Industrial machine for bending metallic flat elements

Abstract

An industrial machine (1) for bending metallic flat elements (E) comprising a support framework (2) which insists on a reference surface (T), a working plan (3), connected to the support framework (2) and accessible to the operator, adapted to receive the metallic flat element (E) to be folded, bending means (4), arranged frontally to the working plan (3) and coupled to the support frame (2), suitable to bend upwards and/or downwards at least one side edge of the metallic flat element (E), handling and supply means (5), operatively connected to the working plan (3), suitable for supplying/removing the metallic flat element (E) to/from the bending means (4), and actuation means (6), operatively connected to the handling and supply means (5) to move them along a vertical direction (Y) and/or horizontal direction (X) determining the displacement with respect to the working plan (3).

Claims

1. Industrial machine for bending a metallic flat element comprising a side edge, the industrial machine comprising: a support framework configured to stand on a reference surface and extend upwardly from said reference surface; a working deck connected with said support framework and configured to receive said metallic flat element; a bending device arranged in front of said working deck, coupled with said support framework, and configured to bend the side edge of said metallic flat element upwardly, downwardly, or upwardly and downwardly; a handling and supply device operatively connected with said working deck, configured to supply/remove said flat metallic element to/from said bending device, and comprising at least one gripper; an actuator operatively connected with said handling and supply device in order to move the handling and supply device along a vertical direction and/or a horizontal direction determining displacement with respect to said working deck; and a guide; wherein said working deck is movable vertically via said guide while being coupled with said support framework; wherein said working deck is operatively connected with said actuator such that said actuator is configured to move said working deck along said vertical direction in order to place said working deck below and/or above a bending level of said flat metallic element; wherein said working deck includes a plurality of bearing section bars spaced apart and separated from each other, the bearing section bars extending in a linear direction substantially parallel to each other; and wherein said bearing section bars protrude cantilever from said support framework.

2. Machine according to claim 1, wherein said working deck is functionally independent and distinct from said handling and supply device.

3. Machine according to claim 1, wherein said working deck is movable vertically with a linear excursion whose value is not greater than 350 mm.

4. Machine according to claim 1, wherein each of said bearing section bars presents in cross section a substantially L-shaped profile, and wherein in application conditions of said bearing section bars, said substantially L-shaped profile appears rotated 90clockwise.

5. Machine according to claim 1, wherein said actuator is an automatic type and is disposed below said working deck.

6. Machine according to claim 1, wherein said actuator comprises a moving device configured to independently operate said working deck and said handling and supply device.

7. Machine according to claim 1, wherein said actuator includes: a first moving device configured to operate said handling and supply device, and a second moving device distinct from said first moving device and configured to operate said working deck.

8. Machine according to claim 6, wherein said moving device includes an actuating organ selected from the group consisting of a hydraulic actuator, a pneumatic actuator, an electric motor, and an electromagnetism mechanism.

9. Industrial machine for bending a metallic flat comprising a side edge, the industrial machine comprising: a support framework configured to stand on a reference surface and extend upwardly from said reference surface; a working deck connected with said support framework and configured to receive said metallic flat element; a bending device arranged in front of said working deck, coupled with said support framework, and configured to bend the side edge of said metallic flat element upwardly, downwardly, or upwardly and downwardly; a handling and supply device operatively connected with said working deck, configured to supply/remove said flat metallic element to/from said bending device, and comprising at least one gripper; an actuator operatively connected with said handling and supply device in order to move the handling and supply device along a vertical direction and/or a horizontal direction determining displacement with respect to said working deck; and a guide; wherein said working deck is movable vertically via said guide while being coupled with said support framework; wherein said working deck is operatively connected with said actuator such that said actuator is configured to move said working deck along said vertical direction in order to place said working deck below and/or above a bending level of said flat metallic element; wherein said working deck includes a plurality of bearing section bars spaced apart and separated from each other, the bearing . section bars extending in a linear direction substantially parallel to each other; and wherein said bearing section bars are removably coupled with said support framework.

