Asymmetric steel formation device

Abstract

An asymmetric steel formation device includes a production line (1) and an industrial computer (IPC) (2). The production line (1) includes a first sidewall (201) and a second sidewall (202) that are movably mounted on a base along a first direction (D1). Steel formation units (400) are mounted between the first sidewall (201) and the second sidewall (202) along the first direction (D1), forming a formation space (4) configured for a steel sheet (5) to press through. In the IPC (2), a processor (10) drives a first sidewall driver unit (301) to move in the production line (1) according to first sidewall parameters stored in a control parameter table in a memory (20). The processor (10) also independently drives a second sidewall driver unit (302) to move according to second sidewall parameters stored in the control parameter table, thus moving sidewalls independently.

Description

1. Field of the Invention

[0001] The present invention relates to a steel formation device, more particularly an asymmetric steel formation device.2. Description of the Related Art

[0002] A steel formation device is a device aimed at tooling and forming steel into specific shapes and structures. Unfortunately, a current steel formation device is unable to form steel into all possible shapes; namely, the current steel formation device may only form steel into symmetric shapes and structures. More particularly, the current steel formation device includes two sidewalls, two formation wheels, and a screw driving unit. The two formation wheels are rotatable and are respectively mounted on the two sidewalls. With reference to Fig. 6, a screw driving unit 700 includes a motor 710, two screws 720, and two retainers 730. The two screws 720 are connected to the motor 710, and the two retainers 730 are respectively mounted on the two screws 720. The two retainers 730 also respectively connect with two sidewalls, and thus the two retainers 730 allow the two sidewalls to move along the two screws 720 with the two retainers 730. In practice, the two screws 720 may be connected with each other through connecting two universal joints 740 and a connecting rod 750. When the motor 710 drives and rotates the two screws 720, the two retainers 730 that are respectively screwed on the two screws 720 would be able to move toward each other while respectively carrying the two sidewalls, simultaneously, two formation wheels respectively on the two sidewalls would press onto a steel sheet, thus forming the steel sheet into a desired shape of steel. Vice versa, the two sidewalls may also move away from each other when the two retainers 730 move away from each other, thus moving the two formation wheels away from each other. Either way, since the current steel formation device is only able to use the screw driving unit 700 to drive the two sidewalls, the two sidewalls may only move toward or away from each other at the same moving speed. As a result, the current steel formation device is limited to only form steel into symmetric shapes.

[0003] On the other hand, the current steel formation device is also unable to efficiently control steel production. More particularly, the current steel formation device uses a programmable logic controller (PLC) to control how the screw driving unit 700 drives the aforementioned two sidewalls. However, since the PLC is lacking sufficient amount of bit memory, the PLC lacks an ability to memorize a plurality of parameters across multiple points in time for controlling the screw driving unit 700 to drive the two side walls. As such, the current steel formation device has to rely on a user to manually enter different parameters at different points in time for adjusting how the screw driving unit 700 is driving the two side walls. Unfortunately, this way of manually controlling the current steel formation device is still too labor intensive, and by manually inputting different parameters repeatedly, the production of steel is arguably inconvenient and inefficient.

[0004] To overcome the aforementioned shortcomings, the present invention provides an asymmetric steel formation device. The asymmetric steel formation device of the present invention is able to structurally improve a production capability of steel and update its hardware, thus allowing a piece of steel to be formed into more varied shapes and with better efficiency.

[0005] The asymmetric steel formation device of the present invention includes: a production line, including: a base, extending along a first direction; a first sidewall and a second sidewall, mounted on the base; wherein the first sidewall and the second sidewall are able to move toward or away from each other on the base; a first sidewall driver unit, connected to the first sidewall; a second sidewall driver unit, connected to the second sidewall; a plurality of steel formation units, respectively mounted on the base along the first direction and respectively connected to the first sidewall and the second sidewall; wherein a formation space between the first sidewall and the second sidewall is created by the steel formation units along the first direction, and the formation space is configured to allow a steel sheet to press through along the first direction for steel formation; an industrial computer (industrial PC, or IPC), configured to control the production line, and including: a memory, storing a control parameter table; wherein the control parameter table includes a plurality of first sidewall parameters and a plurality of second sidewall parameters; a processor, electrically connected to the memory, and communicatively connected to the first sidewall driver unit and the second sidewall driver unit; wherein the processor drives the first sidewall driver unit to move according to the first sidewall parameters and drives the second sidewall driver unit to move according to the second sidewall parameters, thus adjusting the formation space configured for the steel sheet to press through.

[0006] The processor of the present invention is able to independently drive the first sidewall driver unit to move according to the first sidewall parameters and to drive the second sidewall driver unit to move according to the second sidewall parameters, thus the first sidewall connected to the first sidewall driver unit and the second sidewall connected to the second sidewall driver unit can be driven independently to move different distances. Since the first sidewall and the second sidewall can be moved independently and differently, the formation space between the first sidewall and the second sidewall is able to be adjusted into an asymmetric shape, and consequently, the formation space is configured for the steel sheet to press through, thus forming the steel sheet into the asymmetric shape.

