Abstract: A system for fabricating muntin bars from sheet material. Sheet material in the form of thin ribbon stock is fed to a first forming station including a punching mechanism that punches the ribbon stock at a precisely predetermined location. The ribbon stock is delivered from the first forming station to a second forming station in the form of a rolling mill. The stock passes through a succession of forming rolls to produce a tube having a desired cross-sectional shape. The tube is delivered from the second forming station to a third forming station including a severing apparatus that severs the tube at a precisely predetermined location to produce a muntin bar. After severing, the muntin bar is engaged by a conveyor and moved to a desired location.

Abstract: A rolling mill apparatus for forming a web of material includes a die stand having an upper die assembly and a lower die assembly, the die stand bending the web to a predetermined formation angle as the web passes between the upper die assembly and the lower die assembly. A movement apparatus is utilized for selectively moving the upper die assembly in a vertical direction, thereby adjusting a vertical clearance between the upper die assembly and the lower die assembly. A pin is fixed to the upper die assembly and a cam block having a groove formed at a predetermined orientation angle is also provided. The pin travels in the angled groove when the upper die assembly is moved in the vertical direction and causes the upper die assembly to move horizontally. The predetermined orientation angle of the block is approximately equal to the predetermined formation angle.

Abstract: A variable width roll forming apparatus forms a web and includes a first side plate extending substantially an entire length of the roll forming apparatus and a second side plate extending substantially an entire length of the roll forming apparatus, the first side plate and the second side plate being oriented substantially equidistant from one another. A plurality of roller die assemblies are disposed in apertures formed in the first side plate and the second side plate. An adjusting apparatus is utilized to selectively change a separation width between predetermined roller die assemblies in the first side plate and the second side plate, wherein the roll forming apparatus defines at least two differing widths between roller die assemblies disposed in the first side plate and the second side plate while maintaining the substantially equidistant spacing between the first side plate and the second side plate.

Abstract: A rolling mill apparatus for forming a web of material includes a die stand having an upper die assembly and a lower die assembly, the die stand bending the web to a predetermined formation angle as the web passes between the upper die assembly and the lower die assembly. A movement apparatus is utilized for selectively moving the upper die assembly in a vertical direction, thereby adjusting a vertical clearance between the upper die assembly and the lower die assembly. A pin is fixed to the upper die assembly and a cam block having a groove formed at a predetermined orientation angle is also provided. The pin travels in the angled groove when the upper die assembly is moved in the vertical direction and causes the upper die assembly to move horizontally. The predetermined orientation angle of the block is approximately equal to the predetermined formation angle.

Abstract: A system for fabricating muntin bars from sheet material. Sheet material in the form of thin ribbon stock is fed to a first forming station including a punching mechanism that punches the ribbon stock at a precisely predetermined location. The ribbon stock is delivered from the first forming station to a second forming station in the form of a rolling mill. The stock passes through a succession of forming rolls to produce a tube having a desired cross-sectional shape. The tube is delivered from the second forming station to a third forming station including a severing apparatus that severs the tube at a precisely predetermined location to produce a muntin bar. After severing, the muntin bar is engaged by a conveyor and moved to a desired location.

Abstract: A forming machine receives an elongated sheet of formable material to form a desired profile has a rigid framework supporting a sheet drive that includes a plurality of pairs of co-acting rollers to advance the sheet through the framework from an upstream entrance to a downstream exit. A drive assembly interconnects at least one roller in each of the pairs to rotatably drive the roller and advance the sheet in the downstream direction. Each of a plurality of carriage rails extends transversely along the framework and has first and second carriage mounts slideably disposed thereon. First and second tool rails are secured, respectively, to each of the first and second carriage mounts permitting the tooling rails to move laterally within the framework. Each tooling rail supports a plurality of forming elements defining at least two forming stations to bend the sheet as desired while it advances through the framework.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing loading plane border frame tubes for chairs utilizes continuous roll-forming processes to roll a base material to form loading plane border frame tubes for use on chairs. The processes include: transport a steel sheet to a roller leveler for flattening; then roll the steel sheet through a first roller calender, a second roller calender, a third roller calender, and a fourth roller calender to form a semi-finished tube; send the semi-finished tube to a high frequency generator for welding and soldering at high temperature; trim the semi-finished tube in a trimming machine; and roll the semi-finished tube through a fifth roller calender to form a finished tube of a selected shape for making border frames of loading planes of the chairs.

