Forming machine and method for producing essentially two-dimensional bent parts

Abstract

The invention relates to a forming machine (1), comprising a feed device (2) for advancing wire (W) into a forming area (3), a forming device (4) for bending the wire (W) in the forming area (3), a support device (5) for supporting the wire (W) leaving the forming area (3), and a pivot drive device (6) for pivoting the support device (5) about a vertical pivot axis (S), wherein the feed device (2) and the forming device (3) are controllable in a coordinated manner such that the wire (W) can be bent to produce a substantially two-dimensional bent part (100), and wherein the pivot drive device (6) and two actuator devices (9, 10) of the support device (5) are controllable such that a depositing device (7) of the support device (5) moves together with the wire (W) leaving the forming area (3) of the substantially two-dimensional bent part (100) moves.

Description

FIELD OF APPLICATION AND STATE OF THE ART

[0001] The invention relates to a forming machine for producing essentially two-dimensional bent parts, in particular for producing wave winding parts for electric motors, from wire. Furthermore, the invention relates to a method for producing such an essentially two-dimensional bent part, in particular for producing a wave winding part for an electric motor, using such a forming machine.

[0002] Forming machines are computer-numerically controlled machine tools that, with the aid of suitable tools, can produce small or large series of molded parts, sometimes with complex geometries, predominantly by forming, from elongated semi-finished products such as wire, tube, strip, or the like in an automated manufacturing process. A complex-bent molded part is a molded part that has more than one bend, with bends being relatively close together and / or merging into one another and / or sometimes even lying in different planes. Molded parts that are manufactured predominantly or exclusively by bending operations are referred to as "bent parts" in the context of this disclosure.

[0003] In the case of "essentially two-dimensional bent parts," the formed bent part material, in particular the formed wire, can run essentially parallel to exactly one, in particular virtual, plane. A substantially two-dimensional component can have a thickness extension, in particular corresponding to a wire thickness, in particular wherein the thickness extension is comparatively small compared to a longitudinal and transverse extension of the component. In particular, the material of the bent part can be bent only around, in particular virtual, bending axes that are oriented essentially perpendicular to the, in particular virtual, plane.It is understood that such a substantially two-dimensional bent part can be used as an intermediate product, which intermediate product can optionally be subjected to further forming in a subsequent forming process, in particular in order to produce a three-dimensional bent part on the basis of the two-dimensional intermediate product.

[0004] A substantially two-dimensional bent part within the meaning of the present disclosure can be a wave winding part for an electric motor. Such a wave winding part can be provided for a wave winding of the electric motor in question. A wave winding can be synonymously referred to as a "continuous hairpin winding" and typically has a meandering shape. With the wave winding concept, so-called winding mats are produced based on multiple wave winding parts. These winding mats can be attached from the inside to a stator core of a stator of the electric motor. The wave winding parts of the winding mat attached to the stator can then be electrically interconnected and / or soldered and / or welded to form the wave winding in order to provide the electrical wave winding of the stator.Such a wave winding can advantageously enable a relatively low winding head height on both axial sides and particularly low contacting effort, especially compared to conventional hairpin and / or plug-in coil technology. Challenges arise in the production of wave winding components for the wave winding of an electric motor, particularly due to their comparatively complex meandering geometry. Furthermore, due to the use of comparatively thin wire material, especially in combination with the meandering geometry, wave winding components can be susceptible to unintentional deformation and / or bending.

[0005] Wave winding components can be manufactured conventionally using the so-called "sword winding technique," in which a wire is formed around a usually non-adjustable sword body. Alternatively, wave winding components are commonly manufactured using the so-called "flat winding technique," in which typically several or even all bends of the meandering wave winding component are created simultaneously and / or with non-adjustable bending tools precisely matched to the desired bending radius of each bend.