[0007] Furthermore, since the IPC includes a much greater amount of memory than a programmable logic controller (PLC), the memory of the IPC is able to store the control parameter table that includes the first sidewall parameters and the second sidewall parameters. Consequently, not only can the processor of the IPC automatically control the steel sheet to move on the production line, but also the processor may precisely and flexibly control the adjustment of the formation space for allowing the steel sheet to be formed into an asymmetric shape. Such a production automation, enabled by the IPC, conveniently saves human resource so that a user of the present invention no longer needs to manually input parameters for multiple times.

[0008] Overall, the present invention greatly improves many aspects of a current steel formation device. The asymmetric steel formation device of the present invention allows for a more efficient steel formation process and allows for the steel sheet to be formed into an asymmetric piece of steel.IN THE DRAWINGS

[0009] Fig. 1 is a block diagram of an asymmetric steel formation device of the present invention. Fig. 2 is a partial side perspective view of an embodiment of the asymmetric steel formation device of the present invention. Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional perspective view of the embodiment of the asymmetric steel formation device of the present invention. Fig. 4 is a partial cross-sectional perspective view of the embodiment of the asymmetric steel formation device of the present invention. Fig. 5 is a partial top perspective view of the embodiment of the asymmetric steel formation device of the present invention. Fig. 6 is a partial cross-sectional perspective view of a current steel formation device.

[0010] For a better understanding of the present invention along with its technical features and practical uses, please reference an embodiment of the present invention shown in the disclosed figures.

[0011] With references to Figs. 1 to 3, the present invention provides an asymmetric steel formation device. In an embodiment of the present invention, the asymmetric steel formation device includes a production line 1 and an industrial computer (industrial PC, or IPC) 2.

[0012] The production line 1 includes a base 100, two sidewalls 200, two sidewall driver units 300, and a plurality of steel formation units 400. The IPC 2 is configured to control the production line 1, and the IPC 2 includes a processor 10, a memory 20, a human-machine interface 30, a buzzer 40, and a communication interface 50.

[0013] With references to Figs. 3 to 5, the two sidewalls 200 include a first sidewall 201 and a second sidewall 202, and the two sidewall driver units 300 include a first sidewall driver unit 301 and a second sidewall driver unit 302. The first sidewall driver unit 301 is connected to the first sidewall 201, and the second sidewall driver unit 302 is connected to the second sidewall 202.

[0014] With reference to Fig. 2, the base 100 includes an extension direction, a side direction, and a standing direction. Along the extension direction of the base 100, the base 100 has a first side 110 and a second side 120, wherein the first side 110 and the second side 120 are positioned opposite to each other along the extension direction. The side direction of the base 100 extends along two sides of the base 100. The standing direction of the base 100 extends along a top side and a bottom side of the base 100. The extension direction of the base 100, the side direction of the base 100, and the standing direction of the base 100 are all perpendicular to each other. For example, in this embodiment, the base 100 extends along a first direction D1, and the first direction D1 is the extension direction of the base 100.

[0015] With reference to Fig. 2 and Fig. 3, each of the two sidewalls 200 respectively include a base board 210 and a side board 220, wherein the side board 220 is perpendicularly mounted on the base board 210. Moreover, the two base boards 210 of the two sidewalls 200 are movably mounted on the base 100, and the two base boards 210 may be driven to move towards each other or away from each other. In practice, as shown in Fig. 5, the base board 210 of each of the sidewalls 200 includes at least one slide base 240, and the at least one slide base 240 is movably mounted on a rail 230 of the base 100, thus allowing the at least one slide base 240 to move along the rail 230. As a result, the two sidewalls 200 are movably mounted on the base 100.

[0016] In other words, as shown in Figs. 3 to 5, the base board 210 for the first sidewall 201 is a first base board 211, and the side board 220 for the first sidewall 201 is a first side board 221. Similarly, the base board 210 for the second sidewall 202 is a second base board 212, and the side board 220 for the second sidewall 202 is a second side board 222. The first base board 211 and the second base board 212 are respectively movably mounted on the base 100. Moreover, as the first base board 211 is driven by the first sidewall driver unit 301, and as the second base board 212 is driven by the second sidewall driver unit 302, the first base board 211 and the second base board 212 are driven to either move closer towards or away from each other.

[0017] With reference to Fig. 1 and Fig. 3, each of the sidewall driver units 300 includes a screw mount 310, a screw 320, a retainer 330, a transmission device 340, and a sensor. The screw 320 is rotatably mounted on the screw mount 310. The retainer 330 is screwed to the screw 320, and the retainer 330 is able to move along the screw 320. The transmission device 340 is connected to the screw 320, and the transmission device 340 drives the screw 320 to rotate. The two base boards 210 of the two sidewalls 200 are respectively connected to the respective two retainers 330 of the two sidewall driver units 300. As such, the two sidewalls 200 are respectively driven by the two sidewall driver units 300 to move. Furthermore, the transmission device 340 for each of the sidewall driver units 300 is communicatively connected to the processor 10 of the IPC 2. In an application of an embodiment, the two screw mounts 310 driven by the two sidewall driver units 300 are respectively mounted on two movable boards (not shown in figures). The two movable boards are able to move closer towards each other or move away from each other along the side direction of the base 100. The two screw mounts 310, when moving with the two movable boards, are able to expand a moving range of each of the sidewalls 200 when each of the sidewalls 200 is being driven.

