Variable forming jaws for a corrugator and method of changing a corrugator

Abstract

The invention relates to a forming nip unit (10) for a corrugator, comprising a forming nip mounting (14; 14a-14h) having a plurality of forming surfaces (18a-18d) which differ from one another, wherein the forming surfaces (18a-18d) are adapted to impart a predetermined shape to a material to be formed, and comprising a forming nip base element (12) on which the forming nip mounting (14; 14a-14h) is arranged, wherein the forming nip mounting (14; 14a-14h) is movably mounted on the forming nip base element (12) relative to the forming nip base element (12). The invention also relates to a corrugator comprising a plurality of forming nip units (10), and to a corresponding method.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a forming jaw unit for a corrugating machine. Background Technology

[0002] A corrugator is used, for example, to manufacture corrugated pipes. In this process, for instance, plastic material is introduced into the corrugator, and the material is brought into contact with a forming surface formed on a forming jaw unit of the corrugator by overpressure and / or negative pressure, thereby forming a corrugated pipe. A corrugator typically includes multiple forming jaw units, each having a forming surface. The forming jaw units typically move cyclically on the corrugator, so that, depending on the rotational speed, number, and size of the forming jaw units, the same forming jaw unit repeatedly passes through defined positions on the corrugator after a predetermined time.

[0003] If the goal is to manufacture bellows with uniform diameters but varying lengths, the bellows machine can be equipped with forming jaw units whose forming surfaces are identical to each other. In this way, an endless stream of bellows with uniform diameters can be manufactured. Then, in subsequent processing steps, this endless bellows can be cut to the desired length.

[0004] On the other hand, if the goal is to manufacture a bellows with a variable diameter along its length—for example, a region with an increased diameter compared to the rest of the bellows—the bellows can be equipped with forming jaw units that allow the manufacture of bellows sections with small diameters, bellows sections with increased diameters, bellows sections with large diameters, and bellows sections with decreasing diameters. However, due to the system, i.e., due to the working principle of the bellows machine, only an endless number of bellows in which the diameter increases in a constant periodic sequence can be manufactured. For example, if a bellows is required to include exactly one section with an increased diameter, it can only be manufactured in a single length without incurring a relatively large amount of material waste.

[0005] However, if the goal is to manufacture different bellows, for example, those comprising different numbers of sections with enlarged diameters but the same total length, then reconfiguring the bellows machine fittings for each bellows is laborious.

[0006] Because it takes a lot of time and money to re-equip the bellows machine, it is usually not feasible to produce specific bellows in small batches or even on a single machine. Summary of the Invention

[0007] Therefore, the purpose of this invention is to provide a forming jaw unit for a corrugating machine or a corrugating machine that can be flexibly adapted to the design of the corrugated pipe to be manufactured, thereby reducing the assembly cost of the corrugating machine.

[0008] In a first aspect, the above objective is achieved by a forming jaw unit for a corrugating machine, the forming jaw unit comprising: a forming jaw attachment having a plurality of different forming surfaces adapted to impart a predetermined shape to the material to be formed; and a forming jaw base element on which the forming jaw attachment is disposed, wherein the forming jaw attachment is mounted on the forming jaw base element to be displaceable relative to the forming jaw base element.

[0009] Because the forming jaw attachment, which includes multiple forming surfaces, can be displaced relative to the forming jaw base element held on the bellows machine, the design of the bellows to be manufactured can be changed without replacing the corresponding forming jaw unit; that is, the entire forming jaw unit does not need to be removed from the bellows machine as is common in one-piece forming jaw units of the prior art. Specifically, in the example described at the beginning, which includes a bellows with an increased diameter portion, the corresponding forming jaw attachment can have four forming surfaces: a forming surface for the bellows portion with a first diameter, a forming surface for the bellows portion with an increased diameter, a forming surface for the bellows portion with a decreased diameter, and a forming surface for the bellows portion with a second diameter greater than the first diameter.

[0010] Depending on the method by which the bellows to be manufactured is formed through the corresponding forming jaw unit, the forming jaw attachment can be displaced relative to the forming jaw base element, so that the corresponding forming surface becomes part of the bellows production chain, that is, in contact with the material forming the bellows.

[0011] Of course, instead of the four forming surfaces described here, forming jaw attachments may also include more or fewer forming surfaces, depending on the type of product to be covered by a single forming jaw unit.

[0012] In an improved embodiment of the invention, the forming jaw attachment can be translated relative to the forming jaw base element along exactly one axis, or can be rotated about exactly one axis. Regarding the first alternative, this can be achieved, for example, by connecting the forming jaw attachment to the forming jaw base element via a sliding and / or rolling mechanism. For example, the forming jaw attachment can be connected to the forming jaw base element via a dovetail connector, such that the forming jaw attachment can only be moved back and forth relative to the forming jaw base element along the dovetail connector (this direction can also be referred to as the "forming surface displacement direction").

