Method and apparatus for feeding metal elements of elongated shape

Abstract

The method for bending metal elements of elongated shapes, particularly metal bars, involves feeding a first individual metal element (2) into an orientation station (7) and detecting the actual orientation of a cross section of said first metal element (2) with respect to the longitudinal axis of the same metal element (2). Provision is then made to angularly rotate said first metal element (2) with respect to the longitudinal axis so as to orient the same metal element (2) according to an optimal orientation. Said oriented first metal element (2) is transferred to an intermediate accumulation station (8), retaining the acquired orientation. In suitable phase relationship, a plurality of further individual metal elements (2) are fed, oriented and transferred to said intermediate accumulation station (8) in orderly succession. Upon reaching a predetermined number of oriented metal elements (2) at said intermediate station (8) of accumulation, simultaneous displacement of the entire group of said oriented metal elements (2) arranged at said intermediate station (8) of accumulation to an operating machine arranged downstream to carry out at least one processing step is performed.

Description

[0001] Description

[0002] METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR FEEDING METAL ELEMENTS OF ELONGATED SHAPE Technical field

[0003]

[0001] The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for feeding metal elements of elongated shape, particularly metal profiles and rods in bars, for example, intended for a bending or curving cycle in a processing machine arranged downstream.

[0004] Prior art

[0005]

[0002] Apparatus for processing elongated shaped metal elements, particularly metal profiles and the like produced in bars, comprising at least one bar drawing unit and at least one bending unit are known. In particular, the drawing unit generally comprises, for example, one or more pairs of counter-rotating wheels, at least one of which is motorized, opposed with respect to a feeding direction of the elements to be fed.

[0006]

[0003] The bending unit, on the other hand, consists, for example, of a bending head comprising a central mandrel, around which a bending pin and an abutment are rotatable on a respective bending plane. Elements fed to the bending head can thus be subjected to one or more bending operations in succession to make shaped products, open- or closed- profile brackets, then flat products, or three-dimensional products intended for the reinforcement of building structures.

[0007]

[0004] For example, European Patent EP 2 714 296 by the same Applicant illustrates an apparatus for making brackets, two-dimensional and three-dimensional, comprising guiding means for feeding a metal rod along a feeding direction; a first bending unit comprising a first central bending mandrel and a first eccentric bending pin rotatable around the first central mandrel to bend the metal rod on a working plane; and a second bending unit comprising a second central bending mandrel and a second eccentric bending pin movable around the second central mandrel to bend the metal rod on a bending plane inclined with respect to the working plane.

[0008]

[0005] In the production of flat products, particularly brackets, shaped and bent products from metal elements, such as bars or rods, the problem arises of ensuring an acceptable tolerance on both bending angles and coplanarity of the finished part. In practice, in fact, metal elements naturally tend to rotate about their longitudinal axis while being bent and fed by the drawing unit, and therefore, as a result of such spontaneous rotation, the bending result may deviate from the tolerance considered acceptable as well as from the coplanarity.

[0009]

[0006] More specifically, the problem mentioned stems from the fact that metal sections and rods in reinforcing bars generally have an irregular cross-section due to the ribs usually arranged at an angle on the surface in order to improve adhesion, and due to longitudinal ribbing, as well as have an approximate roundness that is the result of the manufacturing process. This implies that, depending on how the bars are oriented, they also have a different moment of inertia of the surface, so that the bars offer different resistance to bending depending on how they are oriented, and because of this they tend to rotate on themselves, when bending them, to arrange themselves in the orientation in which they offer the least resistance. The bars, moreover, occur with different thicknesses under the bending or curving members of the operating machines intended to carry out the intended processing causing a different result of the angle of the bend or curvature.

[0010]

[0007] Ultimately, the random rotation of the bars about their own axis, due to the fact that they tend to arrange themselves in the orientation of least resistance, during the bending stages, means that, depending on how the bars themselves are initially oriented, the resulting bend is more or less open due to the different thicknesses with which the bars occur at the points of contact with the tools. As a result, the individual bend does not turn out to lie in a plane due to the direct effect of the rotation of the workpiece.

[0011]

[0008] In addition, if several bends are to be made on the same bar, they are not coplanar due to the rotation also induced by the same bending as well as drawing.