[0018] In other words, with reference to Figs. 1, 3, 4, and 5, the screw mount 310 of the first sidewall driver unit 301 is a first screw mount 311, the screw 320 of the first sidewall driver unit 301 is a first screw 321, the retainer 330 of the first sidewall driver unit 301 is a first retainer 331, the transmission device 340 of the first sidewall driver unit 301 is a first transmission device 341, and the sensor of the first sidewall driver unit 301 is a first sensor 351. Similarly, the screw mount 310 of the second sidewall driver unit 302 is a second screw mount 312, the screw 320 of the second sidewall driver unit 302 is a second screw 322, the retainer 330 of the second sidewall driver unit 302 is a second retainer 332, the transmission device 340 of the second sidewall driver unit 302 is a second transmission device 342, and the sensor of the second sidewall driver unit 302 is a second sensor 352. The first sensor 351 is configured to sense a first movement of the first sidewall driver unit 301 and to send a first sensor signal to the IPC 2 based on the sensed first movement. Similarly, the second sensor 352 is configured to sense a second movement of the second sidewall driver unit 302 and to send a second sensor signal to the IPC 2 based on the sensed second movement.

[0019] The first screw 321 is rotatably mounted on the first screw mount 311, and the first retainer 331 is screwed to the first screw 321. The first retainer 331 is able to move along the first screw 321, and the first retainer 331 is connected to the first base board 211 of the first sidewall 201. The first transmission device 341 is connected to the first screw 321, and the first transmission device 341 drives the first screw 321 to rotate. Similarly, the second screw 322 is rotatably mounted on the second screw mount 312, and the second retainer 332 is screwed to the second screw 322. The second retainer 332 is able to move along the second screw 322, and the second retainer 332 is connected to the second base board 212 of the second sidewall 202. The second transmission device 342 is connected to the second screw 322, and the second transmission device 342 drives the second screw 322 to rotate.

[0020] With reference to Fig. 2 and Fig. 3, the steel formation units 400 are mounted along the extension direction of the base 100; for example, the steel formation units 400 are mounted along the first direction D1. Each of the steel formation units 400 includes two first formation wheels 410, two second formation wheels 420, and two third formation wheels 430. Each of the two first formation wheels 410 has an axis that is parallel with the side direction. Moreover, the two first formation wheels 410 are coaxial and are respectively rotatably mounted on the two respective side boards 220 of the two sidewalls 200. Similarly, each of the two second formation wheels 420 has an axis that is parallel with the side direction. Moreover, the two second formation wheels 420 are coaxial and are respectively rotatably mounted on the two respective side boards 220. The two second formation wheels 420 are mounted below the two first formation wheels 410. Each of the two third formation wheels 430 has an axis that is parallel with the standing direction. Moreover, the two third formation wheels 430 are rotatably mounted on the two respective side boards 220.

[0021] The two respective side boards 220 hereby refer to the first side board 221 of the first sidewall 201 and the second side board 222 of the second sidewall 202. As such, a formation space 4 is created between the first sidewall 201 and the second sidewall 202 by the steel formation units 400 along the production line 1. The formation space 4 is thus configured along the first direction D1 for allowing a steel sheet 5 to pass through while being pressed for formation; hence, the formation space 4 is configured for allowing the steel sheet 5 to press through.

[0022] In the present invention, the two sidewalls 200 are respectively driven by the two sidewall driver units 300, thus allowing the two sidewalls 200 to individually move their own distances either towards each other or away from each other. As a result, the first formation wheels 410, the second formation wheels 420, and the third formation wheels 430 that are mounted on the two sidewalls 200 may be individually adjusted to move distances, thus shaping the formation space 4 more flexibly and allowing the steel sheet 5 to be pressed, moving through the formation space 4, into asymmetric shapes. Furthermore, as the IPC 2 individually controls the first transmission device 341 in the first sidewall driver unit 301 to drive the first base board 211 of the first sidewall 201 and controls the second transmission device 342 in the second sidewall driver unit 302 to drive the second base board 212 of the second sidewall 202, the present invention also utilizes the IPC 2 for improved automation and better control over the formation of the steel sheet 5.

[0023] More particularly, the processor 10 of the IPC 2 is respectively electrically connected to the memory 20, the human-machine interface 30, the buzzer 40, and the communication interface 50. The processor 10 is also respectively communicatively connected to the first transmission device 341 in the first sidewall driver unit 301, the first sensor 351 in the first sidewall driver unit 301, the second transmission device 342 in the second sidewall driver unit 302, and the second sensor 352 in the second sidewall driver unit 302.

[0024] The memory 20 of the IPC 2 stores a control parameter table, and the control parameter table includes a plurality of first sidewall parameters and a plurality of second sidewall parameters. The processor 10 individually controls the first sidewall driver unit 301 to move according to the first sidewall parameters in the control parameter table stored in the memory 20 and controls the second sidewall driver unit 302 to move according to the second sidewall parameters in the control parameter table stored in the memory 20. As a result, the processor 10 is able to adjust a shape of the formation space 4 configured for the steel sheet 5 to press through.

[0025] More particularly, the processor 10 respectively drives the first transmission device 341 to move a first distance according to the first sidewall parameters and drives the second transmission device 342 to move a second distance according to the second sidewall parameters. The first distance and the second distance may be individually moved through at same speed or different speeds, and also, the first distance and the second distance may be individually moved through for same time duration or different time durations. In other words, the first distance and the second distance may be same or different.

