Device for calibrating and straightening hollow components and method with such a device

Abstract

The device (1) is for calibrating and straightening hollow components, preferably welded pipes (2), where the device (1) consists of a frame (5) with two side supports (6, 7), a lower crossbar (8) and an upper crossbar (9); where a piston (10) is provided, supported on the upper crossbar (9), which can be moved in the direction of the lower crossbar (8) and back by means of a cylinder assembly (12) that can operate with a pressure medium, and a calibrating and straightening tool (11a) is provided between the lower crossbar (8) and the piston (10), where the calibrating and straightening tool (11a) is arranged on the lower crossbar (8) and the piston (10) in such a way that it can be replaced with a bending tool (11b) for bending the side ends (3) of the sheets (4) intended for the manufacture of pipes (2).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a device for calibrating and straightening hollow components, preferably welded tubes, wherein the device is formed from a frame with two side supports, a lower crossbeam and an upper crossbeam, wherein a plunger is provided which is designed to be movable towards the lower crossbeam and back by means of a pressure-medium-actuated cylinder arrangement supported on the upper crossbeam, and wherein a calibration and straightening tool is provided between the lower crossbeam and the plunger, as well as a method with such a device.

[0002] Such devices, also known as calibration and straightening presses, are well known. A disadvantage of these devices and presses is that they can only be used for a single application, in this case, calibrating and straightening hollow components.

[0003] From EP 0 694 348 A1, which forms the basis for the preamble of claim 1, a working method and a press for producing large tubes from sheet metal panels are disclosed, with which the work steps of bending, forming, calibrating and straightening can be carried out successively after changing the necessary tools.

[0004] The invention is based on the objective of creating a device of the specified type whose scope of application is extended, whereby an increase in efficiency is achieved through a significantly better use of the available production capacities.

[0005] This problem is solved according to the invention by a device having the features of claim 1 and by a method comprising the process steps according to claim 12. Advantageous embodiments of the invention are characterized in the dependent claims.

[0006] In the device according to the invention, the calibration and straightening tool is interchangeably arranged on the lower crossbeam and the ram and can be replaced by a bending tool for bending the lateral ends of sheet metal for the production of pipes. The bending tool consists of a lower tool for each lateral end of the sheet metal to be bent and at least one upper tool for simultaneously bending both lateral ends of the sheet metal in a sequential manner. The ability to accommodate different types of tools for various tasks within the device eliminates the need for additional investment in a separate system, such as a bending press. The simultaneous, sequential bending of both lateral ends of the sheet metal enables faster and more cost-effective production of bent sheet metal.

[0007] The calibration and straightening tool, as well as the bending tool, can each be moved from a parking and changeover position outside the fixture frame to a working position inside the fixture frame and back again. The parking and changeover position for the tools outside the fixture allows the setup of the tool not currently in use while the fixture is operating with the other tool.

[0008] The parking and change position for the calibration and straightening tool can be located laterally next to one of the frame's two side stands, and the parking and change position for the bending tool can be located laterally next to the other side stand. Each of the two side stands can be formed with the same penetrating recesses for moving the calibration and straightening tool and the bending tool from their respective parking and change positions to the central working position. This arrangement ensures a relatively simple and quick tool change, as only a linear movement is required to change or move the tools, thus largely avoiding complex designs and the associated high costs.

[0009] The calibration and straightening tool, as well as the bending tool, can be positively engaged with the ram, whereby clamping devices capable of applying pressure can secure the calibration and straightening tool and the bending tool to or within the ram. The positive engagement of the tools, in conjunction with their clamping, ensures a secure and firm hold of the tools on the ram.

[0010] The device can be equipped with a feeding device for the tube to be calibrated and straightened, as well as the sheet metal to be bent, and a discharge device for the calibrated and straightened tube and the bent sheet metal. The feeding and discharge devices ensure, on the one hand, the feeding and removal of the relatively large tubes and sheets to the tools, and on the other hand, the continuous indexing and conveying of the workpieces through the tools.

[0011] The feeding device can consist of an infeed roller conveyor and the discharge device of an outfeed roller conveyor, whereby the infeed and outfeed roller conveyors can be designed to be lowered or raised, respectively. Lowering the roller conveyors allows the sheet metal to lie freely within the forming tool or bending tool during the forming process.