[0012]

[0009] All this causes the impossibility of obtaining bars that are all bent in the same way and, moreover, do not always conform to the tolerances required by the construction industry, particularly from the point of view of bend angles and coplanarity.

[0013]

[0010] To solve the mentioned problem, several solutions have been proposed that address the problem of recognizing the orientation of the bars and arranging them according to an orientation that remains stable during drawing operations, especially if this is done by means of wheels and / or during the bending phase. For example, Italian patent No. 102018000007479 illustrates a method and apparatus for feeding bars that aims to solve the mentioned problem.

[0014]

[0011] The currently known solutions, however, only address the problem of how to orient an individual bar at a time, that is, to load the oriented bar individually. Therefore, the solutions offered do not meet current needs because they result in a longer cycle time. While in fact orienting the bars and loading them individually, the machine comes to a standstill and thus productivity drops.

[0015] Disclosure of the invention

[0016]

[0012] The task of the present invention is to solve the above-mentioned problems by devising a method and apparatus to optimally operate the feeding of metal elements of elongated shape, intended to be processed, for example, for the production of shaped products, such as brackets or shaped or curved products in general, for the reinforcement of building structures.

[0017]

[0013] In the context of this task, it is further the purpose of the present invention to provide a method and apparatus for arranging metal elements fed to an operating machine, particularly a bending or curving machine, according to a predetermined axial orientation.

[0018]

[0014] Another purpose of the present invention is to provide a method and apparatus for simultaneously feeding to the operating machine a plurality of metal elements of elongated shape all properly oriented according to said predetermined axial orientation.

[0019]

[0015] A further purpose of the present invention is to provide a method and apparatus for substantially reducing the operating cycle time of the operating machine arranged downstream, more specifically by reducing its waiting time for loading bars preferably by preparing mutually adjacent, headed and appropriately oriented bars in masked time.

[0020]

[0016] Another purpose of the present invention is to provide an apparatus for feeding metal elements of elongated shape that is simple in construction and function, has safe and reliable use, and is relatively inexpensive.

[0021]

[0017] The above-mentioned purposes are achieved, according to the present invention, by the method for feeding metal elements of elongated shape, particularly metal sections and rods in bars, according to claim 1.

[0022]

[0018] The method for feeding elongated metal elements comprises the steps of: a. feeding at least a first individual metal element into an orientation station; b. detecting the actual orientation of a cross section of said first metal element with respect to the longitudinal axis of the same metal element; c. angularly rotating said first metal element with respect to said longitudinal axis so as to orient the same metal element according to a predetermined optimal orientation.

[0023]

[0019] According to the present invention, the method comprises the further steps of: d. transferring said first oriented metal element to an intermediate accumulation station, retaining the acquired orientation; e. in suitable phase relationship, feeding, orienting and transferring to said intermediate accumulation station, in orderly succession, a plurality of further individual oriented metal elements; f. upon reaching a predetermined number of oriented metal elements at said intermediate accumulation station, operating the simultaneous displacement of the entire group of said oriented metal elements arranged at said intermediate accumulation station to an operating machine arranged downstream.

[0024]

[0020] It should be noted that said step of transferring a plurality of individual oriented metal elements to said intermediate accumulation station, in orderly succession, until a predetermined number of said oriented metal elements are reached at the same intermediate accumulation station, takes place in masked time because in the meantime the downstream operating machine is at work on a previous on a previous number of metal elements.

[0025]

[0021] Appropriately said prefixed optimal orientation is that in which said metal elements offer the least resistance to bending depending on the arrangement of the working members of the operating machine.

[0026]

[0022] Preferably, said step of transferring said first oriented metal element and said additional individual oriented metal elements to an intermediate accumulation station involves heading the same metal elements, subsequently retaining the acquired orientation and heading.

[0027]

[0023] Advantageously, said step of transferring said individual metal elements oriented at said intermediate accumulation station involves operating the displacement of the same metal elements in a transverse direction with respect to said longitudinal axis.

[0028]

[0024] Appropriately said step of transferring to said intermediate accumulation station said individual oriented metal elements involves keeping the same metal elements locked at least at one point during said movement in the transverse direction to avoid loss of the given orientation.

[0029]

[0025] Preferably said step of transferring to said intermediate accumulation station said individual oriented metal elements involves keeping the front end of said metal elements locked head-on.

