System of Conformation of a Metallic or Non Metallic Element that Includes: Conforming Means that Restrict the Movement of a First, Second and Third Region of Said Metallic Element and that Permit inducing Rotation From 0 to 180 Degrees of Said Third Region with Respect to Said First and Second Regions

System (1) of conformation of a metallic or non metallic element (2) that permits the extending of an extendible region; said system (1) resolved the technical problem of managing to combine high precision in the conformation, competitive costs and high speeds of production of metallic and non metallic elements that include an extendible region; said extendible region includes a plurality of cuts defined conveniently; said system of conformation includes pulling means (3); said system is characterized because it includes a conformation station (4) that includes: first conforming means (4.1) that essentially restrict the movement of a first region (2.a) of said metallic or non metallic element (2); second conforming means (4.2) that essentially restrict the movement of a second region (2.b) of said metallic or non metallic element (2); third conforming means (4.3) that essentially restrict the movement of a third region (2.c) of said metallic or non metallic element (2); the geometry of said conforming means (4.1, 4.2 and 4.3) together, becomes modified as the metallic or non metallic element advances through the conformation station (4); these changes in the geometry are defined in a way that induces a progressive and controlled rotation, from 0 to essentially 180 degrees, of said third region with respect to said first and second regions (2.a and 2.b).

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Description
DESCRIPTION OF THE STATE-OF-THE-ART

This invention corresponds to a system of conformation of a metallic or non-metallic element that includes: a conforming means that restricts the movement of a first, second and third regions of said metallic or non-metallic element and that permit inducing rotation in a range from 0 to 180 degrees of said third region with respect to said first and second regions.

The conformation of metallic elements is a highly required activity in the industry for producing profiles, fences and other metallic elements, because it is one of the manufacturing processes used most in said industry.

Among the metallic elements that exist in the prior art, there is a category known as extendible metallic elements, which have the particularity that during the conformation process part of the metallic element is extended.

Among the different types of extendible metallic elements, there is a type that involves a relative rotation of 180 degrees of one of its parts with respect to the rest, during the extension that takes place in the conforming process. These metallic elements present a plastic deformation localized essentially in the zone where the element that rotates is joined to those that do not, which is translated into a minimum distortion of the structure of the entire metallic element.

This, added to other advantages, means in practice that these metallic elements are highly attractive from the point of view of the applications in which they can be used. Among these applications, we can mention the manufacture the metallic profiles that use a significantly smaller amount of material than the alternatives in the industry, and that at the same time, maintain mechanical characteristics compatible with the requirements to which they will be submitted when in use.

Nevertheless, in order to achieve the manufacturing of top quality metallic elements by means of said type of extendible profiles, it is fundamental that a highly controlled and efficient conformation process be carried out. In effect, any error in the execution of the operation of spreading out the profile could mean that its mechanical characteristics suffer a significant deterioration.

Unfortunately, nothing has been divulged as regards the manufacturing procedures in the previous art that permitted precise control over the execution of the conformation process for the above-mentioned extendible profiles and that at the same time involved high speeds of production so that the entire process could be carried out at a costs that are competitive with the rest of the industry.

DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1 shows a metallic or non metallic element (2) that includes an extendible region that has not yet been shaped (said extendible region has not yet been extended) by means of the system (1) of conformation of the invention.

FIG. 2 is a figure similar to FIG. 1, with the difference that each one of the regions (2.a, 2.b and 2.c) of said metallic or non metallic element (2) have been highlighted according to the description of the invention with the possibility of generating different figures for different solicitants.

FIG. 3 shows the metallic or non metallic element (2) of FIG. 1, after it has been shaped by means of the system (1) of the invention, that is, after its extendible region has been extended.

FIG. 4 shows the metallic or non metallic element (2) of FIG. 3 after it has been submitted to additional stages of conformation.

FIG. 5a shows a cross section of the entrance of the first substation of conformation (4.a) according to the preferred embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 5b shows a cross section of an intermediate region of the first substation of conformation (4.a) according to the preferred embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 5c shows a cross section of the outlet of the first substation of conformation (4.a) according to the preferred embodiment of the invention. It must be noted that, according to the preferred embodiment of the invention, the sections shown in FIGS. 5a, 5b and 5c are connected to each other by means of surfaces that evolve smoothly.

