STRAIGHTENING MACHINE WITH A MODULAR INTERCHANGEABLE CASETTE SYSTEM

Abstract

A straightening machine having an allocated straightening roll drive including a top bearing frame and a bottom bearing frame, in which a plurality of straightening rolls and supporting rolls are held in a cassette-like manner and arranged in an interchangeable manner. An improved adaptability of a straightening machine to different straightening requirements and straightening areas is achieved in that all the straightening rolls and supporting roils respectively arranged in the top and/or bottom bearing frame are distributed into several straightening roll segments that are modularly adapted to one another and each configured in the form of an interchangeable cassette. Each straightening roll segment includes at least one layer of supporting rolls and at least one allocated straightening roll.

Claims

1-9. (canceled)

10. A straightening machine having an associated straightening roll drive, comprising: an upper bearing frame; a lower bearing frame; and a plurality of straightening rolls and supporting rollers held in the upper bearing frame and the lower bearing frame in a cassette-like manner and arranged so as to be replaceable, wherein all the straightening rolls and supporting rollers, which are arranged respectively in the upper and/or lower bearing frame, are divided into multiple straightening roll segments, which are coordinated with one another in a modular manner and are realized in each case as a replaceable interchangeable cassette, wherein each straightening roll segment includes at least one layer of supporting rollers and at least one associated straightening roil,

11. The straightening machine according to claim 10, wherein the straightening roil segments, which are coordinated with one another in a modular manner, are configured so as to be replaceable individually or in groups and are arranged in the upper bearing frame and/or the lower bearing frame.

12. The straightening machine according to claim 10, wherein ail the straightening rolls and all the supporting rollers arranged in the upper bearing frame and all the straightening rolls and all the supporting rollers arranged in the lower bearing frame are arranged in multiple straightening roll segments that are each coordinated with one another in a modular manner and are configured as a replaceable interchangeable cassette.

13. The straightening machine according to claim 10, wherein all the straightening rolls and the supporting rollers, which are arranged respectively in the upper bearing frame and/or the lower bearing frame, are divided into identical or variously dimensioned types of modular straightening roll segments and/or replacement cassettes.

14. The straightening machine according to claim 10, wherein all the straightening rolls and the supporting rollers, which are arranged respectively in the upper bearing frame and/or the lower bearing frame, are divided, with reference to a respective straightening roll diameter and/or supporting roller diameter and/or with reference to a respective number of straightening rolls and/or number of supporting rollers, into types of modular straightening roll segments and/or interchangeable cassettes which are fitted variously with straightening rolls and/or supporting rollers.

15. The straightening machine according to claim 10, wherein the individual modular straightening roll segments form interchangeable cassettes of an interchangeable cassette system that are replaceable for one another individually or in groups.

16. The straightening machine according to claim 15, wherein the interchangeable cassette system includes variously dimensioned types of modular straightening roll segments and/or interchangeable cassettes.

17. The straightening machine according to claim 15, wherein the interchangeable cassette system includes types of modular straightening roll segments and/or interchangeable cassettes that are fitted variously with straightening rolls and/or supporting rollers with reference to a respective straightening roll diameter and/or supporting roller diameter and/or with reference to a respective number of straightening rolls and/or number of supporting rollers,

18. The straightening machine according to claim 10, further comprising at least one of: means for detecting and/or storing material parameters of a material to be straightened; and means for detecting and/or storing method parameters which act on each and every modular straightening roll segment during a straightening operation and/or status parameters which are automatically adjusted on each and every modular straightening roll segment after a straightening operation.

Description

[0030] The invention is explained in more detail below as an example by way of the drawing, in which:

[0031] FIG. 1 shows a schematic side view of the design of a straightening machine according to the invention produced from modular straightening roll segments,

[0032] FIG. 1a shows a schematic side view of a modular straightening roll segment when seen in side view in the processing direction of the straightening machine,

[0033] FIG. 2 shows exemplary embodiments of possible tool retrofits as a result of replacing modular straightening roll segments,

[0034] FIG. 3 shows a schematic representation of various arrangements of different combinations of straightening roll segments in the lower bearing frame,

[0035] FIG. 4 shows a schematic representation of various combinations of modular straightening roll segments in the upper bearing frame,

[0036] FIG. 5 shows a flow chart for detecting and using identified method parameters and/or status parameters and

[0037] FIG. 6 shows a schematic representation of the arrangement of a straightening machine according to the invention with an associated tool processing station.

[0038] FIG. 1 shows a straightening machine which is designated overall by the reference 1 and includes an upper bearing frame 2 and a lower bearing frame 3. Three straightening roll segments 4, 5 and 6, which are coordinated with one another in a modular manner, are each realized in the manner of a replaceable interchangeable cassette and between which all the straightening rolls 7 and supporting rollers 8 which are arranged in the upper bearing frame 2 are divided, are arranged in the upper bearing frame 2. The three modular straightening roll segments 4, 5, 6 are realized uniformly in this exemplary embodiment and each comprise both the same number of straightening rolls 7 and supporting rollers 8 and such with identical diameters. The straightening roll 2 is arranged in the modular straightening roll 4, the straightening roll 4 is arranged in the modular straightening roll 5 and the straightening roll 6 is arranged in the modular straightening roll 6.