[0026] In an embodiment, when the first distance and the second distance are different, the first transmission device 341 drives the first sidewall 201 and the second transmission device 342 drives the second sidewall 202 asymmetrically, thus enabling the formation space 4 to form the steel sheet 5 into an asymmetric piece of steel. In other words, the first sidewall 201 and the second sidewall 202 can be independently controlled for moving different distances. As the first sidewall 201 and the second sidewall 202 move different distances, the formation space 4 is adjusted to be asymmetric.

[0027] Of course, the present invention is also capable of forming the steel sheet 5 into a symmetric piece of steel. In other words, when the processor 10 respectively drives the first transmission device 341 to move the first distance and drives the second transmission device 342 to move the second distance, and the first distance and the second distance are equal, the first transmission device 341 drives the first sidewall 201 and the second transmission device 342 drives the second sidewall 202 symmetrically, thus enabling the formation space 4 to form the steel sheet 5 into a symmetric piece of steel.

[0028] In an embodiment of the present invention, the asymmetric piece of steel, formed by the steel sheet 5 pressing through the formation space 4 asymmetrically, is a piece of steel in an asymmetric C-shape. In another embodiment of the present invention, the asymmetric piece of steel, formed by the steel sheet 5 pressing through the formation space 4 asymmetrically, is a piece of steel in an asymmetric Z-shape.

[0029] Since the memory 20 of the IPC 2 may store more information than a memory of PLC, the memory 20 of the IPC 2 may store the control parameter table having the first sidewall parameters and the second sidewall parameters. In an embodiment, the control parameter table is stored in a file type that can be opened by Excel of Microsoft, such as stored in an xlsx file type. As such, not only may the processor 10 of the IPC 2 automatically control how the steel sheet 5 is formed into an asymmetric piece of steel, but also the IPC 2 is able to conveniently help a user of the present invention be free from having to manually input parameters multiple times. Overall, the present invention greatly improves many aspects of a current steel formation device. The asymmetric steel formation device of the present invention allows for a more efficient steel formation process and allows for the steel sheet 5 to be formed into the asymmetric piece of steel.

[0030] In an embodiment, the human-machine interface 30 includes a display and a mouse. The display is configured to display the control parameter table, and the mouse is configured to receive an input from the user. In another embodiment, the human-machine interface 30 is a touch screen. In comparison to a hard-buttoned control interface of a current steel formation device, the human-machine interface 30 in this embodiment provides a 21-inch wide touch screen for greater ease of usage, thus allowing the control parameter table to be clearly displayed through the touch screen. When the user inputs a parameter through touching the touch screen, the human-machine interface 30 accordingly generates a change parameter command and sends the change parameter command to the processor 10. When the processor 10 receives the change parameter command, the processor 10 updates a parameter in the control parameter table stored in the memory 20 according to the change parameter command. In an embodiment, the human-machine interface 30 may also directly receive input from the user for individually changing distances configured for the first sidewall 201 and the second sidewall 202 to move. As such, according to this direct input of desired moving distance for the first sidewall 201 and for the second sidewall 202, the processor 10 may automatically convert the said desired moving distances into corresponding parameters for controlling movements for the first sidewall 201 and for the second sidewall 202.

[0031] In an embodiment, when the processor 10 controls the first sidewall driver unit 301 and the second sidewall driver unit 302 to move according to the control parameter table, the processor 10 determines whether the first sidewall driver unit 301 and the second sidewall driver unit 302 are indeed successfully driven to move according to the control parameter table.

[0032] For example, the first sidewall parameters include a plurality of first voltage parameters and a plurality of time parameters, and each of the first voltage parameters corresponds to one of the time parameters. The first transmission device 341 adjusts a rotational speed of driving the first screw 321 according to the first voltage parameters, and along with a time control over the first transmission device 341 according to the time parameters, the processor 10 is able to control the first transmission device 341 to drive the first sidewall 201 to move the first distance with the first voltage parameters and the time parameters. The first sensor 351 is embedded in the first transmission device 341, and the first sensor 351 senses a rotational speed and a rotational time of the first transmission device 341 for generating a first sensor signal. The first sensor signal hereby also refers to the aforementioned sensor signal generated by the first sensor 351 for sensing the first sidewall driver unit 301. The first sensor 351 senses the rotational speed and the rotational time of the first transmission device 341, and thus the first sensor 351 is able to sense a moving distance of the first transmission device 341. In other words, the first sensor signal corresponds to the moving distance of the first transmission device 341. The first sensor 351 outputs the first sensor signal to the processor 10. When the processor 10 receives the first sensor signal, the processor 10 determines whether the first transmission device 341 in the first sidewall driver unit 301 is driven successfully according to the first sensor signal. When the first transmission device 341 in the first sidewall driver unit 301 is driven successfully according to the first sensor signal, the first transmission device 341 in the first sidewall driver unit 301 is thus driven in accordance with the control parameter table. In this embodiment, the first sensor 351 is a Hall sensor that is used for sensing the rotational speed and the rotational time of the first transmission device 341. The rotational time refers to a time duration when the rotational speed is greater than zero. For example, the Hall sensor may start counting the time duration when the rotational speed is greater than zero, and stops counting the time duration when the rotational speed equals zero.

