Abstract: This invention concerns a method of joining metal sheets, comprising the following operating steps: a) providing a first metal sheet and a second metal sheet intended to be joined together in the vicinity of a first and a second straight edge, respectively; b) bending said first metal sheet parallel to said first edge so as to obtain a first edge flap; c) bending into a U- or V-shape a portion of said second metal sheet parallel to said second edge to obtain a longitudinal pocket in such a way that between said second edge and said pocket a second edge flap is defined; d) coupling said first metal sheet with said second metal sheet inserting said first flap inside said pocket; e) bending said pocket and the first flap inserted therein against said second flap so as to create an irreversible mechanical joint between the two metal sheets.

Abstract: A conveyor belt includes: —a support structure; —a mobile belt; —a plurality of rollers, which are associated to the support structure and are suitable to support and move the belt along a closed path. The plurality of rollers includes a drive roller and at least three idler rollers. Two rollers are supported directly by the support structure, while two rollers are supported by a mobile frame, which is slidingly associated to the support structure to be moved between a retracted position, in which a roller arranged at the second end is positioned completely inside the support structure, and an extracted position, in which the roller protrudes outside the support structure. In the transition between the two positions, the length of the useful conveyor area of the belt varies and is compensated by an equivalent variation in length of another portion of the closed path.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a plant for processing sheet metal, comprising a conveyor for moving sheet metal; at least one image acquisition apparatus placed above a horizontal plane defined by said conveyor. The apparatus in turn comprises a camera comprising a lens; first moving means for moving the camera parallel to the horizontal plane; an illuminator that is placed beneath the camera and is equipped with a plurality of light sources to illuminate a portion of said horizontal plane located beneath the camera. Said apparatus further comprises second moving means for moving said illuminator with respect to said camera perpendicularly to said horizontal plane supporting the sheet metal.

Abstract: The present invention concerns an apparatus for laser or plasma cutting of pieces of laminar material, comprising a cutting station, comprising a first support structure and at least a laser or plasma cutting head which is associated with the first support structure and which is movable in relation thereto within an operating area; and a positioning element for positioning at least a portion of the laminar material in the operating area on a cutting plane. The positioning element may consist of a conveyor belt of the spike bed type. The apparatus may further comprise a first closing device suitable to close a first opening into the operating area and a second closing device suitable to close a second opening of the operating area. The positioning element may be associated with a second support structure independent of the first support structure. The first and second closing devices may also be associated with a support structure that is independent of the first support structure.

Abstract: A sheet metal bending machine includes a sheet metal presser defining a first support surface supporting a first sheet metal portion, a bending punch movable with respect to the first support surface between a passive position, in which it is raised with respect to the first support surface, and an active position, in which it is pressed against the first support surface to lock the first sheet metal portion on the sheet metal presser with a punch edge, and a bending die defining a second support surface. The presser and the die are movable with respect to one another substantially in parallel with a direction transverse to the first and second bending edges to switch from the partial to a complete sheet metal bending configuration, in which the distance is reduced to press partially curved section towards said punch edge, thereby deforming it further and increasing the curvature of sheet.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for cutting pieces from laminar material wound in coil using a laser or plasma cutting machine. In one apparatus according to the invention, a cutting station includes at least one moveable cutting head arranged between the station's entrance and exit, and a means to position a portion of laminar material on a cutting plane. The positioning means includes three separate locking devices, each of which can lock on a portion of the laminar material as it passes through the cutting station. The three locking devices are arranged in succession: the first near the cutting station's entrance, the second near the exit, and the third between the first and second locking devices. At least the third locking device is movable, in the space between the other two devices, along a portion of laminar material while the material is kept under tension.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for laser or plasma cutting of pieces from laminar material wound in coil is provided. The apparatus provides a cutting station, with an operative cutting area and a receiving cavity, means for positioning and holding the laminar material suspended in the operative area above the receiving cavity during cutting operations, an electronic control unit and movable device for selective collection of the machined pieces. The electronic control unit controls the movement of the movable device between an active and a passive position so that that the movable device is in passive position when the cutting head is performing cutting operations generating swarf, letting such swarf to fall inside the cavity, and is in active position when the cutting head is performing cutting operations to detach pieces from the laminar material skeleton, to collect the pieces separately from the swarf and the skeleton.

