Method and apparatus for welding a metal strip

Abstract

The invention relates to a processing plant for metal strips (1), having a welding machine, a strip storage device arranged behind the welding machine and a processing device arranged behind the strip storage device. The metal strips (1) are welded into a continuous strip by means of the welding machine. The continuous strip is stored in the strip storage device and is output therefrom to the processing device. The joining of the metal strips (1) takes place by means of diagonally running weld seams. The angle of the weld seams to the conveying direction (x) differs at least sectionally from 90°. In order to bond the weld seams, the strip heads (2) and strip feet (3) of the metal strips (1) involved are first twisted slightly and the two strips (1) are then joined to one another by means of the formation of the weld seams. The weld seams run only transversely to the conveying direction (x) during the welding itself. Finally, the strip heads (2) and strip feet (3) of the metal strips (1) involved are twisted back again. As a result, the weld seams now run diagonally with respect to the conveying direction (x).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a method for processing metal strips and an apparatus for processing metal strips. Background Technology

[0002] For example, this processing method for metal strips and the corresponding processing equipment are known from DE 198 43 282 Al.

[0003] The metal strip can be made of steel or aluminum, but other metals and alloys are also possible. The processing apparatus can include pickling tanks, stretch levelers, or rolling mills, especially cold rolling mills. Multiple, or even all, of these components can be present. If multiple components are present, the metal strip passes through them sequentially.

[0004] Possibly, the corresponding metal strip is fed to the storage device by an uncoiler. In this case, the corresponding metal strip is loaded into the uncoiler as a coil and then unwound. If necessary, another storage device can be arranged between the uncoiler and the welding machine. However, neither the uncoiler nor the other storage device is mandatory.

[0005] In many cases, the processing equipment for metal strip operates continuously. Continuous operation here means that a continuous strip is fed to the corresponding processing equipment, such that the components of the equipment continuously process sections of the continuous strip. This mode of operation is known, for example, for pickling tanks, draw levelers, and rolling mills (especially cold rolling mills). To manufacture continuous strips, individual, discrete metal strips are often placed close together, i.e., the head of one metal strip is placed on the foot of the previous metal strip. The metal strips can be made of the same material (e.g., steel with a uniform chemical composition for the metal strip) or of different materials (e.g., steel with different chemical compositions). The dimensions, i.e., the strip width and thickness, can also be the same or different.

[0006] The metal strips are joined together via corresponding welds, which are produced by a welding machine. During the welding process, the strip heads and legs are not conveyed. For this reason, a strip storage device is arranged between the welding machine and the processing unit. This storage device can store and buffer the variable length of the continuous strip. In particular, the speed at which the continuous strip exits the storage device can be adjusted regardless of the speed at which it enters. If the speeds differ, the filling level of the storage device will naturally change. Therefore, over a long period, the inlet speed and the outlet speed must be approximately equal, otherwise the storage device will either idle or overflow. However, short-term differences in speed can be compensated for by the storage device.

[0007] The design schemes and operating methods of the processing device, welding machine and tape storage device are generally known to those skilled in the art.

[0008] The weld seam also passes through the processing device along with the continuous strip. The weld seam often represents a weak point in the continuous strip. For example, with a tension straightener, there is a risk that the continuous strip may break during the passage of the weld seam through the tension straightener. More broadly, with a rolling mill, there is a risk that the continuous strip may break during the passage of the weld seam through the roll gap of the corresponding rolling mill. While this risk can be mitigated by manufacturing high-quality weld seams, a high level of process technology and high-quality maintenance of the welding machine are required. This quality cannot always be fully maintained, especially at the end of a production cycle (e.g., before maintenance stops). Furthermore, materials that are difficult to weld together are often welded together. For such materials, there is a particularly high risk of strip breakage.

[0009] To minimize the risk of strip breakage in the weld area, especially for rolling mills, special methods are used to roll the transition section from one strip to another—that is, the corresponding weld and the section before and after it—with smaller rolling forces and smaller pass thinning amounts. However, due to other rolling methods, the transition section has different characteristics from the rest of the strip. This may involve not only geometric properties (e.g., strip thickness) but also mechanical properties (e.g., tensile strength, tensile limit, and yield strength). Therefore, the corresponding transition section is often unusable and represents a defect.