[0012] In the conveying direction, both upstream and downstream of the calibration and straightening tool, the device can have centrally arranged prism supports for the respective pipe, each of which can be moved vertically via at least one cylinder pressurised with a pressure medium. The prism supports ensure the actual straightening of the pipes.

[0013] In the area of ​​the infeed roller conveyor and / or the outfeed roller conveyor, a centrally located rotary device can be provided for rotating the respective tube and / or for laterally positioning the respective sheet metal during bending. With the rotary device, the respective tube can be easily rotated into the correct position for straightening after the roller conveyors have been lowered, or the respective sheet metal can be easily positioned laterally. Furthermore, a centering device can be provided for the central alignment of the respective sheet metal.

[0014] The rotating device can consist of several pairs of rollers arranged between parallel rollers of the infeed roller conveyor and / or the outfeed roller conveyor, running transversely to the rollers of the infeed roller conveyor and / or the outfeed roller conveyor, and which can be driven by a motor. The motor-driven roller pairs enable precise positioning of the pipe for straightening.

[0015] In the inventive method for calibrating and straightening hollow components, preferably welded tubes, and for bending the side ends of sheets for the production of tubes, the calibration and straightening tool is moved from its parking and changeover position to the working position for calibrating and straightening one or more tubes. The plunger of the device is then moved towards the calibration and straightening tool, and the tool is positively engaged by the plunger and attached to it. The respective tube is then fed to the calibration and straightening tool by means of the infeed roller conveyor and calibrated step by step in the calibration and straightening tool according to the dimensions of the tool. After completion of each individual calibration step, the following may occur:The straightening process involves the rotary device rotating the pipe into the correct position after the infeed roller conveyor and / or the outfeed roller conveyor has been lowered. Upon reaching the correct position, the prism supports are moved against the pipe, and the straightening is achieved by the force acting against the pipe. Following complete calibration and straightening, the pipe is conveyed away from the calibration and straightening tool via the outfeed roller conveyor. After completion of the calibration and straightening of a single pipe or multiple pipes, the calibration and straightening tool is released from the ram of the device and moved from its working position to its parked and changeover position.

[0016] To bend the side ends of sheet metal for pipe production, the bending tool is moved from its park and changeover position to the working position. The ram is then moved towards the bending tool, which is positively and non-positively engaged by the ram of the device. The sheet metal is then aligned using the centering device and / or the rotating device and fed to the bending tool via the infeed roller conveyor. It is then clamped, and simultaneously, the longitudinal edges of the sheet metal are bent parallel on both sides in a through-feed or continuous process. During the bending process, at least the infeed roller conveyor is lowered. As the sheet metal is advanced or conveyed further, the roller conveyor is raised again, the bending tool is opened, and the sheet metal is released. After the sheet metal has advanced by the predetermined increment, the next bending step is performed.Following the complete bending of the sheet metal, it is conveyed away from the bending tool via the discharge roller conveyor. After the bending of a single sheet or several sheets is complete, the bending tool is released from the ram of the device and moved from its working position to its park and changeover position.

[0017] A preferred embodiment of the device according to the invention and the method according to the invention are explained in more detail below with reference to the drawing.

[0018] They show Fig. 1 in perspective view a device with inlet roller conveyor and outlet roller conveyor as well as calibration and straightening tool and bending tool in park and change position, Fig. 2 a front view of the device with the calibration and straightening tool in working position and the bending tool in park and change position, Fig. 3 a front view of the device with the bending tool in working position and the calibration and straightening tool in park and change position, Fig. 4 a perspective view of the device with a calibration and straightening tool in working position with a tube held in it and a bending tool in parking and changeover position and Fig. 5 a perspective view of the device with a bending tool in working position with a sheet metal held by it and a calibration and straightening tool in park and change position.

[0019] The in Fig. 1 bis 5 The illustrated device 1 is intended, on the one hand, for calibrating and straightening hollow components, preferably welded tubes 2, and, on the other hand, for bending the lateral ends 3 of sheets 4 for the production of tubes 2, and is essentially formed from a frame 5 with two side supports 6, 7, a lower crossbeam 8 and an upper crossbeam 9, wherein the two side supports 6, 7 are each flanged to the lateral ends of the lower crossbeam 8 and the upper crossbeam 9 and are fastened by means of a screw connection.

