CUTTING AND MEASURING DEVICE FOR AN EXTRUSION LINE FOR THE PRODUCTION OF PROFILE PIECES AND METHOD FOR MEASURING AND CUTTING A PROFILE

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a separating and measuring device for an extrusion line for producing profile pieces, to such an extrusion line, to a method for measuring and separating a profile, and further to a method for producing profile pieces.

[0002] In extrusion lines, a starting material, particularly plastic, rubber, or a mixture of different starting materials, is continuously melted and extruded into a continuous profile. The extruded continuous profile is generally cooled in a cooling device, particularly a cooling tank, drawn and guided by a drawing device, and subsequently cut into profile pieces of a specified length in a cutting device. The profiles can, in particular, be pipes.

[0003] The properties of the profile pieces produced in this way are determined by the extruder parameters, in particular the composition of the raw materials, the extrusion temperature, the settings of the internal conveyor screw, as well as the haul-off speed of the haul-off device and, for example, the cooling in the cooling device. After extrusion, shrinkage processes occur in the profile; furthermore, the warm extrusion material can flow unevenly and, for example, in pipes, develop sagging and ovality, which are acceptable to a certain extent.

[0004] It is known to measure the profiles after extrusion using THz measuring devices for parameters such as outer diameter, inner diameter, wall thickness, and, if applicable, the refractive index of the material. For circumferential measurement of the profile, a large number of THz sensors can be distributed around the circumference, or one or more THz sensors can circulate or rotate in the circumferential direction around the profile or the axis of symmetry.

[0005] Since the profile is continuously transported through the THz sensor device, rotating THz sensors generally describe a helical path around the profile.

[0006] Thus, precise THz measurements and control of manufacturing parameters are generally complex and problematic. Furthermore, changes that occur after measurements, such as shrinkage, sagging, or the formation of ovality, cannot be captured.

[0007] DE 10 2007 053 476 A1 discloses a cutting device for cutting an extruded profile to length. A first drive is provided on a receiving drum for the profile, and a second drive is provided on the cutting device to adjust the relative position of the cutting device to the profile.

[0008] DE 10 2019 109 339 A1 discloses a THz measurement device in which THz sensors arranged circumferentially around a measurement chamber are aligned with a measurement object and calibrated in two sensor groups. Each THz sensor can be independently pivotable.

[0009] US 2021 / 0114244 A1 describes a cutting device for cutting extruded pipes to length. The cutting device comprises a separator that is rotatably mounted and rotates around an extrusion axis. Cutting tools, which are additionally supplied with energy, are provided on the separator. Electromechanical detection of the tools is provided to detect a coupling unit between the tool and a tool holder. A pipe can be picked up, and the adjustment can be made depending on the pipe diameter and thickness. Detection is performed via the clamping jaws of the cutting tools.

[0010] DE 10 2015 110 600 B3 describes a method for determining at least one layer property of a layer, in particular a foam layer in an extrusion process, in which an extrusion product is produced with a foam layer and irradiated by means of electromagnetic radiation, wherein radiation passing through the foam layer is detected and a feed rate and a feed quantity are adjusted depending on this measurement.

[0011] DE 10 2014 005 651 B3 discloses a device and a method for controlling a cable stripping device. A cable is received in a receiving area and irradiated with electromagnetic radiation between 0.1 and 30 THZ. A sensor device receives the portion of the radiation that has passed through the cable insulation, allowing the cable insulation to be detected to control the stripping device. DE 10 2010 040 967 A1 discloses a method for cutting an extruded plastic pipe to length using a cutting device. A basket with a swing arm and a holder for a cutting tool rotates around an extrusion axis of an extruded pipe, and a cutting blade is attached to the cutting device. The device is powered by a battery that is docked to a charging station.When a cutting pulse is triggered, the battery is decoupled, the basket rotates around the extrusion axis and a swing arm swings in the direction of the center axis of the pipe, guiding the knife for the cutting process.