Abstract: A variable width roll forming apparatus forms a web and includes a first side plate extending substantially an entire length of the roll forming apparatus and a second side plate extending substantially an entire length of the roll forming apparatus, the first side plate and the second side plate being oriented substantially equidistant from one another. A plurality of roller die assemblies are disposed in apertures formed in the first side plate and the second side plate. An adjusting apparatus is utilized to selectively change a separation width between predetermined roller die assemblies in the first side plate and the second side plate, wherein the roll forming apparatus defines at least two differing widths between roller die assemblies disposed in the first side plate and the second side plate while maintaining the substantially equidistant spacing between the first side plate and the second side plate.

Abstract: A shelving standard is fabricated from a single plate with portions of the plate folded back on themselves, preferably utilizing roll forming operations. This allows bores formed in the plate before roll forming to be aligned in pairs as through holes when portions of the plate are folded over on themselves. By forming one bore of a pair larger than another, the bore pair becomes a countersunk hole. Such a shelving standard may be screwed to a stud which has a gap therein so that a line of slots in the standard is aligned with the gap. The stud also has a transverse through hole supporting a cross-member. Wall panels are provided with clips which rest on the cross-member so that wall panels may be mounted without being screwed to the stud.

Abstract: The combination of a self-adjusting payoff and a compact, portable metal forming device comprising: 1) a frame having entry and exit ends; 2) guide means adjacent the entry end for guiding a sheet of metal to be formed to a hand operated drive assembly supported within the frame that engages the metal sheet and drives it, through the operation of a series of gear linked separately journaled forming roll pairs mounted in the frame, 3) adjacent the exit end an adjustable cam wheel that engages one edge of the metal sheet and forms that edge just prior to the metal sheet reaching the exit end, and 4) forming the exit end, a guillotine cutter including a shaped exit aperture for cutting the formed metal sheet to any selected length.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a beading machine for shaping, edge-forming and beading sheet metal parts, with at least two corresponding beading rollers 12, 14, wherein each beading roller pair includes an upper beading roller 12 and a lower beading roller 14 as well as at least one limit stop for the sheet metal parts to be processed. In this case, the limit stop 16 for the sheet metal elements is provided in either or both of said beading rollers. The invention simultaneously relates to a process for shaping, edge forming and beading sheet metal parts by means of a beading machine of the present invention.

Abstract: A gutter forming machine for forming a gutter having a vertically extended back wall for mounting the gutter on a structure. The gutter forming machine includes a plurality of upper rollers for contacting an upper surface of the material strip and a plurality of lower rollers for contacting a lower surface of the material strip. A lower roller support structure supports the plurality of lower rollers along the path and an upper roller support structure supports the plurality of upper rollers along the path. An auxiliary forming assembly is adapted for contacting a portion of the lower surface of the material strip for forming a portion of the back wall of the gutter. The auxiliary forming assembly comprises a plurality of auxiliary roller assemblies for contacting and guiding a portion of the material strip for forming an extended portion of the back wall of the gutter that extends away from the bottom wall beyond the first plane of the upper lip of the front wall.

Abstract: Apparatus for making a contoured muntin bar. A supply of sheet material having a finished surface on at least one side in the form of a coiled ribbon is unwound and fed along a strip path of travel to a punch station. At the punch station a ribbon punching mechanism punches the ribbon at a precisely predetermined locations along the ribbon to form one of a plurality notch patterns that define a portion of a contoured muntin bar. Downstream along the travel path from the punch station the ribbon is fed through a forming station having a succession of forming rolls that define a succession of forming roll nips to bend the ribbon and form a generally closed cross-sectional tube. The rolls form a number of bending stages to produce a muntin bar tube having a contoured shape with raised sides to provide an attractive appearance to a muntin grid.

Abstract: A roll-forming apparatus is provided with a plurality of roll-forming stations adapted to facilitate the formation of either a C-shaped component or a Z-shaped component from a sheet of material. The roll-forming stations have forming rolls that make contact with the sheet of material and a pair of telescoping arbor assemblies that support the forming rolls so that the lateral distance between the forming rolls may be adjusted. The roll-forming apparatus has a number of movable forming rolls and a number of fixed forming rolls having two different forming surfaces to facilitate the formation of both C-shaped and Z-shaped components.

