PROCESS FOR MANUFACTURING A STRORAGE 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.