[0006] JP H08-4 172 Y2 discloses a device for bending a long material, such as a pipe, into a meandering shape. KR 10 1 384 917 B1 further discloses a device for continuously bending pipes. Furthermore, DE 10 2005 047 078 B3 discloses a cable bending machine comprising a material feed device, a bending unit arranged behind the feed device in the feed direction, a rotatable support table on which the feed device and the bending unit are arranged, and a stationary storage table for the bent material. TASK AND SOLUTION

[0007] It is an object of the present invention to provide a forming machine for producing essentially two-dimensional bent parts, in particular for producing winding parts for electric motors, from wire, as well as a method for producing such an essentially two-dimensional bent part, in particular for producing such a wave winding part for an electric motor, using such a forming machine, each of which has improved properties. In particular, the aim is to counteract unintentional deformation of the formed wire of an essentially two-dimensional bent part during bent part production, particularly due to friction and / or its own weight, or even to completely prevent such unintentional deformation.

[0008] This object is achieved by the subject matter of the independent patent claims. Preferred embodiments are the subject matter of the dependent patent claims. The wording of all claims is incorporated into the present description by express reference.

[0009] A forming machine according to the invention is used to produce essentially two-dimensional bent parts from wire. In particular, the forming machine is used to produce wave winding parts from wire for electric motors.

[0010] The forming machine according to the invention has a feed device for advancing wire in a feed direction. By means of the feed device, the wire can be advanced in the feed direction into a forming area of ​​the forming machine. The forming machine has a forming device that is designed and / or arranged to bend the wire within the forming area. The forming machine also has a support device that is designed to support wire leaving the forming area. By means of the support device, an already formed section of the wire, in particular a free end section of the formed wire, of an at least partially produced bent part can be supported.In particular, the support device is designed to counteract unintentional deformation of the wire section protruding from the forming area as a result of its own weight and / or as a result of friction.

[0011] The forming machine according to the invention has a pivot drive device by means of which the support device can be pivoted, in particular in a controlled manner, about a vertical pivot axis of the forming machine relative to the forming area. In particular, the forming device is designed to bend the wire about a bending axis, in particular a virtual bending axis, that runs coaxially to the pivot axis.

[0012] The support device of the forming machine according to the invention has a storage device on which the wire can be deposited after it has left the forming area. In particular, the formed free end section of the wire can be deposited on the storage device. Furthermore, the support device has a base for coupling the support device to the pivot drive device. In particular, the base is directly drive-connected to the pivot drive device. The base can be connected in a rotationally fixed manner to a rotatable drive shaft of the pivot drive device. The base can have a turntable or be implemented as a turntable.

[0013] The support device of the forming machine according to the invention has a first actuator device, which is designed and / or controllable for adjusting the storage device relative to the base along a horizontal first adjustment direction of the support device. Furthermore, the support device has a second actuator device, which is designed and / or controllable for adjusting the storage device relative to the base along a second adjustment direction of the support device, wherein the second adjustment direction is oriented orthogonally to the first adjustment direction.

[0014] The feed device and the forming device of the forming machine according to the invention can be controlled in a coordinated manner such that the wire can be bent to produce the essentially two-dimensional bent part. In particular, the wire can be bent sequentially multiple times and / or in opposite directions to produce the essentially two-dimensional bent part through coordinated control of the feed device and the forming device. "Sequentially multiple times" means that several bends in the same or opposite direction are present one after the other along a longitudinal extent of the formed wire. As a result of the generation of opposite bends, the free end section of the formed wire, which protrudes from the forming area, can experience a back-and-forth movement around the pivot axis.For example, a number of parallel bends along the length of the formed wire can alternate with a number of opposite bends to achieve a meandering shape of the bent part. Between bends, the wire can be advanced without deformation, creating straight wire sections between the bends. As a result of creating a straight wire section, the free end portion of the formed wire can experience movement away from the forming area in the feed direction.