Abstract: A system for fabricating muntin bars from sheet material. Sheet material in the form of thin ribbon stock is fed to a first forming station including a punching mechanism that punches the ribbon stock at a precisely predetermined location. The ribbon stock is delivered from the first forming station to a second forming station in the form of a rolling mill. The stock passes through a succession of forming rolls to produce a tube having a desired cross-sectional shape. The tube is delivered from the second forming station to a third forming station including a severing apparatus that severs the tube at a precisely predetermined location to produce a muntin bar. After severing, the muntin bar is engaged by a conveyor and moved to a desired location.

Abstract: A roll forming apparatus is provided having a plurality of roll forming stations arranged in an advancing path and having at least one roll forming station including adjustable top and bottom rolls. The adjustable forming rolls include separate inner and outer sections. The inner roll sections are adjustable transverse to the advancing path in order to shift the position of bend introduction to a workpiece. In a preferred embodiment, each inner roll section cooperates with a backing collar which has preset stops of different heights to quickly and precisely adjust the apparatus to predetermined settings. The apparatus is particularly useful for forming flanges on duct sections where duct sections having different flange heights are desired. The at least one adjustable roll forming station can be used to retrofit existing non-adjustable roll forming apparatus.

Abstract: An apparatus for roll forming purlins and the like from a metal strip (37) allows the choice between upwards bending and downwards bending by means of two sets of forming rollers (40, 43) arranged on either side of drive rollers (38, 39, 41, 42) feeding the strip (37). At least one of the two set of forming rollers (40, 43) is vertically adjustable. The apparatus can be applied, for instance, to the forming of steel profiles for construction purposes.

Abstract: A roller die apparatus for supporting pairs of roller dies in predetermined clearances for processing a web workpiece, and for varying the clearances between the dies to accommodate variations in the thickness of a web workpiece and having first and second roller dies rotatably mounted on respective roller die bearings, one of the first and second roller dies being moveable both upwardly and downwardly transversely to its axis of rotation, and being moveable axially along its axis of rotation, thereby achieving adjusting of the die clearance between the first and second roller dies in two planes. The two adjustments take place simultaneously so as to cause an adjustment movement in a diagonal direction, as between one die and the other in each pair.

Abstract: A compact, portable metal forming device comprising: 1) a frame having entry and exit ends; 2) guide means adjacent the entry end for guiding a sheet of metal to be formed to a hand operated drive assembly supported within the frame that engages the metal sheet and drives it, through the operation of a series of gear linked separately journaled forming roll pairs mounted in the frame, 3) adjacent the exit end an adjustable cam wheel that engages one edge of the metal sheet and forms that edge just prior to the metal sheet reaching the exit end, and 4) forming the exit end, a guillotine cutter including a shaped exit aperture for cutting the formed metal sheet to any selected length.

Abstract: A roll forming machine comprises a plurality of stations for progressively bending a flat strip of material such as metal into a formed product such as a building stud. The machine includes adjusting means for adjusting the spacing between the roll forming dies to accommodate differing thicknesses of metallic strip. Each station is adjusted along an angle of adjustment which is related to the bend angle at that station. A single adjustment actuator adjusts all of the stations even though each station is being adjusted at a different angle. In a preferred embodiment, the amount of adjustment at each station may be different from other stations being adjusted to provide adjustment not only in the correct direction but also in the correct amount.

Abstract: A roll-forming apparatus is provided with a plurality of roll-forming stations adapted to facilitate the formation of either a C-shaped component or a Z-shaped component from a sheet of material. The roll-forming stations have forming rolls that make contact with the sheet of material and a pair of telescoping arbor assemblies that support the forming rolls so that the lateral distance between the forming rolls may be adjusted. The roll-forming apparatus has a number of movable forming rolls and a number of fixed forming rolls having two different forming surfaces to facilitate the formation of both C-shaped and Z-shaped components.