[0033] For example, the processor 10 determines whether the first sensor signal corresponds to the first voltage parameters according to the time parameters. In other words, the processor 10 determines whether the first sensor signal has the correct voltage values in a default chronological order. When the processor 10 determines that the first sensor signal does not correspond to the first voltage parameters according to the time parameters, the processor 10 thus determines that the first sidewall driver unit 301 is not being driven in accordance with the control parameter table. Vice versa, when the processor 10 determines that the first sensor signal corresponds to the first voltage parameters according to the time parameters, the processor 10 determines that the first sidewall driver unit 301 is being driven in accordance with the control parameter table.

[0034] On the other hand, the second sidewall parameters include a plurality of second voltage parameters and the same time parameters, and each of the second voltage parameters corresponds to one of the time parameters. The second transmission device 342 adjusts a rotational speed of driving the second screw 322 according to the second voltage parameters, and along with a time control over the second transmission device 342 according to the time parameters, the processor 10 is able to control the second transmission device 342 to drive the second sidewall 202 to move the second distance with the second voltage parameters and the time parameters. The second sensor 352 is embedded in the second transmission device 342, and the second sensor 352 senses a rotational speed and a rotational time of the second transmission device 342 for generating a second sensor signal. The second sensor signal hereby also refers to the aforementioned sensor signal generated by the second sensor 352 for sensing the second sidewall driver unit 302. The second sensor 352 senses the rotational speed and the rotational time of the second transmission device 342, and thus the second sensor 352 is able to sense a moving distance of the second transmission device 342. In other words, the second sensor signal corresponds to the moving distance of the second transmission device 342. The second sensor 352 outputs the second sensor signal to the processor 10. When the processor 10 receives the second sensor signal, the processor 10 determines whether the second transmission device 342 in the second sidewall driver unit 302 is driven successfully according to the second sensor signal. When the second transmission device 342 in the second sidewall driver unit 302 is driven successfully according to the second sensor signal, the second transmission device 342 in the second sidewall driver unit 302 is thus driven in accordance with the control parameter table. In this embodiment, the second sensor 352 is a Hall sensor that is used for sensing the rotational speed and the rotational time of the second transmission device 342.

[0035] For example, the processor 10 determines whether the second sensor signal corresponds to the second voltage parameters according to the time parameters. In other words, the processor 10 determines whether the second sensor signal has the correct voltage values in another default chronological order. When the processor 10 determines that the second sensor signal does not correspond to the second voltage parameters according to the time parameters, the processor 10 thus determines that the second sidewall driver unit 302 is not being driven in accordance with the control parameter table. Vice versa, when the processor 10 determines that the second sensor signal corresponds to the second voltage parameters according to the time parameters, the processor 10 determines that the second sidewall driver unit 302 is being driven in accordance with the control parameter table.

[0036] In another embodiment, the first sensor 351 and the second sensor 352 may also be sensors of other forms and models that are used for respectively sensing whether the first sidewall driver unit 301 and the second sidewall driver unit 302 are being driven as expected and in accordance with the control parameter table.

[0037] When the processor 10 determines that either the first sidewall driver unit 301 or the second sidewall driver unit 302 is unexpectedly driven differently deviating from the control parameter table, the processor 10 generates an abnormal status information, records the abnormal status information in the memory 20, and controls the human-machine interface 30 to display an abnormal status notification according to the abnormal status information. In an embodiment, when the processor 10 generates the abnormal status information, the processor 10 also controls the buzzer 40 to generate an alarm according to the abnormal status information.

[0038] When the processor 10 determines that the first sidewall driver unit 301 and the second sidewall driver unit 302 are both respectively driven in accordance with the control parameter table, the processor 10 generates a normal status information, records the normal status information, and controls the human-machine interface 30 to display a normal status notification according to the normal status information. In an embodiment, when the processor 10 generates the normal status information, the processor 10 also controls the buzzer 40 to generate a normal-working notification sound according to the normal status information.

[0039] Furthermore, the memory 20 stores a current time that is continuously being updated, such as storing a system time. When the processor 10 generates the abnormal status information or the normal status information, the processor 10 also generates a time stamp corresponding to the abnormal status information or corresponding to the normal status information respectively according to the system time. In other words, regardless of whether the production line 1 is controlled by the IPC 2 normally or abnormally, the memory 20 of the IPC 2 would always log a record with the corresponding time stamp, thus allowing the user to subsequently able to access the records by using the human-machine interface 30.

[0040] According to an input from the user via the human-machine interface 30, the human-machine interface 30 generates a generate report command corresponding to the input, and the human-machine interface 30 sends the generate report command to the processor 10. When the processor 10 receives the generate report command, the processor 10 generates a report corresponding to the generate report command and controls the human-machine interface 30 to display the report. As a result, the IPC 2 is able to display the report, thus showing the abnormal status information with the corresponding time stamp or showing the normal status information with the corresponding time stamp in the report.