[0012] EP 3480553 A1 describes a terahertz measuring method and a terahertz measuring device for measuring at least one wall thickness of a tubular measuring object, wherein in addition to a THZ main sensor, an additional THZ sensor is provided which emits an additional THZ beam along a second optical axis different from the first optical axis of the THZ main sensor, wherein the second optical axis is adjusted by a sensor angle relative to the first optical axis and at least temporarily does not run through the axis of symmetry in order to be able to detect wall thickness deformations.

[0013] The invention is based on the object of creating a cutting and measuring device for an extrusion line, such an extrusion line and a method for cutting and THz measuring a profile, which enable a good measurement of profiles with relatively little effort.

[0014] This object is achieved by a cutting and measuring device according to claim 1 and by the method according to claim 10. The subclaims describe preferred developments. Furthermore, a method for producing profile pieces using the measuring method according to the invention and / or the extrusion line according to the invention is provided.

[0015] The measuring and cutting method according to the invention can be carried out in particular with the cutting and measuring device according to the invention; the cutting and measuring device according to the invention is intended in particular for use with the method according to the invention. Furthermore, the extrusion line according to the invention can be used in particular for carrying out the method according to the invention for producing profiles.

[0016] Thus, the cutting device, which is intended for separating the profile pieces from the profile or endless profile, is combined with a THz sensor device. The cutting and measuring device has a carriage that moves cyclically or periodically with the conveyed profile and, during this movement, cuts the profile using a cutting device. For this purpose, the cutting device is provided on a frame rotating about the axis of symmetry or the endless profile. According to the invention, the THz sensor device is provided with a frame rotating or rotating on this frame and measures the profile in the process.

[0017] This creates a cutting and measuring device that enables the separation of profile pieces, in particular pipe pieces, from the profile, as well as additional, comprehensive THz measurement of the captured profiles. The carriage has a clamping device to grip the conveyed endless profile by clamping or frictional engagement, so that the carriage is subsequently adjusted along a transport or adjustment path with the conveyed profile, e.g., on a rail system. This enables reliable separation of the profile piece, since the position of the cutting device, which can be designed as a knife or saw, for example, is not adjusted relative to the profile during the cutting process, and the profile is evenly loaded.

[0018] This also prevents deformation of the round profile, e.g., a pipe, caused by a cutting device pressing in on one side, as the cutting device rotates around the profile and performs a continuous, continuous cut that becomes deeper toward the inside. By additionally providing at least one THz sensor on the rotating structure, this sensor can also measure the profile piece in one measuring plane and across its entire circumference.

[0019] According to the invention, several advantages are achieved, in particular surprisingly advantageous effects: The equipment expenditure is low because the already provided rotating structure is used. Thus, the rotating structure provided for the cutting process is advantageously also used synergistically for measurement by means of sensor measurement, unlike the sensor devices described above, which are provided in separate frames around the measuring space. Furthermore, in particular, the use of the sensors on the carriage with the rotation enables comprehensive measurement and thus a synergistic effect. In this case, the invention also recognizes in particular that the special interaction already enables a monitoring of the cutting process itself by the sensor device, and also several functional options, in particular operating modes.

[0020] A complete measurement is carried out in one measuring plane, whereas measurements of rotating THz sensors, which measure an endless profile continuously guided through the sensor device, only allow measurements along a helical path.

[0021] The measurement can be carried out at the end of the production line, thus measuring the profile pieces in their final state.

[0022] The THz sensor device provided on the frame has one or more THz sensors.

[0023] The THz sensors are advantageously aligned with their optical axes radially inward, toward the axis of symmetry and thus perpendicular to the walls of the tube being scanned. They are preferably arranged in a single measurement plane, which may, for example, be slightly offset from the cutting plane.

[0024] According to an advantageous development, in addition to the THz sensor device of the separation and measuring device, a further measuring device is provided in a front region of the extrusion line. The further measuring device can, in particular, also perform THz measurements, i.e., be designed as a front THz measuring device that measures the profile, for example, directly after extrusion and / or after cooling. Since the profile is thus measured, in particular, after extrusion, it measures the extruded profile in its soft or warm state.