FIG. 6a shows a cross section of the entrance of the second substation of conformation (4.b) according to the preferred embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 6b shows a cross section of an intermediate region of the second substation of conformation (4.b) according to the preferred embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 6c shows a cross section of the outlet of the second substation of conformation (4.b) according to the preferred embodiment of the invention. It must be noted that, according to the preferred embodiment of the invention, the sections shown in FIGS. 6a, 6b and 6c are connected to each other by means of surfaces that evolve smoothly.

FIG. 7a shows a cross section of the entrance to the third substation of conformation (4.c) according to the preferred embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 7b shows a cross section of an intermediate region of the third substation of conformation (4.c) according to the preferred embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 7c shows a cross section of the outlet of the third substation of conformation (4.c) according to the preferred embodiment of the invention. It must be noted that, according to the preferred embodiment of the invention, the sections shown in FIGS. 7a, 7b and 7c are connected to each other by means of surfaces that evolve smoothly.

 DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The invention for which protection is being requested corresponds to a system (1) of conformation of a metallic or non metallic element (2), that permits the extending of an extendible region;

    • said system (1) resolves the technical problem of managing to combine high precision in the conformation, competitive costs and high speeds of production of metallic and non metallic elements that include an extendible region;
    • said metallic or non metallic element (2) is made from a metallic or non metallic sheet;
    • said extendible region includes a plurality of conveniently defined cuts, thanks to which the extension of said extendible region can be carried out;
    • each one of the cuts of said plurality of cuts, of said extendible region, is defined by a curved line that includes two respective ends;
    • none of said curved lines intersects with another of the same;
    • said plurality of cuts includes a first group of cuts (2.1) and a second group of cuts (2.2);
    • the ends of each one of the cuts of said first group of cuts (2.1) defines a first imaginary line (2.1a) that is essentially straight, which is essentially parallel in a longitudinal direction defined by the metallic or non metallic element (2);
    • the ends of each one of the cuts of said second group of cuts (2.2) define a second imaginary line (2.2a) essentially straight, parallel to said first imaginary line;
    • each one of the curved lines that defines each one of the cuts of said first group of cuts (2.1) intersects said second imaginary line (2.2a) in at least two points, between which a respective segment of said second imaginary line is defined (2.2a);
    • none of the segments of said second imaginary line (2.2a) intersects with another of the same;
    • each one of the curved lines that defines each one of the cuts of said second group of cuts (2.2) intersects said first imaginary line (2.1a) in at least two points, between which a respective segment of said first imaginary line (2.1a) is defined;
    • none of the segments of said first imaginary line (2.1a) intersects with another of the same;
    • in each one of the respective segments of said second imaginary line (2.2a) defined by the curved lines of each one of the cuts of said first group of cuts (2.1) there are two ends associated to two of the cuts of said second group of cuts (2.2);
    • in each one of the respective segments of said first imaginary line (2.1a) defined by the curved lines of each one of the cuts of said second group of cuts (2.2) there are two ends associated to two of the cuts of said first group of cuts (2.1);
    • said system of conformation includes pulling means (3) that pulls the metallic or non metallic element (2) in a direction that coincides with the longitudinal direction defined by said metallic or non metallic element (2), so as to cause it to move forward;
    • said system is characterized because it includes a shaping station (4) that at the same time is made up of: first shaping means (4.1) that essentially restrict the movement of a first region (2.a) of said metallic or non metallic element (2);
    • said first region (2.a) originates in a frontier defined by each one of the curved lines associated to each one of the cuts of said first group of cuts (2.1) and the respective straight lines that are drawn between the ends of each pair of consecutive cuts of said first group of cuts (2.1);
    • said first region (2a) does not include any of the above-mentioned segments of said second imaginary line (2.2a);
    • the restriction of movement of said first region (2a) is achieved because the geometry of said first conforming means (4.1) is defined conveniently so as to make contact with said first region (2.a) in a plurality of points defined in its periphery;
    • second conforming means (4.2) that essentially restrict the movement of a second region (2.b) of said metallic or non metallic element (2);
    • said second region (2.b) arises from a frontier defined by each one of the curved lines associated to each one of the cuts of said second group of cuts (2.2) and respective straight lines that are drawn between the ends of each pair of consecutive cuts of said second group of cuts (2.2);
    • said second region (2.b) does not include any of the above-mentioned segments of said first imaginary line (2.1a);
    • he restriction of movement of said second region (2.b) is achieved because the geometry of said second conforming means (4.2) is defined conveniently so that said second region (2.b) will make contact in a plurality of points defined in its periphery;
    • third conforming means (4.3) that essentially restrict the movement of a third region (2.c) of said metallic or non metallic element (2);
    • said third region (2.c) corresponds to the region found between said first region (2.a) and said second region (2.b);
    • the restriction of movement of said third region (2.c) is achieved because the geometry of said third conforming means (4.3) is defined conveniently so that it contacts said third region (2.c) in a plurality of points defined in its periphery;
    • the geometry of said conforming means (4.1, 4.2 and 4.3) as a whole is modified as the metallic or non metallic element progresses through the conformation station (4);
    • those changes in the geometry are defined in a way that induces a progressive and controlled rotation, from 0 to essentially 180 degrees, of said third region with respect to said first and second regions (2.a and 2.b).

