110a and the second forming roller 110b are arranged to complementarily cooperate with one another to perform a respective rolling forming operation on material that passes between the first forming roller 110a and the second forming roller 110b. Each cassette 174 of forming rollers 110 may include retainers 198a, 198b (best visible in FIGS. 8 and 9) and/or lock nuts 200a, 200b (best visible in FIGS. 8 and 9) attached to outer ends of the first shaft 186a and the second shaft 186b to secure the forming rollers 110a, 110b to the first shaft 186a and the second shaft 186b. In some implementations, an interference fit or high interference fit or shrink fit exists between an inner passage of the forming rollers 110a, 110b and an outer perimeter of the first shaft 186a and the second shaft 186b, respectively. In some implementations, the first shaft 186a and the second shaft 186b may have a generally circular profile with one or more flats (e.g., D-shaped) on at least a portion of an outer perimeter thereof, with a complementary profile on an inner passage of the forming rollers 110a, 110b, which may enhance torque transfer.

(41) Each cassette 174 of forming rollers 110 may further include a first number of bearings 190a, 190b (visible in FIG. 9) that rotatably mount the first shaft 186a to the first block 184a of the respective cassette 174 of forming rollers 110 and a second number of bearings 190c, 190d (visible in FIG. 9) that rotatably mount the second shaft 186b to the second block 184b of the respective cassette 174 of forming rollers 110. In the illustrated implementation, a first or outer set of bearings 190a and a second or inner set of bearings 190b rotatably mount the first shaft 186a for rotation about a first shaft rotational axis 192a, and a third or outer set of bearings 190c and a fourth or inner set of bearings 190d rotatably mount the second shaft 186b for rotation about a second shaft rotational axis 192b, the second shaft rotational axis 192b parallel to the first shaft rotational axis 192a.

(42) Each cassette 174 of forming rollers 110 may include a first bearing race 202a, a second bearing race 202b, a third bearing race 202c and a fourth bearing race 202d (visible in FIG. 9). The first bearing race 202a may retain and provide a track for the first or outer set of bearings 190a. The second bearing race 202b may retain and provide a track for the second or inner set of bearings 190b. The third bearing race 202c may retain and provide a track for the third or outer set of bearings 190c. The fourth bearing race 202d may retain and provide a track for the fourth or inner set of bearings 190d. The first bearing race 202a and the first or outer set of bearings 190a may comprise a front tapered roller bearing, angled radially outward as traversed from back to front. The second bearing race 202b and the second or inner set of bearings 190b may comprise a back tapered roller bearing, angled radially outward as traversed from front to back. The third bearing race 202c and the third or outer set of bearings 190c may comprise a front tapered roller bearing, angled radially outward as traversed from back to front. The fourth bearing race 202d and the fourth or inner set of bearings 190d may comprise a back tapered roller bearing, angled radially outward as traversed from front to back.

(43) Each cassette 174 of forming rollers 110 may include a first back bearing housing 204a to house the second bearing race 202b and the second or inner set of bearings 190b. Each cassette 174 of forming rollers 110 may include a second back bearing housing 204b to house the fourth bearing race 202d and the fourth or inner set of bearings 190d. Each cassette 174 of forming rollers 110 may include a first and a second front lip seal 206a, 206b (visible in FIG. 9) positioned to respectively seal the first bearing race 202a and the first or outer set of bearings 190a and the third bearing race 202c and the third or outer set of bearings 190c from the external environment, preventing or resisting ingress of debris. Each cassette 174 of forming rollers 110 may include a first and a second back lip seal 208a, 208b (visible in FIG. 9) positioned to respectively seal the first back bearing housing 204a and second back bearing housing 204b, along with the second or inner set of bearings 190b and the second bearing race 202b and the fourth or inner set of bearings 190d and the fourth bearing race 202d from the external environment, preventing or resisting ingress of debris.

(44) Each cassette 174 of forming rollers 110 may include retainers 198a, 198b (best visible in FIGS. 7 and 9) and/or lock nuts 200a, 200b (best visible in FIGS. 7 and 9) attached to inner ends of the first shaft 186a and the second shaft 186b to secure the first and the second back bearing housings 204a, 204b, respectively, to the first shaft 186a and the second shaft 186b, respectively, with the second or inner set of bearings 190b and the fourth or inner set of bearings 190d housed and protected by the first and the second back bearing housings 204a, 204b.

