Forming machine for bending metal strips

摘要

A metal forming machine is adapted to bend flat strips of metal into a desired profile. The machine has a rigid framework that forms a cage in which a drive mechanism is disposed to advance a strip therethrough. An elongated rail structure is secured within the cage's interior and is removable out of one of the entrance or exit of the framework. Preferably, the rail structure is mounted at selected discrete mounting locations spaced laterally of the drive mechanism. A plurality of forming elements are disposed on the rail structure to define at least two longitudinally spaced forming stations, and the forming stations act to bend the strip into the desired profile. The rail structure may be removed from the framework without detaching the mounting stations. A plurality of rail structures may be employed with some of the rail structures formed by a plurality of longitudinally aligned rail sections at least one of which carries a plurality of forming stations. Alternative sets of rail structures may be interchangeably mounted in the framework as forming sets to allow formation of different profiles without individually changing each forming station. Mounting blocks may adjustably interconnect the rail structures to the framework. The drive mechanism can incorporate a plurality of pairs of coacting rollers, and a shear mechanism may cut the formed strip at desired lengths.