The system (1) of the invention resolves the technical problem of managing to combine high precision in the conformation, competitive costs and high production speeds of metallic or non metallic elements that include an extendible region; to do this it takes advantage of a progressive and controlled rotation that permits maintaining a very precise control of the level of plastic deformation that is produced in the zones that join said third region (2.c) with said first and second regions (2.a and 2.b).

In particular, the radii associated to the zones that connect said third region (2.c) with said first and second regions (2.a and 2.b) must be controlled with great precision because an inadequate radius could mean an excessive distortion of the structure of the metallic or non metallic element (2) during the conformation process, making its good mechanical performance impossible or even lead to it being cut. In effect, an inadequate radius means that the optimum level of hardening and rigidification has not been reached for that zone of the profile, which harms its subsequent performance.

This invention permits the attainment of a precise adjustment of the tolerances associated to the breaks and radii of gyration that define the geometry of the conformed metallic or non metallic element (2).

The precision that is achieved by means of the system of conformation of the invention make it a very robust system, and consequently the metallic or non metallic elements that can be manufactured with it present equally robust mechanical characteristics.

Said conformation station (4) can include first and second substations of conformation (4.a and 4.b), between which auxiliary pulling means (3.1) are placed.

This characteristic of the invention allows the reduction of the pulling force that must be exercised by the pulling means (3) at the outlet of the conformation station (4), because part of the force is provided by the auxiliary pulling means that have been placed between the conformation substations (4.a and 4.b).

As a consequence of the above, the maximum pulling force that the metallic or non metallic element (2) should be submitted to is reduced, making it possible for the geometry of said metallic or non metallic element (2) to be less robust because during the conformation it will be submitted to less stress.

Said conformation station (4) may include a third substation of conformation (4.c), placed following the second substation of conformation (4.b) and because auxiliary pulling means (3.1) are available between said second and third substations of conformation (4.b and 4.c). This characteristic of the invention permits a further reduction of the maximum force that the metallic or non metallic elements must be subjected to during the conformation work.

Said metallic or non metallic sheet can present a thickness that is essentially constant.

This characteristic of the invention permits simplification of the geometry of the system of conformation, which reduces its manufacturing costs.

This system of conformation has the great quality of making the profile with the speed of the machine's line, no matter what it is.

Said first substation of conformation (4.a) can include four first parallel plates (4.a.i, 4.a.ii, 4.a.iii and 4.a.iv);

    • two of said first parallel plates (4.a.i and 4.a.ii) are used to define jointly part of said first conforming means (4.1), because a locus is defined between them that imitates the transversal section of said first region (2.a) plus a slight gap;
    • the other two of said first parallel plates (4.a.iii and 4.a.iv) are used to define jointly part of said second conforming means (4.2) because a locus is defined between them that imitates the cross section of said second region (2.b) plus a slight gap;
    • the four first parallel plates (4.a.i, 4.a.ii, 4.a.iii and 4.a.iv) are used to define jointly part of said third conforming means (4.3) because a locus is defined between them that imitates the cross section of said third region (2.c) inclined in 45 degrees with respect to the relative position that it had before entering the conformation station plus a slight gap;
    • this latter locus can present a widened region at the entrance to said first substation of conformation (4.a) that becomes progressively narrower as the metallic or non metallic element (2) passes through it;
    • the respective relative positions occupied by the locus associated to said first and second regions (2.a and 2.b) must adapt themselves to the relative rotation defined by the locus associated to said third region (2.c);
    • in particular, it must be noted that the height at which the locus that restricts the movement of said first region is placed is essentially different from the height at which the locus that restricts the movement associated to said second region is found.