[0025] Preferably, a comparison of the measurement of the front THz measuring device with the subsequent measurement of the THz sensor device of the separation and measuring device can be provided, which provides valuable determination values ​​or information.

[0026] These determination values ​​are in particular properties or changes to properties of the profile, whereby these properties or changes to properties include in particular: a shrinkage or relative shrinkage of the endless profile during its cooling, deformations of the profile, in particular a deformation due to sagging as uneven deformation due to gravitational flow of the soft extrusion material, and / or the formation of ovality as non-roundness of the outer circumference, a change in the wall thickness, in particular when falling below or exceeding specified ranges.

[0027] Alternatively or in addition to the profile properties, calibration values ​​for calibrating the front THz measuring device can also be determined as measured values. This allows, for example, the temperature-induced shrinkage to be determined and used to calibrate the front THz measuring device, so that the shrinkage can preferably be already taken into account or calculated out in the measured values ​​of the front THz measuring device.

[0028] Alternatively or additionally, the front THz measuring device and the THz sensor device can also monitor each other for, e.g., errors and / or failure or defect.

[0029] Alternatively or additionally, by evaluating the measurement signals of the THz sensor device, in particular by comparing them with the front THz measuring device, manufacturing parameters can also be adjusted, e.g., one or more of the following parameters: the control of the extruder, in particular the mass throughput, the extrusion speed and / or extrusion temperature, the haul-off speed of the haul-off device, which is partly responsible for the formation of the wall thickness or the diameter of the profile, and the control of the cooling device.

[0030] According to an advantageous development, the THz sensors are equipped with energy storage devices, in particular accumulators or galvanic energy storage devices. This eliminates the need for a wire connection from the rotating frame to an external device, thus avoiding problems such as winding up a feed wire. Advantageously, the energy storage devices of the THz sensors can be charged inductively, for example, during the rotational movement or during the return phases of the carriage when the frame is not rotating.

[0031] According to a further development, a position determination can be provided in which the angle of the respective THz sensor is determined. Such a determination can be made, for example, using an incremental encoder of the rotary drive and / or using acceleration sensors. This allows the measured values, in particular irregularities, regarding the circumferential position of the profile to be determined.

[0032] Since material particles, such as chips, are separated during the cutting process, a pneumatic blowing device is advantageously provided to remove the generated chips as protection for the THz sensors.

[0033] According to a further development, the clamping pressure of the clamping device, e.g., clamping jaws, can be adjusted based on measured values, in particular a measured ovality value of the profile or pipe, to enable uniform gripping in the clamping device. This improves the clamping process compared to conventional cutting devices.

[0034] According to an advantageous embodiment, several operating modes are possible or provided: In a first operating mode, the standby or static operating mode, the conveyed profile is not cut. The clamping device and cutting device are in standby or out of operation, so that the carriage is not adjusted. Thus, the one or more THz sensors of the sensor device measure the conveyed profile during its conveyance, i.e., in longitudinal strips along the transport direction, i.e., essentially parallel to the axis of symmetry. The THz sensor device thus forms a static measuring system.

[0035] The second operating mode, or cutting mode, is the cutting process, in which – as described above – the clamping device grips the conveyed profile, and the carriage is subsequently adjusted along with the conveyed profile. The THz measurement described above is performed by one or more THz sensors in the circumferential direction in the measurement plane, which is fixed with respect to the profile. This creates an annular measuring line on the profile or pipe.

[0036] Advantageously, a third operating mode is provided, a circulating mode. In this mode, the frame rotates while the clamping device is active and the carriage is thus moving, but the cutting device is deactivated, meaning no cutting process takes place. The THz sensors perform comprehensive measurements, particularly enabling measurements at measurement planes where no cutting process is taking place.

[0037] InIn a fourth operating mode, the spiral mode, the clamping device is deactivated, the frame rotates, and the cutting device is deactivated. Thus, the profile is measured in a spiral or helical path.

[0038] In particular, at lower transport speeds, a higher number of THz sensors and possibly a high rotational speed of the THz sensor device, complete or extensive coverage of the profile can be achieved even in the spiral mode.