[0015] According to the invention, the pivot drive device of the forming machine and the two actuator devices of the support device are controllable such that the depositing device moves together with the wire of the essentially two-dimensional bent part leaving the forming area. In particular, the pivot drive device and the actuator devices of the support device are controllable as a function of the feed device and / or the forming device such that the depositing device moves together with the wire of the essentially two-dimensional bent part leaving the forming area. The joint movement is preferably implemented such that the depositing device and the wire leaving the forming area move in the same amount and direction, so that the wire resting on the depositing device does not shift relative to the depositing device.In particular, a wire section protruding from the forming area, particularly a free and / or already formed section, can be supported by the support device in such a way that unintentional deformation of this wire section located outside the forming area and already provided with its final shape can be counteracted. In particular, the storage device serves, on the one hand, to absorb the dead weight of the wire section, while, on the other hand, sliding friction between the wire section and the storage device can be avoided due to the joint movement of the storage device and the wire section.

[0016] In particular, the forming machine allows the production of bent parts with a particularly wide variety of shapes and / or different wire cross-sections and / or thicknesses. In this respect, the forming machine can prove to be particularly flexible, which is particularly advantageous for small series and / or prototype production. Despite its exceptional flexibility of use, the forming machine is capable of producing bent parts with a wide variety of designs with particular precision. This can be advantageous for the production of wave winding parts, as these are often subject to particularly tight manufacturing tolerances that must be maintained to ensure that a wave winding mat with such a wave winding part can be precisely mounted on the stator of an electric motor.

[0017] The wire leaving the forming area of ​​the forming machine can expediently undergo further forming, particularly outside the forming area, in particular embossing, for example to create a step, in particular a so-called S-shaped roll, of the wave winding part. In this respect, the essentially two-dimensional component can be further formed into a three-dimensional component, particularly directly after the forming area.

[0018] In an embodiment of the invention, the forming machine has a control device, in particular an electronic one. The control device is designed and / or programmed to coordinately control the feed device and the forming device such that wire advanced into the forming area is bent by the forming device, in particular sequentially multiple times and / or in opposite directions, thereby producing the essentially two-dimensional bent part. In particular, the control device is designed to execute an NC program defining a target geometry of the bent part to be produced for controlling the feed device and the forming device.

[0019] In a further embodiment of the invention, the control device of the forming machine is designed and / or programmed to control the pivot drive device and the two actuator devices of the support device depending on the feed device and / or the forming device. In this way, the adjustment of the storage device and the bending process for producing the essentially two-dimensional bent part can be coordinated and / or synchronized.

[0020] In a further embodiment of the invention, the wire can be bent by means of the forming device in two opposing bending directions, essentially parallel to a plane, in particular a horizontal and / or virtual plane. Alternatively or additionally, the wire can be bent by means of the forming device in two opposing bending directions, depending on the control system. This can, in particular, enable the production of meander-shaped, essentially two-dimensional bent parts that have oppositely oriented bends.

[0021] In a further embodiment of the invention, the first actuator device is a linear drive device, in particular an electrical and / or hydraulic and / or pneumatic one.

[0022] In a further embodiment of the invention, the depositing device comprises a conveyor belt that can be driven, in particular in a rotating manner, by the second actuator device. Wire leaving the forming area, in particular the free formed wire section of the wire, can be deposited on an upper run of the conveyor belt. The upper run of the conveyor belt defines the second adjustment direction. In particular, the upper run of the conveyor belt forms the depositing device.

[0023] In a further embodiment of the invention, the depositing device has a winding device for winding wire after it has left the forming area. The winding device can be designed to wind the essentially two-dimensional bent part around a winding axis of the winding device. The second actuator device is designed to drive the winding device in rotation around the winding axis of the winding device, wherein the second adjustment direction runs along and / or tangentially to a circumferential direction of the winding device. The circumferential direction of the winding device runs in particular around the winding axis of the winding device. The winding axis can run horizontally. The winding device can be connected to a conveyor belt of the depositing device.Alternatively, it is conceivable that the storage device only comprises the winding device, in particular without a conveyor belt.

[0024] In a further embodiment of the invention, the forming device has a forming section for bending interaction with the wire. The forming section is adjustable in a controlled manner transversely to the feed device in order to deflect or redirect the wire, which is advanced in the feed direction into the forming area, relative to the feed direction, thereby generating a bend in the wire. Such deflection or redirection of the wire is transferred in particular to the wire section protruding from the forming area, which is supported by the support device.