[0013] In this case, the relative displacement between the forming jaw attachment and the forming jaw base element can be assigned to the locking device, such as a latching device, specifically providing a number of latching positions equal to the number of forming surfaces. In particular, the latching devices can be arranged such that when the corresponding latching device engages to make the forming surface part of the aforementioned production chain, the respective central axes of the forming surfaces assigned to the latching device are located in the same position relative to the forming jaw base element. Therefore, it can be ensured that even after the forming jaw unit has been switched to a different forming surface, the central axis of the bellows to be manufactured continues without any significant offset.

[0014] In this configuration, multiple forming surfaces on the forming jaw attachment can be arranged on the same surface. For example, if the forming jaw attachment has a flat surface on its side opposite to the sliding and / or rolling mechanism, all forming surfaces can be arranged on that flat surface. The forming surfaces can be continuous, in particular, in the direction in which the forming jaw attachment can be displaced relative to the forming jaw base element. Furthermore, the aforementioned central axes of each forming surface can be orthogonal to this displacement direction of the forming jaw attachment relative to the forming jaw base element.

[0015] Advantageously, the surface can extend substantially parallel to the displacement direction of the forming jaw attachment relative to the forming jaw base element, such that the depth extension of the corresponding forming jaw unit from the surface including the forming surface to the opposite end of the forming jaw unit remains constant, regardless of the position of the forming jaw attachment relative to the forming jaw base element.

[0016] Regarding the second alternative mentioned above, it can be achieved, for example, by rotatably mounting the forming jaw attachment on the forming jaw base element.

[0017] In this configuration, the forming jaw attachment can have a polygonal cross-section, and each of the multiple forming surfaces can be arranged on a different surface of the polygonal forming jaw attachment. It is advantageous to choose a polygon whose sides are as many as the distinct forming surfaces. Thus, for the example of the four distinct forming surfaces mentioned earlier, a forming jaw attachment with a square cross-section can be obtained. Depending on the desired design of the bellows to be manufactured, the forming jaw attachment can be rotated so that the corresponding forming surface points towards the bellows-forming portion of the bellows machine.

[0018] In a second aspect, the present invention relates to a corrugating machine comprising a plurality of forming jaws and a forming jaw holder, the forming jaws comprising at least a plurality of forming jaw units, particularly forming jaw units according to the invention, wherein each forming jaw unit has a forming jaw attachment comprising a plurality of distinct forming surfaces adapted to impart a predetermined shape to the material to be formed, and each forming jaw unit comprising a forming jaw base element on which the forming jaw attachment is disposed, wherein the forming jaw attachment is mounted on the forming jaw base element to be displaceable relative to the forming jaw base element, the forming jaw base element being held on the forming jaw holder.

[0019] It should be mentioned at this point that the features and advantages described for the forming jaw unit according to the invention can also be used for the corrugating machine according to the invention, and vice versa.

[0020] Preferably, the forming jaw attachments of the forming jaw unit can be designed to be identical to each other, forming part of a mold that defines the shape of the bellows to be manufactured. Therefore, the two forming jaw attachments that abut against each other at a predetermined point on the bellows machine to form the aforementioned mold can be displaced by the same amount in the same direction to again include mutually matching half-molds capable of contacting the material of the bellows to be manufactured.

[0021] In an improved embodiment of the invention, the forming jaw holder can be designed as a chain or a guide device. Specifically, the forming jaw units can be detachably connected to the forming jaw holder. The forming jaw units held on the forming jaw holder can be operably mounted on the corrugating machine via the forming jaw holder, thereby allowing them to be moved along, for example, a horizontal conveying direction. When the forming jaw holder is designed as a chain, the forming jaw units can be actively moved along their entire circumference on the corrugating machine via the forming jaw holder; that is, at each position of the corresponding forming jaw unit on the corrugating machine, a driving force can be applied to the corresponding forming jaw unit via the forming jaw holder, which allows the forming jaw unit to be moved on the corrugating machine. When the forming jaw holder is designed as a guide device, the forming jaw units can only be driven individually. For example, the forming jaw units can engage with a forming jaw holder designed as a guide rail, such that they can only be moved along one axis of the guide rail. In this configuration, the forming jaw units can be passively driven only, particularly in the region of the bellows where each forming jaw unit abuts against a corresponding complementary forming jaw unit to form a mold for the bellows to be manufactured. This means that the drivers of the forming jaw units along the forming jaw frame can be arranged in a portion of the bellows machine different from the bellows manufacturing area, such as at the longitudinal end of the bellows machine or at the longitudinal end of the area where the bellows are manufactured. The forming jaw units driven by this portion laterally contact the corresponding adjacent undriven forming jaw units and push them through the forming jaw frame. Therefore, it can be ensured that, at least in the region where the forming jaw units are further passively pushed, there is no gap between laterally adjacent forming jaw units, or a gap that is at least negligible in terms of bellows manufacturing.