[0010] As known from EP 1 260 301 A2, two metal strips are joined by diagonally extending welds. Angles of 15° to 45° relative to the longitudinal direction of the metal strips are mentioned here. The processing apparatus is a tube forming apparatus.

[0011] As known from US 2010 / 0 051 590 A1, two metal strips are joined together by a diagonally extending weld. The weld extends at an angle chosen such that the longitudinal extension of the weld is greater than the length under pressure in the next rolling process.

[0012] As known from JP H07 178 417 A, two metal strips are joined together by a weld. The weld can extend diagonally or in a zigzag pattern. The angle formed by the weld and the transport direction is at least 30°. Summary of the Invention

[0013] The object of the present invention is to provide a feasible solution by means of which the risk of strip breakage can be minimized and, in particular, the amount of scrap generated during rolling can be kept as small as possible. Furthermore, there should be a feasible solution by which a conventional welding machine is fitted such that it can establish the diagonal direction of the weld 14, wherein the conventional welding machine can only form the weld orthogonally to the conveying direction.

[0014] This task is solved by a processing method for metal strips. The invention also relates to advantageous designs of said processing method.

[0015] Regarding the aforementioned processing method

[0016] -Metal strips are intermittently and sequentially transported along a unified direction of transport to the storage device of the metal strip processing equipment.

[0017] -The corresponding metal strip has a corresponding head, a corresponding foot, and a corresponding rib section between the corresponding head and the corresponding foot.

[0018] -The respective metal strips first enter the storage device with their respective heads, then with their respective spines, and finally with their respective feet.

[0019] - wherein the respective belt head has a respective front edge and the respective belt foot has a respective rear edge.

[0020] -The respective front edge is then welded to the rear edge of the metal strip that was previously partially conveyed to the storage device by means of a welding machine of a processing device, immediately before the respective metal strip is conveyed to the storage device, thereby forming a respective weld between the front edge of the respective metal strip and the rear edge of the metal strip that was previously partially conveyed.

[0021] -The corresponding weld, viewed transversely to the transport direction, extends from one of the two involved metal strips along the transport direction to the other side edge of the same metal strip or to the side edge of another metal strip.

[0022] -The metal strip stored in the storage device includes a processing device that continuously or intermittently conveys the metal strip from the storage device to the processing equipment, including the welds that connect the metal strips.

[0023] -The respective metal strips are first conveyed to the processing device in the form of the strip head, then the rib section, and finally the strip foot.

[0024] According to the present invention, the processing method of the type mentioned above is designed in such a way that the welding machine is operated in such a way that...

[0025] Before welding the front edge of the respective metal strip to the rear edge of the metal strip that is partially conveyed to the storage device, slightly twist the head of the respective metal strip and the foot of the metal strip that is partially conveyed to the storage device.

[0026] -Then the two strips are connected to each other by forming a weld, wherein the weld extends only transversely to the transport direction during the welding process, and

[0027] Finally, the head of the corresponding metal strip and the foot of the metal strip that were partially conveyed to the storage device are twisted back, so that the weld extends diagonally relative to the transport direction after the metal strips that are then welded together are twisted.

[0028] Therefore, the corresponding welds no longer enter the processing device and undergo processing simultaneously across their entire width. Instead, different sections of the corresponding welds enter the processing device and undergo processing sequentially. Thus, at each moment, only a portion of the corresponding weld experiences stress caused by the processing. For example, during rolling, only the corresponding portion of the weld deforms at each moment. Therefore, the section of the corresponding weld processed at a specific moment is positioned on at least one side, usually even both sides, by material from one or more metal strips. Thus, the load can be borne by one or more metal strips. Only a small portion of the load acts directly on the corresponding weld. Therefore, the linear stress acting on the corresponding weld can be significantly reduced. Furthermore, due to the extended processing time of the corresponding weld, the degree of short-term disturbances caused by processing the corresponding weld can be significantly reduced. This improves the stability of the processing. Finally, the methods and techniques used to produce diagonal welds can also be incorporated into existing conventional welding machines.

