Straightening machine and method for straightening a steel profile

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a straightening machine for straightening steel profiles, in particular a straightening machine with double-bearing straightening shafts, on each of which straightening rollers are arranged in a straightening roller set for engagement in a profile chamber of a profile to be straightened.

[0002] The invention particularly relates to a straightening machine for straightening rolled beams, in particular for straightening so-called H-beams.

[0003] Straightening machines with adjustable chamber dimensions are generally known in the prior art. For example, DE 43 23 468 A1 discloses a straightening machine for rolled beams in which at least one of the straightening disks, which are supported by a straightening shaft and are located on the inside of both beam flanges, is axially adjustable. With this straightening machine, it is possible to quickly and easily change the external or chamber dimensions of the straightening disks. The solution according to DE 43 23 468 A1 proposes using a worm gear drive to move the straightening disk, with the straightening disk being firmly connected to an annular sleeve or sliding bushing acted upon by the worm gear drive. The straightening machine described in DE 43 23 468 A1 is a so-called cantilever straightener in which the straightening shaft is only supported on one side.If the straightening discs on such a machine need to be adjusted to a smaller or larger distance from each other, it is first necessary to loosen the straightening discs, which are clamped to one side of the straightening shaft by means of a clamping head, and then rotate the worm and thus the worm gear. This causes the ring sleeves and the associated straightening discs to move until the desired distance is set, which can be checked, for example, using a template or caliper. The clamping head is then used to restore the necessary clamping of the straightening discs or straightening rollers.

[0004] Another variant of a straightening machine with an adjustable chamber size is known, for example, from DE 43 24 416 A1. In this straightening machine, which also includes cantilevered straightening shafts, a support ring is arranged between the straightening discs for several hydraulic cylinders distributed around the circumference, the actuating pistons of which are connected to a straightening disc.

[0005] EP 0 953 385 B1 discloses a straightening machine for rolled beams in which the straightening disks carried by the straightening shaft are axially adjustable. One straightening disk is rigidly connected to the straightening shaft via a mounting bushing, while the second adjustable straightening disk is secured to its adjustment dimension on a sliding bushing that is adjustable on the mounting bushing. A piston / cylinder unit is arranged centrally in the straightening shaft and is provided both for positioning the sliding bushing or chamber dimension adjustment alone, as well as for removing the mounting bushing together with the sliding bushing.

[0006] The variants known in the prior art for adjusting the chamber dimensions on straightening machines cannot be easily transferred to straightening shafts with double-sided bearings, as the accessibility of the straightening machine components is not as great as with a cantilever straightener. If dimensions or shapes on such a machine are not within tolerance due to the built-in roller spacing, the installation of a new set of straightening rollers may be necessary, which is relatively complex.

[0007] EP 0 769 335 A1 discloses a straightening machine according to the preamble of claim 1. Further prior art is known from documents US 5 109 687 A, JP H10 286623 A and JP H10 192925 A.

[0008] The invention is therefore based on the object of providing a straightening machine of the type mentioned at the outset with straightening shafts mounted on both sides, with which a chamber dimension adjustment or an adjustment of the distance between individual straightening discs is relatively simple.

[0009] The object is achieved with the features of claim 1. Advantageous embodiments of the invention emerge from the subclaims.

[0010] The problem is further solved by providing a method having the features of claim 6.

[0011] One aspect of the invention relates to a straightening machine for straightening steel profiles, in particular a straightening machine with double-bearing straightening shafts, on each of which straightening rollers are arranged to form a straightening roller set for engaging in a profile chamber of a profile to be straightened, wherein an axial distance between the straightening rollers of at least one straightening roller set of at least one straightening shaft is adjustable in accordance with a chamber dimension of the profile, wherein at least one axially displaceable straightening roller of a straightening roller set is arranged on an adjustable bearing bush which engages in an adjusting nut, via which an adjustment of the bearing bush can be effected by rotating the straightening shaft by means of a drive of the straightening shaft.