[0022] The direction in which the forming jaw unit is displaced during the production of the bellows, or the direction in which the bellows is manufactured, can also be referred to as the "production direction".

[0023] Advantageously, in the operating state of the forming jaw unit, the forming jaw attachment can be displaced relative to the forming jaw base element along a direction substantially orthogonal to the production direction of the corrugated plate, or can rotate about an axis substantially parallel to the production direction of the corrugated plate. Corrugating machines with a horizontal production direction and corrugating machines with a vertical production direction are known from the prior art. Therefore, the translational direction of the forming jaw attachment can be vertical in a corrugating machine with a horizontal production direction, and horizontal in a corrugating machine with a vertical production direction. In the case of a corrugating machine with a horizontal production direction, the axis of rotation of the forming jaw attachment relative to the forming jaw base element can also be oriented horizontally, particularly parallel to the production direction. However, it is also conceivable that the axis of rotation is perpendicular to the production direction. The axis of rotation can also be orthogonally oriented, i.e., vertically oriented in the case of a corrugating machine with a horizontal production direction. This also applies here to a corrugating machine with a vertical production direction.

[0024] The corrugating machine may include an adjusting device adapted to displace the forming jaw attachment relative to the forming jaw base element by a predetermined amount. Depending on the design of the forming jaw unit or the type of displacement of the forming jaw attachment relative to the forming jaw base element, the adjusting device may displace or rotate the corresponding forming jaw attachment relative to the forming jaw base element. As previously described for the forming jaw unit according to the invention, a latching device may be provided that defines at least one position of the forming jaw attachment relative to the forming jaw base element, or holds it with a defined holding force.

[0025] The adjusting device can be designed as at least one movable stop, a portion of the forming jaw attachment contacting the stop, thereby displacing the forming jaw attachment relative to the forming jaw base element according to a preset position of the stop. For example, the stop can be displaced in a direction of displacement of the forming jaw attachment or the forming surface. Furthermore, the stop can be adapted to displace incrementally, such that each step corresponds to a preset position of the forming jaw attachment relative to the forming jaw base element, such as a position defined by a latching device. In this case, the stop can interact with the corresponding forming jaw attachment such that a transverse displacement of the corresponding forming jaw unit on the forming jaw holder relative to the stop causes the corresponding forming jaw attachment to slide off the stop, thereby displacing the forming jaw attachment to the preset position.

[0026] Alternatively or supplementarily, the adjusting device may be configured to shift a predetermined distance together with at least one forming jaw unit to be adjusted, such that, for example, no relative movement occurs between the adjusting device and the corresponding forming jaw unit during the co-shifting. In this case, the adjusting device may be adapted to shift the corresponding forming jaw attachment relative to the forming jaw base element in a desired manner. After this shift, the adjusting device may return to the starting point where the adjusting device and the corresponding forming jaw unit have shifted a predetermined distance together, so as to, for example, set at least one subsequent forming jaw unit in this manner.

[0027] In this configuration, the adjusting device can be designed as multiple adjusting units, each assigned to a forming jaw element, and each unit adapted to displace the forming jaw attachment relative to the forming jaw base element. In this way, the interaction between the multiple adjusting units of the adjusting device and the distance by which the adjusting device and the forming jaw unit to be adjusted are selected, such that a first set of forming jaw units that can be simultaneously adjusted by the adjusting device and a second set of forming jaw units that can be simultaneously adjusted immediately after the adjustment of the first set of forming jaw units are directly continuous. Thus, the adjusting device can be adapted to engage with all the forming jaw units assigned to it by the corrugating machine during a single rotation of the forming jaw unit on the corrugating machine.

[0028] In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, two forming jaw attachments that form the mold together may be provided with protrusions and recesses adapted to engage with each other when the forming jaw attachments are operably abutted against each other. On the one hand, this ensures that small orientational errors between the two forming surfaces of the mold forming a portion of the bellows to be manufactured are compensated for by the engagement of the respective protrusions and recesses. On the other hand, an adjustment device can be provided at the position where the two opposing forming jaw attachments of the bellows machine have already engaged with each other by their respective protrusions and recesses, such that displacement of one forming jaw attachment causes displacement of the corresponding other forming jaw attachment. Therefore, for example, for a bellows machine, a single adjustment device may be sufficient.