10. Industrial machine for bending a metallic flat comprising a side edge, the industrial machine comprising: a support framework configured to stand on a reference surface and extend upwardly from said reference surface; a working deck connected with said support framework and configured to receive said metallic flat element; a bending device arranged in front of said working deck, coupled with said support framework, and configured to bend the side edge of said metallic flat element upwardly, downwardly, or upwardly and downwardly; a handling and supply device operatively connected with said working deck, configured to supply/remove said flat metallic element to/from said bending device, and comprising at least one gripper; an actuator operatively connected with said handling and supply device in order to move the handling and supply device along a vertical direction and/or a horizontal direction determining displacement with respect to said working deck; and a guide; wherein said working deck is movable vertically via said guide while being coupled with said support framework; wherein said working deck is operatively connected with said actuator such that said actuator is configured to move said working deck along said vertical direction in order to place said working deck below and/or above a bending level of said flat metallic element; wherein said working deck includes a plurality of bearing section bars spaced apart and separated from each other, the bearing section bars extending in a linear direction substantially parallel to each other; wherein said working deck includes a support longitudinal member, the bearing section bars being coupled with the support longitudinal member; and wherein said gripper includes a plurality of suction cups organs, each of said suction cup organs being interposed between a pair of said bearing section bars disposed adjacent each other.

Description

(1) The aims and advantages described above, as well as others that will emerge later, will be best understood from the following description, relating to a preferred embodiment of the industrial machine of the invention, which represents an indicative and illustrative, but not limitative, example, with the support of the enclosed drawings, wherein: FIG. 1 is a simplified isometric view of the industrial machine of the invention; FIGS. 2-6 are different isometric views of the industrial machine of FIG. 1 in five different operating conditions; FIGS. 2a-6a are different side views of the respective FIGS. 2-6; FIGS. 7-11 are schematic side views of the separate machine of FIG. 1, corresponding to the five respective operating conditions of FIGS. 2-6, which show some phases of bending of the metallic flat elements.

(2) The industrial machine for bending metallic flat elements lans, such as a sheet, is illustrated in FIG. 1 where it is globally numbered with 1. For simplicity and convenience, the above mentioned metallic flat element to be bent is only visible to FIGS. 8 and 10 where it is indicated with E. As visible, the industrial machine 1 includes: A support framework 2 which insists on a reference surface T, typically the paving of an industrial plant; A working plan 3, connected to the support framework 2 and accessible to the operator, adapted to receive the metallic flat element E to be bent; Bending means, overall indicated with 4, arranged frontally to the working plan 3 and coupled to the support framework 2, suitable to bend upwards and/or downwards at least one side edge of the metallic flat element E; Gripping means and power, as a whole numbered with 5, operatively connected to the work surface 3 and suitable for supplying/removing the metal element E plane to/from the folding means 4; Actuation means, generally indicated with 6 and operatively connected to the handling and supply means 5 to move them along a vertical direction Y and/or horizontal direction X determining the displacement with respect to the working plan 3.

(3) In accordance with the invention, the working plan 3 is vertically movable being coupled to the support framework 2 by means of guide means, schematically indicated with 7, and operatively connected to the actuation means 6 that the animate along the vertical direction Y for place it below and/or above the bending level L of the metallic flat element E. Substantially, therefore, the working plan 3 is functionally independent and separate from the gripping means and supply 5. Preferably but not necessarily, the working plan 3 is vertically movable with linear excursion C whose value is not more than 350 mm: this linear excursion C of the working plan 3 allows handling in an automatic way with effectiveness, convenience and accuracy any metallic flat elements and already folded.

(4) As a pure example, the value of the excursion or linear excursion C (clearly visible in FIG. 9) of the working plan 3 is in the range 10 (negative folds of the metallic plane E)+130 mm (folds positive of the metallic flat element E) compared to the bending level L considered as the zero point reference.

(5) In any case, the value of the excursion or stroke linear C depends on the practical needs of the customer.

(6) As shown in FIGS. 1-6, the working plan 3 comprises, in a preferred but not binding structure, a plurality of bearing section bars 8 are mutually spaced and separated, individuating linear directions Z substantially parallel to each other.

(7) More precisely, bearing section bars 8 protrude in this case cantilevered from the support framework 2 which are stably coupled. In this regard, it is noted that, preferably, bearing section bars 8 are removably coupled to the support framework 2.

(8) More in detail, each of the bearing section bars 8 presents in a transverse section a substantially L-shaped profile which, in the application conditions of the bearing section bars 8 themselves, appears rotated 90 clockwise. As regards the bending means 4, they are of a kind known per se to the person skilled in the art, comprising essentially a mobile upper press-plate (9) and a mobile lower press-plate 10 fixed, which precisely determines the bending level L.