Abstract: For forming support structures for false ceilings, an inverted T main runner includes a central web extending from an upper tube and terminating in two horizontal flanges, wherein each end of the web has two parallel longitudinal cuts defining an elastically deformable band terminating in a depressed seat projecting from the web surface, such seat being provided with a tooth facing the web. A substantially rectangular tab for engagement in the depressed seat of the adjacent main runner is also provided, such tab (having a cut engagable by the tooth of the adjacent main runner when the tab is inserted into the depressed seat.

Abstract: The invention relates to a profiled bar 4 with a “T” section comprising a rib 24 and a plate 28. The profiled bar 4 has, on at least one end 12, 16, an attachment element 20 suitable for engaging with a further profiled bar 4?. The rib comprises at least one coupling aperture shaped to house said attachment element 20, which comprises a base 40 for fixing to the rib, projecting at least partially from the profiled bar 4 with one free end 44, and a tongue 48 flexibly elastic and coupled to the fixing base. The tongue 48 is obtained through shearing and bending of a portion of the fixing base 40, so as to form an angle of incidence with the fixing base 40 itself and is provided with a pair of recesses 51, 52 which define an attachment head 50. The coupling aperture 28 defines a first pair of projections 31, 32 suitable for engaging with the recesses 51, 52 to hold the attachment head 50 to the rib, said projections 31, 32 being positioned in opposite positions to a longitudinal centre line plane L-L of the rib.

Abstract: The invention relates to a profiled bar 4 with a “T” section comprising a rib 24 and a plate 28. The profiled bar 4 has, on at least one end 12, 16, an attachment element 20 suitable for engaging with a further profiled bar 4?. The rib comprises at least one coupling aperture 36 shaped to house said attachment element 20, which comprises a base 40 for fixing to the rib, projecting at least partially from the profiled bar 4 with one free end 44, and a tongue 48 flexibly elastic and coupled to the fixing base. The tongue 48 is bent towards the fixing base at the free end 44, so as to form an angle of incidence with the fixing base and is provided with a pair of recesses 51, 52 which define an attachment head 50. The coupling aperture 28 defines a first pair of projections 31, 32 suitable for engaging with the recesses 51, 52 to hold the attachment head 50 to the rib, said projections 31, 32 being positioned in opposite positions to a longitudinal centre line plane L-L of the rib.

Abstract: A section with a “T” profile comprising a rib and a plate which extends from a first to a second end. The section having, in proximity of at least one of said ends, a coupling element suitable to engage with a further section, and the rib comprising at least one engagement aperture shaped to house said coupling element. Advantageously, the coupling element comprises an attachment base to the rib which projects at least partially from the section with a free end, and a tongue elastically flexible and connected to the attachment base. The tongue is bent towards the attachment base at said free end so as to form an angle of incidence with the attachment base, and is provided with a coupling hole suitable to engage with at least a first tooth of the engagement aperture.

Abstract: A section with a “T” profile comprising a rib and a plate which extends from a first to a second end. The section having, in proximity of at least one of said ends, a coupling element suitable to engage with a further section, and the rib comprising at least one engagement aperture shaped to house said coupling element. Advantageously, the coupling element comprises an attachment base to the rib which projects at least partially from the section with a free end, and a tongue elastically flexible and connected to the attachment base. The tongue is bent towards the attachment base at said free end so as to form an angle of incidence with the attachment base, and is provided with a coupling hole suitable to engage with at least a first tooth of the engagement aperture.

Abstract: A method for producing expanded metal profiles, consisting of subjecting a metal strip of width less than the development of the profile to be produced to the following operations: —forming longitudinal slits in at least that longitudinal band which is to form the central web of the profile, —bending the edges of the slits, —profiling said strip, —transversely stretching that band containing the slits, —pressing areas of said central web in correspondence with said stretched band to displace them external to the plane of said web, characterised by subjecting the bent edges to drawing to obtain radiused edging having the tangent to the free edge forming an angle not less than 90° to the surface of the strip.