[0029] Alternatively or additionally, viewed along the production direction of the bellows machine, particularly at least two forming jaw attachments arranged one after another on the same forming jaw holder may be provided with protrusions and recesses adapted to engage with each other when the forming jaw attachments are operably abutting each other. The description above for two opposing forming jaw attachments can be similarly applied here to two forming jaw attachments arranged one after another or adjacent to each other. A relatively large number of forming jaw attachments can be simultaneously displaced relative to their respective forming jaw base elements by displacing a single forming jaw attachment or at least a small number of forming jaw attachments. It is particularly advantageous if this "chain" of forming surfaces of the forming jaw unit or forming jaw attachment not only has a predetermined sequence of forming surfaces for the desired bellows in the process of forming the bellows' forming surfaces, but also has a series of continuous and mutually matching forming surfaces arranged above or below the forming surfaces specifically contributing to the bellows' formation on the respective forming jaw attachments.

[0030] This will be illustrated with an example. For instance, if a bellows with a constant diameter is manufactured in an endless manner, this might mean that all the forming surfaces involved in manufacturing the bellows have the same diameter or are identical to each other. If it is now necessary to provide a portion with an enlarged diameter at any point during the manufacturing of the endless bellows, the chain of laterally engaged forming jaw attachments can be displaced in such a way that the forming surfaces of these forming jaw attachments, which were not previously involved in the bellows manufacturing, replace the forming surfaces that were previously involved in the bellows manufacturing. For example, the chain could consist of four forming jaw attachments or forming surfaces, whereby, according to the chronological order of the bellows manufacturing, the first forming surface defines a bellows portion with an enlarged diameter, the second and third forming surfaces define corresponding bellows portions with a constant enlarged diameter, and the fourth forming surface defines a bellows portion with a reduced diameter. Once the bellows portion with the enlarged diameter has been manufactured, the chain of the aforementioned forming jaw attachments can be removed again from the row of the involved forming surfaces, thereby allowing the manufacture of another endless bellows with a constant cross-section, smaller than the portion with the enlarged diameter.

[0031] Of course, the process can be repeated as needed, and / or multiple such "connectable" chains of forming jaw attachments can be arranged to enable the manufacture of bellows with different diameters in a very flexible manner.

[0032] This “connection” of the chain of the corresponding forming jaw attachment can advantageously occur on one side of the bellows machine (and also on the mirror-opposite side of the bellows machine), on which the forming jaw attachment of the chain assigned to this forming surface does not participate in the manufacturing of the bellows.

[0033] In this respect, it should be added that the term "constant diameter of the bellows" is intended to mean that the diameter of the bellows remains constant in the section under consideration, regardless of diameter variations caused by the flutes and crests of the bellows wall. For this purpose, as long as the wall thickness of the bellows also remains uniform, it may be irrelevant whether the inner diameter, outer diameter, or average diameter of the bellows wall is used in the section under consideration. Naturally, this also applies to sections of the bellows where the diameter increases or decreases.

[0034] In a third aspect, the present invention relates to a method for changing the shape of a corrugated machine defined by a forming surface, wherein the method includes the following steps:

[0035] - Provides a corrugating machine, which includes:

[0036] Multiple forming jaws, comprising at least multiple forming jaw units, particularly forming jaw units according to the invention, wherein each forming jaw unit comprises:

[0037] A forming jaw accessory comprising multiple distinct forming surfaces, wherein the forming surfaces are adapted to impart a predetermined shape to the material to be formed, and

[0038] A forming jaw base element, a forming jaw attachment disposed on the forming jaw base element, wherein the forming jaw attachment is mounted on the forming jaw base element and is movable relative to the forming jaw base element, and

[0039] A forming jaw holder on which the forming jaw base element is held;

[0040] - Drive the forming jaw base element to move it along the conveying direction;

[0041] - During its movement along the conveying direction, at least one forming jaw attachment is driven such that the forming jaw attachment is displaced from a first position assigned to the first forming surface to a second position assigned to the second forming surface.

[0042] It should be noted that all the features and advantages described for the forming jaw unit and / or the corrugating machine according to the invention are applicable to the method according to the invention, and vice versa. Therefore, regarding the operating mode and advantages of the method according to the invention, reference is made here explicitly to the above description of the corrugating machine according to the invention, and possibly also to the above description of the forming jaw unit according to the invention. Attached Figure Description

[0043] The present invention will now be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0044] Figure 1 A perspective view of a first embodiment of the molding jaw unit according to the present invention is shown;

[0045] Figure 2 Showing from Figure 1 A side view of the molded jaw unit according to the present invention;

[0046] Figure 3 A perspective view of a second embodiment of the molding jaw unit according to the present invention is shown;

[0047] Figure 4 A schematic top view of the corrugated machine according to the present invention is shown;

[0048] Figure 5 The invention is shown Figure 4 A cross-sectional view of the bellows machine; and

[0049] Figures 6a to 6d A schematic sequence of methods for changing the shape of a corrugated machine defined by a forming surface, according to the present invention, is shown. Detailed Implementation

[0050] exist Figure 1 In the present invention, the forming jaw unit is generally provided with reference numeral 10. The forming jaw unit 10 includes a forming jaw base element 12 and a forming jaw attachment 14. The forming jaw attachment 14 is mounted on the forming jaw base element 12 in such a manner that it can only be moved along axis A. Figure 1 In the exemplary embodiment shown, the forming jaw attachment 14 is connected to the forming jaw base element 12 via a dovetail connector 16.