[0029] The corresponding front edges are prepared for welding to the ends of the preceding metal strips. This can be achieved, in particular, by treating the orientation of the corresponding front edges so that it corresponds to the orientation of the rear edges of the respective preceding metal strips. This orientation corresponds to the subsequent orientation of the corresponding weld. The preparation can be, for example, a head-cutting operation using a shearing machine. The strip feet can also be processed in a similar manner. In many cases, preparation is performed using a laser, which cuts a small piece of the corresponding metal strip from the strip head, such that the front edge formed by this processing is the front edge of the corresponding metal strip. The rear edges of the respective immediately preceding metal strips are also prepared in a similar manner. Typically, immediately before welding, the two metal strips involved are moved toward each other so that they come into complete or at least nearly touching. The welding process itself holds the head of one metal strip and the strip feet of the other metal strip in a fixed, for example, clamped, manner within the welding machine.

[0030] For example, the welding machine can be operated in such a way that loops are formed in the corresponding regions of the respective metal strip head and the metal strip foot partially fed to the storage device in order to twist the respective metal strip head and the metal strip foot partially fed to the storage device.

[0031] In many cases, the processing apparatus is configured as a rolling mill having at least one rolling stand. In this case, the metal strip is rolled in the rolling stand of the processing apparatus to a corresponding compressed length.

[0032] The concept of "compressed length" is well known to those skilled in the art. Viewed along the transport direction, it represents the region in which the corresponding metal strip is rolled from its thickness at the entrance side of the corresponding rolling mill to its thickness at the exit side of the corresponding rolling mill during the corresponding rolling process. The longitudinal extension of the corresponding weld, viewed along the transport direction, prior to rolling in the corresponding rolling mill, is preferably greater than the corresponding compressed length. Specifically, this ensures that at any given moment, the entire weld is not subjected to the corresponding rolling process during the rolling of the corresponding weld.

[0033] Preferably, the angle formed by the corresponding weld and the transport direction is approximately 5° to 10°, particularly 6° to 8°, different from 90°.

[0034] Typically, the length under pressure in the first rolling process is greater than or at least not less than the length under pressure in the other rolling processes. Furthermore, the longitudinal extension of the corresponding weld is extended in each rolling process by the rolling of the metal strip. If the longitudinal extension of the corresponding weld, viewed along the transport direction, is greater than the corresponding length under pressure during rolling in the first rolling stand before rolling, this necessarily also applies to the other rolling processes. However, even if this is not the case, that is, as an exception when, for example, the length under pressure in the third rolling process is greater than the length under pressure in the first rolling process, it is generally not dangerous. This will be explained by way of an example, in which it is assumed that the processing apparatus is constructed as a mill train with, for example, four rolling stands. Because even in such a case, the longitudinal extension of the corresponding weld is less than the length under pressure immediately after the weld is manufactured, the metal strip is rolled in the second rolling stand at the length under pressure, but the longitudinal extension of the corresponding weld must be increased accordingly only by the elongation of the metal strip caused by rolling in the first rolling stand. A similar situation applies to rolling in the third and fourth rolling stands, or generally in each additional rolling stand.

[0035] Furthermore, the task is accomplished by a processing apparatus for metal strips. The invention also relates to advantageous designs of such processing apparatus.

[0036] For the aforementioned processing equipment for metal strips,

[0037] -The processing equipment described herein has a strip storage device, which intermittently and sequentially feeds metal strips into the strip storage device along a uniform transport direction for the metal strips.

[0038] -The respective metal strip has a corresponding head, a corresponding foot, and a corresponding rib section between the corresponding head and the corresponding foot.

[0039] -The respective metal strips first enter the storage device with their respective heads, then with their respective spines, and finally with their respective feet.

[0040] - wherein the respective belt head has a respective front edge and the respective belt foot has a respective rear edge.

[0041] -The processing equipment includes a welding machine arranged in front of the strip storage device, by means of which the front edge of the respective metal strip is welded immediately to the rear edge of the metal strip that was previously partially conveyed to the strip storage device before the respective metal strip is conveyed to the strip storage device, thereby forming a corresponding weld between the front edge of the respective metal strip and the rear edge of the metal strip that was previously partially conveyed.