[0039] Each of these working modes is possible independently of the other working modes; thus, in principle, only the cutting mode, or only the standby mode and cutting mode, can be carried out.

[0040] This allows for different working modes with minimal effort. Especially when forming longer pipe sections, the carriage is not continuously adjusted, allowing the phases with the carriage stationary to be used in standby mode and / or spiral mode.

[0041] Particularly in cutting mode and / or rotation mode, i.e., during clamping and rotating, in a THz sensor device with multiple THz sensors spaced circumferentially, the individual THz sensors can be monitored by determining the position of the measured values ​​on the profile and comparing the measured values ​​of the multiple sensors at the same points on the profile. This allows conclusions to be drawn about errors in the sensors in the event of deviations in the measured values. This can also be used to calibrate, for example, a systematically deviating individual THz sensor in the THz sensor device.

[0042] The THz separation and measuring device and / or the THz measuring method can also measure special profiles, e.g. corrugated pipes that have valleys and mountains, e.g. also other structures with a larger outer diameter, such as Fittings (internal sleeve, spigot), which are used in particular to accommodate ring seals, and external sleeves (bell), which are used in particular for laying or fastening the corrugated pipe.

[0043] These structures, in particular, are designed to be ring-shaped and circumferential. Conventional measurement of these structures is problematic, as precise measurement of a circumferential structure that is relatively narrow in the direction of transport is difficult when the corrugated pipe is running continuously.

[0044] Particularly in the circulating mode, ie with clamping and circulating THz sensor device, a very precise measurement of these structures can be carried out, since a measuring plane can be maintained very precisely in each case.

[0045] The THz radiation of the THz sensor device, preferably also the THz radiation of the front measuring device, can in particular be in the range from 10 GHz to 50 THz, in particular 10 GHz to 10 THz, in particular 20 GHz to 3 THz, preferably 50 GHz to 1 THz.

[0046] Thus, THz radiation can also extend into the range of radar radiation and / or microwave radiation.

[0047] The THz radiation can be emitted and detected in particular as a direct time-of-flight measurement and / or by means of frequency modulation and / or as pulsed radiation.

[0048] The invention is explained in more detail below with reference to an embodiment of the invention and the accompanying drawings. They show: Fig. 1 shows an extrusion line for producing plastic pipes according to an embodiment of the invention; Fig. 2 shows the cutting and measuring device of the extrusion line; and Fig. 3 shows a flow diagram of a method according to the invention.

[0049] An extrusion line 1 comprises an extruder 2 with a calibration sleeve 2a for producing a pipe 4 from a plastic material, a front measuring device 3, a cooling device 5, a discharge device 6, and a separating device 8. Thus, starting material 9, e.g., a granulate, pellets, powder, or flakes of plastic material and optionally additives, is fed to the extruder 2, which melts the starting material 9 and, in particular, by means of the calibration sleeve 3 and optionally further means, produces the pipe 4 from the plastic or rubber material. The pipe 4 is drawn from the discharge device 6 provided upstream or downstream of the cooling device through the cooling device 5 and subsequently reaches the separating device 8.

[0050] The front measuring system 3 is used to measure the pipe 4 after its extrusion and is advantageously designed as a front THz measuring system 3. It is stationary, i.e., not adjustable in the transport direction T. It can, for example, have several fixed front THz sensors 7 or can rotate with one or more front THz sensors 7 in the circumferential direction U around the symmetry axis A. The one or more front THz sensors 7 measure, in particular, one or more of the following properties: Wall thickness of the wall area 18, inner radius, outer radius of the tube 4, refractive index as a material property of the tube 4, deviations of the shape of the wall area 18 from the ideal circular or ring shape, in particular sagging and / or ovality, further defects such as blowholes (air and / or material inclusions).