[0051] The forming jaw attachment 14 here includes four forming surfaces 18a to 18d, wherein forming surface 18a is capable of defining half of a mold for a portion of a bellows to be produced, wherein the bellows tapers gradually from a larger outer diameter D2 to a smaller outer diameter D1. This, of course, depends on which side of the bellows machine the forming jaw unit 10 is used on and in which direction the forming jaw unit 10 is driven for the manufacture of the bellows. Thus, in another application, forming surface 18a may also be adapted to enlarge a bellows having an outer diameter D1 to a larger outer diameter D2. For the prior first specific application, forming surface 18b of the forming jaw attachment 14 shown herein is adapted to provide half of a mold for a portion of a bellows, wherein the outer diameter of the bellows enlarges from an outer diameter D1 to a larger outer diameter D2. Forming surface 18c forms half of a mold adapted to form a portion of a bellows having a constant outer diameter D2, while forming surface 18d forms half of a mold adapted to form a portion of a bellows having a constant outer diameter D1.

[0052] The contours of the formed surfaces 18a to 18d are again in Figure 2 As can be clearly seen in the side view. It can also be seen that recesses 20 in the forming jaw base element 12 are arranged on both sides of the dovetail connector 16, and latching devices 22 are arranged in the recesses, for example, to hold the forming jaw attachment 14 at a predetermined position relative to the forming jaw base element 12, such that the forming jaw attachment 14 is allowed to move relative to the forming jaw base element only by overcoming a predetermined holding force.

[0053] The latching device 22 or the forming jaw attachment 14 is arranged in a holding position relative to the forming jaw base element 12 such that in each holding position, i.e., when the latching device 22 is engaged, the corresponding central axes 24a to 24d assigned to the respective forming surfaces 18a to 18d are arranged relative to the forming jaw base element 12 at the same positions as the corresponding central axes 24a to 24d of the forming surfaces 18a to 18d previously arranged there when the latching device 22 is engaged. Figure 1The diagram, by way of example, indicates a position indicated by reference numeral 26 at which the corresponding central axes 24a to 24d can be arranged at a height when the latching device 22 is engaged. For example, this could correspond to a height of one of the forming surfaces 18a to 18d that may be involved in the manufacture of the bellows.

[0054] exist Figure 1 and Figure 2 In the embodiment shown, all the forming surfaces 18a to 18d are arranged on a common flat surface 28, the main extension direction of which is parallel to axis A.

[0055] Figure 3 A second embodiment of the molding jaw unit according to the present invention is shown, with a molding jaw attachment 14'.

[0056] Similar to the molding jaw unit 10 of the first embodiment, for those based on Figure 3 The second embodiment of the forming jaw unit explicitly refers to its features and advantages, and the second embodiment of the forming jaw attachment 14' also includes four forming surfaces 18a to 18d. Each forming surface 18a to 18d is arranged on a separate surface 30'a to 30'd. Depending on the number of forming surfaces 18a to 18d, four separate surfaces 30'a to 30'd are provided such that the forming jaw attachment 14' has a substantially square cross-section.

[0057] The forming jaw attachment 14' is connected to the forming jaw base element (not shown) in such a way that the forming jaw attachment 14' can rotate about the rotation axis B relative to the forming jaw base element. Therefore, the corresponding forming surfaces 18a to 18d can point away from the forming jaw base element and can interact with the complementary forming surfaces 18a to 18d of the opposite forming jaw attachment 14' to form a mold for the bellows to be manufactured.

[0058] Figure 4 A top view of a corrugating machine according to the invention is shown, generally indicated by reference numeral 100. The corrugating machine 100 herein includes a plurality of forming jaw units 10 according to the invention, wherein each forming jaw unit 10 includes the components referenced above. Figure 1 and Figure 2 The molded jaw base element 12 and the molded jaw accessory 14 are described.

[0059] The forming jaw base element 12 is connected to the forming jaw holder 102, which is driven, for example, via gears in the rotational direction indicated by arrow C. Figure 4The left and right sides of the corrugating machine 100 are shown forming jaw units 10 at the two longitudinal ends, such that forming jaw units 10 driven by forming jaw holder 102 push forward on the longitudinal side of the corrugated plate 100, which can be located in the guide rail of the forming jaw holder 102.

[0060] against Figure 4 The content described for the upper part 100a of the corrugated machine 100 shown is naturally applied in a similar manner. Figure 4 The lower part 100b of the corrugated machine 100 shown.

