Bending device and bending method for truss girder

Abstract

A bending device for lattice girders comprises a wire clamping unit and a bending unit. The wire feed unit includes a wire clamp that can be moved along and against a feed direction. The bending device includes a first movable bending die and a second movable bending die. The first movable bending die is fixed in position relative to the second movable bending die. The second movable bending die is mounted on the bending unit.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to the manufacture of lattice girders or reinforcement elements in the construction sector. Lattice girders are reinforcement elements that are usually made from one or more top chords and one or more bottom chords, wherein the top and bottom chords usually run parallel to each other and are connected by one or more diagonal chords. Diagonal chords of this type are often bent from wire, frequently forming triangles or triangular shapes. The bending dimensions are therefore determined by the dimensions of the shapes to be bent, which are usually triangles.

[0002] In prior art bending devices, changing the dimensions of the bent diagonal chord is complex and time-consuming. The present application therefore aims to provide a method and a device for manufacturing lattice girders that enables high quality at high production speeds. This objective is achieved by the method and the subject matter of the attached independent claims.

[0003] According to one aspect of the present application, a bending device for lattice girders comprises a wire clamping unit and a bending unit. The wire feed unit includes a wire clamp that can be moved along and against a feed direction. The bending device comprises a first movable bending die and a second movable bending die. The first movable bending die is fixed in position relative to the second movable bending die. The second movable bending die is arranged on the bending unit. The bending device may further include a wire support located downstream of the bending unit in the feed direction. The wire support can clamp the wire, and the wire can be bent between the first bending die and the wire support.

[0004] The feed direction is parallel to the manufacturing direction. Generally, wire is supplied from a spool or coil, bent, and then the bent wire, usually with other wires, is subsequently welded to form a lattice girder. The feed direction is from the coil to the welding point. Preferably, the individual stations (wire straightening after unwinding, wire bending, and wire welding) are essentially aligned to avoid unnecessarily bending the straightened wire again. The movement of the wire clamp in the wire feed unit is essentially parallel to this manufacturing or feed direction. The wire clamp unit is positioned upstream of the bending device in the feed direction.

[0005] It is possible that the wire is at least partially pulled by the stations following the bending device (e.g., the welding station). In any case, the wire feed unit has the task of providing or setting the correct length for the intended bend (and clamping the wire there), since large triangles and thus tall lattice girders (greater distance between top and bottom chords) require more material per triangle than small triangles for shorter lattice girders. The bending device has the advantage of allowing for a simple and robust design.

[0006] According to one aspect of the present application, in a bending device, the wire clamp provides adjustable resistance to movement in the feed direction. This keeps the wire under tension when the bending is / are performed. Since the wire is pulled in the feed direction during the bending process, it is advantageous to keep the wire under tension by providing adjustable resistance against which it is pulled in the feed direction, thus protecting it, for example, from buckling.

[0007] According to one aspect of the present application, the bending unit of a bending device comprises a guide plate. The second movable bending die is arranged to be movable relative to the guide plate. This can have the advantage that the second bending die can be moved to adjust bending dimensions and / or to release the bent die for further transport in the feed direction.

[0008] According to one aspect of the present application, the first movable bending form and / or the second movable bending form of a bending device is / are movable in a direction perpendicular to the feed direction. This can have the advantage that the bending device can be constructed simply.

[0009] According to one aspect of the present application, the first movable bending die and / or the second movable bending die of a bending device can be extended and retracted. This can be a linear extension, a pivoting extension, or a combination of both. This can have the advantage that the design of the bending device can be kept simple and easy to maintain.

[0010] According to one aspect of the present application, in a bending device, the second movable bending die can be extended from the guide plate. This can have the advantage that the design of the bending device can be kept simple and easy to maintain.

[0011] According to one aspect of the present application, in a bending device, the second movable bending form is adjustable parallel to an adjustment axis. This can have the advantage that the bending device can be used flexibly.