[0051] The cutting device 8 serves to cut pipe sections 10 of defined length L from the pipe 4 continuously transported in the transport direction T. For this purpose, the cutting device 8 has a carriage 12 provided on rails 11, which travels cyclically on the rail 11 with the pipe 4 transported in the transport direction T. A clamping device 14 with clamping jaws 14a for gripping or frictionally gripping the pipe 4 is provided on the carriage 12, so that after gripping the pipe 4, the carriage 12 travels at the same transport speed v as the pipe 4 for a transport time tp, and subsequently the clamping device 14 opens and the carriage 11 returns to its starting position. Furthermore, a frame 15 is provided on or in the carriage 12, which is driven by a rotary drive 30 and rotates in the circumferential direction U around the pipe 4 or the axis of symmetry A, but is provided without contact with the pipe 4.A cutting device 16, which can be designed as a saw or knife, is provided on the frame 15. The cutting device 16 is guided radially inward along the rotating frame 15 toward the axis of symmetry A and, in doing so, evenly cuts through the wall region 18 of the pipe 4, thereby cutting off the pipe sections 10 of a defined length L, which are subsequently transported away.

[0052] Furthermore, a THz sensor device 20 with one or more, e.g., four or eight, THz sensors 22 is provided on the rotating frame 15. According to the embodiment shown here, four THz sensors 22 are mounted on the frame 15 in a measuring plane 24 and point with their respective optical axes B radially inward, i.e., toward the axis of symmetry A, which represents the axis of symmetry of the carriage 12, the frame 15, and the tube 4. The THz sensors 22 thus move around the tube 4 with the frame 15 during the cutting process and measure the tube 4 for one or more of the following properties: Wall thickness of the wall area 18, inner radius, outer radius of the tube 4, refractive index as a material property of the tube 4, deviations of the shape of the wall area 18 from the ideal circular or ring shape, in particular sagging and / or ovality, and also defects such as blowholes (air inclusions).

[0053] To protect the THz sensors 22, a pneumatic blowing device 32 is preferably provided to pneumatically blow chips away from the THz sensors 22.

[0054] One or preferably several operating modes can be provided for the THz sensor device 20: In a first operating mode, the standby mode, the pipe 4 is not cut, i.e. the clamping device 14 and the cutting device 16 are in standby mode or out of operation. The carriage 12 is therefore not moved, so that the pipe 4 runs through the stationary frame 15. In this case, the THz sensors 22 measure the pipe 4 in a stationary manner, i.e. without longitudinal adjustment and without orbital movement or rotation, along the Fig. 2 shown longitudinal strips 23, which extend parallel to the axis of symmetry A. Thus, a continuous wall thickness profile in the transport direction T or longitudinal direction of the pipe 4 can be measured.

[0055] The second operating mode, the cutting mode, occurs during the cutting process. With the clamping device active, the rotating frame 15, and the cutting device active, the THz sensors 22 rotate around the pipe 4 together with the frame 15 and measure the entire wall thickness distribution. Since the measuring plane 24 is adjusted with the pipe 4, i.e., at the same transport speed v, a very precise measurement is taken in the measuring plane 24 along the indicated annular measuring line 25. The blowing device 32 is preferably switched on.

[0056] Furthermore, a third operating mode, the circulating mode, can be provided. When the clamping device 14 is active and the carriage 12 is thus moving, the frame 15 rotates, but the cutting device 16 is out of operation, i.e., no cutting process is taking place, while the THz sensors 22 perform measurements. This enables comprehensive measurements even at measuring planes 24 where no cutting process is taking place. Especially with longer pipes 4, the carriage 12 can thus also be used between cutting processes.

[0057] In a fourth operating mode, the spiral mode, the clamping device 14 is out of operation, the frame 15 rotates, and the cutting device 15 is out of operation. Thus, the pipe 4 is measured in a spiral or helical path. By comparing the rear measurement by the THz sensor device 20 with the front measurement by the front measuring device 3, which was performed on the pipe 4 after extrusion on the still-warm material, the shrinkage of the pipe 4 can be calibrated. The rear measurement is performed on the already cooled material and thus represents the properties of the pipe sections 10 more accurately.