[0012] Axial in the sense of the present invention means parallel to the longitudinal axis of the straightening shaft or parallel to a rotation axis.

[0013] An essential aspect of the present invention is that the straightening rollers or straightening disks are preferably arranged in pairs relative to one another such that one straightening roller is arranged on a stationary bearing bush and the corresponding other straightening roller is arranged on a bearing bush (displacement bush) that is adjustable relative thereto, and that the distance between the bearing bushes is adjustable by means of a main drive of the straightening machine or by means of a drive of the relevant straightening shaft. According to the invention, an arrangement of a straightening roller on a displacement bush is provided, which is axially adjustable on the straightening shaft by means of the main drive of the straightening machine.

[0014] The straightening machine according to the invention is designed for straightening rolled beams with a double-T profile or an H-profile. However, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the straightening machine can also be used for straightening profiles such as U-profiles with profile legs arranged at a certain distance from one another.

[0015] In the straightening machine according to the invention, it is provided that the adjusting nut is connected to the straightening shaft in a first locked position in a rotationally fixed manner and is fixed in a second unlocked position with respect to the straightening shaft in a rotationally fixed manner, so that a rotation of the straightening shaft causes an axial displacement of the adjustable bearing bush.

[0016] The adjustable bearing bush can, for example, be connected in a rotationally fixed manner to a mounting bush via a key, which in turn is connected in a rotationally fixed manner to the straightening shaft.

[0017] According to the invention, the straightening machine according to the invention comprises means for locking and unlocking the adjusting nut in a specific angular position of the straightening shaft.

[0018] For this purpose, the straightening machine according to the invention comprises at least one unlocking element, preferably in the form of an unlocking pin or unlocking bolt, which engages with a locking mechanism of the adjusting nut at a specific angular position of the straightening shaft, unlocks the adjusting nut with respect to the straightening shaft, and secures the adjusting nut against rotation. For this purpose, the unlocking element can be arranged in a fixed position on a stand or on a chock of the straightening machine mounted in the stand.

[0019] It is particularly useful if the unlocking device comprises means for detecting or recording the unlocking position of the adjusting nut.

[0020] According to the invention, the locking mechanism comprises at least one locking element that is held in the first locked position by spring loading. In the locked position, the locking element can positively engage with a mounting bushing of the straightening shaft. For this purpose, the mounting bushing can, for example, have a toothed collar or a gear ring, into which a toothed counterpart of the locking element engages in the locked position.

[0021] Furthermore, the release element, or the release pin, or the release bolt, can be axially displaced into an extended engagement position, in which it engages a catch opening in the adjusting nut. The release element can be designed, for example, as a hydraulically or pneumatically actuated release pin. The release pin can, for example, be designed as a piston of a piston-cylinder arrangement or can be actuated by means of a piston-cylinder arrangement attached to a stand or a chock of the straightening machine.

[0022] The straightening shaft can be designed to be axially displaceable, so that the adjusting nut with the straightening shaft can initially be displaced into a ready position in which it can interact with the unlocking member.

[0023] Preferably, the unlocking member has an inclined or conical engagement surface that interacts with a complementary guide surface of the locking element such that the locking element is lifted against a spring force into the unlocked position, in which the rotationally fixed connection between the adjusting nut and the mounting bushing or the straightening shaft connected to it in a rotationally fixed manner is released. During operation of the straightening machine, the adjusting nut is secured against rotational movement that could occur due to inertia or the rotational movement of the parts.

[0024] It is particularly expedient if the locking member comprises at least one sensor with which the catch opening of the adjusting nut can be detected. In the simplest case, such a sensor can be an inductive sensor or a magnetic sensor that generates an unlocking signal when the leading end of the adjusting member is aligned with the catch opening of the adjusting nut. When the locking member then engages the catch opening of the adjusting nut, the locking element is lifted into the unlocking position, and the adjusting nut is held securely against rotation by the unlocking member.