This height is versatile in that it can be modified as in this way the characteristics of the geometry to be expanded can be modified.

Said second substation of conformation (4.b) can include four second parallel plates (4.b.i, 4.b.ii, 4.b.iii, 4.b.iv);

    • two of said second parallel plates (4.b.i and 4.b.ii) are used to define jointly part of said first conforming means (4.1) because a locus is defined between them that imitates the cross section of said first region (2.a) plus a slight gap;
    • the other two of said second parallel plates (4.b.iii and 4.b.iv) are used to define together part of said second conforming means (4.2), because a locus is defined between them that imitates the cross section of said second region (2.b) plus a slight gap;
    • the four second parallel plates (4.b.i, 4.b.ii, 4.b.iii and 4.b.iv) are used to define together part of said third conforming means (4.3) because a locus is defined between them that imitates the cross section of said third region (2.c) and that evolves progressively from an inclination of 45 degrees to one of 90 degrees, between the entrance and outlet of said second substation of conformation (4.b);
    • said inclination is with respect to the relative position it had before entering the station of conformation (4) plus a slight gap;
    • this latter locus may present a widened region at the entrance to said second substation of conformation (4.b) that narrows down progressively as the metallic or non metallic element (2) advances through it;
    • the respective relative positions occupied by the locus associated to said first and second regions (2.a and 2.b) must adapt to the relative rotation defined by the locus associated to said third region (2.c);
    • in particular, it must be noticed that the height at which the locus that restricts the movement of said first region is found is essentially different to the height at which the locus that restricts the movement associated to said second region is found.

Said third substation of conformation (4.c) may include four third parallel plates (4.c.i, 4.c.ii, 4.c.iii and 4.c.iv);

    • two of said third parallel plates (4.c.i and 4.c.ii) are used to define jointly part of said first conforming means (4.1) as a locus is defined between them that imitates the cross section of said first region (2.a) plus a slight gap;
    • the other two of said third parallel plates (4.c.iii and 4.c.iv) are used to define jointly part of said second conforming means (4.2) because a locus is defined between them that imitates the cross section of said second region (2.b) plus a slight gap:
    • the four third parallel plates (4.c.i, 4.c.ii, 4.c.iii and 4.c.iv) are used to define jointly part of said third conforming means (4.2), because a locus is defined between them that imitates the cross section of said third region (2.c) and evolves progressively from an inclination of 90 degrees toward one of 135 degrees, between the entrance and outlet of said third substation of conformation (4.c);
    • said inclination is with respect to the relative position it had before entering the station of conformation (4) plus a slight gap;
    • this last locus may present a widened region at the entrance to said third substation of conformation (4.c), that narrows down progressively as the metallic or non metallic element (2) travels through it;
    • the respective relative positions occupied by the locus associated to said first and second regions (2.a and 2-b) must adapt to the relative rotation defined by the locus associated to said third region (2.c);
    • in particular, it must be noted that the height at which the locus that restricts the movement of said first region is located is essentially different from the height at which the geometric region that restricts the movement associated to said second region is found.

Said system (1) of conformation can include, immediately after said third substation of conformation (4.c), a pair of rollers that act cooperatively, between which said metallic or non metallic element (2) is made to pass so that the inclination of said third region (2.c) changes from 135 degrees to 180 degrees with respect to the inclination it had before entering said station of conformation (4).

The embodiment of the invention defined by the three substations (4.a, 4.b and 4.c) plus the pair of rollers after these corresponds to one of the possible modalities of execution of the invention, which involves very competitive manufacturing and maintenance costs.

Each one of the cuts of said first plurality of cuts (2.1) could be essentially the same.

This characteristic permits simplifying the manufacturing process of said metallic or non metallic element (2), while at the same time giving it more uniform structural characteristics.