[0058] Both measurements can be used to detect irregularities, particularly sagging, i.e., deformation of the still-soft material. Thus, deviations in the rear measurement can be attributed to sagging, particularly to flow movements of the warm material caused by gravity, which are permissible to a certain extent, especially if the specified minimum wall thicknesses are not exceeded. If sagging becomes excessive, which can be determined by comparing the measurements, the settings of extruder 2, such as tool centering, extrusion temperature, and line speed, can be adjusted.

[0059] The THz sensors 22 are preferably mounted without a direct power supply, i.e., there is no wired connection from the THz sensors 22 to the outer, non-rotating carriage 12. The THz sensors 22 can be battery-operated; preferably, the THz sensors 22 can be inductively charged via an induction charging device 26 provided on the carriage.

[0060] According to a preferred embodiment, the angular position of the THz sensors 22 is determined by means of, for example, an incremental encoder of the rotary drive 30 or by means of acceleration sensors.

[0061] According to a preferred embodiment, the clamping pressure of the clamping device 14 can be adjusted based on the measured ovality or ovality values ​​of the pipe 4, e.g. based on the wall thickness profile in the circumferential direction U.

[0062] The measuring method according to the invention thus has, according to the embodiment of the Figure 3 , in which the cutting mode is described in particular, the following steps: After the start in step St0, the extrusion and transport take place in step St1, ie the extruder 2 outputs the pipe 4, which is transported by the take-off 6 in the transport direction T. The extrusion and transport take place continuously during the process.

[0063] In step St2, the first measurement is advantageously performed by the front measuring device 3, which thus outputs front measurement signals S2. Subsequently, the pipe 4—generally after the optional step St3 of cooling the pipe 4 in the cooling device 5—is conveyed to the separating device 8. Here, the pipe 4 is first gripped by the clamping device 14 in the clamping step St4, thus fixing the carriage 12 to the pipe 4, so that it is subsequently moved with the pipe 4 in the transport direction T.

[0064] During the adjustment, a rotation of the frame 15 takes place in step St5, wherein at the same time in step St5a the cutting process is carried out by the cutting device 16, and in step St5b the THz measurement is carried out by the THz sensor device 20 with the THz sensors 22 rotating on the frame 15, which thus output sensor measurement signals S1.

[0065] In step St5, the frame 15 thus runs around the pipe 4 to enable both the cutting process and the THz measurement in the circumferential direction U.

[0066] In step ST6, the pipe 4 is severed, so that a pipe section 10 is separated and subsequently transported away. In step ST7, the carriage 12 is returned to the starting position, opposite to the transport direction T, so that the process is returned to the point before step ST4.

[0067] Furthermore, in step St8, the measurement results, ie the signals S1 and S2 of the THz sensor device 20 and the front measuring device 3, can be evaluated in order to determine one or more of the above-mentioned properties.

[0068] As explained above, in addition to the cutting mode, one or more of the other working modes can also be carried out in the method.

[0069] This advantageously enables an extrusion process or process for producing pipe sections 10 in which the parameters of step St1, i.e. the operation of the extruder 2, can be controlled.

[0070] In the clamping step St4, the clamping force can be adjusted by adjusting the control of the clamping device 14 based on the diameter and the determined ovality. List of reference symbols

[0071] 1Extrusion section 2Extruder 2aCalibration sleeve 3Front measuring device 4Endless tube 5Cooling device 6Transport device, e.g., discharge device 7Front THz sensors of the front measuring device 8Separation device 9Starting material, e.g., granules, pellets, powder, or flakes of plastic material and, if applicable, additives, 10Pipe sections 11Rails 12Slide 14Clamping device 14aClamping jaws of the clamping device 14 15Frame 16Cutting device on frame 15 18Wall area 20Sensor device 22THz sensors 23Longitudinal strips 24Measuring plane 25Annular measuring line 26Induction charging device 28Control and evaluation device 30Rotation drive 32Pneumatic blowing device ASymmetry axis of the carriage 12 and the frame 15 BOptical axes of the THz sensors 22 S1Sensor measurement signals of the sensor device 20 S2Measurement signals of the front measuring device 3 LLength of the pipe sections 10 TTransport direction tpTransport time UCircumferential direction vTransport speed