[0042] - wherein the corresponding weld, viewed transversely to the transport direction, extends from one of the two involved metal strips along the transport direction to the other side edge of the same metal strip or to the side edge of another metal strip.

[0043] -The metal strip stored in the storage device includes a processing device that continuously or intermittently conveys the metal strips to the processing equipment, including the welds that connect the metal strips.

[0044] -The respective metal strips are first conveyed to the processing device in the form of the strip head, then the rib section, and finally the strip foot.

[0045] According to the present invention, the processing equipment of the type mentioned above is designed in such a way that the welding machine is constructed such that...

[0046] Before welding the front edge of the respective metal strip to the rear edge of the metal strip that is partially conveyed to the storage device, slightly twist the head of the respective metal strip and the foot of the metal strip that is partially conveyed to the storage device.

[0047] -Then the two strips are connected to each other by forming a weld, wherein the weld extends only transversely to the transport direction during the welding process, and

[0048] Finally, the head of the corresponding metal strip and the foot of the metal strip that were partially conveyed to the storage device are twisted back, so that the weld extends diagonally relative to the transport direction after the metal strips that are then welded together are twisted.

[0049] The concept of "structure of the welding machine" should be understood comprehensively in the context of this invention. The advantages achievable through the structure of the welding machine according to this invention correspond to the advantages of the processing method.

[0050] Preferably, the welding machine is constructed such that loops are formed in the respective regions of the respective metal strip head and the metal strip foot partially fed to the storage device in order to twist the respective metal strip head and the metal strip foot partially fed to the storage device. The above explanation of the processing method applies in a similar manner.

[0051] Preferably, the processing apparatus is configured as a rolling mill having at least one rolling stand.

[0052] Preferably, the angle formed by the corresponding weld and the transport direction is approximately 5° to 10°, particularly 6° to 8°, different from 90°. Attached Figure Description

[0053] The features, characteristics, and advantages of the present invention described above, and the ways and methods of achieving these features, characteristics, and advantages, will become clearer and more readily understood in conjunction with the following description of embodiments, which will be explained in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Here, in the schematic diagrams:

[0054] Figure 1 A metal strip is shown.

[0055] Figures 2 to 5 The diagram illustrates a processing apparatus for metal strips operating in different, sequential, time-sequential states.

[0056] Figure 6 A top view of the weld is shown, and

[0057] Figure 7 A top view of the two metal strips before welding is shown. Detailed Implementation

[0058] Metal strip 1 is according to Figure 1 An elongated, flat rolled piece. The metal strip 1 is conveyed along the transport direction x, as will be shown in another figure later. The front region of the corresponding metal strip 1 forms the so-called head 2, and the rear region forms the so-called leg 3. Between them lies the middle region of the corresponding metal strip 1, the so-called ridge section 4. The exact boundaries from the head 2 to the ridge section 4 and from the ridge section 4 to the leg 3 (in...) Figure 1 (The part outlined by dashed lines) is not very important. The corresponding head 2 terminates at the corresponding front edge 5, and the corresponding foot 3 terminates at the corresponding rear edge 6. The corresponding side edge 7 of the metal strip 1 extends between the corresponding front edge 5 and the corresponding rear edge 6. The side edge 7 extends parallel to the transport direction x.

[0059] The metal strip 1 is further indicated in the additional figures by lowercase letters a, b, etc., so that it can be distinguished from one another when necessary within the scope of this specification. This also applies to different portions and sections of the metal strip 1, such as the head 2 and the foot 3.

[0060] according to Figure 2 The processing equipment for the metal strip 1 has a strip storage device 8. The strip storage device 8, for example, is based on... Figure 2The illustration shows a configuration with multiple upper rollers 9 and lower rollers 10, wherein the metal strip 1 is alternately guided through one of the upper rollers 9 and one of the lower rollers 10 in the storage device 8. For example, the upper rollers 9 can be fixedly arranged, while the lower rollers 10 can descend relative to the upper rollers 9. The amount of metal strip 1 stored in the storage device 2 varies depending on the degree of descent of the lower rollers 10.

