[0001] The present invention relates to a bending machine for bending of thin-walled tube
profiles, especially spacer profiles or edge profiles for sealed insulating glass
units having a virtually rectangular cross-section and where the bending is effected
across a bending pin.
[0002] In sealed insulating glass units the glass is assembled around thin-walled tube profiles
of aluminium or sheet steel. Previously the profiles were cut up in lengths corresponding
to the edge lengths of the glass panes and the profile portions were assembled to
a frame by angle units. Because angle units are comparatively expensive and the method
is time-consuming, at the same time causing a comparatively large waste, bending of
the profiles has been attempted instead for quite some time, and bending machines
are now on the market especially for this purpose. An example of such a bending machine
is known from EP-A2- 0 318 748. The bend to be made is primarily a sharp 90° bend,
as the predominant number of windows are rectangular having right-angled corners.
Mildly rounded bends are not allowed, but at the same time the bend at the inner side
facing inwardly towards the glass pane and being visible, must possess an aesthetically
attractive look. Furthermore it is a requirement that the side edges upon bending
are flat and lying at the same level as the side edges outside the bent area. As the
glass is stuck to the side edges of the profiles it is furthermore a requirement that
the proportion of the side edges of the bend is as large as absolutely possible in
order to achieve as good an adhesion to the glass as to the straight lengths of the
profile. A possible deformation caused by the stretching of the outer side of the
profile can be tolerated, i.e. of the side facing outwardly from the glass pane. This
side being concealed after mounting of the glass pane, and it is, moreover, sealed
just like the entire surrouting edge of the plane.
[0003] A completely different problem with the bending machines is that they are only immediately
capable of bending spacer profiles having the same cross-sectional dimension. Essentially
spacer profiles have the same height given by the depth of the groove of the window,
whereas the width varies considerably depending on the distance provided between the
glass sheets and whether it is a matter of double or triple pane units. The known
bending machines cannot be instantly readjusted to the various widths of spacer profiles.
From EP-A2- 0 241 174, however, is known one single example of a bending apparatus,
which immediately can bend spacer profiles of different widths. The apparatus comprises
two wringing heads being provided with a through-going cylindrical bending pin in
the center line of the wringing heads, and where one wringing head is laterally displaceable
relatively the other via a compressed air cylinder. However, this apparatus suffers
from the same drawback as the apparatus according to EP-A2- 0 318 748, viz. that the
profile collapses at the corner at the bending.
[0004] The object of the invention is to provide a bending machine meeting with above-mentioned
requirements for performing the bending and which may without adjustment bend spacer
profiles having different widths.
[0005] This is achieved by a bending machine according to the invention, which is characteristic
in comprising two separate, situated opposite one another, bending pins on lateral
guides and reaching across the upper side of the profile and where the outer ends
of the bending pins comprise a portion, which during the bending process initially
deforms the upper side of the profile locally at the sides, and where the bending
pins furthermore are designed such that the side walls of the profile during the further
bending can be accommodated in a groove at the base of the bending pins at the lateral
guide for stabilizing the side walls. During the bending, the side walls of the profile
are guided up into the grooves at the base at the lateral guides and are stabilized.
Upon the bending the side edges almost appear as of full height, as the bending radius
in the groove is significantly smaller than the bending radius of the outer portion
of the bending pins. Consequently a larger contact face for the glass in the bend
is provided. The bending pins are preferably designed having a rivet-like shape with
a head on a stem or neck, where the head constitutes the outer portion of the pin,
and the groove being formed at the stem between the lateral guide and the face of
the head facing towards the lateral guide, this groove guiding the side wall of the
profile during bending. The side edges are then bent across the stems. The pins may
of course also be designed in the actual guides and only show the faces required for
the bending.
[0006] Due to the fact that the lateral guides with bending pins are mutually displaceable,
the machine may instantly be applied to bending of profiles having different widths.
One lateral guide is usually stationary at the side of the profile infeed in the machine
and the other is displaceable relative thereto.
[0007] The invention is described in more detail in the following with reference to the
attached drawing, in which:-
Fig. 1 is a bending machine according to the invention shown from one side,
Fig. 2 is an end view of the bending machine,
Fig. 3 is an enlarged cross-section of the machine at the bending pins,
Fig. 4 is an enlarged side view at the bending pins,
Fig. 5 is an enlargement of a bending pin, and
Fig. 6 is a bending principle of a spacer profile.
[0008] The bending machine consists in principle of a frame 2 with a plate-shaped top 4
supporting the bent portion of the profile during the bending process. The machine
has an automatic infeed for the profiles but is otherwise computer controlled for
automatic bending of the profiles. The position of the bends is determined by a counter
8 in the feeding path of the profiles. The reference numbers 10, 12 designate a bending
head and a bending actuator, respectively, while 14 designates a sawing arrangement
for shortening of the profiles.
[0009] In Fig. 3 of the drawing reference number 16 is a spacer profile between a stationary
lateral guide 18 and relative thereto displaceable other lateral guide 20, each carrying
bending pins 22 positioned opposite one another. The displaceable lateral guide is
fastened at the end of a spindle 24 slidably embedded in a sliding bush 26. The lateral
guide 20 is via the spindle connected to an air cylinder 28, which via the automatic
control is activated and brings the lateral guide into contact with the side edge
of the profile is the bending position. A bending rail 30 lifts the profile up against
the bending pins 22 for bending around them. The automatic control likewise determines
the displacement for effecting the required bend, upon which the bending rail returns
to its initial position and the same applies to the lateral guide. The profile is
then fed on for effecting the next bend.
[0010] An enlarged bending pin is shown in Fig. 5, where the side edge of the profile is
guided in the groove 32 between the head 34 and the side wall of the lateral guide
for stabilizing this during the bending process.
[0011] As will be realized, the machine is immediately capable of bending profiles of varying
widths, just like it can bend profiles of limited height vaiation due to a certain
latitude between the pins and the upper side of the bending rail.
[0012] Despite the fact that the machine here is described especially in connection with
edge profiles for sealed insulating glass units, it can of course be applied to bending
of other thin-walled profiles.
1. A bending machine for bending thin-walled tube profiles, especially spacer profiles
or edge profiles (16) for sealed insulating glass units having a virtually rectangular
cross-section and where the bending is effected across a bending pin, characterized
in that the machine comprises two opposite, separate bending pins (22) on lateral
guides (18, 20) projecting across the upper side of the profile and where the outer
end of the bending pins is provided with a portion (34), which during the bending
process initially deforms the upper side of the profile locally at the sides, and
where the bending pins furthermore are designed such that the side walls of the profile
during further bending can be accommodated in a groove (32) at the base of the bending
pins at the lateral guide for stabilizing the side walls.
2. A bending machine according to claim 1, characterized in that the bending pins are
provided rivet-like having a head (34) on a stem or neck.
3. A bending machine according to claim 2, characterized in that the bending pins are
provided as separate, replaceable parts of the lateral guides.
4. A bending machine according to claim 1, characterized in that the lateral guides (18,
20) are arranged mutually displaceable towards and away from one another for interengagement
with the sides of the profile.
5. A bending machine according to claim 1, characterized in that one lateral guide (18)
is stationary while the other (24) is arranged displaceably relative thereto.
6. A bending machine according to claim 4, characterized in that the lateral guide is
displaceable by means of a compressed air cylinder (28).