[0025] A particularly preferred variant of the straightening machine according to the invention is characterized by at least one profile measuring device that interacts with a regulating and / or control device for adjusting the chamber dimension of at least one straightening roller set. For example, a measuring device arranged downstream in the transport direction of the beam or profile for determining the profile shape, for example, of an H-shaped beam profile, can be provided as the profile measuring device. This measuring device is connected via an evaluation unit to a roller adjustment for the straightening rollers. The measuring device can, for example, comprise a laser device that detects the geometry of the H-shaped beam profile to be corrected and effects a corresponding roller adjustment or adjustment of a straightening roller of at least one straightening shaft.

[0026] The straightening machine according to the invention is preferably designed as a horizontal straightening machine with pairs of upper rollers and pairs of lower rollers. According to the invention, the adjustability of the straightening rollers can be provided on the pairs of upper rollers and / or on the pairs of upper rollers of at least one straightening shaft.

[0027] A further aspect of the invention relates to a method for straightening a steel profile having the features of claim 6.

[0028] Preferably, the adjustment of the chamber dimension is carried out via a main drive of at least one straightening shaft, which is caused by an incremental encoder to rotate the straightening shaft by a target angle given as a function of the desired chamber dimension.

[0029] The invention is explained below with reference to an embodiment shown in the drawings.

[0030] They show: Figure 1 shows a cross-section through a straightening machine according to the invention, Figure 2 shows an enlarged detailed view of a section of Figure 1 and Figures 3A and 3B each show a longitudinal section along the line III-III in Figure 2 , where the Figure 3A the unlocked position of the adjusting nut and the Figure 3B represents the locked position of the adjusting nut.

[0031] The straightening machine 1, shown in cross-section in the figures, comprises a plurality of straightening shafts 4 mounted on a stand 3 via chocks 2, on which straightening rollers 5 are arranged in pairs, each forming a straightening roller set. The straightening machine 1 comprises upper and lower pairs of straightening rollers, which are arranged relative to one another in such a way that they form a bending triangle with respect to a rolled beam 6.

[0032] The drawings only show an upper straightening shaft 4 or an upper straightening roller set. The straightening shaft 4 comprises several parts that are axially clamped against one another, which will not be discussed in detail below for the sake of simplicity. The lower straightening shaft 4 is not shown for the sake of simplicity.

[0033] The straightening shaft 4 is mounted horizontally at each end in chocks 2, with the left side of the straightening shaft 4 in the figures being the drive side and the right side being the so-called operating side. The drive or main drive of the straightening shaft 4 is not shown for simplification. Only the shaft journal of the drive is shown schematically.

[0034] The straightening rollers, designated 5, engage in a profile chamber 7 of the beam 6 and rest on the inside against flanges 8 of the beam 6. The distance between the flanges 8 within the profile chamber 7 is referred to as the chamber dimension. The drawing shows two different beams 6 with different chamber dimensions.

[0035] In the axially clamped state, the straightening shaft 4 is connected via frictional engagement to a mounting bushing 9 arranged thereon in such a way that it drives the mounting bushing 9 along. Each of the straightening rollers 5 is connected in a rotationally fixed manner to a bearing bushing 10, 11, wherein the bearing bushing 10 on the left in the illustration is designed as a stationary bearing bushing and the bearing bushing 11 on the right in the illustration is axially adjustable relative to the mounting bushing 9. The mounting bushing 9 is in turn connected in a rotationally fixed manner to the straightening shaft 4. The security against rotation of the adjustable bearing bushing 11 with respect to the mounting bushing 9 and with respect to the straightening shaft 4 is ensured by a key 12.

[0036] As can be seen from the enlarged illustration in Figure 2 As can be seen, the adjustable bearing bush 11 is provided on a side facing a collar 13 of the mounting bush 9 with an external thread 14 which meshes with an internal thread of an adjusting nut 15.