[0025] In a further embodiment of the invention, the forming device comprises a bending mandrel, in particular a bending mandrel that is rotatably adjustable and / or arranged coaxially with the pivot axis, as well as a tool part with a bending pin that is rotatably adjustable around the bending mandrel and / or a bending axis coaxial with the pivot axis. The bending pin and / or the bending mandrel can form a forming section of the forming device for bending interaction with the wire to be bent.

[0026] In a further embodiment of the invention, the support device, in particular the support device's storage device, can be pivoted in a controlled manner by 150° to 210°, in particular by 180°, relative to the forming area. This can promote the design freedom of essentially two-dimensional bent parts that can be produced using the forming machine.

[0027] In a further embodiment of the invention, the forming machine comprises a controllable cutting device designed to cut the wire of the essentially two-dimensional bent part, in particular at the wire exit from the forming area. In particular, the cutting device can be automatically controlled by the control device of the forming machine.

[0028] A method according to the invention serves to produce a substantially two-dimensional bent part by means of a forming machine according to the invention as described above. In particular, the method serves to produce a wave winding part for an electric motor by means of the forming machine. In particular, the substantially two-dimensional bent part, in particular the wave winding part, is produced according to the method. The method comprises a step according to which wire is advanced in the feed direction while the depositing device is adjusted along the first adjustment direction and / or along the second adjustment direction. The method further comprises a step according to which the wire is bent in the forming region while the depositing device is pivoted about the pivot axis.

[0029] In a further embodiment of the invention, the storage device is adjusted along the first adjustment direction and / or the second adjustment direction primarily, in particular exclusively, during the advancement of the wire in the feed direction, in particular without bending. With a advancement of the wire in the feed direction without bending, the wire can be conveyed through the forming area in the feed direction and out of the forming area in the feed direction. Alternatively or additionally, the storage device pivots about the pivot axis exclusively during the bending of the wire, in particular with or without feed.

[0030] "Feed-dependent" bending can mean that wire is conveyed and / or advanced while the bend is being created. Feed-dependent bending can be rotary bending, in particular rotary draw bending. In feed-dependent bending, a slight adjustment of the storage device along the first adjustment direction and / or along the second adjustment direction may be expedient. Alternatively, in "feed-free bending," it may be conceivable that the wire is not advanced by the feed device during and / or as long as a bend in the wire is created by the forming device. Feed-free bending can be pin-and-mandrel bending.

[0031] In a further embodiment of the invention, the steps of the method are performed multiple times in succession to produce the two-dimensional bent part. In particular, the essentially two-dimensional bent part is produced in a meandering shape. Alternatively or additionally, the essentially two-dimensional bent part can be produced with a repeating bending pattern by performing the steps of the method multiple times in succession. This can be particularly advantageous if the essentially two-dimensional bent part to be produced is a wave winding part for an electric motor.

[0032] In a further embodiment of the invention, the control device of the forming machine is adapted and / or programmed for, in particular, automatic, execution of the method. In particular, the control device is adapted and / or programmed to coordinately control the feed device, the forming device, the pivot drive device, the first actuator device, and the second actuator device of the forming machine for execution of the method. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0033] Further advantages and features of the invention will become apparent from the claims and the following description of preferred embodiments of the invention, which are illustrated with reference to the drawings. Like reference numerals refer to like, similar, or functionally identical components.