[0030]

[0026] Preferably said individual oriented metal elements are locked head-on by the same orientation device configured to rotate the same individual metal elements angularly with respect to said respective longitudinal axis.

[0031]

[0027] According to a particular aspect of the invention, said step of orienting said individual metal elements involves grasping and clamping a front end of said individual metal elements by means of an orientation device configured to angularly rotate said individual metal elements with respect to said longitudinal axis, so as to orient said individual metal elements according to said predetermined optimal orientation.

[0032]

[0028] According to a particular embodiment of the invention said step of grasping and clamping a front end of said metal element provides for actuating with controlled axial motion said orienting device so as to bring said front end of the metal element to be grasped to a stop against a reference surface of the same orienting device, and subsequently clamping the same front end of the metal element, to also achieve the heading of said metal elements which will thereby also be perfectly mutually aligned head-on at a predetermined fixed or programmable position.

[0033]

[0029] It should be noted that the heading the metal elements at an appropriate position has the function of placing the metal elements themselves directly in the position where the downstream operating machine, such as a bending machine, can start working directly without having to perform axial repositioning of the metal elements to achieve the desired bend.

[0034]

[0030] The present invention also relates to an apparatus for feeding metal elements of elongated shape, particularly metal profiles and rods in bars, comprising a first transfer unit configured to feed individual metal elements into an orientation station; a sensing device configured to detect the orientation of a cross section of said individual metal elements with respect to the longitudinal axis of said metal elements; an orientation device configured to angularly rotate said individual metal elements with respect to said longitudinal axis so as to orient the same metal elements according to a predetermined optimal orientation; a second transfer unit of said individual oriented metal elements to an intermediate accumulation station, retaining the acquired orientation and possibly also the heading; a handling unit configured to operate the simultaneous movement of the entire group of said oriented metal elements arranged at the said intermediate accumulation station, upon reaching a predetermined number of oriented metal elements at the same intermediate accumulation station.

[0035]

[0031] According to one aspect of the invention, said orientation device is capable of grasping and clamping a front end of said individual metal elements to be oriented and rotating angularly according to a predetermined optimal orientation.

[0036]

[0032] Preferably said orienting device comprises a self-centering mandrel consisting of a gripper member suitable for gripping said front end of said individual metal elements to be oriented.

[0037]

[0033] Preferably said mandrel comprises a pair of opposing jaws.

[0038]

[0034] According to a particular aspect of the invention, said mandrel is adapted to be driven with controlled axial motion so as to bring said front end of the metal element to be gripped to a stop against a reference surface of the same mandrel and to subsequently clamp the same front end of the metal element.

[0039]

[0035] Preferably said mandrel has a longitudinal axis arranged at a fixed height at substantially the level of the metal element having the maximum diameter intended for use.

[0040]

[0036] Alternatively, said mandrel has a longitudinal axis that is adjustable in elevation with respect to the support plane of the metal element, to adapt to different dimensions of the same metal element.

[0041]

[0037] According to a particular embodiment of the invention, said self-centering mandrel is capable of axially grasping and pulling out the grasped metal element so as not to have interference with the ends of adjacent metal elements.

[0042]

[0038] Preferably said transfer unit suitable for transferring said individual metal elements transversely into said intermediate accumulation station, preserving the acquired orientation, is associated with said orientation station.

[0043]

[0039] Preferably said second transfer unit comprises tilting means designed to accompany said individual metal elements on a slide developed in a plane transverse to the longitudinal axis of the same metal elements.

[0044]

[0040] Preferably said tilting means comprises an arm rotatable at an angle, with reciprocating motion, in said plane transverse to the longitudinal axis of individual metal elements and bearing said mandrel suitable for gripping said front end of said metal elements.

[0045]

[0041] Preferably said detection device comprises an optical device, such as in particular a camera or a laser profile sensor of the type known as a profilometer.