[0039] Four straightening roll segments 9, 10, 11 and 12, which are coordinated with one another in a modular manner and are each realized in the manner of a replaceable interchangeable cassette, are arranged in the lower bearing frame 3. All the straightening rolls 7 and supporting rollers 8 arranged in the lower bearing frame 3 are once again divided between said straightening roll segments. In this case too, the straightening rolls 7 of the respective modular straightening roll segments 9-12 comprise the same diameter and are realized with the identical number in a respective modular straightening roll segment 9-12. In the same way, the modular straightening roll segments 9-12 are fitted with supporting rollers 8, each with identical diameters and with the identical number. If a changeover with reference to individual or multiple straightening rolls 7 and supporting rollers 8 is then to be effected, the individual modules 4-6 and 9-12 are able to be replaced and interchanged independently of one another. As a result, the straightening machine 1 is able to be adapted to different straightening requirements.

[0040] FIG. 1a shows a schematic side view of a modular lower straightening roll segment 9 when viewed in a side view in the processing direction 40. It can be seen how each straightening roll 7 is supported by multiple supporting rollers 8.

[0041] FIG. 2 shows a lower bearing frame 3 where the modular straightening roll segments 10 and 11 according to the exemplary embodiment according to FIG. 1 have been replaced by four straightening roll segments 13-16 which are half as wide. The modular straightening roll segments 13-16 are also designed identically to one another, but clearly comprise smaller roller diameters and roll diameters compared to the straightening roll segments 9 and 12.

[0042] In the left-hand part of FIG. 2, it is shown by the dot dash line that individual modules, here as an example the modules 12 and 15, can be replaced within the framework of a tool retrofit. However, it is also possible for multiple straightening roll segments to be replaced in groups, as is shown in the middle image of FIG. 2 in the dot-dash representation. The removed straightening roll segments 13-16 are replaced by straightening roll segments 17-19 which are to be installed. The right-hand part of FIG. 2 shows a cyclical changing of individual modular straightening roll segments 13-16. Here, the straightening roll segment 13 is removed, the straightening roll segments 14-16 then slip to the straightening roll segment 9 in the lower bearing frame 3 to close the gap created by the removed straightening roll segment 13. The straightening roll segment 13 is then inserted, in turn, into the gap created on the side of the straightening roll segment 12. In this way, the individual straightening roll segments 13-16 can be moved to positions which are exposed to different mechanical stresses during the straightening a sheet metal material that is guided by the straightening machine.

[0043] As a result, uniform wear can be achieved on the straightening rolls of the straightening roll segments 13-16.

[0044] FIG. 3 shows multiple combination options of various modular straightening roll segments 9-21 in their arrangement in the lower bearing frame 3. In an analogous manner, FIG. 4 shows a schematic representation of different arrangements and combinations of modular straightening roll segments 4-6 and 22-30 in the upper bearing frame 2.

[0045] It can be seen from FIGS. 3 and 4 that not only can variously sized rollers and/or rolls be combined in an arbitrary manner, but also the divisions (distance between centers) are variable in dependence on the pairing.

[0046] In a manner not shown, the individual straightening roll segments can also be moved vertically up or down, with reference to the sheet metal material traversing the straightening machine, by such an amount that they are not continuously in contact with the sheet metal material to be processed, as is known, in principle, from sheet metal forming by means of straightening machines. In this respect, the number of straightening rolls 7 that are active in each case is able to vary without individual modular straightening roll segments having to be replaced.

[0047] FIG. 5 shows schematically how the processing of the detected status parameter straightening rollactual diameter and the detected method parameter sheet metal data acquisition: temperature, strength, thickness can be utilized in order, by means of filed data and a computer and a storage unit, to obtain automated support and indication as to whether, on the one hand, the correct tool combination, i.e. the combination of modular straightening roll segments that is necessary in the current case for achieving the desired straightening result, is set and present and whether they still comprise the necessary status parameters, i.e. for example, a sufficient straightening roll diameter. This is then checked prior to the start of the sheet metal straightening process, and in the case where the present combination of modular straightening roll segments is ascertained as not sufficient or applicable, a tool change or a replacement of individual modular straightening roll segments is performed. The sheet metal straightening process cannot start until this has been effected.

[0048] FIG. 6 shows a schematic representation of the arrangement of a straightening machine 1 according to the invention with an associated straightening roll drive 31, which includes a main drive 32 and a master drive 33 as well as drive trains 34. A tool processing station 35, which includes a grinding machine 36, a reserve of modular straightening roll segments with straightening roll sets 37 and a tool manufacturing unit with a crane track 38, is arranged on the side located opposite the straightening roll drive 31.

[0049] The modular straightening roll segments 4-6 and 9-30, with reference to the frame width 41 of the lower bearing frame 3 or to the frame width 42 of the upper bearing frame 2, measured in the processing direction 40 of a metal sheet to be processed, are coordinated with one another in a modular manner, in dependence on their operation site in the upper bearing frame 2 or in the lower bearing frame 3 with reference to their respective width 43, 44, in such a manner that in each case a modular straightening roll segment or multiple modular straightening roll segments are able to be placed at a position which is defined by the respective width 43, 44 or by a multiple of a respective width 43, 44. In this connection, it is naturally also possible for the case where a certain position is to be left free, to insert corresponding blocks there which are not fitted with straightening rolls 7.

LIST OF REFERENCES

[0050] 1 Straightening machine

[0051] 2 Bearing frame

[0052] 3 Bearing frame

[0053] 4-6 Straightening roll segment

[0054] 7 Straightening roll

[0055] 8 Supporting roller

[0056] 9-30 Straightening roll segment

[0057] 31 Straightening roll drive