[0034] It is understood that the features mentioned above and those to be explained below can be used not only in the combination specified in each case, but also in other combinations or on their own, without departing from the scope of the present invention. Fig. 1 shows a schematic perspective view of an embodiment of a forming machine according to the invention, which is designed to carry out an embodiment of a method according to the invention, Fig. 2 in schematic perspective view a detail of the forming machine according to Fig. 1, Fig. 3 to 6 show a schematic plan view of a detail of the forming machine according to the Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 in the form of successive snapshots during the implementation of an embodiment of the method according to the invention, and Fig. 7 shows a schematic plan view of another detail of the forming machine according to the Fig. 1 to 6. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

[0035] A forming machine 1 is provided for the production of essentially two-dimensional bent parts 100. The bent part 100 can be essentially flat. In principle, the forming machine 1 enables the precise production of bent parts 100 with very different shapes, in particular wire bending profiles. Several bent parts 100 with a selected shape can be produced serially and with repeatable accuracy using the forming machine 1. In the present case, the forming machine 1 is configured for the production of wave winding parts 200 from wire W. The wave winding parts 200 serve to produce a wave winding of an electric motor.

[0036] For example, a wire W is processed as the starting material, which comprises an electrically conductive material (e.g., copper) with a substantially flat, rectangular, in particular square, cross-sectional shape, which is encased in an electrically non-conductive insulating layer of varnish or the like. The starting material is provided in the form of a wound material supply 51, for example, in the form of a coil 52. The wire supply 51 can be provided to the forming machine 1 by means of a wire storage device 50.

[0037] The forming machine 1 is, for example, a computer-numerically controlled, multi-axis forming machine 1 and has a plurality of machine axes controllable via a control device 11 and a drive system with a plurality of electric drives for driving the machine axes, wherein the control device 11 is designed for the coordinated control of working movements of the machine axes in a manufacturing process according to a computer-readable control program specific to the manufacturing process.

[0038] The forming machine 1 has a feed device 2. This can have a feed device acting on the wire W, e.g., a roller feed device, a belt feed device, or a gripper feed device equipped with gripping tongs, and the downstream wire guide visible in the figures. By means of the feed device 2, the wire W can be conveyed in a feed direction V, for example in a controlled manner. The wire W advanced by means of the feed device 2 can be conveyed in the feed direction V into a forming area 3 of the forming machine 1. A forming device 4 of the forming machine 1 is arranged in the forming area 3. The forming device 4 is designed for the controlled bending of the wire W within the forming area 3.

[0039] The feed device 2 and the forming device 4 can be controlled in a coordinated manner to produce the essentially two-dimensional bent part 100. Through the coordinated control of the feed device 2 and the forming device 4, the wire W can be bent sequentially multiple times and / or in opposite directions.

[0040] For example, the wire W can be bent by means of the forming device 4 essentially parallel to a virtual plane E, which in this case extends horizontally, in two opposing bending directions B1, B2. By controlling the forming device 4, it can be determined in which bending direction B1, B2 the wire W is bent.

[0041] The forming device 4 has, for example, a forming section 15 which can interact with the wire W to bend the wire W. The forming section 15 is adjustable in a controlled manner transversely to the feed direction V, in particular perpendicular to the feed direction V. By adjusting the forming section 15, the wire W guided into the forming region 3 in the feed direction V can be deflected so that, after interacting with the forming section 15, it runs away from the forming section 15 at an angle to the feed direction V. By deflecting and / or deflecting the wire W relative to the feed direction V, a bend B, in particular a plastic bend, of the wire W can be generated, in particular about a vertical bending axis.

[0042] In the present case, the forming device 4 has a bending mandrel 16 and a tool part 17 that is rotatably adjustable around the bending mandrel 16 in order to bend the wire W in the horizontal bending plane E by a predeterminable bending angle around a vertical bending axis. The tool part 17 has, for example, a bending pin 18. The bending mandrel 16 can itself be rotatably adjustable or non-rotatably adjustable. The bending pin 18 and / or the bending mandrel 16 can, in particular, each form a forming section 15 for interacting with the wire W to be bent.

[0043] The forming machine 1 also has a support device 5. The support device 5 serves to support wire W that has left the forming area 3. In this case, a free end section of the wire W can be supported by means of the support device 5 after leaving the forming area 3. The free end section of the wire W has already been formed and, after production of the essentially two-dimensional bent part 100, is found unchanged in the bent part 100.

