Device for cutting wire windings

Details Device for cutting wire windings Device for cutting wire windings

1999-04-14

2001-03-06

Ashley, Boyer (Department: 3724)

Cutting

Tool engages work during dwell of intermittent workfeed

Dwell caused by clamping or blocking work during continuous...

C083S167000, C083S365000, C083S371000, C083S374000, C083S451000, C083S600000, C083S602000, C083S907000, C140S140000

Reexamination Certificate

active

06196100

ABSTRACT:

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a device and a method for cutting a continuously travelling wire which emerges in the form of windings from a winding layer.
2. Description of the Related Art
Wire is usually manufactured by rolling and drawing. After rolling, the wire travels through a winding layer and the wire windings are subsequently conveyed for cooling over a laying roller conveyor and a winding conveyor belt, and the windings are then combined into a coil through a feeding roller conveyor in a coil forming chamber with the use of a mandrel. The wire coil is then received by a hook.
The initial windings of a wire coil are scrap. The reason for this is a different cooling for the first windings which come into contact with the roller conveyors of the winding conveyor belt which are still cold, while the subsequent windings cool more uniformly. Undesired structural changes occur in the initial windings. Therefore, the initial windings are cut after having been transported over the winding conveyor belt, wherein the cut is carried out at the belt end, in the coil forming chamber or only at the hook. This does not pose a problem because the initial windings hang on the open side of the hook and, thus, are easily accessible.
Since the end of a wire coil is not dimensionally accurate, this end is also scrap. However, in contrast to the initial windings, the final windings within a coil are very difficult to reach. Therefore, it is only possible with great difficulties to cut and remove the final windings in the coil forming chamber or at the hook. This results in a manner of operation which is unsafe and susceptible to accidents and is very labor intensive.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Therefore, in view of the prior art discussed above, it is the primary object of the present invention to provide a device which operates quickly and precisely for cutting the wire windings which constitute scrap. In addition, a method for using the device is to be provided.
In accordance with the present invention, a cutting device is proposed which is arranged immediately following the winding layer.
The cutting device includes catching means for the targeted grasping of a winding arch and means for cutting this winding arch. Means for controlling the sequence of movement of the catching and cutting means are provided. The control takes place, for example, in dependence on the wire properties, such as, the wire diameter in the case of dimensional inaccuracies. In addition, the catching and cutting means can be controlled in dependence on the position of operation of the winding layer.
In using the proposed device, the final windings which constitute scrap material are no longer removed at the belt end, in the coil forming chamber or only at the hook, but rather they are removed immediately following the exit from the laying tube of a winding layer.
The cutting device according to the present invention has the following advantages.
Immediately following the winding layer, the wire windings are equally spaced from each other and the catching means can be moved precisely between the individual windings in order to separate the windings which constitute scrap from the windings which have the accurate dimensions.
The cutting point at the winding circumference can be adjusted in such a way that the end of the last dimensionally accurate wire winding can always be transported by pulling on the winding conveyor belt. This ensures an unimpeded transport of the wound wire over the roller conveyors without hooking of the final winding. Accordingly, the cumbersome and unsafe positioning at the wire end is no longer necessary.
In addition, the cut can be carried out at a right angle relative to the wire. The required cutting forces are not high because the wire still has a high processing temperature.
Since the laying roller conveyor begins immediately following the winding layer, the space between the two stations and the space underneath the laying roller conveyor can be used for removing the scrap material.
In accordance with a preferred embodiment, the catching means are composed of two catching arms which are arranged offset relative to each other as seen in the winding laying direction. The distance by which the two arms are offset corresponds to the angle of inclination of a wire winding. Consequently, these two arms form a type of catching fork for a winding arch.
In accordance with an advantageous feature, the two arms have an arc shape which corresponds to the curvature of a winding. The two arms are moved from outside underneath a winding arch and, thus, briefly form a support for a winding and, thus, a non-moving point of attack for the cutting means. The cutting means in the form of a shear acts on the winding arch at the location thereof which is not supported by the arms.
The shear is composed of an upper and a lower shear element. The upper shear element is mounted in such a way that it carries out a circular movement during which the lower shear element with the lower knife carries out an oscillating movement.
The catching arms and the shear can be controlled specifically with respect to the beginning and end of the movements thereof. This is achieved by means of respective drive systems which are controlled through sensors arranged in the process units, for example, the rolling train, in front of the winding layer or at the winding layer proper. Preferably, the sensors are photocells. If a dimensional inaccuracy of the wire diameter occurs, this inaccuracy is detected by the sensor and the movements of the catching arms and the shear are initiated.
The movement of the two catching arms preferably is an oscillating movement. The two arms oscillate toward each other and then again apart from each other. This is achieved by means of a crank and rocker system which is capable of converting a rotary movement into an oscillating movement.
The drive for this oscillating system can be decelerated and stopped after the smallest distance between the two catching arm ends has been reached in order to wait until the cutting process and the removal of the winding arches are concluded. However, when the cut windings drop down quickly, the oscillating movement is not interrupted.
The drive of the cutting element also is a crank and rocker system.
The drive of the driving block systems is effected by means of any type of motor, preferably an electric motor with a small inertia moment.
In accordance with a recommended feature, the upper arm is provided with a semicircular casing for catching the windings which are thrown outwardly.
A method of using the cutting device according to the present invention is also being proposed. In accordance with the method, the sequence of movement and the speed of the catching means for a winding arch and the cutting means are controlled in such a way that the catching means oscillate underneath a specific winding arch shortly after the winding arch emerges from the winding layer and the cutting means cut the winding arch which has been stabilized in this manner. The movements of the catching means and the cutting means start shortly one following the other.
The various features of novelty which characterize the invention are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of the disclosure. For a better understanding of the invention, its operating advantages, specific objects attained by its use, reference should be had to the drawing and descriptive matter in which there are illustrated and described preferred embodiments of the invention.


REFERENCES:
patent: 2833351 (1958-05-01), Paton et al.
patent: 3400623 (1968-09-01), Reth et al.
patent: 3776076 (1973-12-01), Hauck
patent: 3850204 (1974-11-01), Hauck
patent: 4011780 (1977-03-01), David
patent: 4350311 (1982-09-01), Pokhodnya et al.
patent: 4449435 (1984-05-01), Colditz

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