Claims

1. Separating and measuring device (8) for an extrusion line (1) for producing profiled pieces (10), the separating and measuring device (8) comprising: a slider (12) adjustable on a guide means (11) along a direction of transport (T), a clamping device (14) received on the slider (12) for clamping a profile (4) guided along the direction of transport (T), where the slider (12) with the clamped clamping device (14) is adjustable along the direction of transport (T), a frame (15) received on the slider (12) and rotating in the circumferential direction (U) about an axis of symmetry (A), a cutter means (16) received on the frame (15) and rotating with the frame (15) in the circumferential direction (U) about the axis of symmetry (A), the cutter means (16) being adjustable in a radial direction in relation to the axis of symmetry (A), for cutting off profiled pieces (10) from an incorporated profile (4), characterised in that a rotating THZ sensor means (20) is provided, received on the frame (15) and rotating with the frame (15) in the circumferential direction (U), the THZ sensor means (20) comprising one or more THZ sensors (22) whose optical axes (B) are each aligned radial towards the axis of symmetry (A), so as to measure the entire circumference of the profile (4) transported by means of the slider (12).

2. Separating and measuring device (8) according to claim 1, characterised in that the guide means (11) are formed by rails (11) upon which the slider (12) is adjustable along the direction of transport (T), where a returning mechanism is provided, e.g., by means of a spring bias or as an active drive, for cyclically returning the slider (12) upon reaching its end position.

3. Separating and measuring device (8) according to one of the above claims, characterised in that a rotational drive (30) is provided on the slider (12) for continuously rotating the frame (15) in the circumferential direction (U).

4. Separating and measuring device (8) according to one of the above claims, characterised in that the cutter means (16) is formed as a blade or saw for penetrating a wall area (18) of the incorporated profile (4) during circulation around the profile (4).

5. Separating and measuring device (8) according to one of the above claims, characterised in that said one or more THZ sensors (22) comprise internal energy reservoirs, in particular, battery packs, rechargeable from the outside of the frame (15), in particular, by means of induction vi an induction charger means (26).

6. Separating and measuring device (8) according to one of the above claims, characterised in that a pneumatic blower device (32) is provided for blowing away chips from the measuring plane (24) and / or from the THZ sensors (24).

7. Extrusion line (1), comprising: an extruder (2) for receiving a starting material (9) and discharging an extrude profile (4) along an axis of symmetry (A) in a direction of transport (T), an extractor (6) for detaching and transporting the profile (4) in the direction of transport (T), and a separating and measuring device (8) according to one of the above claims provided for receiving, separating and measuring the profile (4) discharged along the axis of symmetry (A), to discharge profiled pieces (10) having a defined length (L), and a controller and evaluator means (28) receiving and evaluating measuring signals from the THZ sensor means (20).

8. Extrusion line (1) according to claim 7, characterised in that the controller and evaluator means (28) is designed and arranged such that it executes one or more of the following steps: - controlling the THZ sensor means (20) so as to carry out the THz measurement and receiving the sensor signals (S1) from the THZ sensor means (20), - controlling the clamping device (14) so as to grab the profile (4), - controlling the separating device (16), - controlling the extractor (6) so as to set the transport velocity (v), - determining one or more of the following characteristics of the profile (4): a wall thickness, an exterior diameter, an interior diameter, a refractive index of the profile material, deviations from the shape of the profile, in particular, wall thickness, diameter, an ovality and / or sagging.

9. Extrusion line (1) according to claim 7 or 8, characterised in that an anterior measuring device (3) is provided upstream from the separating and measuring device (8), in particular, upstream from the extractor (6) and a cooling means (5), for measuring the profile (4) discharged by the extruder (2), said anterior measuring device (3) being designed as an anterior THz measuring device (3) including one or more anterior THZ sensors (7) for measuring the profile (4), said controller and evaluator means (28) - receiving, evaluating and comparing the measuring signals (S1, S2) from the THZ sensor means (20) and the anterior measuring device (3), - and determining determined values from the comparison, in particular, characteristics of the profile (4) and / or changes in the profile (4) and / or calibration values for a calibration of the anterior THz measuring device (3), e.g., any shrinkage of the profile (3) and / or deformations, e.g., sagging and / or an ovality of the profile (4).