Abstract: The sheet panel of the present invention is formed by a panel forming apparatus comprising a first forming mechanism for forming a center projection at a central portion of a sheet panel, a second forming mechanism for forming S-shaped curve faces on both sides of the center projection of the sheet panel, a third forming mechanism for forming side projections at both sides of the center projection of the sheet panel, and a fourth forming mechanism for forming S-shaped curve faces on both sides of the side projections of the sheet panel.

Abstract: A roll-forming machine is provided with a base structure, a plurality of first roll-forming stations that form a first component having a Z-shaped cross section, and a plurality of second roll-forming stations that form a second component having a C-shaped cross section. At least one of the roll-forming stations has a pair of rotatable arbors adapted to support a plurality of forming rolls and a pair of support structures adapted to support a plurality of bearing assemblies. The roll-forming station also includes a pair of adjustment mechanisms that allow the position of some of the bearing assemblies to be adjusted and a pair of compression assemblies that exert a force upon some of the bearing assemblies when the bearing assemblies are moved away from an initial position.

Abstract: A convertible roll forming apparatus for forming flanges on a strip of material in which a roller assembly is supported on a support stand and disposed to move the strip material in a material feed direction. A pivotal support assembly supports a knuckle member for pressing against an edge portion of the strip material, the knuckle member cooperating with the support assemblies to progressively form the edge portion into a flange. The support assembly can be selectively disposed to form the edge portion in a first direction or in an opposing second direction. The strip material can be passed through serial passes of support assemblies and knuckle members to progressively form the flange. The roller assembly is supported for lateral expansion to accommodate various widths of strip material as required, and a lip forming section is provided to form a lip on the outer edge of the formed flange. Flange straightener assemblies are also provided to control the overbend.

Abstract: A center sill for a railroad car formed by cold rolling a flat sheet of steel into a rectangular configuration. One of the embodiments includes strengthening flanges and another includes ribs. The center sill may be formed of a single cold formed section or a pair of cold formed sections joined by a single longitudinal weld seam.

Abstract: A description is given of a device for continuously rolling a sheet-metal strip into a profile with profile limbs of straight cross section, in particular for producing longitudinally welded rectangular tubes specifically with the aid of former rolls (13) which are arranged on both sides of a central plane (2) running in the longitudinal direction of the strip and are mounted in a separate frame (11, 12) in each case together with counter-rolls (14) which are aligned perpendicular to the central plane (2) and can be adjusted perpendicular to the central plane (2). In order to create advantageous design conditions, it is proposed that the frames (11, 12) are arranged on each side of the central plane (2) with the associated counter-rolls (14) respectively opposite the neighbouring frames (12, 11) on the opposite side of the central plane (2) in a fashion offset in the longitudinal direction of the strip.

Abstract: An elongate composite member suitable for a vehicle ornamental member comprises an elongate shaped body having a common cross-section part with a longitudinally constant cross-sectional shape, and a varying cross-section part with a longitudinally varying cross-sectional shape. A resin part is formed by extrusion molding along the varying cross-section part to continuously extend in the longitudinal direction, thereby realizing an excellent overall appearance. Such elongate composite members can be readily and continuously manufactured basically with an extrusion molding process, wherein the elongate shaped body is continuously and longitudinally fed into an extrusion die assembly comprising a stationary die and the movable die, through which the common cross-section part and the varying cross-section part are respectively passed in the longitudinal direction.

Abstract: The invention provides a siding machine for making metal siding having a formed top edge, a formed bottom edge, and a formed middle portion, from a coil of sheet metal which feeds between upper and lower rolls. The machine comprises a flat board former section having a fixed position bottom edge former, a plurality of fixed position driven upper and lower drive roll sets for feeding the sheet metal through the machine and an adjustable top edge former. The top edge former is adjustable from a minimum width closest to the bottom edge former to a maximum width. A transformer section receives a flat formed board from the flat board former section for forming a decorative profile in the middle portion of the board. Transformer rolls are mounted on an adjustable frame adjustable, within pre-set limits, perpendicular to the direction of travel of the board such that the transformer rolls may contact and form the board at a chosen location on its face.

Abstract: A roll-forming apparatus of the type used to transform a flat web or sheet of metal into a component having various cross-sectional shapes is provided with a first elongate base portion with an axis extending in a longitudinal direction, a second elongate base portion with an axis disposed generally parallel to the longitudinal direction of the axis of the first base portion, and a drive mechanism associated with the first and second base portions, the drive mechanism having a coupler associated with the first base portion, a raft plate supported by the first base portion, and a plurality of roll-forming stations supported by the raft plate.