[0020] A vertically movable ram 10, designed to accommodate interchangeable forming tools 11, is mounted on the stationary upper crossbeam 9, extending towards the lower crossbeam 8 and back. A pressure-sensitive cylinder assembly 12 is arranged between the upper crossbeam 9 and the ram 10 for moving the ram 10. Fig. 1 bis 5In the illustrated embodiment of the device 1, a cylinder arrangement 12 with, for example, four cylinders 12 is shown, which ensures controlled movement, locking, pressing, and opening of the forming tools 11, wherein the pressure medium used is preferably hydraulic oil. The forming tools 11 comprise, on the one hand, a calibration and straightening tool 11a for the tubes 2 and, on the other hand, a bending tool 11b for the side ends 3 of the sheets 4.

[0021] The two forming tools 11 are each stored outside the frame 5 of the device 1 in a parking and changeover position when not in use or for setup. From these parking and changeover positions, the forming tools 11 can be moved to and from their working position, whereby in the working position the forming tools 11 are positively engaged by the ram 10 after the ram has moved down. For permanently fixing the forming tools 11 to the ram 10 during forming, the ram 10 has pressure-sensitive clamping devices, the pressure medium being preferably hydraulic oil.

[0022] The parking and changeover position of the calibration and straightening tool 11a is located laterally next to one of the two side supports 6, 7 of the frame 5, and the parking and changeover position of the bending tool 11b is located laterally next to the other side support 7, 6, so that the relatively short distances allow for relatively short changeover times for the forming tools 11. For this purpose, the same penetrating recesses 13 are formed in each of the two side supports 6, 7 for moving the forming tools 11 from their respective parking and changeover positions to the central working position and back.

[0023] The tools required for calibrating the pipes 2 of the calibration and straightening tool 11a consist of a basic tool (several sizes for different diameter ranges) and various bowls for different diameters.

[0024] The bending tool 11b required for bending the sheets 4 to produce tubes 2 consists of an upper tool and a lower tool. For each tube diameter of the tube 2 to be produced, one lower tool and at least one upper tool are provided at each lateral end 3 of the sheet 4. To reduce the number of tools required for tubes of the same diameter with different sheet thicknesses, the tools can be designed to be movable to accommodate the different sheet thicknesses. During the forming process, the sheet 4 to be bent is pressed into the upper tool, thereby acquiring the required contour.

[0025] A feeding device 14 is assigned to the device 1 for feeding the tubes 2 and sheets 4 intended for forming, and a discharge device 15 is provided for removing the formed tubes 2 and sheets 4. The feeding device 14 consists of an inlet roller conveyor 16 and the discharge device 15 of an outlet roller conveyor 17. Both roller conveyors 16 and 17 are designed to be lowered and raised, respectively, so that the sheets 4, in particular, lie freely in the forming tool 11 during the forming process.

[0026] For the stepwise straightening of the stepwise calibrated tubes 2, the device 1 has centrally arranged prism supports 18 for the respective tube 2 in the conveying direction, both upstream and downstream of the calibration and straightening tool 11a, each of which is movable in the vertical direction via at least one cylinder pressurised with a pressure medium. Here too, the pressure medium used is preferably hydraulic oil.

[0027] In the area of ​​the infeed roller conveyor 16 and / or the outfeed roller conveyor 17, a centrally arranged rotary device 19 is provided for rotating the respective tube 2 and for laterally positioning the respective sheet 4 during bending. This rotary device consists of several pairs of rollers 21 arranged between parallel rollers 20 of the infeed roller conveyor 16 and / or the outfeed roller conveyor 17, running transversely to the rollers 20 of the infeed roller conveyor 16 and / or the outfeed roller conveyor 17, and driven by a motor. As already mentioned, the rotary device 19 makes it very easy to rotate the respective tube 2 into the correct straightening position after the roller conveyors 16, 17 have been lowered, with the motor-driven pairs of rollers 21 ensuring precise automatic positioning of the tube 2 for straightening.On the other hand, the rotary device 19 makes it very easy to position the respective sheet metal 4 laterally before bending the side ends 3 of the same.

[0028] The following section explains the method for calibrating and straightening hollow components, preferably welded tubes 2, as well as for bending side ends 3 of sheets 4 for the production of tubes 2.