10. Method for measuring and separating a profile (4) utilising a separating and measuring device (8) according to one of the claims 1 - 6, including the following steps: moving a profile (4) in the direction of transport (T) at a transport velocity (v) (St1), providing the separating and measuring device (8), grabbing the profile (4) by means of the clamping device (14) of the separating and measuring device (8), (St4) adjusting the slider (12) along the direction of transport (T) at the adjustment velocity (v) of the profile (4) (St4, St5), rotating the frame (15) of the slider (12) in a circumferential direction (U) around the profile (4), (St5) where the cutter means (16) and the THZ sensor means (20) including one or more THZ sensors (22) are provided on the frame (15), separating the profile (4) by means of the separating device (16) (St5a) and measuring the profile (4) by means of the THZ sensor means (20) (St5b) during the rotation in the circumferential direction (U), severing the profile (4) and forming a cut-off profile piece (10) of a defined length (L), (St6) repositioning the slider (12) opposite the direction of transport (T) to the starting position (St7), and resetting to the step of grabbing the profile (4) (St4), where one or more of the following characteristics of the profile (4) are determined: a wall thickness, an exterior diameter, an interior diameter, a refractive index of the profile material, deviations from the shape of the profile, in particular, wall thickness, diameter, an ovality and / or sagging.

11. Method according to claim 10, characterised in that further, the profile (4) is measured in an anterior THz measurement prior to being grabbed by means of the clamping device, (St2) and the measuring signals (S1, S2) of the THZ sensor means (20) and the anterior THz measuring device (3) are compared to one another (St8), and determination values are formed or determined from this comparison.

12. Method according to claim 11, characterised in that one or more of the following points are determined as determination values: - characteristics of the profile (4) and / or changes in characteristics of the profile (4), in particular, shrinkage of the profile (3) and / or deformations, e.g., sagging and / or an ovality of the profile (4), - calibration values for a calibration of the measuring values of the anterior THz measuring device (3), e.g., due to shrinkage of the profile (3) between the anterior THz measuring device (3) and the THZ sensor means (20), - mutual detection of faults of the anterior THz measuring device (3) and the THZ sensor means (20).

13. Method according to claim 11 or 12, characterised in that the profile (4) is cooled prior to or after the anterior THz measurement (St3).

14. Method according to one of the claims 10 through 13, characterised in that, in addition to the THz measuring operation mode provided as cutting mode, one or more of the following operation modes are provided during the cutting process: - a standby mode or static operation mode, wherein the slider is not adjusted and the profile (4) is not separated, where the THz sensor means (20) measures the transported profile (4) during its transport in longitudinal stripes (23) along the direction of transport (T), - a circulation mode as operation mode in phases in which no cutting is performed, where the clamping device (14) grabs the profile (4) and the slider (12) is adjusted, where the THz sensor means (20) with the frame (15) rotates around the transported profile (4) without cutting and measures it in the circumferential direction (U), - a spiral mode in which the clamping device 14 does not grab the profile (4), the frame 15 rotates, and the cutter means 15 is inoperative, where the THz sensor means (20) with the frame (15) rotates around the transported profile (4) and measures in a spiral path or helical path.

15. Method for manufacturing profiled pieces (10), including the following steps: operating an extruder (2) while feeding in starting materials (9) and extruding a profile (4), transporting the profile (4) along an axis of symmetry (A) and along a direction of transport (T), carrying out a method according to one of the claims 10 through 14, while separating the profiled pieces (10) and measuring the profile (4).

16. Method according to claim 15, characterised in that, depending on an evaluation of the measured values of the THz sensor means (20), preferably, including those from the anterior measuring device (3), a regulation is performed, where one or more of the following parameters are adjusted: - the feed-in volume of the starting material (9) - an extrusion temperature of the extruder (3) - the transport velocity (v) by the extractor (6), - the cooling by a cooling means (5).