[0041] In an embodiment, the processor 10 communicatively connects to an external device 3 through the communication interface 50. The communication interface 50 may be a port or a networking communication module. The report is stored in the xlsx file type, and the processor 10 outputs the report from the communication interface 50 of the IPC 2; for example, the processor 10 outputs the report to the external device 3 via the port or the networking communication module. The external device 3 may be a computer-readable storage medium, a computer device, or a printer device. In other words, the networking communication module provides the IPC 2 with an ability to connect to the external device 3 through a network. As a result, the external device 3 is able to connect to the IPC 2 remotely, and thus the external device 3 is able to remotely control and access the IPC 2's running parameters. For example, the external device 3 may remotely adjust parameters used by the IPC 2 for controlling the first sidewall driver unit 301 and the second sidewall driver unit 302, thus remotely adjusting how the steel sheet 5 is being formed by the production line 1. When the processor 10 generates the abnormal status information, the processor 10 may also output the abnormal status notification, corresponding to the abnormal status information, through the communication interface 50 to the external device 3 that is remotely away from the production line 1 and the IPC 2. The user, using the external device 3 remotely away from the production line 1 and the IPC 2, can thus be notified for any abnormal status about the production line 1 via the IPC 2.

[0042] The external device 3 may also generate the aforementioned change parameter command or an access information command, and the external device 3 would then output the change parameter command or the access information command respectively to the processor 10 through the communication interface 50. When the processor 10 receives the change parameter command outputted from the external device 3 and through the communication interface 50, the processor 10 also updates parameters used by the IPC 2 for controlling the production line 1 according to the change parameter command, such as updating parameters listed in the control parameter table. When the processor 10 receives the access information command outputted from the external device 3 and through the communication interface 50, the processor 10 accesses parameters configured for controlling the production line 1 that are stored in the memory 20 of the IPC 2 according to the access information command, such as accessing the parameters listed in the control parameter table.

[0043] The memory 20 of the IPC 2 in the present invention has sufficient storage space for storing the control parameter table that includes the first sidewall parameters and the second sidewall parameters, and thus the IPC 2 of the present invention is able to control the first sidewall driver unit 301 with the first sidewall parameters and the second sidewall driver unit 302 with the second sidewall parameters. As such, the first sidewall driver unit 301 and the second sidewall driver unit 302 are independently driven to move toward each other or move away from each other. In comparison to a current steel formation device described in prior art, the present invention no longer requires manual inputting parameters for controlling the formation of steel. The present invention also allows the first sidewall 201 and the second sidewall 202 to move independently towards or away from each other, thus allowing the steel formation units 400 to flexibly form a piece of steel that is either symmetric or asymmetric.

[0044] Overall, the IPC 2 of the present invention uses a new control system for better enabling the user to control the IPC 2 through the human-machine interface 30 or through the external device 3. In an embodiment, the IPC 2 uses a software operating system developed by Visual Studio. When the processor 10 of the IPC 2 controls the production line 1 to tool the steel sheet 5, the IPC 2 is able to control up to 9 sets of pierce dies and 9 sets of corresponding separation distances in the production line 1. Furthermore, by using the external device 3 from a remote distance, the user is able to adjust or access parameters of the IPC 2 and to further execute the functions listed below: (a). Using Excel from Microsoft to import an order data stored in xlsx file into the memory 20 of the IPC 2. The order data includes the aforementioned control parameter table, along with a quantity information, a type information, and a dimension information configured for the processor 10 to control the production line 1 for forming the steel sheet 5. The dimension information configured for the production line 1 to form the steel sheet 5 may be configured in different length units, such as millimeters (mm), Taiwanese meter units ( ), feet (ft), or inches. One Taiwanese meter unit is equivalent to 0.303030 meters, which is very close to one foot. (b). Configuring the processor 10, so that when the production is complete for the order data, generating a log file according to the aforementioned system time, and storing the log file in the memory 20, thus allowing the order data to be accessed when subsequently accessing the log file in the memory 20. (c). Configuring the processor 10, so that when about to start controlling the production line 1 according to the control parameter table configured in the order data, generating an estimation time projected for completing the production according to the quantity information, the type information, and the dimension information specified in the control parameter table, and displaying the estimation time through the human-machine interface 30 or through the external device 3. (d). Configuring the processor 10 to record a production status log of the production line 1 daily according to the system time and storing the production status log in the memory 20. The production status log of the production line 1 includes the abnormal status information or the normal status information previously mentioned. For example, the processor 10 may generate a production progress information when executing a production process according to the order data and iteratively update the production progress information stored in the memory 20. As a result, every day when workers go off work, the production progress information stored in the memory 20 is updated to its latest progress. In an embodiment, the production progress information is a percentage for a completed amount of steel pieces over the quantity information specified for the order data. As such, when the processor 10 determines that the production progress information reaches 100%, the processor 10 thus controls the production line 1 and completes its production for the order data. (e). Configuring the processor 10, so that when generating the abnormal status information, the processor 10 automatically records the parameters for controlling the production line 1 into an error parameter information file in the memory 20, thus allowing the erroneous parameters for controlling the production line 1 to be accessed and reviewed when subsequently accessing the error parameter information file in the memory 20. (f). Configuring the processor 10 about a steel roll information corresponding to the steel sheet 5 and storing the steel roll information in the memory 20, or alternatively, directly importing the steel roll information from an Excel file into the memory 20. The steel roll information stored in the memory 20 comes with its corresponding time stamp. As a result, when subsequently accessing the steel roll information stored in the memory 20, such as, when the user uses an inventory software to access the steel roll information stored in the memory 20, the inventory software is able to retrieve a quantity of a steel roll (a rolled up steel sheet) at a particular point in time. This convenient retrieval of information allows the user to efficiently plan for future production schedules for forming the steel sheets 5. (g). Configuring a schedule for maintenance of the production line 1, such as configuring a maintenance alarm time, and configuring the processor 10 such that when the system time reaches the maintenance alarm time, generating a maintenance notification, and displaying the maintenance notification through the human-machine interface 30 or through the external device 3.