[0044] The support device 5 has a storage device 7. The storage device 7 is designed such that the wire W leaving the forming area 3 runs onto the storage device 7 and can then be deposited on the storage device 7. In particular, after leaving the forming area 3, the wire W can be deposited on the storage device 7 such that the free end section of the wire W protruding from the forming area 3 rests on the storage device 7 in a gravitational direction G.

[0045] The support device 5 has a base 8, which in the example is designed in the manner of a turntable and is coupled to a pivot drive device 6 of the forming machine 1. The pivot drive device 6 serves for a controlled pivoting of the support device 5, in particular the entire support device, about a vertical pivot axis S of the forming machine 1 relative to the forming area 3. In this case, the pivot axis runs coaxially with the bending axis of the forming device. The pivot range of the support device 5 extends over a total of approximately 180° symmetrically to the feed direction V.

[0046] The support device 5 has a first actuator device 9, which is designed and controllable for adjusting the storage device 7 relative to the base 8 along a horizontal first adjustment direction V1 of the support device 5. The first actuator device 9 can be a linear drive device 12. In this case, the first actuator device 9 is carried by the base 8 or the turntable. By rotating the base 8 about the pivot axis S, the orientation of the storage device 7 or the second feed direction V2 and / or the first feed direction V1 can be changed with respect to the machine coordinate system of the forming machine 1.

[0047] In addition, the support device 5 has a second actuator device 10, which is designed and controllable for adjusting the storage device 7 relative to the base 8 along a second adjustment direction V2 of the support device 5 that is orthogonal to the first adjustment direction V1.

[0048] The pivot drive device 6 and the two actuator devices 9, 10 of the support device 5 are controllable such that the storage device 7 moves together with the wire W of the essentially two-dimensional bent part 100 leaving the forming area 3. In this way, a relative movement of the wire W leaving the forming area 3, in particular of the free and / or already formed wire section of the wire W that protrudes from the forming area 3, relative to the storage device 7 can be avoided. Avoiding a relative movement of the wire section of the wire W protruding from the forming area 3 relative to the storage device 7 in this way enables support of the wire section while avoiding unintentional friction-induced deformation of the wire section.

[0049] The previously mentioned control device 11 is designed and / or programmed to control the feed device 2 and the forming device 4 in a coordinated manner, in particular by executing the control program. As a result of the coordinated control of the feed device 2 and the forming device 4, the wire W advanced into the forming area 3 can be bent by means of the forming device 4 and the production of the essentially two-dimensional bent part 100. The control device 11 is also designed and / or programmed to control the pivot drive device 6 and the actuator drive devices 9, 10 of the support device 5 as a function of the feed device 2 and / or the forming device 4. In this way, the storage device 7 can be moved in a coordinated manner with a bending process for producing the bent part 100.

[0050] In this case, the depositing device 7 comprises a conveyor belt 13. The conveyor belt 13 can be driven in rotation by the second actuator device 10. The conveyor belt 13 has an upper run 14, which runs essentially horizontally, for example. The wire W leaving the forming area 3 can be deposited, for example, on the upper run 14. In this case, the upper run 14 defines the second adjustment direction V2.

[0051] Alternatively or in addition to the conveyor belt 13, the depositing device 7 can have a winding device for winding the wire W leaving the forming area 3, in particular the bent part 100. The second actuator device 10 can be designed to drive the winding device in rotation about a winding axis of the winding device. The second adjustment direction V2 can run along and / or tangentially to a circumferential direction of the winding device. The winding device can enable a particularly compact implementation of the depositing device 7 and / or be advantageous for the production of relatively long bent parts 100. A winding device can also be arranged at the end of a linear conveying section of a conveyor belt 13.

[0052] The support device 5, in particular its storage device 7, is pivotable in a controlled manner, for example, by 150° to 210° relative to the forming area 3. In the present case, the storage device 7 is pivotable by approximately 180° relative to the forming area 3 around the pivot axis S, as can be seen in particular from the snapshots according to the Fig. 3 to 6. These snapshots show, in particular, how the depositing device 7 moves together with the wire W leaving the forming area 3 when a bent part 100 in the form of a wave winding part 200 is produced.