Abstract: A roll-forming apparatus of the type used to form components, such as purlins, having C-shaped and/or Z-shaped cross-sections from sheets of planar material is provided with a plurality of roll-forming stations adapted to form first and second components each of which has a C-shaped cross section with a center portion and a pair of legs connected to the center portion, where the legs of the first component have a first length and the legs of the second component have a second length different than the first length. The roll-forming stations include a first roll-forming station having a plurality of forming rolls and a second roll-forming station for forming the legs of the first and second components.

Abstract: The present invention is a tool for manually altering the angle of a sheetrock corner bead strip from approximately 90.degree. to an angle larger than 90.degree.. The tool includes a main frame having a base and opposing side walls. The main frame is adapted to receive and hold axles for at least two spreader wheels and at least two corner holder wheels. The spreader wheels with axles are mounted in series alignment with one another for rotation within the main frame and the corner holder wheels with axles are also mounted in series for rotation within the main frame. The spreader wheels and the corner holder wheels are all located in a single plane. In a preferred embodiment, the spreader wheels have walls which form truncated V-shaped sides for maintaining a predetermined angle. In another preferred embodiment, the predetermined angle is approximately 120.degree. or approximately 135.degree. and the truncated V-shaped sides correspondingly form an angle of approximately 120.degree. or approximately 135.

Abstract: A side panel assembly is disclosed which is of simple construction and provides easy access to the assembly contents for servicing or the like. The side panel assembly includes a front wall (14), a back wall (12) and a side wall (16) which is bent to match the shape of the front (14) and/or back (12) wall. The front wall (14) is connected to the side wall (16) by inserting a fastener (30) through the front wall (14) and a pull-out tab (26) extending from the side wall (16). A method and apparatus for use in constructing the side panel (16) are also provided. The method and apparatus allow for automation of the lay-out, cutting to length, flanging and notching of the side panel (16).

Abstract: A roller die apparatus for supporting pairs of roller dies in predetermined clearances for processing a web workpiece, and for varying the clearances between the dies to accommodate variations in the thickness of a web workpiece and having first and second roller dies rotatably mounted on respective roller die bearings, one of the first and second roller dies being moveable upwardly and downwardly transversely to its axis of rotation, and one of the first and second roller dies being moveable axially along its axis of rotation, thereby achieving adjusting of the die clearance between the first and second roller dies in two planes.

Abstract: A roll forming device has a trailer having a hitch mechanism at a front end and a plurality of wheels, a sheet metal roll forming apparatus mounted to the trailer and a crane mounted to the trailer for moving materials to the roll forming apparatus. An outrigger system is also provided that includes front stabilizer jacks. In addition, rear leveling jacks are also provided proximate the rear end of the trailer.

Abstract: The inventive apparatus allows for bowing a continuous web being advanced axially of its length, about either or both axes that lie parallel to or perpendicular to its length. The parallel axis bowing structures include a plurality of separate stations spaced axially apart of web travel, each station having a pair of cylindrical outer rollers and a convex inner roller, respectively supported on opposite sides of the web operable to engage the web faces generally opposite one another. All outer rollers can be substantially the same and all inner rollers can be substantially the same. Mounting structures set the orientation of or included angle between the outer rollers differently at the different stations, to be parallel to different portions of the inner roller. Threaded screws force the rollers against opposite web faces, yielding progressive web bowing up to the curvatures of the inner roller as the web proceeds past each station.

Abstract: Electro-unite tubes having different plate thicknesses or different diameters are breakdown-formed without changing the upper rolls and the lower rolls of the breakdown pass rolls each time. Each of breakdown pass rolls 12 includes an upper roll 12a having a convex curved surface and a lower roll 12b opposed to the upper roll 12a, the lower roll 12b being provided with a V-shaped concave portion 13. A gap is maintained between a metal band plate 11 and the deepest portion D in the concave portion 13, and the metal band plate 11 is in local contact with the lower roll 12b. The upper roll 12a can be moved up and down, and the distance between the end of the curved surface of the upper roll 12a and the deepest portion D in the concave portion 13 is adjusted depending upon the plate thickness and the diameter of the electro-unite tube to determine the curvature (R.sub.1 or R.sub.2) for forming the metal band plate 11.

Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus and method for making an automotive bumper beam by a single roll forming. The apparatus of the present invention comprises an uncoiler; a straightener; a brake press; a first group of roll formers; a second group of roll formers; a final sweep roll former; adjuster; welding member; and cutting member. The method of the present invention is comprising of a step of preparing the steel sheet; a step for forming the tubular cross-sectional shape on the steel sheet; a step for forming a sweep on the steel sheet; a step for adjusting the tubular cross-sectional shape of the steel sheet; a step for welding two flanges to each other at their terminal ends; and a step for cutting the steel sheet to the predetermined length.

Abstract: An apparatus producing an elongated member having a main body portion and terminal portions extending form ends thereof includes bending an elongated strip between circumferential faces of first forming rolls and second forming rolls having parallel central rotational axes. The circumferential faces of the first forming rolls include annular main body portion bending sections that form the main body portion in the strip and adjacent transition portion bending sections that form adjacent transition portions in the strip, thereby forming an intermediate stage elongated member. The transition portions have a cross-section that changes continuously from the annular cross-section of the main body portion to a different cross-section of the terminal portions.

Abstract: According to the present invention, a roll forming method includes a first roll forming process for forming a trapezoidal projecting portion at a center portion, a second roll forming process for gradually narrowing an upper side of the trapezoidal projecting portion to form a turnup projecting portion, a third roll forming process for forming perpendicularly folded portions at both sides, and a fourth roll forming process for folding a middle portion between the perpendicularly folded portion and the turnup projecting portion in a semi-circular shape. In this way, it is possible to form a turnup projecting portion, insides of which are closely contacted to each other with a curvature which is larger than the conventional curvature, with high speed.

Abstract: An improved forming station and process for use in tapered tube manufacturing apparatus and process where fully synchronized output motion of multiple slave axes on adjustable rolls are scaled to the external process input of the master axis so as to generate continuously moving output process position synchronized to the asynchronous process input.

Abstract: The present invention provides means for automatically adjusting rollforming equipment to accommodate a range of different gauges of material such as sheet metal being formed. One rollforming roller (34) on each rollforming head (4A) is mounted on an eccentric so that a force supplied in the direction of material feed through the tooling rollers (33,34) will increase the tooling gap therebetween. An automatic gauge adjustor includes applying a source of substantially constant pressure sufficient to achieve the rollforming action against rotation about the eccentric while allowing movement of the rollforming roller also about the eccentric so that the roll will move against the pressure being provided in the direction of the material feed to accommodate the gauge of material within the working range set.

Abstract: A roll-forming apparatus of the type used to form components, such as purlins, having C-shaped and/or Z-shaped cross-sections from sheets of planar material is provided with a plurality of roll-forming stations adapted to form first and second components each of which has a C-shaped cross section with a center portion and a pair of legs connected to the center portion, where the legs of the first component have a first length and the legs of the second component have a second length different than the first length. The roll-forming stations include a first roll-forming station having a plurality of forming rolls and a second roll-forming station for forming the legs of the first and second components.

Abstract: A roll former line for forming different shapes including a first roll stand attached to a bed which provides vertical adjustable movement. The roll stand includes three spindles in vertical alignment with each other, the forming rolls on the top and bottom spindles working against opposite sides of the middle forming roll, so as to provide reverse shapes between the top and middle forming roll and the middle and bottom forming roll. Linear actuators are connected to the bed of the first roll stand for moving the first roll stand vertically on the bed. Opposite the first roll stand on the line is a second roll stand attached to a second bed including two spindles in vertical alignment and corresponding forming rolls thereon. The first roll stand can be raised or lowered by the linear actuators so as to use reverse forming rolls on the first roll stand in conjunction with the forming rolls on the second roll stand to form a reverse shape on one edge of the sheet being formed.