[0012] According to one aspect of the present application, in a bending device, the first movable bending form and / or the second movable bending form has a bending radius. This can have the advantage of increasing the quality of the bends.

[0013] According to one aspect of the present application, in a bending device, the first movable bending form and / or the second movable bending form comprises a cylinder. This can have the advantage that the design of the bending device can be kept simple and easy to maintain.

[0014] According to one aspect of the present application, in a bending device, the first movable bending die and the second movable bending die can move towards and away from each other. This can have the advantage of increasing the quality of the bends because the wire to be bent is guided between the bending dies.

[0015] According to one aspect of the present application, a bending method comprises the steps: activating a wire clamp; moving a first movable bending die and a second movable bending die to cover a wire to be bent (e.g., extending); pivoting the second movable bending die in a bending direction while simultaneously holding and releasing the wire with resistance (see above); deactivating the wire clamp; moving the first movable bending die and the second movable bending die so that the wire is no longer covered (e.g., retracting).

[0016] According to one aspect of the present application, in a bending process, moving the first movable bending die and / or the second movable bending die involves extending or retracting it. Furthermore, the movement can also involve rotating the first movable bending die and / or the second movable bending die. If the first or second movable bending die has different sections (e.g., like a cam disc), one position can bring the respective section of the disc close to the wire (bending position), and another position can move the respective section of the disc away from the wire, allowing it to be moved. This can have the advantage of keeping the process simple and easy to maintain.

[0017] According to one aspect of the present application, in a bending process, the movement of the second movable bending die involves extending or retracting it relative to a guide plate on a bending unit. This can be a linear extension, a pivoting extension, or a combination of both. This can have the advantage of keeping the process simple and easy to maintain.

[0018] According to one aspect of the present application, the bending process includes a step of adjusting the second movable bending die. In this step, the second movable bending die is adjusted parallel to an adjustment axis. The adjustment axis can be parallel to a surface of a bending guide. This can have the advantage of keeping the process simple and easy to maintain.

[0019] According to one aspect of the present application, in a bending process the first movable bending die and the second movable bending die move towards each other. This can have the advantage that the quality of the bends can be increased because the wire to be bent is guided between the bending dies.

[0020] According to one aspect of the present application, a bending device for lattice girders comprises a wire clamping unit and a bending unit, wherein the wire feed unit includes a wire clamp which can be moved with and against a feed direction, and wherein the bending device comprises a first bending die, a second bending die, and a third bending die, wherein the first bending die moves with the wire clamp, and wherein the second bending die pivots about a pivot axis which passes through the third bending die, and wherein a distance between the second bending die and the third bending die is adjustable. This can have the advantage that a triangle for a diagonal chord can be manufactured in one operation with adjustable dimensions with respect to leg length and angle within the triangle.

[0021] According to one aspect of the present application, in a bending device, the wire clamp provides adjustable resistance to movement in the feed direction. This keeps the wire under tension when the bending is performed. Since the wire is pulled in the feed direction during the bending process, it is advantageous to keep the wire under tension by applying an adjustable resistance against which it is pulled in the feed direction, thus protecting it, for example, from buckling.

[0022] According to one aspect of the present application, the bending unit of a bending device comprises a guide plate, and the second and / or third bending die is / are retractable relative to the guide plate. This can have the advantage that the bent part can be easily removed from the bending area, e.g., in the feed direction.

[0023] According to one aspect of the present application, in a bending device, the second bending die and the third bending die pivot in a direction perpendicular to the feed direction. This can have the advantage that the bending device can be constructed simply.

[0024] According to one aspect of the present application, the second bending shape of a bending device is adjustable parallel to an adjustment axis. This can have the advantage that the bending device can be used flexibly.

[0025] According to one aspect of the present application, in a bending device, the first bending shape and / or the second bending shape and / or the third bending shape have a bending radius. This can have the advantage of increasing the quality of the bends.

[0026] According to one aspect of the present application, in a bending device, the second bending shape and / or the third bending shape comprises a cylinder. This can have the advantage that the design of the bending device can be kept simple and easy to maintain.