[0046] Brief description of the drawings

[0047]

[0042] The details of the invention will be most evident from the detailed description of preferred embodiments of the apparatus for feeding metal elements of elongated shape, according to the method in question, illustrated by way of illustration in the attached drawings, in which:

[0048] Figure 1 shows a perspective overview of the apparatus for feeding metal elements of elongated shape according to the present invention;

[0049] Figure 1a shows an enlarged portion of the apparatus shown in Figure 1 ;

[0050] Figures 2 through 4 respectively show a side view of a portion of said apparatus for feeding metal elements of elongated shape, in successive steps of operation;

[0051] Figures 5 and 6 show a frontal schematic view of the same apparatus in different steps of operation, respectively;

[0052] Figure 7 shows a side view of said portion of the apparatus at a further operational step;

[0053] Figures 8 through 12 show a frontal view of said apparatus in further successive steps of operation, respectively;

[0054] Figures 13 and 14 show a side view at different operational steps of said portion of the apparatus in the use configuration with small-diameter metal elements;

[0055] Figures 15 to 22 show a different embodiment of the apparatus in question.

[0056] Description of embodiments of the invention

[0057]

[0043] With particular reference at first to Figures 1 through 12, numeral 1 refers to an apparatus for feeding metal elements 2 of elongated shape, particularly metal profiles and rods in bars, hereafter also referred to as bars for simplicity.

[0058]

[0044] The apparatus 1 comprises a framework 10 having substantially longitudinal development. The framework 10 carries longitudinally distributed a plurality of supporting members 11 suitable for defining a horizontal support plane for metal elements 2 to be fed to an operating machine arranged downstream.

[0059]

[0045] Associated with the framework 10 of the apparatus are a first transfer unit 3 configured to feed individual metal elements 2 into an orientation station 7; a sensing device 4 configured to detect the orientation of a cross section of said individual metal elements 2 with respect to the longitudinal axis of the same metal elements 2; and an orientation device 5 arranged in the orientation station 7 and configured to angularly rotate said individual metal elements 2 with respect to said longitudinal axis so as to orient the same metal elements 2 according to a predetermined optimal orientation.

[0060]

[0046] The detection device 4 consists, for example, of an optical device, such as in particular a camera associated with an image processing unit or a laser profile sensor of the type known as a profilometer, or a mechanical device, such as a mechanical probe.

[0061]

[0047] In practice, the sensing device 4 is configured to detect the orientation of a section of each individual bar 2 at an appropriate sensing zone, preferably a sensing plane. In particular, the sensing device 4 detects the orientation of said section of bar 2 with respect to the longitudinal axis of said bar 2, in a fixed reference system such as the apparatus framework 10.

[0062]

[0048] Preferably, the orientation device 5 configured to angularly rotate individual bars 2 with respect to the longitudinal axis comprises a mandrel 50 comprising a self-centering clamp member suitable for gripping the front end of said individual metal elements 2 to be oriented. The mandrel 50 is associated with a head 12 of the apparatus framework 10 arranged at the front end of the same framework 10.

[0063]

[0049] Preferably said clamp member comprises a pair of opposing jaws 51. The mandrel 50 is adapted to clamp a front end of the bar 2 to be oriented and to rotate the bar 2 itself so as to orient it in the desired manner. It should be noted that the mandrel thus made does not result in lateral encumbrances on the bar 2 being machined that would prevent its approach to the previously machined bar. More precisely, the mandrel 50 is suitably shaped so that at least in the orientation position it is possible to approach the newly oriented bar 2 to the previously oriented bars without interfering with them.

[0064]

[0050] Advantageously, the self-centering mandrel 50 has its longitudinal axis arranged at a fixed height at least at the level of the bar 2 of maximum expected diameter. This avoids the need to position the axis of mandrel 50 according to the diameter of the bar 2 being machined, since in this way the bar itself is raised by the clamping motion of the mandrel (see Figures 13 and 14). Alternatively, provision can be made for the axis of mandrel 50 to be adjustable in elevation with respect to the bearing plane of bars 2, to accommodate different dimensions of the bars themselves.

[0065]

[0051] According to one embodiment of the invention, the mandrel 50 is capable of being actuated with programmed axial motion so as to head the bars 2, that is, to align them all mutually in a fixed or chosen position as needed. In practice, the mandrel 50 is operable axially to engage on bar 2 to be grasped and bring the front end of bar 2 itself to a stop against a reference surface defined by mandrel 50 itself, to subsequently tighten the same front end of bar 2 (see Figures 3 and 4).