[0061] Furthermore, the processing equipment includes a processing apparatus 11. The processing apparatus 11, for example, is based on... Figure 1 The diagram shows a multi-stand rolling mill train. In this case, cold rolling is typically performed in the rolling mill train. However, other designs for the processing device 11 are possible, either as a supplement to or as an alternative to the rolling mill train. For example, the processing device 11 can be a pickling tank or can include a pickling tank in addition to the rolling mill train. In the latter case, the pickling tank is arranged in front of the rolling mill train. However, the processing device 11 is arranged behind the strip storage device 8, regardless of its specific design.

[0062] Finally, the processing equipment includes a welding machine 12. The welding machine 12 is arranged in front of the tape storage device 8.

[0063] The processing equipment operates as follows:

[0064] At a specific moment, a specific amount of metal strip 1 is stored in the storage device 8. For example, according to... Figure 2 In this state, except for the lead 3c of the metal strip 1c, most of the metal strip 1c, the lead 3b of the metal strip 1b, and the spine section 4b are stored. The lead 2b of the metal strip 1b and the metal strip 1a have left the storage device 8. Specifically, the lead 2b of the metal strip 1b is still on its way to the processing device 11, while the metal strip 1a is already in the processing device 11 or has even left the processing device 11 again.

[0065] The lead 3c of the metal strip 1c is still in the welding machine 12. The metal strip 1d should be positioned on the lead 3c of the metal strip 1c with its lead 2d. For this purpose, the lead 2b of the metal strip 1d is fed to the welding machine 12. Typically, for this purpose, the metal strip 1d is unwound from the uncoiler 13 to a certain extent. Specifically, the unwinding is carried out to such an extent that the lead 2d of the metal strip 1d is moved to the immediate vicinity of the lead 2c of the metal strip 1c inside the welding machine 12. The leading edge 5d of the metal strip 1d is therefore... Figure 3 The illustration shows the metal strip lc being adjacent to the rear edge 6c of the metal strip lc at a very small spacing (maximum a few millimeters).

[0066] In this state, the front edge 5d of the metal strip ld is welded to the rear edge 6c of the metal strip lc using a welding machine 12. Thus, a weld 14 is formed between these two edges 5d and 6c. Through welding, the metal strip ld becomes a component of the continuous strip that previously only included metal strips 1a, 1b, and 1c. Figure 4 This state is illustrated. After welding, the lead 3c of the metal strip 1d, as well as the head 2d and ridge section 4d of the metal strip 1d, are conveyed to the storage device 8 along the conveying direction x. The conveying of the metal strip 1d is carried out to such an extent that the lead 3d remains in the welding machine 12. Figure 5 The corresponding status is shown.

[0067] Whenever the conveyance of the metal strip 1 toward the storage device 8 is involved, a complete cycle is completed using the method explained above. This cycle is repeated repeatedly, thereby repeatedly welding new metal strips 1 onto previous metal strips 1 and conveying them to the storage device 8. As a result, the metal strips 1 are conveyed to the storage device 8 intermittently and sequentially. Furthermore, the conveying direction x for the metal strips 1 is uniform, and each metal strip 1 enters the storage device 8 first with its head 2, then its spine 4, and finally its leg 3, which arises entirely naturally.

[0068] The metal strip 1 (or a corresponding section of a continuous strip) stored in the storage device 8 can be conveyed to the processing device 11 as needed. In some cases, conveying can be performed intermittently. However, it is usually conveyed continuously. This can also be achieved by... Figures 2 to 5 see.

[0069] In particular, the weld 14 located between metal strips 1a and 1b and between metal strips 1b and 1c is in accordance with Figure 2 The lower roller 10 is in a specific position and remains at a specific height level, which corresponds to the filling level of the tape storage device 8. This continues until the tape head 2d of the metal strip ld is guided onto the tape foot 3c of the metal strip lc (in... Figure 3 As shown in the diagram, a certain period of time has passed. During this period, the continuous tape is usually output from the tape storage device 8 and, consequently, conveyed to the processing device 11. However, compared to... Figure 2 Compared to the state shown, the position of the belt foot 3c remains unchanged. Since the continuous belt is output from the belt storage device 8, the filling degree of the belt storage device 8 is reduced. Correspondingly, the lower roller 10 relative to... Figure 2 The state has been improved. Furthermore, the location of weld 14, situated between metal strips 1a and 1b and between metal strips 1b and 1c, has been changed.