[0027] According to one aspect of the present application, in a bending device, the second and third bending dies are extended and retracted in opposite directions. This can have the advantage that the design of the bending device can be kept simple and easy to maintain.

[0028] According to one aspect of the present application, the wire clamping device in a bending device is designed and suitable for clamping two wires. This can have the advantage of increasing the production speed for diagonal belts and thus lattice girders.

[0029] According to one aspect of the present application, in a bending device, the third bending shape is not connected to the guide plate. This can have the advantage that the design of the bending device can be kept simple and easy to maintain.

[0030] According to one aspect of the present application, a bending method comprises the following steps: activating a wire clamp; moving a second bending die and a third bending die to cover a wire; pivoting the second bending die in a bending direction into a bending position about a pivot axis passing through a third bending device, while simultaneously counter-holding the wire; deactivating the wire clamp; and moving the second and third bending dies away from the wire. Counter-holding the wire can involve controlled yielding in a feed direction. This can have the advantage that a triangle for a diagonal belt can be manufactured in a single operation with adjustable dimensions regarding leg length and angle within the triangle, with high quality.

[0031] According to one aspect of the present application, in a bending process, moving the second bending die and / or the third bending die is an extension or retraction. This can have the advantage of enabling a simple and fast production process.

[0032] According to one aspect of the present application, moving the second bending die and / or the third bending die in a bending process involves extending or retracting it relative to a guide plate on a bending unit. This can have the advantage of enabling a simpler and faster production process.

[0033] According to one aspect of the present application, a bending method further comprises a step of adjusting the second bending shape, wherein the second bending shape is adjusted parallel to an adjustment axis. This can have the advantage that the dimensions of the bends can be easily changed.

[0034] According to one aspect of the present application, a bending process further comprises, prior to the step of activating the wire clamp, moving the wire clamp to a desired position within a wire clamping unit. This can have the advantage of increasing the quality of the bend.

[0035] It should be noted at the outset that the positional designations chosen in the description, such as top, bottom, side, right, left, etc., refer to the figure directly described and illustrated, and these positional designations must be applied analogously to any change in position. The process steps are also discussed in connection with the device description. The reference numerals may differ between the embodiments (e.g., first bending shape). Figure 1 shows a schematic representation of an embodiment of a bending device in two positions. Figure 2shows a flowchart of a bending process. Figure 3 shows a schematic representation of another embodiment of a bending device in two positions. Figure 4 shows a flowchart of another bending process.

[0036] Initially referring to Figure 1A bending device 10 is shown in two different positions. To the left of the vertical, dashed line, the bending device 10 is shown in a feed position VP. To the right of the dashed line, the bending device 10 is shown in a bending position BP. A wire 80 is contained in the bending device. The bending device 10 comprises a wire clamping unit 20 with a wire clamp 21. The wire clamping unit 20 can clamp more than one wire. The bending device 10 further comprises a bending unit 30. The bending unit 30 comprises a guide plate 31 with an adjustment slot 61, with respect to which a second movable bending die 50, here an extendable bending cylinder 71, is arranged. The second movable bending die 50 is adjustable with respect to an adjustment axis 60, which runs parallel to the adjustment slot 61. In other words, the second movable bending die 50 can be moved along the adjustment slot 61.The second movable bending form 50 can be extended and retracted relative to the guide plate 31, i.e. into the drawing plane of the . Fig. 1 in or out.

[0037] The bending device 10 further comprises a first movable bending die 40, which is also an extendable bending cylinder 71. The first movable bending die 40 is fixed in position relative to the bending device 30 and can also be positioned in the plane of the drawing. Fig. 1 The wire clamping unit 20 comprises a wire clamp 21, which is movable parallel to a feed direction V. A wire 80 is located in the bending device 10. The wire 80 is inserted into the bending device 10 from the left and exits it to the right. The basic process and the integration of the bending device into a system for manufacturing lattice girders are described above.