[0061] exist Figure 4 As can be seen from the center, the forming jaw unit 10 of the upper part 100a and the forming jaw unit 10 of the lower part 100b of the corrugating machine 100 are in Figure 4 The surfaces converge on one side as shown on the left until their surfaces 28 abut against each other. At this point, the complementary forming surfaces 18a to 18d form a mold that defines a portion of the bellows 104 to be manufactured. Now, for example, a plastic material is introduced into this mold, and by applying a vacuum to the channels (not shown) passing through the forming surfaces 18a to 18d, the plastic material is made to conform to the contour of the forming surfaces 18a to 18d. Depending on the selection of the interacting forming surfaces 18a to 18d, the contour of the bellows 104 is defined accordingly.

[0062] Figure 4 Arrow R in the diagram indicates the direction in which the produced bellows 104 leaves the bellows machine 100 (also referred to as the "production direction"). In this case, the bellows 104 includes a portion 106 having a first diameter D1, a portion 108 having a diameter that increases from the first diameter D1 to a second diameter D2 greater than the first diameter D1, a portion 110 having a constant diameter D2, and a portion 112 having a diameter that decreases from the diameter D2 to the diameter D1. As described above, portion 106 of the bellows 104 is formed by two mutually abutting forming surfaces 18d, portion 108 of the bellows 104 is formed by two mutually abutting forming surfaces 18b, portion 110 of the bellows 104 is formed by two mutually abutting forming surfaces 18c, and portion 112 of the bellows 104 is formed by two mutually abutting forming surfaces 18a, into which a suitable plastic material is introduced.

[0063] In each of the sections 100a and 100b of the corrugating machine 100, an adjustment device 114 is shown, which is formed herein by four adjustment units 116. Each of the four adjustment units 116 is adapted to engage with the forming jaw unit 10 or with the forming jaw attachment 14 of the forming jaw unit 10, so as to displace the forming jaw attachment 14 relative to a corresponding forming jaw base element 12 attached to the forming jaw holder 102. Figure 4 In the exemplary embodiment shown, the forming jaw attachment 14 is displaced relative to the forming jaw base element 12 along an axis A perpendicular to the paper plane (see also in this respect). Figure 1 or Figure 5 ).

[0064] The adjusting device 114 is also adapted to shift a distance S together with the forming jaw unit 10 so that the forming jaw attachment 14 can be adjusted accordingly relative to the forming jaw base element 12 during the conveying of the forming jaw unit 10 via the forming jaw holder 102, without affecting the conveying movement of the forming jaw unit 10 during this process. The forming jaw unit 10 that can engage with the adjusting device 114 can be considered as the first group 118 of the forming jaw units 10, while the forming jaw units 10 that can engage with the adjusting device 114 after the first group 118 of the forming jaw units 10 can be considered as the second group 120 of the forming jaw units 10. Once the corresponding adjustment of the forming jaw attachment 14 has been performed, the adjusting device 114 can be moved back to its original position. Figure 4 The initial position is shown.

[0065] Figure 4 The line VV in the diagram represents the cross-sectional line. Figure 5 The corresponding cross-sectional view is shown below, and it will be described in more detail below.

[0066] exist Figure 5 Two forming jaw attachments 14, abutting each other, are shown in the center of the image. Together, they form a mold 122 through which a portion of the bellows 104 to be manufactured can be formed. A path 124, shown as a dashed line, allows negative pressure to be applied to the mold 122, extending to the center of the mold 122. Figure 5 The left and right sides are shown.

[0067] exist Figure 5 The forming jaw attachments 14 of the forming jaw unit 10 shown in the center are displaced downward to the maximum relative to their respective forming jaw base elements 12. The forming jaw base elements 12 of the forming jaw unit 10 are slidably mounted in the corresponding forming jaw holders 102 of the corrugating machine 100, as illustrated by way of example with reference numeral 126.

[0068] exist Figure 5 On the left and right outer sides of the corrugated machine 100 shown, a forming jaw unit 10 is shown, wherein forming jaw attachments 14 are located at different positions relative to their respective forming jaw base elements 12. Figure 5 The forming jaw attachment 14 of the forming jaw unit 10 shown on the left is positioned with... Figure 5 The two forming jaw attachments 14 of the forming jaw unit 10 shown in the center are in essentially the same position, while Figure 5 The forming jaw attachment 14 of the forming jaw unit 10 shown on the right moves upward to the maximum extent along axis A.

[0069] The following uses Figure 5 Example description of adjustment unit 116 shown on the right Figure 5 The adjustment device 114 or adjustment unit 116 shown on the left and right sides.

[0070] The adjusting unit 116 includes an engagement device 128 adapted to engage with a corresponding engagement portion 130 of the forming jaw attachment 14, allowing the slider 132 of the adjusting unit 116 to which the engagement device 128 is attached to to move together with the corresponding forming jaw attachment 14 along axis A. The slider 132 is here driven via a drive unit 134 of the adjusting unit 116, which in turn drives a gear 136 that meshes with a gear ring on the slider 132, such that rotation of the gear 136 causes displacement of the slider 132 along axis A.