[0070] In a similar manner, in order to also form weld 14 between the metal strips lc and ld (in Figure 4 (As shown in the diagram) A certain time period is also required. During this time period, the continuous tape is also output from the storage device 8 and, consequently, conveyed to the processing device 11. Figure 3 Compared to the state shown, the position of the belt foot 3c remains unchanged. However, due to the continuous belt being output from the belt storage device 8, the filling degree of the belt storage device 8 is further reduced. Correspondingly, the lower roller 10 relative to... Figure 2 The condition was further improved. With Figure 3 Compared to the previous state, the location of weld 14, which is located between metal strips 1a and 1b and between metal strips 1b and 1c, has also changed again.

[0071] To convey the lead 3c of the metal strip lc and the lead 2d and ridge section 4d of the metal strip ld to the storage device 8, a specific time period is required. Therefore, the positions of the welds between metal strips la and lb, and between metal strips lb and lc, have changed again. However, compared to outputting continuous tape from the storage device 8, the lead 3c of the metal strip lc and the lead 2d and ridge section 4d of the metal strip ld are conveyed to the storage device 8 at a higher speed. Because the lead 3c of the metal strip lc and the lead 2d and ridge section 4d of the metal strip ld are conveyed to the storage device 8, the filling rate of the storage device 8 is increased even though continuous tape is simultaneously output from the storage device 8. Correspondingly, the lower roller 10 relative to... Figure 4 It decreases due to its state, usually decreasing to the level of... Figure 2 The same or at least similar levels.

[0072] Similar to conveying the metal strip 1 to the storage device 8 (which occurs quite naturally), each metal strip 1 is obviously first conveyed to the processing device 11 with its head 2, then its spine 4 and finally its foot 3.

[0073] The following is combined with Figure 6 The design of the weld 14 between the metal strips lc and ld is explained. However, the corresponding implementation can also be applied 1:1 to the weld 14 between other metal strips 1.

[0074] Typically, the metal strips lc and ld are based on Figure 6The metal strips are close together in the middle. In this case, the weld 14 extends from the side edges 7c, 7d of one of the two metal strips lc, ld to the other side edges 7c, 7d of the same metal strip lc, ld, regardless of whether the metal strips lc, ld have the same bandwidth bc, bd or different bandwidths bc, bd. This can also occur even when the metal strips lc, ld are eccentrically connected. However, in the case of eccentrically connected metal strips lc, ld, it is also possible that the weld 14 extends from the side edges 7c, 7d of one of the two metal strips lc, ld to the side edges 7d, 7c of the other metal strip ld, lc. However, regardless of whether this case or another case is realized, the angle α formed by the weld 14 and the transport direction x is at least segmentally different from 90°. The welding machine 12 is constructed such that it can form this weld 14 and also operates in this manner.

[0075] The degree of difference between the angle α and 90° can be determined as needed. For example, the deviation from 90° can be between approximately 5° and 10°, especially between 6° and 8°.

[0076] The welding process itself, as well as the preparation of the front edge 5 of one metal strip 1 and the rear edge 6 of the other metal strip 1, need not be explained in detail.

[0077] Furthermore, specifically regarding the direction of the diagonal of the weld 14, it is possible that the metal strip 1 is extended at an angle α in the welding machine 12 by clamping and forming a swivel between the corresponding areas of the head 2 of one metal strip 1 and the foot 3 of the other metal strip 1. Figure 7 This state of the metal strip 1 is shown. Then, in this state, the front edge 5 of one metal strip 1 and the rear edge 6 of the other metal strip 1 can be prepared in a completely conventional manner and method. Cutting (in...) Figure 7 (As shown by the dashed line) can be performed orthogonally to the transport direction x in the same completely traditional manner and method. Welding can also be performed orthogonally to the transport direction x in the same completely traditional manner and method. Because the head 2 of one metal strip 1 and the leg 3 of the other metal strip 1 extend at an angle α during the welding process, but are oriented back along the transport direction x after welding (see... Figure 6 After welding, the weld 14 extends at an angle α.

