Profile straightening apparatus for a profiling installation and method for correcting axial deviations of a metal profile

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing profile straightening systems require experienced operators to manually detect and correct axial deviations in metal profiles, leading to inefficiencies and increased production of rejects, as deviations are often only addressed at the end of the profiling process with significant dead time and multiple iterations.

Innovation Solution

Integration of force measuring sensors and motor-driven adjustment drives in the profile straightening apparatus, allowing for real-time detection and automated correction of axial deviations before the metal profile exits the system, supported by a control unit and algorithms for continuous optimization.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If manual detection and correction by experienced operators is used, then correction expertise can be applied, but productivity decreases and loss of time increases due to dead time and multiple iterations

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecorrection qualityVSAvoidproduction efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The profile straightening apparatus automatically detects axial deviations using sensors and adjusts the correction rollers without human intervention. The system serves itself by continuously monitoring the metal profile's geometry and making real-time corrections, eliminating the need for experienced operators to manually detect and correct deviations during production.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The apparatus incorporates sensors that continuously measure the metal profile's axial deviations and feed this information back to the control system. The control system processes this feedback and automatically adjusts the correction rollers to eliminate detected deviations, creating a closed-loop control system that ensures high correction quality while maintaining continuous production.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Manufacturing precision

If manual correction is performed at the end of the profiling process, then deviations can be addressed, but loss of time increases significantly due to dead time

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprofile straightnessVSAvoidcorrection delay
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The profile straightening apparatus is integrated into the profiling process and performs correction continuously during production rather than at the end. The sensors detect axial deviations in real-time and trigger immediate correction actions, preventing deviations from accumulating and eliminating the dead time associated with end-of-process inspection and correction.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Manufacturing precision

If multiple iterative corrections are performed, then manufacturing precision can be achieved, but productivity decreases and loss of substance increases due to rejects

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprofile geometry accuracyVSAvoidoutput rate
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The apparatus performs preliminary correction by detecting axial deviations early in the profiling process and immediately adjusting the metal profile. This prevents the need for multiple iterative corrections and reduces rejects by ensuring the profile is corrected during production rather than requiring rework or discarding defective profiles.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The continuous feedback mechanism allows the system to make precise, incremental adjustments in real-time, achieving the desired profile geometry accuracy in a single pass through the correction apparatus. This eliminates the need for multiple iterations that would otherwise reduce productivity and increase rejects.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

4Reliability

If experienced personnel are required for operation, then correction quality can be maintained, but device complexity increases and ease of operation decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecorrection reliabilityVSAvoidoperational simplicity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The profile straightening apparatus is designed to operate autonomously without requiring experienced personnel. The integrated sensors, control system, and correction mechanism work together automatically to detect and correct axial deviations, making the device easy to operate while maintaining high correction reliability through automated decision-making algorithms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentEP3782746B1Profile straightening apparatus for a profiling installation and method for correcting axial deviations of a metal profile
Publication Date: 2021.12.22 DREISTERN
  • EP3782746B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3782746B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3782746B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a profile straightening device 5 for a profiling plant used for the production of a metal profile 4 by roll forming along a longitudinal axis 9 of the metal profile 4. The profile straightening device 5 is designed to correct axial deviations of the metal profile 4 from a predetermined profile geometry. It comprises a frame 8 with at least two cooperating correction rollers 6, 7 mounted in the frame 8, which hold the metal profile 4 between them and are adjustable in two radial directions and in one rotational direction relative to the longitudinal axis of the metal profile 4. The profile straightening device 5 is equipped with force sensors for any forces Fy, Fz acting in the metal profile 4 in one or both radial directions and for any torques Mx acting in the metal profile 4 in the direction of rotation about the longitudinal axis.