Edge guide mechanism and panel forming machine incorporating the same

摘要

A forming machine for forming a longitudinal margin of a strip of material into a desired profile and methods encompassing the steps inherent in the described mechanical structures and operation thereof. The forming machine includes a frame, a drive mechanism, a plurality of forming elements, and an edge guide mechanism. The edge guide mechanism applies pressure along the edge margin in a lateral direction, thereby following the edge margin as the strip is advanced through the machine. The edge guide includes a carriage assembly attached to the frame that comprises a carriage support frame and a carriage movably disposed thereon. The edge guide mechanism includes an actuator connected to the carriage that is operative to urge the carriage toward edge margin. At least one guide roller is mounted to the carriage and adapted to receive the edge margin of the strip.

主权项

1. A roll forming machine adapted to form a longitudinal margin of a strip of material into a desired profile, comprising:
A. a frame including a forming region through which the strip may be advanced in a downstream direction from an upstream entrance to a downstream exit; B. a drive mechanism mounted to said frame and operative to engage the strip and advance the strip in the downstream direction; C. an elongate rail structure mounted relative to said frame and spaced laterally from said drive mechanism; D. a plurality of forming elements mounted to said rail structure to define at least one forming station that is positioned to engage said longitudinal margin and operative to progressively form said longitudinal margin into the desired profile as said strip is advanced through the forming region by said drive mechanism; E. a stationary edge guide disposed proximate said entrance; and F. an edge guide mechanism adapted to receive an edge margin of the strip that is opposite said longitudinal margin and operative to apply pressure along the edge margin in a lateral direction to urge said longitudinal margin against said stationary edge guide, thereby following the edge margin as the strip is advanced through the forming region.