[0045] Corresponding to the above mentioned embodiments, and from a perspective of the user, by using the present invention rather than using the current steel formation device, the user of the present invention is able to enjoy the following aspects of convenience: (h). to use a big 21-inch-wide touch screen for ease of controlling the IPC 2, and having an option to use an external device 3 to connect to the IPC 2 through a network, thus controlling the production line 1 through the IPC 2. (i). being able to obtain a working status record, an abnormal status record, a user usage record, a steel roll usage record, and a PLC parameters record of the production line 1. (j). after a day's work is finished, having the production progress information updated to the latest progress for the order data, and having a record logged in the memory 20 for when the production line 1 has completed production for the order data. The record in the memory 20 is logged along with a time stamp, therefore the user is able to easily subsequently search and access the record according to the time stamp. (k). having the order data imported as Excel's file into the memory 20 of the IPC 2 remotely from the external device 3, thus allowing the user to use the external device 3 at a location far away from the production line 1 and the IPC 2 to adjust parameters in the memory 20 of the IPC 2 and correspondingly control the production line 1 to start production for the order data with the control production table specified in the order data. Of course, for the user being on site beside the production line 1 and the IPC 2, the user may also input the order data into the memory 20 through using the human-machine interface 30. (l). from an office room far away from the production line 1 and the IPC 2, the user may also use the external device 3 to check on a production status of the production line by remotely connecting to the IPC 2. (m). upon the time when the system time reaches the maintenance alarm time, being able to be notified when a maintenance is required for the production line 1. (n). being provided with an error message stating a cause of misalignment for any of the steel formation units 400 for the production of the steel sheet 5, and upon a simple confirmation from the user, having the IPC 2 automatically conducting calibration to fix the misalignment for the user. (o). being provided with a PLC controlled surveillance footage for showing the parameters configured for controlling the production line 1, and upon having an abnormal status for the production line 1, directly being notified with a corresponding cause through the touch screen. By having the user pressing a record parameter button displayed through the touch screen, the IPC 2 would record the parameters configured for controlling the production line 1, thus providing the user with ample records for analyzing and understanding the cause of having the abnormal status for the production line 1. (p). being provided with the estimation time projected for completing the production for the order data. (q). enabling parameter configurations for packaging the produced steel pieces, thus allowing the user to configure the IPC 2, so that when the produced steel pieces reaches a threshold quantity, the IPC 2 would control the production line 1 to automatically stop packaging the produced steel pieces. (r). providing automatic calculations for scaling dimensions of a sloping surface or dimensions of a bending surface (limited only to an embodiment of the production line 1 that includes a bending machine) for the produced steel piece. (s). allowing the steel roll information to be imported for ease of inventory management for the user. (t). providing the user with a memory button that is displayed on the touch screen for providing an option for memorizing all current parameters used for controlling the production line 1. When the memory button is pressed by the user on the touch screen, the IPC 2 proceeds to memorize all current parameters used for controlling the production line 1 in the memory 20 for the user. (u). providing the user with options for using different units to configure the parameters used for controlling the production line 1, thus allowing the parameters regarding dimensions and types of the steel pieces to be conveniently assigned and represented through the human-machine interface 30.

[0046] The aforementioned functions and applications only describe an embodiment of the present invention. Other embodiments of the present invention is free to be elsewise in accordance with what is claimed for the present invention.

Claims

1. An asymmetric steel formation device, characterized in that the asymmetric steel formation device comprises: a production line (1), comprising: a base, extending along a first direction (D1); a first sidewall (201) and a second sidewall (202), mounted on the base; wherein the first sidewall (201) and the second sidewall (202) are able to move toward each other or move away from each other on the base; a first sidewall driver unit (301), connected to the first sidewall (201); a second sidewall driver unit (302), connected to the second sidewall (202); a plurality of steel formation units (400), respectively mounted on the base along the first direction (D1) and respectively connected to the first sidewall (201) and the second sidewall (202); wherein a formation space (4) between the first sidewall (201) and the second sidewall (202) is created by the steel formation units (400) along the first direction (D1), and the formation space (4) is configured to allow a steel sheet (5) to press through along the first direction (D1) for steel formation; and an industrial computer (IPC) (2), configured to control the production line (1), and comprising: a memory (20), storing a control parameter table; wherein the control parameter table comprises a plurality of first sidewall parameters and a plurality of second sidewall parameters; and a processor (10), electrically connected to the memory (20), and communicatively connected to the first sidewall driver unit (301) and the second sidewall driver unit (302); wherein the processor (10) drives the first sidewall driver unit (301) to move according to the first sidewall parameters and drives the second sidewall driver unit (302) to move according to the second sidewall parameters, thus adjusting the formation space (4) configured for the steel sheet (5) to press through.

2. The asymmetric steel formation device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the IPC (2) further comprises: a human-machine interface (30), electrically connected to the processor (10), and configured to display the control parameter table; wherein the human-machine interface (30) is a touch screen, and when the human-machine interface (30) generates a change parameter command and sends the change parameter command to the processor (10), the processor (10) updates a parameter in the control parameter table according to the change parameter command.

