GB1273727A - Coiling method and apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

1,273,727. Winding and reeling. REPUBLIC STEEL CORP. 4 May, 1970 [12 May, 1969], No. 21322/70. Heading B3E. A method of coiling elongated metal tubing, rod or strip comprises bending a continuous length at a varying bending radius until one or more convolutions have been completed and next bending a length continuous with the first length at a constant bending radius. In making the coil a steel tube is bent to produce outer and inner spiral convolutions 20a, 20b, 20c and 20d (Fig. 1). The bending radius is held constant during making convolution 20d then at the end of convolution 20d a second layer either above or below the first layer is started e.g. 22d (Fig. 7) at constant bending radius then further convolutions 22c, 22b, 22a at increasing bending radius. After 22a is completed the bending radius is held constant and a third layer 23a, 23b, 23c, 23d is similarly formed. The process is continued until a coil of the desired size is formed. Apparatus for carrying out the method comprises a support roller 85 under which the tube, bent at the bending station 21, passes after which the tubing passes over support rollers 89, 90, 86, 87 and 88 and then over roller 85. The bending station comprises a base plate 28 on which is a pivoted plate 29 adjusted by a bolt 30 to accommodate different diameters of tubing. Guide rolls 34, 35 and 36, 37 are also mounted on the base plate. The pivot shaft 40 of the plate 29 is extended to carry an arm 42 provided with a bending roller 49 the shaft 44 of which also carries an arm 51 and cam follower 52 which engages an hydraulically actuated cam 53 mounted on the plate 29. The cam is controlled by limit switches 62, 63 to vary the bending radius by movements of the roller 49. The apparatus is controlled by electrohydraulic circuits depicted schematically in Figs. 9 and 10 (not shown). An alternative supporting mechanism (Fig. 8) comprises a coil basket 93 having lockable coasters 94 resting on a circular plate 95 supported by roller bearings 94 on a shaft 98 of an hydraulic cylinder 99 let into the ground. A depression 100 is left to accommodate the plate 95 so that the basket with the completed coil can be rolled away.