[0053] The forming machine 1 in the present case has a cutting device 19, which can be controlled in particular by means of the control device 11. The cutting device 19 is designed to cut off the section of the wire W, in particular the section protruding from the forming area 3. By means of the cutting device 19, the bent part can be separated from the wire material supply after its final shaping. In particular, the section of the wire W protruding from the forming area 3 can be cut off by means of the cutting device 19 as it exits the forming area 3. The cutting device 19 can be designed and arranged to cut off wire W at a region boundary of the forming area 3.

[0054] The forming machine 1 is configured to carry out a method according to which a substantially two-dimensional bent part 100 is produced. In this case, the wave winding part 200 is produced according to this method. The method can be described in particular by means of the snapshot according to the Fig. 3 to 6.

[0055] The method comprises a step according to which wire W is advanced in the feed direction V, while the depositing device 7 is adjusted along the first adjustment direction V1 and / or along the second adjustment direction V2. In the present case, the depositing device 7 is adjusted along the first adjustment direction V1 and / or along the second adjustment direction V2 mainly, in particular only, while the wire W is advanced in the feed direction V. It is conceivable that no bending of the wire W takes place within the forming region 3 during the adjustment of the depositing device 7 along the first adjustment direction V1 and / or along the second adjustment direction V2.

[0056] In a phase with wire feed but without bending movement, the movements of the actuator devices 9, 10 are coordinated, for example, such that the storage device 7 as a whole moves exclusively parallel to the feed direction V, regardless of its orientation in space (transversely or obliquely or parallel to the feed direction V).

[0057] In addition, the method has a step according to which the wire W is bent within the forming region 3, while the storage device 7 is pivoted about the pivot axis S. It may be that the storage device 7 is only pivoted about the pivot axis S, while the wire W is being bent within the forming region 3. In particular, it may be that during the bending of the wire W within the forming region 3, no feed of the wire W in the feed direction V takes place.

[0058] There are also bending operations in which a certain amount of wire feed occurs simultaneously with the bending operation (i.e., simultaneously with a rotation of the forming section around the bending axis) in order to feed the wire. This is the case, for example, in rotary draw bending. In this case, too, by coordinating the adjustment movements in the two adjustment directions V1 and V2, it can be achieved that the sectionally bent wire leaving the forming area rests on the support device without slipping and is thus gently supported. The steps of the method are, for example, carried out several times in succession in order to produce the essentially two-dimensional bent part 100 - as in the present case, meandering and with a repeating bending pattern. Accordingly, the snapshots of the Fig. 3 to 6 occur repeatedly in succession and / or in reverse sequence when the procedure is carried out.

[0059] The control device 11 of the forming machine 1 is adapted and / or programmed to automatically carry out the method. The control device 11 can be programmed to control the feed device 2, the forming device 4, the pivot drive device 6, the first actuator device 9, and the second actuator device 10 in a coordinated manner in order to carry out the method automatically.

[0060] In the Fig. 3, Fig. 4 and Fig. 7, drive devices intended for the controlled driving of the forming device 4 are hidden, which are arranged above the forming device 4 with respect to the direction of gravity G in order to allow a better view of the forming device 4 itself. The representation of the Fig. 7 can be understood as an enlarged snapshot, which is temporally between the snapshots after Fig. 4 and Fig.5 and which is intended to particularly clearly illustrate the structure and / or function of the forming device 4.