[0037] In a locked state, the adjusting nut 15 is connected to the mounting bush 9 in a rotationally fixed manner, and is held in a form-fitting manner by a locking element 16 which engages in a toothed ring 17 on the circumference of the mounting bush 9.

[0038] The locking element 16 is spring-loaded in a locked position (see Figure 3B ) and is displaceably mounted within a guide channel 18 extending radially around the circumference of the adjusting nut 15.

[0039] Both the locking element 16 and a collar 19 of the adjusting nut 15 surrounding the guide channel 18 are penetrated by a catch opening 20 into which a release pin 21 held on the chock 2 of the straightening machine 1 can be inserted. The locking pin 21 can be moved in and out via a first piston-cylinder arrangement 23. The first piston-cylinder arrangement 23 is in the Figure 1The locking pin 21 is fastened to the mounting piece 2 of the stand 3 in the arrangement shown. This can also be fastened to the stand 3. A sensor 25 is inserted into the leading end of the unlocking pin 21, which is designed, for example, as an inductive sensor for detecting the catch opening 20 in the adjusting nut 15.

[0040] How this particularly affects the Figures 3A and 3B As can be seen, an immersion of the unlocking pin 21 as an unlocking member in the sense of the present invention causes a lifting of the locking element 16 within the guide channel 18. The locking element 16 engages in the Figure 3B shown locked position with a toothed plate 22 into the toothed ring 17 of the mounting bush 9 and ensures in the Figure 3B In the locked state shown, there is a rotationally fixed connection between the adjusting nut 15 and the mounting bush 9.

[0041] The Figure 3AThe unlocked state shown shows the state in which the unlocking pin 21 is fully immersed in the catch opening 20 and in an opening 27 of the locking element 16. The opening 27 in the locking element 16 comprises an inner guide bevel 26, which interacts with the conical tip of the unlocking pin as a wedge guide.

[0042] In the Figure 3A In the position shown, the release pin 21 has lifted the locking element 16, so that the toothed plate 22 is lifted from the gear ring 17 and the straightening shaft 4 with the mounting bushing 9 is decoupled from the adjusting nut 15. Rotation of the straightening shaft 4 about its longitudinal axis causes an axial displacement of the adjusting nut 15, which is then secured against rotation by the release pin 21.

[0043] An adjustment of the chamber dimension or the axial distance between the straightening rollers 5 is carried out by first taking the straightening machine 1 out of operation. The straightening shaft 4 is moved by means of a second piston-cylinder arrangement 24 ( Figure 1 ) to the right, so that the sensor 25 of the release pin 21 is arranged at such a small distance from the collar 19 of the adjusting nut 15 that the collar 19 is located in the detection range of the sensor 25. The different positions of the straightening shaft 4 and thus of the adjusting nut 15 are shown in Figure 2 indicated by phantom lines. The alignment shaft 4 is then slowly rotated around its longitudinal axis until the sensor 25 detects the catch opening 20. When the catch opening 20 and the release pin 21 are aligned with each other, the release pin 21 is moved into the extended position (see arrow in Figure 2), which interacts with the complementary guide bevel 26 in the opening 27 of the locking element 16 when it is inserted into the catch opening 20 with the conical tip, which forms a conical engagement surface, and when it is inserted into this opening 27 it lifts the locking element 16 so that the toothed plate 22 of the locking element 16 is disengaged from the toothed ring 17.

[0044] The release pin 21 secures the adjusting nut 15 against twisting, which in this position ( Figure 3A ) is decoupled from the mounting bushing 9. By means of an incremental encoder integrated into the main drive of the straightening shaft 4, the straightening shaft 4 is rotated by a predetermined angular amount to a target angle which corresponds to a certain predetermined adjustment path of the straightening rollers 5 relative to one another.