[0038] In the feed position VP, the wire 80 can be moved through the machine when the wire clamp 21 is released and the first and second bending dies 40 and 50 are retracted, i.e., out of the area in which the wire 80 moves. The movement of the first and second bending dies 40 and 50 can be synchronous, i.e., both bending dies move in the same direction when extending and retracting, or it can be counter-clockwise, so that the bending dies 40 and 50 move towards each other when extending and away from each other when retracting.

[0039] In the illustrated embodiment, the first and / or second bending shape 40 or 50 are cylinders with a constant radius. At least one bending shape could also have only a partial radius or different radii.

[0040] The illustration in bending position BP shows the bending unit 30 after a movement (here, a pivoting motion) in the bending direction BR. With respect to the feed position VP, the bending unit 30 is pivoted by 90 degrees in bending position BP. In principle, the bending unit can be moved continuously downwards or relative to its position in the feed position VP. The guide plate can have any orientation. Fig. 1 It is aligned horizontally to the wire at 80 degrees, but could also be aligned at 90 degrees to the wire, as shown in bending position BP.

[0041] When the bending unit 30 pivots from the feed position VP to the bending position BP to bend the wire 80, the first and second bending dies 40 and 50 are extended so that the wire 80 is covered by them. The wire clamp 21 is then moved to a desired position along the feed direction V and activated there, clamping the wire 80. The bending unit 30 then moves (pivots here) upwards in the bending direction BR, bending the wire 80. If necessary, the wire 80 is pulled forward in the feed direction V against an adjustable resistance of the wire clamp 21, which then moves in the feed direction V as shown. Once the bending of the wire 80 is complete, the first and second bending dies 40 and 50 are retracted, and the wire 80 can be moved in the feed direction V. Then the wire can be bent again at 80°.Once the second bending die 50 is engaged, the bending unit 30 can be moved independently of the wire 80, as the wire can slide along the guide plate 31. The guide plate 31 guides the wire 80 during bending. If a different bending dimension is required, the second bending die 50 can be moved along the adjustment axis 60 in the adjustment slot 61.

[0042] The bending device 10 can further comprise a wire support 90 (not shown), which is located downstream in the feed direction V of the bending unit 30 or the second bending die 50. The wire support 90 can clamp the wire 80, and the wire 80 can be bent between the first bending die 40 and the wire support 90 by means of the movement of the second bending die 50. The wire support 90 can clamp the wire 80 simultaneously with the wire clamp 21.

[0043] In Fig. 2A flowchart of the process already mentioned in connection with the function or structure of the bending device 10 is shown in Fig. 1The described bending process is illustrated. The wire clamp 21 of the wire clamping unit 20 is positioned according to the desired / required bend, thus setting the required wire length 80. The wire 80 is then clamped by the wire clamp 21. Several wires 80 can also be clamped. If a wire support 90 is present, the wire 80 is clamped with the wire clamp 21. Then, a first movable bending die 40 and a second movable bending die 50 are moved to cover a wire 80. This can be an extension. The bending dies can be cylinders and move towards each other during extension. Then, the second movable bending die 50 is moved in a bending direction BR to a bending position BP, and simultaneously, the wire 80 is held against it by the wire clamp 21 and released. The release occurs with an adjustable resistance in a feed direction V.Once the bending process is complete, the wire clamp 21 and, if applicable, the wire clamp by the wire support 90 are deactivated. The first and second movable bending dies 40 and 50 are each moved away from the wire 80 (e.g., retracted) so that they no longer cover the wire 80. The wire 80 can then be moved in the feed direction and a new bend can be performed.

[0044] Fig. 3 shows a further embodiment of the present invention. The structure is essentially the same, but in contrast to Fig. 1 A third bending shape is provided here. This changes the numbering of the bending shapes and the reference marks compared to the embodiment of the Fig. 1 Here, a first bending form 40 with a bending radius 70 is located on the wire clamp 21 and moves with it. The wire clamp 21, or the wire clamping unit 20, in this embodiment functions like that of the embodiment of Fig. 1and will therefore not be described in detail again. The wire clamping unit 20 can clamp more than one wire.

