Anchor Bolt Roll-Forming Defect Relocation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current expansion anchor manufacturing methods lack efficiency in producing high-quality anchors with minimal surface defects and effective diameter expansion, often resulting in defects being located at the anchor's end, which can affect loading and setting processes.

Innovation Solution

A method involving roll-forming a rod-shaped workpiece using wedge-shaped tools to create tapered and conical portions, with optional use of a flat-shaped tool to generate voids and reshape the workpiece, allowing for increased diameter and surface quality while relocating defects to non-critical areas.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If conventional rolling methods are used to increase anchor diameter, then manufacturing efficiency is improved, but surface defects occur at critical load-bearing areas

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemanufacturing efficiencyVSAvoidsurface quality at load-bearing areas
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The rolling process is divided into multiple sequential stages: initial rolling to create tapered portions, followed by a second rolling pass to create conical portions. This segmentation allows surface defects from the first pass to be relocated to non-critical areas while the final surface is formed in the second pass, ensuring load-bearing areas have high surface quality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Surface defects that naturally occur during the rolling process are strategically relocated by the forming geometry to the anchor's end portion, which is explicitly identified as non-load-bearing. This converts the harmful effect of surface defects into a beneficial outcome where defects exist but do not compromise structural integrity or installation performance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

2Shape

If aggressive rolling is used to achieve sufficient diameter expansion, then anchor performance is improved, but surface defects are generated

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvediameter expansionVSAvoidsurface defects
Core Design Contradiction:
ShapeVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

Different regions of the anchor are given different quality requirements: the conical and tapered portions have smooth surfaces suitable for load-bearing, while the end portion accepts surface defects. The rolling process is designed to deliver appropriate surface quality to each region based on its functional requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The problem is solved by adding the dimensional aspect of defect location to the analysis. Instead of merely reducing defect quantity, the process redistributes defects along the anchor's length, placing them in the end portion dimension while maintaining surface quality in the load-bearing conical and tapered regions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Manufacturing precision

If defects are located at the anchor end, then non-critical area quality is maintained, but diameter expansion may be insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesurface quality at non-load-bearing areasVSAvoiddiameter expansion
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSShape

Solution Approach 1:

The preliminary rolling pass creates the tapered portions and intentionally generates surface defects in areas that will become the anchor end. This preliminary action prepares the material distribution and defect pattern before the final rolling pass creates the smooth conical portions, ensuring both adequate diameter expansion and proper defect location.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This method effectively rolls-shapes anchors with increased diameter and improved surface quality, relocating defects to non-load bearing areas, enhancing the anchor's performance and reliability during installation.

Implementation Method 1

material of the workpiece is displaced by the wedge-shaped tools towards the plane

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMaterial displacement: Mechanical Force

Implementation Method 2

The material of the non-circular shape is subdue to large stress and will relax by forming a void along the axis

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectStress relaxation: Stress Relaxation

Data Source

PatentEP2533919B1Method of forming anchors
Publication Date: 2017.06.07 HILTI AG
  • EP2533919B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2533919B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP2533919B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

The inventive method of forming anchor bolts comprises following steps. A rod-shaped workpiece (26) is roll-formed by penetrating the rod-shaped workpiece (26) with two wedge-shaped tools (34,35) at two points (46,47). The two points (46,47) are arranged on opposite sides and axially separated of a plane (33) perpendicular to an axis of the rod-shaped workpiece (26). The two wedge-shaped tools (34,35) are axially approaching to the plane (33) while the rod-shaped workpiece (26) is revolved around the axis (38). The roll-formed workpiece (26) is separated along the plane (33) for forming two bolts. A sleeve is applied around the anchor bolts.