Abstract: A fin mill machine for forming electrically conductive strip stock into corrugated fin material includes a form roller for forming corrugations in the strip stock, which is at an electrical common. A detector detects when the strip stock wraps up around the form roller. The detector includes an electrical circuit having a source connected to a load by a probe. The probe is positioned adjacent the form roller to contact the strip stock when the strip stock wraps up around the form roller such that the electrical circuit has an effective load different than the load. A controller is operable with the detector to monitor the effective load of the electrical circuit. The controller disables the form roller when the effective load of the electrical circuit is indicative of the probe contacting the strip stock.

Abstract: A method of producing corrugated fins employing a fin mill machine (12) for forming strip stock (14) into corrugated fins (16) to form heat exchanger fins or the like. A fin mill machine (12) that can carry out the method includes a tension control subsystem (20) employing a pneumatic cylinder (32) to create the tension which is controlled by a feedback loop which automatically adjusts cylinder pressure based upon measurements from a strain gauge (44). The fin mill machine also includes a height measurement subsystem (22) which continually measures the average height of the fins in a packed state, which allows for manual or automatic feedback to the tension subsystem (20) to adjust the average fin height.

Abstract: A fin mill machine (12) for forming strip stock (14) into corrugated fins (16) to form heat exchanger fins or the like. The fin mill machine (12) includes a tension control subsystem (20) employing a pneumatic cylinder (32) to create the tension which is controlled by a first feedback loop that automatically adjusts cylinder pressure based upon tension as measured by a strain gauge (44). Adjustments to the pressure in the pneumatic cylinder (32) can also be made by a second feedback loop based on air pressure measurements from a pressure transducer (58) for use in a set-up or trouble shooting mode.