[0045] The bending unit 30 has a guide plate 31 and a second bending die 50, in this case a bending cylinder 71. The second bending die 50 is adjustable along an adjustment axis 60 of an adjustment slot 61. In the right-hand illustration of the Fig. 3(The feed position VP) is parallel to the feed direction V or the wire 80. A third bending die 55 in the form of a bending cylinder 71 passes through the guide plate 31 of the bending device 30. The guide plate 31 pivots about the cylinder and pivot axis S of the third bending die 55 (here perpendicular to the plane of the drawing). During the pivoting or bending process of the guide plate 31, when the second bending die is pivoted upwards, the third bending die 55 and thus the pivot axis S remain stationary. Therefore, the third bending die 55 is not connected to the guide plate 31, but merely passes through it.

[0046] In the right part of the Fig. 3The guide plate is shown pivoted 90° into the bending position BP. This creates a sawtooth bend in the wire 80. Any pivot angle other than 90° can be used. As can be seen, the position of the wire clamp 21 has changed because the wire 80 was released in a controlled manner and against an adjustable resistance in the feed direction V to maintain the bend. Thus, the wire 80 is kept under tension during the bending process, preventing buckling.

[0047] The second bending die 50 and the third bending die 55 are cylinders that can be moved, or extended and retracted, relative to the guide plate 31. The second bending die 50 and the third bending die 55 move parallel to the pivot axis S. When the wire 80 is inserted into the bending device, the second bending die 50 and the third bending die 55 are extended from the area of ​​the guide plate 31 (in any direction), so that the wire 80 can be easily advanced. When the wire feed is complete, the second bending die 50 and the third bending die 55 are retracted into the guide plate and their bending cylinders 71, and thus their bending radii, cover the wire 80, so that when the guide plate pivots (here, the second bending die 50 pivots upwards), the wire can rest against the bending cylinders, as shown in the right part of the Fig. 3 shown.

[0048] So that the bent wire turns 80 degrees to the right Fig. 3When the wire can be withdrawn from the bending device 10, the second bending die 50 and the third bending die 55 extend again from the guide plate 31 and thus no longer cover the wire 80. The wire can then be easily moved. The wire clamp 21 moves in the opposite direction of feed, the guide plate 31 pivots downwards again, and a new bending process can be started. The dimensions of the bend (e.g., size of the bent triangles) can be adjusted by the distance (position in the adjustment slot 61) between the second bending die 50 and the third bending die 55. Naturally, the pivot angle also influences the shape and size of the bend or bent triangles. During a bending process with the in Fig. 3In the bending device 10 shown, the second bending die 50 and the third bending die 55 essentially always contact the same point on the wire 80, since the wire does not move relative to the second bending die 50 and the third bending die 55 between them. The wire length required for the bend between the first bending die 40 and the second bending die 50 is provided by the controlled counter-tensioning and release of tension by the wire clamp 21.

[0049] In Fig. 4 Another embodiment of a bending method 100 is shown as a flowchart. This embodiment of the bending method 100 can be used, for example, with the bending device 10 of the Fig. 3The process is carried out as follows: In a first step, a wire clamp 21 is positioned. The wire clamp 21 is then positioned and clamps one or more wires 80. Subsequently, a second bending die 50 and a third bending die 55 are moved so that they cover the wire 80 (see above). This movement can involve retracting the second bending die 50 and third bending die 55 into a guide plate 31. The second bending die 50 is then pivoted in a bending direction BR into a bending position BP about a pivot axis S. The pivot axis S passes through the third bending die 55. Simultaneously, the wire 80 is held and released by the wire clamp 21, thus providing the required wire length for the bend and simultaneously keeping the wire 80 under tension, which, for example, prevents buckling.