Each one of said second plurality of cuts (2.2) is essentially the same.

This characteristic permits simplifying the manufacturing process of said metallic or non metallic element (2), while at the same time giving it more uniform structural characteristics.

Said pulling means (3) can be pulling rollers.

Said system of conformation may also include a plurality of additional conformation stations (4′), each one of which is defined analogously to said conformation station (4);

    • each one of said additional conformation stations (4′) conforms respectively a zone of said metallic or non metallic element (2) that is defined analogously to said zone of said metallic or non metallic element (2) that is conformed by said conformation station (4);
    • none of the zones conformed by said conformation station (4) or by any of said additional conformation stations (4′) intersects with another of the same, therefore said conformation station (4), in conjunction with said plurality of additional conformation stations (4′) permit the conforming of said metallic or non metallic element (2) in a configuration that defines a conformed sheet.

Before being conformed, the geometry of said metallic or non metallic element (2) may be essentially similar to a squashed tube, a squashed pipe or a metallic strip or sheet.

For someone familiar with the subject, a series of modifications associated to the characteristics divulged explicitly in this invention will be evident, and must be considered as included with the object of protection requested.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

In its preferred embodiment, the invention presents the following specifications:

Said conformation station (4) includes a first, second and third substation of conformation (4.a, 4.b and 4.c) between which are placed auxiliary pulling means (3.1).

Each one of said three substations (4.a, 4.b and 4.c) is defined in an identical manner as has been indicated previously.

The thickness of said metallic sheet is essentially constant.

Said system (1) includes, immediately after said third substation of conformation (4.c), a pair of rollers such as those described previously.

Each one of the cuts of said first plurality of cuts (2.1) is essentially the same.

Each one of the cuts of said second plurality of cuts (2.2) is essentially the same. Said pulling means (3) are pulling rollers.

Claims

1. A system of conformation of a metallic or non metallic element (2) that permits the extension of an extendible region; this system is characterized in that it includes a conformation station (4) which in turn includes:

said system (1) resolves the technical problem of achieving the combination of high precision in the conformation, competitive costs and high speeds of production of metallic or non metallic elements that include an extendible region;
said metallic or non metallic element (2) is made from a metallic or non metallic sheet;
said extendible region includes a plurality of cuts defined conveniently thanks to which the extension of said extendible region can be carried out;
each one of the cuts of said plurality of cuts, of said extendible region, is defined by a curved line that includes the respective ends;
none of said curved lines intersects with another of the same;
said plurality of cuts includes a first group of cuts (2.1) and a second group of cuts (2.2);
the ends of each one of the cuts of said first group of cuts (2.1) define a first imaginary line (2.1a), essentially straight, that is essentially parallel to a longitudinal direction defined by the metallic or non metallic element (2);
the ends of each one of the cuts of said second group of cuts (2.2) define a second imaginary line (2.2a), essentially straight, parallel to said first imaginary line;
each one of the curved lines that define each one of the cuts of said first group of cuts (2.1) intersects said second imaginary line (2.2a) in at least two points, between which a respective segment of said second imaginary line is defined (2.2a);
none of said segments of said second imaginary line (2.2a) intersects with another of the same;
each one of the curved lines that define each one of the cuts of said second group of cuts (2.2) intersects said first imaginary line (2.1a) in at least two points, between which a respective segment of said first imaginary line (2.1a) is defined;
none of said segments of said first imaginary line (2.1a) intersects with another of the same;
in each one of the respective segments of said second imaginary line (2.2a) defined by the curved lines of each one of the cuts of said first group of cuts (2.1) there are two ends associated to two of the cuts of said second group of cuts (2.2);
in each one of the respective segments of said first imaginary line (2.1a) defined by the curved lines of each one of the cuts of said second group of cuts (2.2) there are two ends associated to two of the cuts of said first group of cuts (2.1);
said system of conformation includes pulling means (3) that pull the metallic or non metallic element (2) in a direction that coincides with the longitudinal direction defined by said metallic or non metallic element (2) so as to cause it to advance;
first conforming means (4.1) that essentially restrict the movement of a first region (2.a) of said metallic or non metallic element (2);
said first region (2.a) arises from a frontier defined by each one of the curved lines associated to each one of the cuts of said first group of cuts (2.1) and respective straight lines that are drawn between the ends of each pair of consecutive cuts of said first group of cuts (2.1);
said first region (2.a) does not include any of the segments of said second above-mentioned imaginary line (2.2a);
the restriction of movement of said first region (2.a) is achieved because the geometry of said first conforming means (4.1) is defined conveniently in a way that it contacts said first region (2.a) at a plurality of points defined in its periphery;
second conforming means (4.2) that essentially restrict the movement of a second region (2.b) of said metallic or non metallic element (2);
said second region (2.b) arises from a frontier defined by each one of the curved lines associated to each one of the cuts of said second group of cuts (2.2) and respective straight lines that may be drawn between the ends of each pair of consecutive cuts of said second group of cuts (2.2);
said second region (2.b) does not include any of the segments of said first above-mentioned imaginary line (2.1a);
the restriction of movement of said second region (2.b) is achieved because the geometry of said second conforming means (4.2) is defined conveniently so as to contact said second region (2.b) in a plurality of points defined in its periphery;
third conforming means (4.3) that essentially restrict the movement of a third region (2.c) of said metallic or non metallic element (2);
said third region (2.c) corresponds to a region that is found between said first region (2.a) and said second region (2.b);
the restriction of movement of said third region (2.c) is achieved because the geometry of said conforming means (4.3) is defined conveniently so as to contact said third region (2.c) in a plurality of points defined in its periphery;
the geometry of said conforming means (4.1, 4.2 and 4.3), as a whole, becomes modified as the metallic or non metallic element moves through the conformation station (4);
those changes in the geometry are defined so as to induce a progressive and controlled rotation from 0 to essentially 180 degrees, of said third region with respect to said first and second regions (2.a and 2.b).