[0066]

[0052] It should be noted that the choice of bringing the bars 2 to a programmable stop position, as opposed to a fixed zero point, has the advantage of facilitating subsequent operations, avoiding further axial displacement; in practice, this avoids the need for the downstream operating machine to subsequently position the bars to be bent or curved, with an obvious shortening of the working cycle of the machine.

[0067]

[0053] Associated with the orientation station 7 is a second transfer unit 6 suitable for transferring the individual bars 2 transversely to an intermediate accumulation station 8, retaining the acquired orientation. The transfer unit 6 comprises preferably a chute 60 on which the individual bars 2 move. The bars 2 are accompanied by the alternating, and preferably tilting, movement of an arm 61 carrying the mandrel 50. In particular, the arm 61 is rotatable angularly about the axis 62, with reciprocating motion, in a plane transverse to the longitudinal axis of bars 2.

[0068]

[0054] The intermediate accumulation station 8 is bounded, for example, by a lower bank 80 of chute 60, adapted to act as an abutment to the group of bars 2 moving on the same chute 60.

[0069]

[0055] The operation of the apparatus for feeding metal elements of elongated shape according to the method object of the invention is easily understood from the above description.

[0070]

[0056] The individual bars 2 to be processed are fed in orderly sequence, via the first transfer unit 3 and the singularizing member 14, to the orientation station 7. Bars 2 can be fed individually with transverse or longitudinal motion. Specifically, if the feeding motion of the bars 2 is transverse, the bars 2 themselves are suitably arranged on means of transport 13, such as a catenary, to eliminate any overlapping; the bars 2 are subsequently picked up one at a time by the singularizing member 14.

[0071]

[0057] In practice, according to the invention, a first bar 2 is first fed to orientation station 7 (Figure 2). At orientation station 7, the actual orientation of a cross section of said first bar 2 with respect to its longitudinal axis is detected by means of sensing device 4.

[0072]

[0058] At orientation station 7 operates the orientation device 5 configured to grasp and rotate individual bars 2 angularly with respect to the longitudinal axis. Specifically, orientation device 5 is equipped with the gripper member 50, which is able to grasp and clamp the front end of the first bar 2 (Figures 4 and 5). The gripper member 50 subsequently provides to angularly rotate the first bar 2 with respect to the longitudinal axis so as to orient the same bar 2 according to the predetermined optimal orientation (figure 6); this orientation is controlled by the sensing device 4 (figure 7).

[0073]

[0059] The first bar 2 thus oriented is then transferred by means of the second transfer unit 6 to the intermediate accumulation station 8, retaining the acquired orientation due to the fact that the chute 60 is inclined toward bank 80. Specifically, the first bar 2 is brought into contact with bank 80, which bounds intermediate accumulation station 8 (Figure 10).

[0074]

[0060] According to a prerogative of the present invention, in suitable phase relationship, a plurality of additional bars 2 are sequentially fed, oriented and transferred in orderly succession to the intermediate storage station 8 in the same transfer mode as for the mentioned first bar 2 (Figures 11 and 12).

[0075]

[0061] It is noteworthy that said additional bars 2 approach each other neatly to the first bar 2 set up at the intermediate accumulation station 8 near bank 80.

[0076]

[0062] It should be noted that said step of transferring the oriented bars 2 to the intermediate accumulation station 8 may involve keeping the same bars 2 locked at least at one point during said transverse transfer along the chute 60, particularly if the latter was not inclined, in order to avoid loss of the given orientation. In particular, during transverse transfer on chute 60, bars 2 are preferably locked head-on at the front end by the same clamp member 50 as orientation device 5.

[0077]

[0063] Upon reaching a predetermined number of oriented bars 2 at the intermediate accumulation station 8, the simultaneous movement of the entire group of oriented bars 2 arranged at the said intermediate accumulation station 8 is operated. Said group of oriented bars 2 is suitably transferred in a known manner to an operating machine arranged downstream to carry out the planned processing steps. Specifically, said oriented bars 2 are suitably picked up as a group (all or in part) by suitable gripping means of the operating machine arranged downstream, if any, or alternatively by suitable gripping means not belonging to the operating machine arranged downstream and suitably present for this purpose, such as articulated arms, slides, industrial robots equipped with suitable gripping means, and the like.