[0071] The adjustment unit 116 is also adapted to interact with the latching device 22 of the forming jaw unit 10, thereby allowing relative displacement of the forming jaw attachment 14 relative to the associated forming jaw base element 12.

[0072] All drive units 134 of the adjustment device 114 are connected to a control unit (not shown), which is adapted to send corresponding control commands to the drive units 134 so as to drive each slider 132 to the desired distance.

[0073] if Figure 5 The forming jaw unit 10 shown on the left has also been moved to... Figure 5 The position of the forming jaw unit shown on the right means that the two forming jaw attachments 14 will converge so that their respective forming surfaces 18d become part of the production chain of the bellows 104, thereby forming part 106 of the bellows 104.

[0074] exist Figures 6a to 6d The four stages of the adjustment process according to the present invention are now shown. Figures 6a to 6d The view corresponds to the view based on Figure 4 and Figure 5 The direction of observation indicated by arrow D.

[0075] exist Figures 6a to 6d Multiple molded jaw attachments 14 can be seen in the image. Figures 6a to 6d In each of them, only three of the forming jaw attachments are illustrated by reference numeral 14. Furthermore, a dashed line K, representing the aforementioned “chain” or “production chain,” is shown, along which the individual forming surfaces of the forming jaw attachments interact to produce the bellows 104.

[0076] In order to better explain Figures 6a to 6d The process involves four forming jaw attachments (from left to right) that engage with the adjustment unit 116, referred to as the first forming jaw attachment 14a, the second forming jaw attachment 14b, the third forming jaw attachment 14c, and the fourth forming jaw attachment 14d. Forming jaw attachments 14a to 14d (also referred to as the first group 118 of forming jaw attachments 14) have just been... Figure 6a The corresponding adjustment unit 116 engages. As indicated by arrow T, all forming jaw attachments 14 are further displaced in the direction of arrow T.

[0077] exist Figure 6b In the middle, the first group 118 has been further shifted in the direction of arrow T (here, the width of the two forming jaw attachments 14). Therefore, the adjusting device 114, together with the forming jaw attachments 14a to 14d, has also moved that distance on the corrugating machine 100 along the travel path S of the adjusting device 114. Furthermore, the first forming jaw attachment 14a has already... Figure 6b The second forming jaw attachment 14b has moved upward one step in the diagram. The third forming jaw attachment 14c has moved downward one step. The fourth forming jaw attachment 14d has moved upward one step. According to the arrangement of the forming surfaces 18a to 18d on each forming jaw attachment 14a to 14d, the forming surfaces of the first to fourth forming jaw attachments 14a to 14d (in this order) that are moved to the production chain K form portions 110, 110, 112, and 106 of the bellows 104.

[0078] exist Figure 6c In the middle, the first group 118 of the forming jaw attachments 14a to 14d has moved further in the direction of arrow T by the width of the forming jaw attachment 14. The adjustment unit 116 of the adjustment device 114 has disengaged from the forming jaw attachments 14a to 14d, and the slider 132 of the adjustment unit 116 has moved to the fully retracted initial position.

[0079] exist Figure 6d The initial position of the adjusting device 114 is now shown. The adjusting device 114 or its adjusting unit 116 is adapted to engage with the second set 120 of the fifth to eighth forming jaw attachments 14e to 14h. The subsequent method steps are repeated in a manner similar to the first set 118 of the forming jaw attachments 14, which corresponds to the forming of the desired bellows 104 by the corresponding forming surfaces 18a to 18d of the respective forming jaw attachments 14e to 14h.

Claims

1. A corrugated machine (100), comprising: A plurality of forming jaws, comprising at least a plurality of forming jaw units (10), wherein each forming jaw unit (10) includes: A forming jaw attachment (14; 14a-14h) includes a plurality of distinct forming surfaces (18a-18d), wherein the forming surfaces (18a-18d) are adapted to impart a predetermined shape to the material to be formed, and A molded jaw base element (12) is provided, on which the molded jaw attachments (14; 14a-14h) are disposed, wherein the molded jaw attachments (14; 14a-14h) are mounted on the molded jaw base element (12) to be displaceable relative to the molded jaw base element (12), and A forming jaw holder (102) is provided, on which the forming jaw base element (12) is held. The invention is characterized in that the plurality of distinct forming surfaces (18a-18d) have at least four forming surfaces (18a-18d), one forming surface (18d) having a first diameter (D1), one forming surface (18c) having a second diameter (D2) greater than the first diameter, one forming surface (18b) having a diameter increasing from the first diameter (D1) to the second diameter (D2), and one forming surface (18a) having a diameter decreasing from the second diameter (D2) to the first diameter (D1), such that the corrugating machine (100) is adapted to form a corrugated pipe having: a constant portion (106) having the first diameter (D1), a constant portion (110) having the second diameter (D2), a portion (108) having a diameter increasing from the first diameter (D1) to the second diameter (D2), and / or a portion (112) having a diameter decreasing from the second diameter (D2) to the first diameter (D1).

