PROCESS FOR MANUFACTURING A STORAGE TANK PANEL

摘要

A process for manufacturing a curved panel for use in constructing a cylindrical storage tank is described. In an embodiment of the process, a flat plate is automatically conveyed into a CNC cutting station to form all bolt holes and cut-out features and to trim the plate to a defined outer dimension. After the cutting station, the plate is automatically conveyed into a roll-forming line configured to form parallel flanges long both longitudinal edges of the plate. Respective leading end regions of the two flanges may undergo a swaging operation by a pair of laterally opposing hydraulically-powered swage dies to form an integral chime region of each flange. After the swaging operation, the plate is automatically conveyed into a roll bending unit configured to curve the flanged plate into an arc to form a finished panel.

主权项

1. A process for manufacturing a curved panel for use in constructing a cylindrical storage tank, the process comprising the steps of:
(A) conveying a flat metal plate into a CNC cutting station; (B) operating the CNC cutting station to form all holes and cut-out features in the flat plate; (C) passing the flat plate through a roll forming line having a plurality of sequentially arranged roll-forming stations to form a pair of parallel flanges along opposite longitudinal edges of the plate; (D) passing the flanged plate through a pair of opposed swaging stations to perform a swaging operation upon respective leading end regions of the pair of parallel flanges to form a respective chime region on each of the pair of the flanges; and (E) passing the flanged plate through a roll bending unit having a configuration of parallel pinch rollers to curve the flanged plate into an arc, whereby the flanged and curved plate is a formed curved panel.