[0078] This invention offers numerous advantages. In particular, due to the orientation of the weld 14, the processing device 11 operates on the weld 14 only in specific areas at any given time, rather than across its entire width. Thus, at each moment, only a portion of the corresponding weld 14 is processed. Especially in tension levelers and rolling mills, it is no longer necessary to alter the processing procedure for the weld 14. This reduces the deviation length that must be discarded as scrap. Consequently, production output can be increased. The risk of breakage can be reduced to near zero. As another positive effect, the maintenance interval of the welding machine 12 can be extended, and the maintenance of the welding machine 12 is simplified. This reduces downtime of the processing equipment, which also increases productivity. Furthermore, conventional welding machines 12 can be modified accordingly to establish a diagonal orientation of the weld 14.

[0079] Although the invention has been illustrated and described in detail through preferred embodiments, it is not limited to the disclosed examples and other variations can be derived by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of protection of the invention.

[0080] List of reference numerals in the attached diagram:

[0081] 1 metal strip

[0082] 2 Leading

[0083] 3 with feet

[0084] 4. Tenderloin section

[0085] 5 front edge

[0086] 6 rear edge

[0087] 7 side edges

[0088] 8. Belt storage device

[0089] 9 upper rollers

[0090] 10 lower rollers

[0091] 11 Processing Equipment

[0092] 12 welding machines

[0093] 13 Uncoiling Machine

[0094] 14 welds

[0095] b bandwidth

[0096] X Delivery Direction

[0097] α angle.

Claims

1. Method for the processing of metal strips (1), - wherein the metal strips (1) are fed to a storage device (8) of a processing plant for the metal strips (1) along a conveying direction (x) which is uniform for the metal strips (1) in succession one after the other in an intermittent and sequential manner, - wherein the respective metal strip (1) has a respective strip head (2), a respective strip foot (3) and a respective gullet section (4) between the respective strip head (2) and the respective strip foot (3), - wherein the respective metal strip (1) first enters into the storage device (8) with the respective strip head (2), then with the respective gullet section (4) and finally with the respective strip foot (3), - wherein the respective strip head (2) has a respective front edge (5) and the respective strip foot (3) has a respective rear edge (6), - wherein the respective front edge (5) is welded to the rear edge (6) of the metal strip (1) which was fed to the storage device (8) immediately before by means of a welding machine (12) of the processing plant immediately before the respective metal strip (1) is fed to the storage device (8), so that a respective weld seam (14) is formed between the front edge (5) of the respective metal strip (1) and the rear edge (6) of the metal strip (1) which was fed immediately before, - wherein the respective weld seam (14) extends from a side edge (7) of one of the two metal strips (1) involved which extends in the conveying direction (x) to the other side edge (7) of the same metal strip (1) or to the side edge (7) of the other metal strip (1) as seen transversely to the conveying direction (x), - wherein the metal strips (1) stored in the storage device (8) are fed to a processing device (11) of the processing plant continuously or intermittently from the storage device (8) including the weld seams (14) connecting the metal strips (1), - wherein first the strip head (2) and then the gullet section (4) and thereafter the strip foot (3) of the respective metal strip (1) are fed to the processing device (11), characterized in that - the welding machine (12) is designed in such a way that - before the front edge (5) of the respective metal strip (1) is welded to the rear edge (6) of the metal strip (1) which was fed to the storage device (8) immediately before, the strip head (2) of the respective metal strip (1) and the strip foot (3) of the metal strip (1) which was fed to the storage device (8) immediately before are twisted slightly, - then the two metal strips (1) are connected to each other by the formation of the weld seam (14), wherein the weld seam (14) extends only transversely to the conveying direction (x) at the welding itself, and - finally the strip head (2) of the respective metal strip (1) and the strip foot (3) of the metal strip (1) which was fed to the storage device (8) immediately before are twisted back again, so that the weld seam (14) extends diagonally with respect to the conveying direction (x) after the metal strips (1) which were welded to each other immediately before are twisted.