[0078]

[0064] Advantageously, it is possible to provide that the simultaneous movement of the group of oriented bars arranged in the intermediate accumulation station to the operating machine arranged downstream is implemented by means of rotating loading arms suitable for picking up said oriented bars and rotating them rigidly in a pack fashion so that they arrive between the bending tools all in the same desired orientation.

[0079]

[0065] The method and apparatus covered by the present invention therefore achieve the purpose of optimally operating the feeding of metal elements of elongated shape, intended to be processed, for example, for the production of shaped products, for the reinforcement of building structures.

[0080]

[0066] Specifically, this method and apparatus allow metal elements fed to the operating machine, particularly a bending machine, to be arranged according to a predetermined axial orientation.

[0081]

[0067] According to a prerogative of the present invention, the method and apparatus in the present invention enable a plurality of metal elements of elongated shapes oriented according to said predetermined axial orientation to be simultaneously fed to the operating machine. This makes it possible to simultaneously bend a plurality of bars in such a manner that the bends are substantially all equal to each other and all oriented in the same manner, that is, coplanar.

[0082]

[0068] Another advantageous aspect of the invention is to allow a substantial reduction in the operating cycle time of the fed operating machine. In fact, the preparation of the bars to be fed at the intermediate accumulation station takes place in so-called masked time, that is, in the time during which the operating machine performs the bending cycle of the previous group of bars fed by the apparatus all oriented according to the predetermined axial orientation. At the end of that bending cycle, a new group of bars is set up on the feeding apparatus to be fed to the operating machine, all oriented according to the predetermined axial orientation.

[0083]

[0069] According to a different embodiment of the invention, illustrated in Figures 15 to 22, it is possible to provide that the intermediate station 8, where the bars 2 oriented according to the orientation of least resistance are accumulated, is arranged upstream or at the orientation device 5. In other words, the members for heading and / or orientation of bars 2 act directly at the end zone of the catenary that operates the flattening and transverse transport of bars 2. Bars 2 after being flattened by eliminating mutual overlapping, counted and separated, at the end of the means of transport 13, e.g., in a known manner a catenary, are first gripped by the self-centering mandrel 50, extracted axially with respect to the others so as not to have interference between the tips of the bars 2 themselves and the gripping members 51 , oriented and repositioned axially aligned to the desired dimension.

[0084]

[0070] As in the previous case, mandrel 50 may advantageously be provided with controlled axial movement, so that the mandrel itself is threaded onto bar 2 until it comes to rest on its own bottom (figure 17). Mandrel 50 is then clamped and moved axially by dragging bar 2 with it (figure 18), which will be brought to a fixed point of zero or preferably to a longitudinal dimension to make the first bend without the need for the downstream bending machine to position the bar, thus shortening the operating machine cycle.

[0085]

[0071] Advantageously, during the above-mentioned operations, an appropriate mechanical or magnetic gripping system provides for holding the already oriented bars 2 in the correct position to prevent them from moving during the orientation of subsequent bars. Again, when the operation of orienting the desired number of bars is completed, said bars are picked up in groups (all or part of them) by, for example, appropriate means of gripping the operating machine.

[0086]

[0072] In this way, too, the preloading phase of the oriented bars in the intermediate accumulation station is able to prepare in masked time not only the number of bars needed for the next cycle, but also those for further subsequent cycles, while also taking advantage of production breaks due to any reason, such as a tool change, tooling and the like.

[0073] In the practical implementation of the invention, the materials used, as well as the shape and size, can be any as needed.

[0087]

[0074] Where the technical features mentioned in each claim are followed by reference marks, such reference marks have been included for the sole purpose of increasing the understanding of the claims and consequently they have no limiting value on the purpose of each element identified by way of example by such reference marks.

Claims

Claims1. A method for feeding metal elements of elongated shape, particularly metal bars for example destined for a bending cycle, comprising the steps of: a. feeding a first individual metal element (2) into an orientation station (7); b. detecting the actual orientation of a cross-section of said first metal element (2) with respect to the longitudinal axis of the same metal element (2); c. angularly rotating said first metal element (2) with respect to said longitudinal axis so as to orient the same metal element (2) according to an optimal orientation; d. transferring said first oriented metal element (2) to an intermediate station (8) of accumulation, retaining the acquired orientation; e. in suitable phase relationship, feeding, orienting and transferring to said intermediate station (8) of accumulation in orderly succession a plurality of additional individual metal elements (2); f. upon reaching a predetermined number of metal elements (2) oriented at said intermediate accumulation station (8), operating the simultaneous movement of the entire group of said metal elements (2) oriented prepared at said intermediate accumulation station (8) to an operating machine arranged downstream to carry out at least one processing step.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein said step of transferring said individual metal elements (2) oriented at said intermediate station (8) of accumulation involves operating the displacement of the same metal elements (2) in a transverse direction with respect to said longitudinal axis.