2. The corrugated machine (100) according to claim 1. Its features are, The molded jaw attachments (14; 14a-14h) can be translated relative to the molded jaw base element (12) along exactly one axis (A), or rotated about exactly one axis (B).

3. The corrugated machine (100) according to claim 1 or 2. Its features are, The plurality of forming surfaces (18a-18d) are arranged on the same surface (28) of the forming jaw attachments (14; 14a-14h).

4. The corrugated machine (100) according to claim 3. Its features are, The surface (28) extends substantially parallel to the displacement direction of the shaped jaw attachment (14; 14a-14h) relative to the shaped jaw base element (12).

5. The corrugated machine (100) according to claim 1 or 2. Its features are, The shaped jaw attachment (14; 14a-14h) has a polygonal cross-section, and each of the plurality of shaped surfaces (18a-18d) is arranged on a different surface of the polygonal shaped jaw attachment (14; 14a-14h).

6. The corrugated machine (100) according to claim 1 or 2. Its features are, The forming jaw holder (102) is designed as a chain or guide device.

7. The corrugated machine (100) according to claim 1 or 2. Its features are, In the working state of the forming jaw unit (10), the forming jaw attachment (14; 14a-14h) can be displaced relative to the forming jaw base element (12) along a direction substantially orthogonal to the production direction (R) of the corrugating machine (100), or can be rotated about an axis (B) substantially parallel to the production direction (R) of the corrugating machine (100).

8. The corrugated machine (100) according to claim 1 or 2. Its features are, The corrugating machine (100) includes an adjustment device (114) adapted to shift the forming jaw attachments (14; 14a-14h) relative to the forming jaw base element (12) by a predetermined amount.

9. The corrugating machine (100) according to claim 8. Its features are, The adjusting device (114) is designed as at least one movable stop, a portion of the forming jaw attachment (14; 14a-14h) contacts the stop, thereby causing the forming jaw attachment (14; 14a-14h) to be displaced relative to the forming jaw base element according to a preset position of the stop.

10. The corrugating machine (100) according to claim 8. Its features are, The adjusting device (114) is adapted to be displaced a predetermined distance (S) together with at least one forming jaw unit (10) to be adjusted.

11. The corrugating machine (100) according to claim 8. Its features are, The adjustment device (114) is designed as a plurality of adjustment units (116), each adjustment unit (116) being assigned to the forming jaw attachments (14; 14a-14h), and each adjustment unit (116) being adapted to shift the forming jaw attachments (14; 14a-14h) relative to the forming jaw base element (12).

12. The corrugated machine (100) according to claim 1 or 2. Its features are, The two forming jaw attachments (14; 14a-14h) forming the mold are provided with protrusions and recesses, and the protrusions and recesses are adapted to engage with each other when the forming jaw attachments (14; 14a-14h) are operably abutting each other.

13. The corrugated machine (100) according to claim 1 or 2. Its features are, Viewed along the production direction (R) of the corrugating machine (100), at least two forming jaw attachments (14; 14a-14h) arranged one after another are provided with protrusions and recesses, and the protrusions and recesses are adapted to engage with each other when the forming jaw attachments (14; 14a-14h) are operably abutting each other.

14. A method for changing the shape of a corrugating machine (100) defined by forming surfaces (18a-18d), wherein, The method includes the following steps: - Provide a corrugating machine (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 13, the corrugating machine comprising: A plurality of forming jaws, comprising at least a plurality of forming jaw units (10), wherein each forming jaw unit (10) includes: A forming jaw attachment (14; 14a-14h) includes a plurality of distinct forming surfaces (18a-18d), wherein the forming surfaces (18a-18d) are adapted to impart a predetermined shape to the material to be formed, and A molded jaw base element (12) is provided, on which the molded jaw attachments (14; 14a-14h) are disposed, wherein the molded jaw attachments (14; 14a-14h) are mounted on the molded jaw base element (12) to be displaceable relative to the molded jaw base element (12), and A forming jaw holder (102) is provided, on which the forming jaw base element (12) is held; - Drive the forming jaw base element (12) to move it along the conveying direction (C); - During the movement of at least one forming jaw attachment (14; 14a-14h) along the conveying direction (C), the at least one forming jaw attachment (14; 14a-14h) is driven relative to the forming jaw base element (12) by the adjusting device (114) such that the forming jaw attachment (14; 14a-14h) is displaced from a first position assigned to the first forming surface to a second position assigned to the second forming surface.

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