2. A system (1) of conformation according to claim 1, characterized in that said conformation station (4) includes first and second substations of conformation (4.a and 4.b) between which auxiliary pulling means (3.1) are placed.

3. A system (1) of conformation according to claim 2, characterized in that said conformation station (4) includes a third substation of conformation (4.c) placed after said second substation of conformation (4.b) and auxiliary pulling means (3.1) are placed between said second and third substations of conformation (4.b and 4.c)

4. A system (1) of conformation according to claim 3, characterized in that the thickness of said metallic or non metallic sheet is essentially constant.

5. A system (1) of conformation according to claim 4, characterized in that said first substation of conformation (4.a) includes four first parallel plates (4.a.i, 4.a.ii, 4.a.iii and 4.a.iv);

two of said first parallel plates (4.a.i and 4.a.ii) are used to define jointly part of said first conforming means (4.1), because a locus is defined between them that imitates the transversal section of said first region (2.a) plus a slight gap;
the other two of said first parallel plates (4.a.iii and 4.a.iv) are used to define jointly part of said second conforming means (4.2) because a locus is defined between them that imitates the cross section of said second region (2.b) plus a slight gap;
the four first parallel plates (4.a.i, 4.a.ii, 4.a.iii and 4.a.iv) are used to define jointly part of said third conforming means (4.3) because a locus is defined between them that imitates the cross section of said third region (2.c) inclined in 45 degrees with respect to the relative position that it had before entering the conformation station, plus a slight gap;
this latter locus can present a widened region at the entrance to said first substation of conformation (4.a) that becomes progressively narrower as the metallic or non metallic element (2) passes through it;
the respective relative positions occupied by the locus associated to said first and second regions (2.a and 2.b) must adapt themselves to the relative rotation defined by the locus associated to said third region (2.c);
in particular, it must be noted that the height at which the locus that restricts the movement of said first region is placed is essentially different from the height at which the locus that restricts the movement associated to said second region is found.