[0050] When the bending or swiveling process is completed, the wire clamping is deactivated and (possibly simultaneously or in a different order) the second bending die 55 and third bending die 55 are moved so that they no longer cover the wire 80 or are moved away from the wire 80 and the wire 80 can be pulled off in a feed direction.

[0051] It should be noted here that the invention is not limited to the specifically illustrated embodiments, but rather that variations based on the teachings of the present invention are within the capabilities of a person skilled in this technical field. In particular, the technical teachings of the process steps can be incorporated into the apparatus claims and vice versa.

[0052] The scope of protection is defined by the claims. However, the description and drawings must be consulted to interpret the claims. The problem underlying the independent inventive solutions can be derived from the description.

[0053] Finally, for the sake of clarity, it should be noted that, for a better understanding of the structure, some elements have been shown not to scale and / or enlarged and / or reduced in size. The figure is therefore schematic, and unless explicitly stated otherwise, no size references can be derived from it. Reference symbol list

[0054] 10 Bending device 20 Wire clamping unit 21 Wire clamp 30 Bending unit 31 Guide plate 40 First (movable) bending die 50 Second (movable) bending die 55 Third bending die 60 Adjustment axis 61 Adjustment slot 70 Bending radius 71 Bending cylinder 80 Wire 90 Wire abutment Feed direction BP Bending position BR Bending direction VP Feed position S Swivel axis

Claims

1. Bending device (10) for lattice girders comprising a wire clamping unit (20) and a bending unit (30), wherein the wire feed unit comprises a wire clamp (21) which can be moved along and against a feed direction (V), and wherein the bending device comprises a first movable bending die (40) and a second movable bending die (50), and wherein the first movable bending die is fixed in position with respect to the second movable bending die, and wherein the second movable bending die is arranged on the bending unit.

2. Bending device (10) according to claim 1, wherein the wire clamp (21) provides an adjustable resistance against movement in the feed direction (V).

3. Bending device (10) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the bending unit (30) comprises a guide plate (31) and the second movable bending die (50) is arranged movably with respect to the guide plate.

4. Bending device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the first movable bending form (40) and / or the second movable bending form (50) is / are movable in a direction perpendicular to the feed direction (V).

5. Bending device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the first movable bending form (40) and / or the second movable bending form (50) can be extended and retracted.

6. Bending device (10) according to claim 5, wherein the second movable bending form (50) can be extended from the guide plate (31).

7. Bending device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the second movable bending form (50) is adjustable parallel to an adjustment axis (60).

8. Bending device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the first movable bending shape (40) and / or the second movable bending shape (50) has a bending radius (70).

9. Bending device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the first movable bending shape (40) and / or the second movable bending shape (50) comprises a cylinder (71).

10. Bending device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the first movable bending form (40) and the second movable bending form (50) can move towards and away from each other.

11. Bending method (100) comprising the steps of activating a wire clamp (21); moving a first movable bending die (40) and a second movable bending die (50) to cover a wire (80); moving the second movable bending die in a bending direction (BR) into a bending position (BP) while simultaneously counter-holding the wire (80); deactivating the wire clamp; moving the first movable bending die and the second movable bending die away from the wire.

12. Bending method (100) according to claim 11, wherein the movement of the first movable bending die (40) and / or the second movable bending die (50) is an extension or retraction.

13. Bending method (100) according to claim 11 or 12, wherein the movement of the second movable bending form (50) is an extension or retraction with respect to a guide plate (31) on a bending unit (30).

14. Bending method (100) according to one of claims 11 to 13 further comprising a step of adjusting the second movable bending shape (50), wherein the second movable bending shape is adjusted parallel to an adjustment axis (60).

15. Bending method (100) according to one of claims 11 to 14, wherein the first movable bending form (40) and the second movable bending form (50) move towards each other.

16. Bending method (100) according to one of claims 11 to 15, further comprising, prior to the step of activating the wire clamp 21, moving the wire clamp 21 to a desired position in a wire clamping unit 20.

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