(45) The respective cassette frame 180 of each cassette 174 is rectangular (i.e., two sides of equal length and two side of equal length but of a different length than the other two sides; or four sides of equal length) and has four corners or outer end points 201a, 201b, 201c, 201d (called out in FIG. 7). The cassette frame 180 comprises a number of attachment points 194, for example six attachment points 194, one attachment point 194 at each of the four corners of the cassette frame 180 and one attachment point 194 at each of two intermediary locations between respective pairs of the four corners of the cassette frame 180. The attachment points 194 allow the cassette 174 of forming rollers 110 to be detachably coupleable to a turret assembly 104 as a unit, for example via a plurality of fasteners.

(46) The first chain sprocket 188a, the first forming roller 110a, the second chain sprocket 188b, and the second forming roller 110b of the cassette 174 are accessible from the exterior 140 of the turret assembly 104 without dismantling of the turret assembly 104 while the respective cassette 174 of forming rollers 110 is physically mounted to the turret assembly 104.

(47) Each of the first and the second blocks 184a, 184b, respectively, of each cassette 174 of forming rollers 110 are slideably mounted in the cassette frame 180 of the respective cassette 174 of forming rollers 110 to translate along an axis 210 (FIGS. 7 and 8) that extends between the respective first and second forming rollers 110a, 110b of the respective cassette 174 of forming rollers 110. Each cassette 174 of forming rollers 110 may include one or more springs 196 (one shown per cassette 174 in FIG. 9) positioned between the first and the second blocks 184a, 184b of the cassette 174 of forming rollers 110 to bias the first and second blocks 184a, 184b apart. The springs 196 may take any of a variety of forms, for example coil springs, compression springs, springs and/or leaf spreading die springs. The springs 196 may be secured to the first and the second blocks 184a, 184b, for example by extending partially into apertures (not shown) in the first and the second blocks 184a, 184b that are sized and shaped to hold respective ends of the springs 196.

(48) Each cassette 174 of forming rollers 110 comprises at least one adjustment mechanism operable to selectively adjust a positioned of the first and the second blocks 184a, 184b of the cassette 174 of forming rollers 110 along the axis 210 that extends between the respective first and second forming rollers 110a, 110b of the respective cassette 174 of forming rollers 110. In the illustrated implementation, the at least one adjustment mechanism includes two distinct adjustment mechanisms, one operable to selectively adjust a positioned of the first block 184a in the frame 182 of the cassette 174 and one operable to selectively adjust a positioned of the second block 184b in the frame 182 of the cassette 174. In the illustrated implementation, each of the two distinct adjustment mechanisms respectively include an elongated threaded member (e.g., screw, bolt) 214a, 214b received though an aperture (e.g., threaded aperture) in a portion of the frame 182 with an inner end that physically engages (e.g., bears on) a portion of the respective one of the sliding blocks 184a, 184b, and a threaded fastener 216a, 216b (e.g., nut, lock nut), which are operable to selectively adjust the positioned of the first block 184a and the second block 184b, respectively, of the cassette 174 of forming rollers 110 along the axis 210 that extends between the respective first and second forming rollers 110a, 110b of the cassette 174 of forming rollers 110. Such may advantageously allow a spacing between the forming rollers 110 of each pair 108 to be manually adjusted as desired for a particular roll forming operation. Such may also advantageously allow the position (e.g., elevation) of the pair 108 of forming rollers 110 to be adjusted with respect to the location of the input feed 116a and/or output feed 116b and/or with respect to successive pairs 108 of forming rollers 110 in a set 106.

(49) Preferably, the first forming roller 110a, the first chain sprocket 188a, the second forming roller 110b, and the second chain sprocket 188b of the cassette 174 are accessible from the exterior 140 of the turret assembly 104, for example with at most removal of a chain guard 150 and without dismantling of the turret assembly 104 to allow easy mounting to and dismounting from (e.g., changeover or replacement) of cassettes 174 of forming rollers 110 the turret assembly 104.

(50) A method of operation of a roll forming machine 100 is described below, according to at least one illustrated implementation. It is noted that in operation one or more acts may be omitted, one or more acts added, and/or one or more acts performed in a different order that the order set out below.

(51) Based on a desired cross-sectional profile of a workpiece, a first set 106 of pairs 108 of forming rollers 110 are selected. Assuming that the first set 106 of pairs 108 of forming rollers 110 are already mounted on a turret assembly 104, the turret assembly 104 is rotated, for example, to align the first set 106 of pairs 108 of forming rollers 110 with at least one of a location of an input feed 116a from which material will be feed and/or a location of an output feed 116b to which roll formed material will be deposited.