(9) With reference to the handling and supply means 5, they include, by way of preferred but not exclusive structure, a plurality of suction cups organs 11, each of which is interposed between a pair of bearing section bars 8 adjacent one each other and coupled to a support longitudinal member 12 which makes them perfectly integral with each other during the vertical and horizontal movement imparted by the actuation means 6. Appropriately and conveniently, the actuation means 6 are of the automatic type which are arranged below the working plan 3. According to the preferred embodiment described herein the invention, the actuation means 6 comprise moving means, signed with 13, suitable for actuating independently the working plan 3 and the handling and supply means 5.

(10) In other embodiments of the invention, not illustrated in the drawings that follow, the actuation means may comprise first movement means suitable for actuating the handling and supply means, and second moving means, different from the first moving means, suitable for operating said working plan.

(11) The movement means 13 comprise any of the actuating members selected from the group consisting of hydraulic actuators, pneumatic actuators, electric motors, mechanisms of electromagnetism and so on.

(12) The operation of the industrial machine 1 for bending metallic flat elements it is well depicted in FIGS. 2-6 and in the respective details 2a to 6a, as well as in a more clear and specific in FIGS. 7-11 which indicate, among other things, the height H of the bending level L.

(13) In particular, FIG. 7 shows the working plan 3 and the handling and supply means 5 arranged by common actuation means 6 the height H of the bending level L.

(14) In the subsequent FIG. 8, the actuation means 6 lowers the working plan 3 of a share Q1, having for example a value of 10 mm, so as to compensate the fold already performed on the metallic flat elements E and projecting externally to the bending means 4: so the part to be bent of the metallic flat elements E remains perfectly in the correct horizontal position. In this phase, the suction cups organs 11 of the handling and supply means 5 remain at the blending level L, so that their upper surface is coplanar to the upper wall of the lower press-plane 10.

(15) Next FIG. 9 shows the working plan 3 brought by actuation means 6 beyond the blending level L, with respect to which is located at an altitude Q2, having for example a value of 130 mm so that the overall vertical stroke, low from the position of FIG. 8, is equal to 140 mm.

(16) Finally, the subsequent FIGS. 10 and 11 show handling and supply means 5, in this case, the suction cups organs 11, respectively below and above the blending level L, moved by actuation means 6 independently and autonomously with respect to the working plan 3 (which in these FIGS. 10 and 11 is drawn dashed).

(17) According to the description above mentioned, it is understood, therefore, that the industrial machine for bending metallic flat elements object of the invention achieves the aims and realizes the advantages previously mentioned.

(18) Durung the execution step, the industrial machine object of the invention may undergo further changes compared to those already shown and consisting, for example, in a support framework different from the one shown in the following figures and only summarily described above.

(19) Furthermore, in other embodiments of the invention, not illustrated below, the actuation means may be of a type different from those indicated in the previous description.

(20) In addition, further embodiments of the industrial machine claimed herein, not shown, may include handling and supply means other than those on which was based the description of the preferred embodiment of the invention, which does not affect the main advantages and innovative subtended to the latter.

(21) In addition, the mobile working plan of the industrial machine of the invention may take other constructive composition in other construction variants of the invention, yet not shown.

(22) Other executions of the industrial machine of the invention, yet not illustrated in the attached drawings, will be able to provide that the actuation means move the handling and supply means only along a vertical direction or only along an horizontal direction in order to determine the displacement relative to the working plan.

(23) Finally, alternative executions of the invention may exist, even if not shown in the attached drawings, in which the means of bending the metallic flat element have a different composition from that one obtainable from these drawings.

(24) It is clear, finally, that numerous other variations may be made to the industrial machine in question, without differting from the principles of novelty inherent in the inventive idea expressed here, as it is clear that, in the practical embodiment of the invention, the materials, the shapes and dimensions of the illustrated details can be any, depending on requirements, and be replaced with other technically equivalent. Where the construction features and the techniques mentioned in the subsequent claims are followed by reference numbers or signs, those reference signs have been introduced with the sole purpose of increasing the intelligibility of the claims themselves and, consequently, they have no limiting effect the interpretation of each element identified by way of example only, by such reference signs.