3. The asymmetric steel formation device as claimed in claim 2, further comprising: a first sensor (351), communicatively connected to the processor (10), configured to sense a first movement of the first sidewall driver unit (301) and to send a first sensor signal to the IPC (2) based on the sensed first movement; and a second sensor (352), communicatively connected to the processor (10), configured to sense a second movement of the second sidewall driver unit (302) and to send a second sensor signal to the IPC (2) based on the sensed second movement; wherein when the processor (10) drives the first sidewall driver unit (301) to move according to the first sidewall parameters and drives the second sidewall driver unit (302) to move according to the second sidewall parameters, the processor (10) receives the first sensor signal and the second sensor signal, and the processor (10) determines whether the first sidewall driver unit (301) and the second sidewall driver unit (302) are respectively being driven in accordance with the control parameter table; when any one of the first sidewall driver unit (301) and the second sidewall driver unit (302) is not being driven in accordance with the control parameter table, the processor (10) generates an abnormal status information, stores the abnormal status information in the memory (20), and controls the human-machine interface (30) to display an abnormal status notification according to the abnormal status information; when both the first sidewall driver unit (301) and the second sidewall driver unit (302) are being driven in accordance with the control parameter table, the processor (10) generates a normal status information, and stores the normal status information in the memory (20).

4. The asymmetric steel formation device as claimed in claim 3, wherein the first sidewall parameters comprise a plurality of first voltage parameters and a plurality of time parameters, and each of the first voltage parameters corresponds to one of the time parameters; the processor (10) drives the first sidewall (201) to move a first distance with the first voltage parameters and the time parameters; wherein the second sidewall parameters comprise a plurality of second voltage parameters, and each of the second voltage parameters also corresponds to one of the time parameters; the processor (10) drives the second sidewall (202) to move a second distance with the second voltage parameters and the time parameters; wherein when the processor (10) determines that the first sensor signal corresponds to the first voltage parameters according to the time parameters, the processor (10) determines that the first sidewall driver unit (301) is being driven in accordance with the control parameter table; otherwise, the processor (10) determines that the first sidewall driver unit (301) is not being driven in accordance with the control parameter table; wherein when the processor (10) determines that the second sensor signal corresponds to the second voltage parameters according to the time parameters, the processor (10) determines that the second sidewall driver unit (302) is being driven in accordance with the control parameter table; otherwise, the processor (10) determines that the second sidewall driver unit (302) is not being driven in accordance with the control parameter table.

5. The asymmetric steel formation device as claimed in claim 3, wherein the IPC (2) further comprises: a buzzer (40), electrically connected to the processor (10); wherein when the processor (10) generates the abnormal status information, the processor (10) controls the buzzer (40) to generate an alarm according to the abnormal status information.

6. The asymmetric steel formation device as claimed in claim 3, wherein when the processor (10) generates the abnormal status information or the normal status information, the processor (10) respectively generates a time stamp along with the abnormal status information or along with the normal status information according to a current time; wherein when the processor (10) receives a generate report command generated and outputted by the human-machine interface (30), the processor (10) generates a report corresponding to the generate report command and controls the human-machine interface (30) to display the report; wherein the report comprises the abnormal status information or the normal status information along with the corresponding time stamp.

7. The asymmetric steel formation device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the IPC (2) further comprises: a communication interface (50), electrically connected to the processor (10), and communicatively connected to an external device (3) through a network; wherein when the processor (10) receives a change parameter command generated and outputted by the external device (3) through the communication interface (50), the processor (10) updates a parameter in the control parameter table according to the change parameter command; wherein when the processor (10) receives an access information command generated and outputted by the external device (3) through the communication interface (50), the processor (10) accesses the parameter in the control parameter table in the memory (20) according to the access information command.

8. The asymmetric steel formation device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the memory (20) of the IPC (2) stores an order data; wherein the order data is imported into the memory (20) as an xlsx file, and the order data comprises the aforementioned control parameter table, along with a quantity information, a type information, and a dimension information configured for the processor (10) to control the production line (1); wherein the processor (10) generates an estimation time projected for completing a production according to the quantity information, the type information, and the dimension information specified in the control parameter table; wherein when the processor (10) controls the production line (1) according to the order data, the processor (10) iteratively generates a production progress information and updates the production progress information in the memory (20); wherein when the processor (10) determines that the production is finished according to the production progress information, the processor (10) logs a record in the memory (20) according to a system time.

9. The asymmetric steel formation device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first sidewall (201) and the second sidewall (202) each comprise at least one slide base; wherein each of the at least one slide base is movably mounted on a rail of the base for moving along the rail of the base, thus allowing the first sidewall (201) and the second sidewall (202) to be movably mounted on the base.

10. The asymmetric steel formation device as claimed in claim 9, wherein the first sidewall driver unit (301) and the second sidewall driver unit (302) each comprise a screw mount (310), a screw (320), a retainer (330), and a transmission device (340); wherein the screw (320) is rotatably mounted on the screw mount (310); the retainer (330) is screwed to the screw (320), and the retainer (330) is able to move along the screw (320); the transmission device (340) is connected to the screw (320), and the transmission device (340) drives the screw (320) to rotate; wherein the retainer (330) of the first sidewall driver unit (301) is mounted on the first sidewall (201) as a first retainer (331), and the retainer (330) of the second sidewall driver unit (302) is mounted on the second sidewall (202) as a second retainer (332).

Images