(52) At least a portion of a transmission 114 is coupled to the first set 106 of pairs 108 of forming rollers without dissembling the turret assembly 104. For example, a forming roller drive chain 142 may be manually coupled to chain sprocket 188a, 188b that drive the forming rollers 110 of the first set 106 of forming rollers 110. Such may include removing a chain guard 150 if present in order to couple the transmission 114 with the first set 106 of pairs 108 of forming rollers 110, and subsequent placement of the chain guard 150 once the portion of the transmission 114 has been coupled to the first set 106 of pairs 108 of forming rollers 110, all without disassembling or dismantling of the turret assembly 104.

(53) The workpiece (e.g., stock material) is feed to the first set 106 of pairs 108 of forming rollers 110 while the first set 106 of pairs 108 of forming rollers 110 are driven via the transmission 114 (e.g., forming roller drive chain 142, transfer shafts 144a, 144b, main drive chain 146, gear reducer 148) to produce a first cross-sectional profile in the workpiece.

(54) Based on a desired cross-sectional profile of a second workpiece or further rolling forming on the previously roll formed workpiece, a second set of pairs 108 of forming rollers 110 are selected. Assuming that the second set of pairs 108 of forming rollers 110 are already mounted on a turret assembly 104, at least a portion of the transmission 114 (e.g., forming roller drive chain 142) is decoupled from the first set 106 of pairs 108 of forming rollers 110 without dissembling the turret assembly 104, and the turret assembly 104 is rotated to align a second set of pairs 108 of forming rollers 110 with at least one of the location of the input feed 116a and/or the location of the output feed 116b. Decoupling the portion of transmission 114 (e.g., forming roller drive chain 142) from the first set 106 of pairs 108 of forming rollers 110 may include removing a chain guard 150 if present, but does not employ disassembling or dismantling of the turret assembly 104.

(55) At least a portion of the transmission 114 (e.g., forming roller drive chain 142) is coupled to the second set of pairs 108 of forming rollers 110 without dissembling the turret assembly 104. Subsequently the chain guard 150 may be reattached once the portion of the transmission 114 has been coupled to the second set of pairs 108 of forming rollers 110, all without disassembling or dismantling of the turret assembly 104.

(56) The workpiece (e.g., stock material) is feed to the second set 106 of pairs 108 of forming rollers 110 while the second set of pairs 108 of forming rollers 110 are driven via the transmission 114 (e.g., forming roller drive chain 142, transfer shafts 144a, 144b, main drive chain 146, gear reducer 148) to produce a second cross-sectional profile.

(57) In some instances, the sets 106 of pairs 108 forming rollers 110 on a turret assembly 104 may not include the one or more pairs of forming rollers 110 to achieve a desired cross-sectional profile, or one or more of the forming rollers 110 may be worn, or other components (e.g., chain sprockets 188a, 188b, forming roller shafts 186a, 186b, bearings 190a, 190b, 190c, 190d) may be worn or otherwise require servicing.

(58) In such instances, one or more sets 106 of pairs 108 forming rollers 110 on the turret assembly 104 may be replaced. For example, one or more pairs 108 of existing forming rollers 110 of one set 106 on the turret assembly 104 may be detached, for example by removal of one or more fasteners (e.g., bolts, nuts, screws, clamps) and subsequent detachment or removal of a cassette 174. Then one or more pairs 108 of replacement forming rollers 110 may attached in respective positions in the one set 106 on the turret assembly 104, for example by placement of a replacement cassette 174 and securing the replacement cassette 174 to the turret assembly 104 at the desired position via one or more fasteners (e.g., bolts, nuts, screws, clamps). At least a portion of the transmission 114 (e.g., forming roller drive chain 142) may be physically coupled (e.g., mounted) to respective chain sprockets 188a, 188b of the plurality of cassettes 174 of forming rollers 110 physically coupled to the turret assembly 104 without dissembling the turret assembly 104. Replacement may employ removal of chain guard 150, but can advantageously be achieved with disassembling the turret assembly 104.

(59) FIG. 10 shows a roll forming machine installation 1000, according to at least one illustrated implementation.