6. A system (1) of conformation according to claim 5, characterized in that said second substation of conformation (4.b) can include four second parallel plates (4.b.i, 4.b.ii, 4.b.iii, 4.b.iv);

two of said second parallel plates (4.b.i and 4.b.ii) are used to define jointly part of said first conforming means (4.1) because a locus is defined between them that imitates the cross section of said first region (2.a) plus a slight gap;
the other two of said second parallel plates (4.b.iii and 4.b.iv) are used to define together part of said second conforming means (4.2), because a locus is defined between them that imitates the cross section of said second region (2.b) plus a slight gap;
the four second parallel plates (4.b.i, 4.b.ii, 4.b.iii and 4.b.iv) are used to define together part of said third conforming means (4.3) because a locus is defined between them that imitates the cross section of said third region (2.c) and that evolves progressively from an inclination of 45 degrees to one of 90 degrees, between the entrance and outlet of said second substation of conformation (4.b);
said inclination is with respect to the relative position it had before entering the station of conformation (4) plus a slight gap;
this latter locus may present a widened region at the entrance to said second substation of conformation (4.b) that narrows down progressively as the metallic or non metallic element (2) advances through it;
the respective relative positions occupied by the locus associated to said first and second regions (2.a and 2.b) must adapt to the relative rotation defined by the locus associated to said third region (2.c);
in particular, it must be noticed that the height at which the locus that restricts the movement of said first region is found is essentially different to the height at which the locus that restricts the movement associated to said second region is found.

7. A system (1) of conformation according to claim 6, characterized in that said third substation of conformation (4.c) includes four third parallel plates (4.c.i, 4.c.ii, 4.c.iii and 4.c.iv);

two of said third parallel plates (4.c.i and 4.c.ii) are used to define jointly part of said first conforming means (4.1) as a locus is defined between them that imitates the cross section of said first region (2.a) plus a slight gap;
the other two of said third parallel plates (4.c.iii and 4.c.iv) are used to define jointly part of said second conforming means (4.2) because a locus is defined between them that imitates the cross section of said second region (2.b) plus a slight gap:
the four third parallel plates (4.c.i, 4.c.ii, 4.c.iii and 4.c.iv) are used to define jointly part of said third conforming means (4.3), because a locus is defined between them that imitates the cross section of said third region (2.c) and evolves progressively from an inclination of 90 degrees toward one of 135 degrees, between the entrance and outlet of said third substation of conformation (4.c);
said inclination is with respect to the relative position it had before entering the station of conformation (4) plus a slight gap;
this last locus may present a widened region at the entrance to said third substation of conformation (4.c), that narrows progressively as the metallic or non metallic element (2) travels through it;
the respective relative positions occupied by the locus associated to said first and second regions (2.a and 2.b) must adapt to the relative rotation defined by the locus associated to said third region (2.c);
in particular, it must be noted that the height at which the locus that restricts the movement of said first region is located is essentially different from the height at which the locus that restricts the movement associated to said second region is found.

8. A system of conformation according to claim 7, characterized in that it includes, immediately after said third substation of conformation (4.c), a pair of rollers that act cooperatively, between which said metallic or non metallic element (2) is made to pass so that the inclination of said third region (2.c) changes from 135 degrees to 180 degrees with respect to the inclination it had before entering said station of conformation (4).

9. A system of conformation according to claim 8, characterized in that each one of the cuts of said first plurality of cuts (2.1) is essentially the same.

10. A system of conformation according to claim 9, characterized in that each one of the cuts of said second plurality of cuts (2.2) has essentially the same shape.

11. A system of conformation according to claim 10, characterized in that the said pulling means (3) are pulling rollers.

12. A system of conformation according to claim 11, characterized in that it also includes a plurality of additional conformation stations (4′), each one of which is defined analogously to said conformation station (4);

each one of said additional conformation stations (4′) conforms respectively a zone of said metallic or non metallic element (2) that is defined analogously to said zone of said metallic or non metallic element (2) that is conformed by said conformation station (4):
none of the zones conformed by said conformation station (4) or by any of said additional conformation stations (4′) intersects with another of the same, therefore said conformation station (4), in conjunction with said plurality of additional conformation stations (4′) permit the conforming of said metallic or non metallic element (2) in a configuration that defines a conformed sheet.

13. A system of conformation according to claim 12, characterized in that before it is conformed, the geometry of said metallic or non metallic element (2) is essentially similar to a squashed tube, a squashed pipe or a metallic sheet or strip.

Patent History
Publication number: 20080264136
Type: Application
Filed: Nov 27, 2007
Publication Date: Oct 30, 2008
Inventor: Jose Rojas Ubilla (Santiago)
Application Number: 11/945,921
Classifications
Current U.S. Class: With Cutting (72/324)
International Classification: B21D 43/28 (20060101);