3. The method of claim 1 or 2, wherein said step of c. angularly rotating said first metal element (2) with respect to said longitudinal axis provides for grasping and clamping a front end of the same metal element (2) by means of a gripper member (50) capable of angularly rotating the metal element (2) according to said optimal orientation.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein said step of grasping and clamping a front end of said metal element (2) involves actuating with controlled axial motion said gripper member (50) so as to bring said front end of said metal element (2) to be grasped to a stop against a reference surface of said gripper member (50), and subsequently clamping said front end of said metal element (2).

5. The method of claims 2 and 3, wherein said step of transferring to said intermediate station (8) of accumulation said individual metal elements (2) oriented provides for keeping the same metal elements (2) locked at least at one point during said movement in transverse direction to prevent loss of the given orientation.

6. An apparatus for feeding metal elements of elongated shape, particularly metal bars for example intended for a bending cycle, characterized in that it comprises a first transfer unit (3) configured to feed individual metal elements (2) into an orientation station (7); a sensing device (4) configured to detect the orientation of a cross section of said individual metal elements (2) with respect to the longitudinal axis of said metal elements (2); an orientation device (5) configured to angularly rotate said individual metal elements (2) with respect to said longitudinal axis so as to orient the same metal elements (2) according to an optimal orientation; a second transfer unit (6) of said individual metal elements (2) oriented in an intermediate station (8) of accumulation, preserving the acquired orientation.

7. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein it comprises a handling unit (9) configured to operate the simultaneous movement of the entire group of said oriented metal elements (2) arranged at said intermediate station (8) of accumulation, upon reaching a predetermined number of oriented metal elements (2) at said intermediate station (8) of accumulation.

8. The apparatus of claim 6 or 7, wherein said orientation device (5) comprises a gripping member (50) capable of grasping and clamping a front end of said individual metal elements (2) to be oriented and angularly rotating the same individual metal elements (2) according to an optimal orientation.

9. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein said gripping member (50) is operable with axial movement programmed so as to bring to a stop said front end of the metal element (2) to be gripped against a reference surface of the same gripping member (50), in order to subsequently tighten the same front end of the metal element (2).

10. The apparatus of claim 6 or 7, wherein said second transfer unit (6) comprises tilting means (61) designed to accompany said individual metal elements (2) on a chute (60) developed in a plane transverse to the longitudinal axis of said metal elements (2).

11. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein said tilting means (61) comprises an angularly rotatable arm, with reciprocating motion, on said plane transverse to the longitudinal axis of individual metal element (2) and bearing said gripping member (50) capable of grasping said front end of said metal elements (2).

12. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein said gripping member (50) has longitudinal axis adjustable in elevation with respect to the support plane of said metal elements (2), to adapt to different dimensions of said metal elements (2).

13. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein said gripping member (50) has longitudinal axis arranged at a fixed height at the level substantially of said metal elements (2) having the maximum diameter provided for use.

14. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein said gripping member (50) comprises a self-centering mandrel (50) equipped with at least one pair of opposing jaws (51 ), said jaws (51 ) being configured in such a way as not to interfere with said individual metal elements (2) arranged in said intermediate station (8) of accumulation upon transfer of a new metal element (2) oriented in said intermediate station (8) of accumulation.

15. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein said self-centering mandrel (50) is equipped with a positioning motion in a position of non-interference with said individual metal elements (2) arranged in said intermediate station (8) of accumulation.

16. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein said self-centering mandrel (50) is capable of opening in said position of non-interference with said individual metal elements (2) to receive and tighten a subsequent metal element (2) brought to a stop against a reference surface of the same self-centering mandrel (50).

17. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein said self-centering mandrel (50) is capable of axially grasping and extracting the metal element (2) grasped so as not to have interference with the ends of adjacent metal elements (2).

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