[0029] To calibrate and straighten one or more tubes 2, the calibration and straightening tool 11a is moved from its park and changeover position outside the frame 5 of the device 1 to the working position inside the frame 5 of the device 1. The plunger 10 of the device 1 is then moved towards the calibration and straightening tool 11a, and the tool is positively engaged by the plunger 10 and attached to it. The respective tube 2 is then fed to the calibration and straightening tool 11a by means of the infeed roller conveyor 16 and calibrated step by step in the tool according to the dimensions of the calibration and straightening tool 11a. After completion of each individual calibration step, the tool may be...The straightening of the tube 2 is carried out by the rotary device 19, which rotates the respective tube 2 into the position to be straightened after the lowering of the infeed roller conveyor 16 and / or the outfeed roller conveyor 17. Upon reaching the correct position, the prism supports 18 are moved against the tube 2, with the straightening being effected by the force acting against the tube 2. Following the complete calibration and straightening of the tube 2, it is conveyed away from the calibration and straightening tool 11a via the outfeed roller conveyor 17. After completion of the calibration and straightening of a single tube 2 or several tubes 2, the calibration and straightening tool 11a is released from the ram 10 of the device 1 and moved from its working position within the frame 5 of the device 1 to its park and changeover position outside the frame 5 of the device.

[0030] To bend the lateral ends 3 of sheets 4 for the production of tubes 2, the bending tool 11b is moved from its park and changeover position outside the frame 5 of the device 1 to the working position inside the frame 5 of the device 1. The ram 10 is then moved towards the bending tool 11b, and the bending tool 11b is positively engaged by the ram 10 of the device 1 and attached to it. The respective sheet 4 is then positioned laterally by means of the rotary device 19 and fed to the bending tool 11b by means of the infeed roller conveyor 16, clamped, and then the longitudinal ends 3 of the sheet 4 are simultaneously bent parallel on both sides in a through-feed or continuous process, whereby at least the infeed roller conveyor 16 is lowered during the bending process. During further feeding or...After conveying the sheet 4, the infeed roller conveyor 16 is raised again, the bending tool 11b is opened, and the sheet 4 is released. After the sheet 4 has moved by the predetermined increment, the next bending step takes place. Following the complete bending of the sheet 4, it is conveyed away from the bending tool 11b via the outfeed roller conveyor 17. After the bending of a single sheet 4 or several sheets 4 is completed, the bending tool 11b is released from the ram 10 of the device 1 and moved from its working position inside the frame 5 of the device 1 to its park and changeover position outside the frame 5 of the device 1.

[0031] The finished bent sheets 4 can then be fed to a bending press or similar forming machine for further processing or for the production of pipes 2 and subsequently to a longitudinal welding machine.

Claims

1. A device (1) for calibrating and straightening hollow components, preferably welded pipes (2), the device (1) being composed of a frame (5) having two side stands (6, 7), a lower cross member (8) and an upper cross member (9), a ram (10) being provided, said ram (10) being movable toward the lower cross member (8) and back by means of a pressure-operable cylinder assembly (12) supported on the upper cross member (9), and a calibrating and straightening tool (11a) being provided between the lower cross member (8) and the ram (10), characterized in that a bending tool (11b) is provided, the calibrating and straightening tool (11a) being changeably disposed on the lower cross member (8) and on the ram (10) and being replaceable with the bending tool (11b) for bending the lateral ends (3) of sheets (4) to produce pipes (2), the bending tool (11b) being composed of one lower tool per lateral end (3) of the sheet (4) to be bent and at least one upper tool for simultaneous cycled bending of both lateral ends (3) of the sheet (4).

2. The device according to claim 1, characterized in that the calibrating and straightening tool (11a) and the bending tool (11b) can each be moved from a parking and changing position outside the frame (5) of the device (1) into a working position within the frame (5) of the device (1) and back.

3. The device according to claim 2, characterized in that the parking and changing position of the calibrating and straightening tool (11a) is located sideways next to one of the two side stands (6, 7) of the frame (5) and the parking and changing position of the bending tool (11b) is located sideways next to the other side stand (7, 6) of the frame (5), the same through-openings (13) for moving the calibrating and straightening tool (11a) and the bending tool (11b) from the respective parking and changing positions into the central working position being formed in each of the two side stands (6, 7).

4. The device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the calibrating and straightening tool (11a) and the bending tool (11b) can be form-fittingly received by the ram (10), pressure-operable clamping means on and in the ram (10) clamping the calibrating and straightening tool (11a) and the bending tool (11b).