[0045] After completion of the adjustment process, the release pin 21 is moved into the retracted position and the straightening shaft 4 is moved back to its starting position to the left by means of the second piston-cylinder arrangement 24. List of reference symbols

[0046] 1 straightening machine 25 sensor 2 chock 26 Guide bevel 3 stand 27 breakthrough 4 directional wave 5 Straightening rollers 6 carrier 7 Profile chamber 8 flanges 9 Mounting bushing 10 stationary bearing bush 11 adjustable bearing bush 12 key 13 Collar of the mounting bushing 14 external thread 15 adjusting nut 16 Locking element 17 sprocket 18 Guide channel 19 Collar of the adjusting nut 20 Catch opening 21 release pin 22 Dental plate 23 first piston-cylinder arrangement 24 second piston-cylinder arrangement

Claims

1. Straightening machine (1) for straightening steel sections, particularly a straightening machine (1) with double-mounted straightening shafts (4) on each of which are arranged straightening rollers (5) in a straightening roller set for engagement in a section chamber (7) of a section to be straightened, wherein an axial spacing of the straightening rollers (5) of at least one straightening roller set of at least one straightening shaft (4) is settable in correspondence with a chamber dimension of the section, wherein at least one axially displaceable straightening roller (5) of a straightening roller set is arranged on an adjustable bearing bush (11) engaging in an adjusting nut (15), by way of which adjustment of the bearing bush (11) can be produced by turning of the straightening shaft (4) by means of a drive of the straightening shaft (4), wherein the adjusting nut (15) in a first locked setting is connected with the straightening shaft (4) to be secure against rotation and in a second setting, which is unlocked with respect to the straightening shaft (4), is fixed to be secure against turning so that rotation of the straightening shaft (4) produces axial displacement of the adjustable bearing bush (11), which straightening machine comprises means for locking and unlocking the adjusting nut (15) in a defined angular position of the straightening shaft (4) as well as at least one unlocking element, preferably in the form of an unlocking pin (21), which in a defined angular position of the straightening shaft (4) engages in a locking mechanism of the adjusting nut (15), unlocks this with respect to the straightening shaft (4) and fixes the adjusting nut (15) to be secure against turning, wherein the locking mechanism comprises at least one locking element (16) which is held in the first locked setting under spring loading, characterised in that the locking element (16) in the locked setting mechanically positively engages in a mounting bush (9) of the straightening shaft (4), and the unlocking element is configured as an unlocking pin (21) and is axially displaceable from a readiness setting into an exposed engagement setting in which it enters into a catch opening (20) of the adjusting nut (15).

2. Straightening machine (1) according to claim 1, characterised in that the unlocking element comprises means for detecting the unlocking setting of the adjusting nut (15).

3. Straightening machine (1) according to one of claims 1 and 2, characterised in that the unlocking element has a chamfered or conical engagement surface which co-operates in such a way with a guide surface of the locking element (16) of complementary form that the locking element (16) is raised into the unlocking setting.

4. Straightening machine (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterised in that the unlocking element comprises at least one sensor (25) by which the catch opening (20) of the adjusting nut (15) is detectable.

5. Straightening machine (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterised by at least one section measuring device which co-operates with a regulating and / or control device for adjusting the chamber dimension of at least one straightening roller set.

6. Method for straightening a steel section with use of a straightening machine (1) with the features of any one of claims 1 to 5, comprising the following method steps: a) detecting the actual profile of the steel section upstream and / or downstream of the straightening machine by a measuring device which co-operates with a regulating and control device for adjusting the chamber dimension of the at least one straightening roller set and which is connected by way of an evaluating unit with roller adjusting means for the straightening rollers, b) comparing the actual profile with a given target profile, c) stopping the straightening process if a difference between the actual profile and the target profile is recognised, d) adjusting the chamber dimension of at least one straightening roller arrangement of at least one straightening roller set of at least one straightening shaft (4) by way of turning the straightening shaft (4) through a given amount of angle.

7. Method according to claim 6, characterised in that the adjustment of the chamber dimension is carried out by way of a main drive of at least one straightening shaft (4), the main drive being caused by an incremental transmitter to turn the straightening shaft (4) through a target angle determined in dependence on the desired chamber dimension.