Abstract: A roll forming machine or tube mill comprises multiple mill stands defining a material pass line through the mill stands. The mill stands include rotating arbors carrying tooling which are supported between a drive bearing housing and a rotatable bearing housing. Inactive rollers extend outwardly from the rotatable bearing housing, such that upon rotation of the rotatable bearing housing the inactive arbors can moved to the active position and the formerly active arbors can be moved to an inactive or retooling position on the outside of the mill stands. A change cart includes rails on the upper surface thereof that are brought into registry with corresponding rails on the housing support upon which the rotatable bearing housing is mounted. The rotatable bearing housing is then slid off onto the cart, rotated, and then moved back onto the bearing housing support.

Abstract: A roll pass design for the sets of rolls of a non-mandrel type multiple-stand pipe reducing mill, each set of rolls having three rolls. In order to improve the roll pass design so that the flow of material in the pipe is acted upon locally in such a way that the occurrence of local thickening of the pipe wall at critical points along the circumference of the pipe during reduction is decreased, the magnitude of the curvature of the roll pass flanks of at least a plurality of sets of rolls succeeding one another in the rolling direction increases by constant amounts or by equal percentages.

Abstract: Variable panel forming apparatus and method disclosed have spaced drive stations and spaced forming stations interspersed with one another and operable independently of one another. The drive stations have upper and lower rollers each independently adjustable to accommodate different panel widths. One embodiment has the forming stations and drive stations mounted on separate frame top cross members with a yoke and an indexing/locating arrangement and a lock down system which enables the stations to be laterally adjusted and to be removed to accommodate different panel widths and different panel shapes. A second embodiment disclosed has the forming and drive stations on the same frame top cross member and has adapter plates and mounting plates with lateral adjustability features to form different panel shapes and sizes.

Abstract: A flat elongated substrate having a bead of a gas and/or moisture pervious adhesive having a desiccant is moved along a predetermined linear path between spaced upper wheels aligned with spaced lower wheels. The upper wheels have a peripheral groove to shape the bead as the substrate moves between the upper and lower wheels. The lower wheels each have a U shape peripheral groove with the base of the U of the downstream wheels being narrower than the base of the U of the upstream wheels and the depth of the U of the downstream wheels being deeper than the depth of the U of the upstream wheels to provide a spacer stock having a base connected to a pair of spaced upright legs such that the base connected to the legs have a generally U shape configuration and a shaped bead on the surface of the base between the legs. The spacer stock may be bent to form a spacer frame to separate outer sheets of an insulating glazing unit.

Abstract: The apparatus comprises a pair of rotatable devices each holding a plurality of metal shaping and/or cutting rollers, the rollers of one device meshing with rollers of the other device to produce specific designs or widths of material. This is made possible by merely selecting suitable rollers of both sets and when production of a specific metallic section of desired widths are terminated, other rollers are selected by rotating the rotatable devices. When suitable rollers have been selected they are locked in operating position and when another design or widths are required, the devices are unlocked, a selection is made, and the devices are again locked to produce the new metallic section or widths of material. The present quick automated tool changer, i.e.

Abstract: A machine for rolling an article, such as a rain gutter, from sheet metal dispensed from a coil comprises an elongate base having an input end, at which sheet metal dispensed from a coil is inputted into the machine, and an outlet end, at which an article rolled by the machine is outputted from the machine. An elongate track mounted on the machine and extending between those ends includes a pair of rails extending between those ends. A dispenser for mounting a coil of sheet metal and for dispensing sheet metal from the mounted coil into the machine at the input end is supported on the elongate track, via two dispenser-supporting rollers engaging each rail, so that the dispenser can be selectively positioned on the elongate track in a loading position, near the input end of the elongate base or in a dispensing position, near the output end of the elongate base. The dispenser can be releasably secured in the dispensing position.

Abstract: A forming apparatus for forming a selected profile in a sheet of material includes a frame, a sheet drive to advance the sheet of material through the frame, a drive assembly for powering the sheet drive, forming rollers to configure the sheet into the desired profile and a shear assembly to cut the formed sheet into desired lengths. The sheet drive includes pairs of coacting rollers with each pair comprising a driven roller connected to the drive assembly and a free-wheeling roller that is adjustably mounted relative to its associated driven roller. The shear assembly has a housing that movably mounts a pair of opposed blade mounts that have facing channels which receive lateral edges of a blade. These channels are wider than the blade thickness so that the blade freely floats and is thus self-aligning between dies.