5. The device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that a feeding device (14) for the pipe (2) to be calibrated and straightened and for the sheet (4) to be bent and a discharging device (15) for the calibrated and straightened pipe (2) and for the bent sheet (4) are assigned to the device (1).

6. The device according to claim 5, characterized in that the feeding device (14) is formed by an inlet roller conveyor (16) and the discharging device (15) is formed by an outlet roller conveyor (17).

7. The device according to claim 6, characterized in that the inlet roller conveyor (16) and the outlet roller conveyor (17) can be lifted and lowered.

8. The device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that upstream and downstream of the calibrating and straightening tool (11a) in the conveying direction, the device (1) has centrally disposed V-blocks (18) for the respective pipe (2), each V-block being movable in the vertical direction by means of at least one pressure-operable cylinder.

9. The device according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that a centrally disposed rotating device (19) for rotating the respective pipe (2) and / or for laterally positioning the respective sheet (4) prior to bending is provided in the area of the inlet roller conveyor (16) and / or of the outlet roller conveyor (17).

10. The device according to claim 9, characterized in that the rotating device (19) is composed of multiple motor-driven roller pairs (21) which are disposed between parallel rollers (20) of the inlet roller conveyor (16) and / or of the outlet roller conveyor (17) and extend perpendicular to the rollers (20) of the inlet roller conveyor (16) and / or of the outlet roller conveyor (17).

11. The device according to any one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that a centering device is provided for centering the respective sheet (4).

12. A method for calibrating and straightening hollow components, preferably welded pipes (2), and for bending lateral ends (3) of sheets (4) to produce pipes (2) using a device (1) according to claims 1 to 10, characterized by the following method steps: a) in order to calibrate and straighten a pipe (2) or multiple pipes (2), the calibrating and straightening tool (11a) is moved from a parking and changing position into a working position, b) then the ram (10) of the device (1) is moved toward the calibrating and straightening tool (11a) and the calibrating and straightening tool (11a) is form-fittingly received by the ram (10) and fixed thereto, c) the respective pipe (2) is then fed to the calibrating and straightening tool (11a) by means of an inlet roller conveyor (16) and is gradually calibrated within the calibrating and straightening tool (11a) according to the dimensions of the calibrating and straightening tool (11a), d) once each individual step of calibration is complete, the pipe (2) may be straightened, a rotating device (19), after lowering of the inlet roller conveyor (16) and / or of an outlet roller conveyor (17), rotating the respective pipe (2) into the correct position for straightening, and V-blocks (18) being moved against the pipe (2) upon arrival of the pipe (2) in the correct position, the pipe (2) being straightened by the force acting against the pipe (2), e) following full calibration and full straightening of the pipe (2), the pipe (2) is conveyed away from the calibrating and straightening tool (11a) via the outlet roller conveyor (17), f) once calibration and straightening of a single pipe (2) or of multiple pipes (2) is complete, the calibrating and straightening tool (11a) is detached from the ram (10) of the device (1) and is moved from the working position into its parking and changing position, g) in order to bend the lateral ends (3) of sheets (4) to produce pipes (2), the bending tool (11b) is moved from a parking and changing position into the working position, h) then the ram (10) is moved toward the bending tool (11b) and the bending tool (11b) is form-fittingly received by the ram (10) of the device (1) and fixed thereto, i) the respective sheet (4) is then laterally positioned by means of the rotating device (19) and is fed to the bending tool (11b) by means of the inlet roller conveyor (16), the sheet (4) is clamped, and then the longitudinal ends (3) of the sheet (4) are simultaneously bent in parallel on both sides in a cycled process or a continuous process, at least the inlet roller conveyor (16) being in the lowered position during bending, j) when the sheet (4) is cycled or conveyed onward, the bending tool (11b) is opened, the inlet roller conveyor (16) is simultaneously lifted again and the sheet (4) is unclamped, k) once the sheet (4) has been moved by the predefined increment, the next bending step takes place, l) following full bending of the sheet (4), the sheet (4) it is conveyed away from the bending tool (11b) via the outlet roller conveyor (17) and is removed by means of a lifting device, m) once bending of a single sheet (4) or of multiple sheets (4) is complete, the bending tool (11b) is detached from the ram (10) of the device (1) and is moved from the working position into its parking and changing position.