2. Method for the processing according to claim 1, characterized in that The welding machine (12) is operated in such a way that loops are formed in the respective regions of the head (2) of the respective metal strip (1) and of the foot (3) of the metal strip (1) which is partially fed to the storage device (8) for twisting the head (2) of the respective metal strip (1) and the foot (3) of the metal strip (1) which is partially fed to the storage device (8).

3. Method of processing according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the processing device (11) is configured as a rolling mill having at least one rolling stand in which the metal strip (1) is rolled in a respective compressed length and in which the respective weld (14) has a longitudinal extent prior to rolling in the respective rolling stand which is greater than the respective compressed length as viewed in the conveying direction (x).

4. Method of processing according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the angle (a) which the respective weld (14) forms with the conveying direction (x) differs from 90° by 5° to 10°.

5. Processing plant for metal strips (1), - wherein the processing plant has a storage device (8) to which the metal strips (1) are fed respectively one after the other in succession along a uniform conveying direction (x) for the metal strips (1) in an intermittent manner, - wherein the respective metal strip (1) has a respective head (2), a respective foot (3) and a respective web section (4) between the respective head (2) and the respective foot (3), - wherein the respective metal strip (1) enters into the storage device (8) firstly with the respective head (2), then with the respective web section (4) and finally with the respective foot (3), - wherein the respective head (2) has a respective front edge (5) and the respective foot (3) has a respective rear edge (6), - wherein the processing plant has a welding machine (12) arranged in front of the storage device (8) by means of which the front edge (5) of the respective metal strip (1) is welded immediately prior to the feeding of the respective metal strip (1) to the storage device (8) to the rear edge (6) of the metal strip (1) which was fed immediately prior to this to the storage device (8) respectively, so that a respective weld (14) is formed between the front edge (5) of the respective metal strip (1) and the rear edge (6) of the metal strip (1) which was fed immediately prior to this respectively, - wherein the respective weld (14) extends transversely to the conveying direction (x) from a side edge (7) of one of the two metal strips (1) involved which extends in the conveying direction (x) to the other side edge (7) of the same metal strip (1) or to a side edge (7) of the other metal strip (1), - wherein the metal strips (1) which are stored in the storage device (8) are continuously or intermittently fed by the storage device (8) to a processing device (11) of the processing plant, including the welds (14) which connect the metal strips (1) together, - wherein the head (2) of the respective metal strip (1) is first, then the fillet (4) and only thereafter the foot (3) of the respective metal strip (1) is fed to the processing device (11), characterized in that - the welding machine (12) is designed in such a way that - the head (2) of the respective metal strip (1) and the foot (3) of the metal strip (1) which is partially fed to the storage device (8) are twisted slightly before the leading edge (5) of the respective metal strip (1) is welded to the trailing edge (6) of the metal strip (1) which is partially fed to the storage device (8), - the two metal strips (1) are then connected to one another by the formation of a weld (14), wherein the weld (14) extends only transversely to the conveying direction (x) during the welding itself, and - the head (2) of the respective metal strip (1) and the foot (3) of the metal strip (1) which is partially fed to the storage device (8) are twisted back again after the metal strips (1) which are then welded to one another are twisted, so that the weld (14) extends diagonally with respect to the conveying direction (x) after the twisting of the metal strips (1) which are then welded to one another.

6. The processing plant according to claim 5, characterized in that the welding machine (12) is designed in such a way that, in order to twist the head (2) of the respective metal strip (1) and the foot (3) of the metal strip (1) which is partially fed to the storage device (8), a loop is formed in the respective region of the head (2) of the respective metal strip (1) and the foot (3) of the metal strip (1) which is partially fed to the storage device (8).

7. The processing plant according to claim 5 or 6, characterized in that the processing device (11) is designed as a rolling mill having at least one rolling stand.

8. The processing plant according to claim 5 or 6, characterized in that the angle (a) which the respective weld (14) forms with the conveying direction (x) differs from 90° by 5° to 10°.

9. The processing plant according to one of claims 5 to 8, characterized in that the processing device (11) is designed as a rolling mill having at least one rolling stand.

10. The processing plant according to one of claims 5 to 9, characterized in that the angle (a) which the respective weld (14) forms with the conveying direction (x) differs from 90° by 5° to 10°.

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