(60) The roll forming machine installation 1000 may include one or more frames 1002a, 1002b, 1002c (three illustrated). The roll forming machine installation 1000 may include a first turret assembly 1004a rotatably mounted to the one or more frames 1002a between a location of an input feed and a location of an output feed. The roll forming machine installation 1000 may include a second turret assembly 1004b rotatably mounted to the one or more frames 1002b and located downstream of the first turret assembly 1004a (i.e., relatively closer to the location of the output feed as compared to the position of the first turret assembly 1004a). The roll forming machine installation 1000 may include a third turret assembly 1004c rotatably mounted to the one or more frames 1002c and located downstream of the second turret assembly 1004b (i.e., relatively closer to the location of the output feed as compared to the position of the second turret assembly 1004b). While not illustrated, the roll forming machine installation may include a fourth turret assembly, or even more turret assemblies, for example located successively downstream of one another.

(61) The roll forming machine installation 1000 advantageously allows selection from a large number of roll forming operations to be performed employing minimal changeover and lost time.

(62) While not illustrated, a roll forming machine installation may include a plurality of turret assemblies mounted to a carousel turret assembly. Such a roll forming machine installation may include a frame and a carousel turret assembly mounted to the frame. The carousel turret assembly has a carousel turret rotational axis about which the carousel turret assembly rotates with respect to the frame.

(63) The roll forming machine installation may include a first turret assembly, a second turret assembly, and possibly a third, a fourth and even more turret assemblies. The first, second, third, fourth or even more turret assemblies are each mounted to rotate with the carousel turret assembly about the carousel turret rotational axis. The first, second, third, fourth or even more turret assemblies are each mounted to rotate about respective rotational axes of the first, second, third, fourth or even more turret assemblies, the respective rotational axes of the first, second, third, fourth or even more turret assemblies which themselves rotate about the carousel turret rotational axis of the carousel turret assembly. Rotation of the carousel turret assembly allows any one of the first, the second, the third, the forth or more turret assemblies to be selected, and rotation about a respective one of the first, the second, the third, the fourth or more turret axes allows any one of a plurality of sets of one or more pairs of forming rollers of the selected one of the first, the second, the third, the fourth or more turret assemblies to be aligned with a location of an input feed and/or a location of an output feed of the roll forming machine installation.

(64) FIG. 11 shows a roll forming machine 1100 according to at least one illustrated embodiment.

(65) The roll forming machine 1100 includes a carousel frame 1102 and a carousel turret assembly 1104 rotatably mounted to the carousel frame 1102.

(66) The carousel turret assembly 1104 carries a first turret assembly 1106a having a first turret rotational axis 1108a, the first turret assembly 1106a rotatable about the first turret rotational axis 1108b, a second turret assembly 1106b having a second turret rotational axis 1108b, the second turret assembly 1106b rotatable about the second turret rotational axis 1108b; and at least a third turret assembly 1106c having a third turret rotational axis 1108c, the third turret assembly 1106c rotatable about the third turret rotational axis 1108c. The first, the second and at least the third turret assemblies 1106a, 1106b, 1106c can be similar or even identical to the previously described and illustrated turret assemblies.

(67) The carousel turret assembly 1104 has a carousel turret rotational axis 1110, the carousel turret assembly 1104 rotatably about the carousel turret rotational axis 1110 with respect to the carousel frame 1102, wherein the first turret assembly 1106a, the second turret assembly 1106b, and at least the third turret assembly are each mounted to rotate with the carousel turret assembly 1104 about the carousel turret rotational axis 1110, wherein rotation of the carousel turret assembly 1104 allows any one of the first, the second or at least the third turret assemblies 1106a, 1106b, 1106c to be selected, and rotation about a respective one of the first, the second or at least the third turret axes allows any one of a plurality of sets of one or more pairs of forming rollers of the selected one of the first, the second or the third turret assemblies to be aligned with an input and an output of the roll forming machine 1100.

(68) The above description of illustrated embodiments, including what is described in the Abstract, is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the embodiments to the precise forms disclosed. Although specific embodiments of and examples are described herein for illustrative purposes, various equivalent modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure, as will be recognized by those skilled in the relevant art.

(69) Many of the methods described herein can be performed with variations. For example, many of the methods may include additional acts, omit some acts, and/or perform acts in a different order than as illustrated or described.

(70) These and other changes can be made to the embodiments in light of the above-detailed description. In general, in the following claims, the terms used should not be construed to limit the claims to the specific embodiments disclosed in the specification and the claims, but should be construed to include all possible embodiments along with the full scope of equivalents to which such claims are entitled. Accordingly, the claims are not limited by the disclosure.

(71) The various implementations described above can be combined to provide further implementations. All of the commonly assigned US patent application publications, US patent applications, foreign patents, and foreign patent applications referred to in this specification and/or listed in the Application Data Sheet are incorporated herein by reference, in their entirety, including but not limited to U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/212,360, filed Jun. 18, 2021.