Claims

[1] Forming machine (1) for the production of substantially two-dimensional bent parts (100), wherein the forming machine (1) comprises: - a feed device (2) for feeding wire (W) in a feed direction (V) of the forming machine (1) into a forming area (3) of the forming machine (1), - a forming device (4) for bending the wire (W) in the forming area (3), - a support device (5) for supporting wire (W) leaving the forming area (3), and - a swivel drive device (6) for swiveling the support device (5) about a vertical swivel axis (S) of the forming machine (1) relative to the forming area (3), - wherein the support facility (5) - a storage device (7) on which wire (W) leaving the forming area (3) can be stored, - a base (8) for coupling the support device (5) to the swivel drive device (6), - a first actuator (9) for adjusting the storage device (7) relative to the base (8) along a horizontal first adjustment direction (V1) of the support device (5), and - a second actuator device (10) for adjusting the storage device (7) relative to the base (8) along a second adjustment direction (V2) of the support device (5) that is orthogonal to the first adjustment direction (V1), - wherein the feed device (2) and the forming device (4) are coordinated and controllable in such a way that the wire (W) can be bent while producing the essentially two-dimensional bent part (100), - wherein the swivel drive device (6) and the actuator devices (9, 10) of the support device (5) can be controlled in such a way that the storage device (7) moves together with the wire (W) leaving the forming area (3) of the essentially two-dimensional bent part (100). [2] Forming machine (1) according to claim 1, characterized by , that - the forming machine (1) has a control device (11) which is designed and / or programmed to control the feed device (2) and the forming device (4) in a coordinated manner such that wire (W) fed into the forming area (3) is bent by means of the forming device (4) producing the essentially two-dimensional bent part (100). [3] Forming machine (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by , that - a control device (11) of the forming machine (1) is designed and / or programmed to control the rotary drive device (6) and the actuator devices (9, 10) of the support device (5) depending on the feed device (2) and / or the forming device (4). [4] Forming machine (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that - the wire (W) can be bent by means of the forming device (4) essentially parallel to a plane (E) and / or depending on the control in two opposite bending directions (B1, B2). [5] Forming machine (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that - the first actuator device (9) is a linear actuator device (12). [6] Forming machine (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that - the storage device (7) has a conveyor belt (13) which can be driven by means of the second actuator device (10), - wherein wire (W) leaving the forming area (3) can be laid down on an upper run (14) of the conveyor belt (13) and the upper run (14) defines the second adjustment direction (V2). [7] Forming machine (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that - the storage device (7) has a winding device for winding up wire (W) leaving the forming area (3), - wherein the second actuator (10) is designed to rotate the winding device about a winding axis of the winding device and the second adjustment direction (V2) runs along and / or tangentially to a circumferential direction of the winding device. [8] Forming machine (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that - the forming device (4) has a forming section (15) for interaction with the wire (W), - wherein the forming section (15) is adjustable in a controlled manner transverse to the feed direction (V) in order to deflect the wire (W) fed into the forming area (3) in the feed direction (V) relative to the feed direction (V) by generating a bend (B) of the wire (W). [9] Forming machine (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that - the forming device (4) has a bending mandrel (16) and a tool part (17) rotatable around the bending mandrel (16) and / or a bending axis coaxial to the pivot axis (S) of the forming device (4) with a bending pin (18). [10] Forming machine (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that - the support device (5) can be pivoted by 150° to 210° relative to the forming area (3) in a controlled manner. [11] Forming machine (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that - the forming machine (1) has a controllable cutting device (19) designed to cut off the wire (W) of the essentially two-dimensional bent part (100). [12] Method for producing a substantially two-dimensional bent part (100) using a forming machine (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the method comprises the steps: - Feeding wire (W) in the feed direction (V) while the storage device (7) is being adjusted along the first adjustment direction (V1) and / or along the second adjustment direction (V2), - Bending of the wire (W) in the forming area (3) during the time while the storage device (7) is pivoted around the pivot axis (S). [13] Method according to claim 12, characterized by , that - an adjustment of the storage device (7) along the first adjustment direction (V1) and / or along the second adjustment direction (V2) mainly occurs during the advancement of the wire (W) in the feed direction (V); and / or that - the storage device (7) pivots around the pivot axis (S) exclusively during the bending of the wire (W). [14] Method according to claim 12 or 13, characterized by , that - the steps of the process are carried out several times in succession to produce the essentially two-dimensional bent part (100). [15] Method according to any one of claims 12 to 14, characterized by , that - a control device (11) of the forming machine (1) is adapted and / or programmed to carry out the process.

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