Arching metallic profiles in continous in-line process

Abstract

A method and apparatus for manufacturing an arched metallic profile, in a continuous in-line process. The method comprises forming the metallic profile; and arching the formed metallic profile in a continuous in-line process. The apparatus includes a roll forming station configured to receive flat metallic composition and output a given profile. An arching device is configured to receive the metallic profile and bend the metallic profile having a desired radius of curvature wherein a portion of the arching device is displaced with respect to said roll forming station vertically and/or horizontally.

1 . A method for manufacturing an arched metallic profile in a continuous in-line process comprising the steps of:
 forming the metallic profile; and,   arching the formed metallic profile.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising the step of stabilizing the steel profile. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the step of stabilizing the steel profile is preformed in conjunction with a Turkshead. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the step of stabilizing the steel profile is preformed in conjunction with a cutoff assembly. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising the step of:
 forming holes within the strip steel prior to forming the steel profile.   
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the metallic profile is selected from the group of a steel profile, and aluminum profile, and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the step of forming the metallic profile includes the step of:
 forming a steel profile from a strip steel in a continuous roll forming process.   
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the bent formed steel profile forms multiple arches. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the bent formed steel profile forms multiple arches within two or more distinct planes. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the bent formed steel profile forms different arches in the same direction. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the bent formed steel profile forms different arches in different directions. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising the step of:
 cutting the bent steel profile within the in-line continuous process.   
     
     
         13 . An apparatus for bending metallic profiles within a continuous in-line process comprising:
 a roll forming station configured to receive flat metallic composition and output a given profile; and   an arching device configured to receive said metallic profile and bend the metallic profile having a desired radius of curvature wherein a portion of said arching device is displaced with respect to said roll forming station.   
     
     
         14 . The apparatus for bending metallic profiles of  claim 13  wherein said roll forming station comprises a plurality of roll stations, each of said roll stations including rollers configured to receive the metallic composition and successively bend the composition into the given profile. 
     
     
         15 . The apparatus for bending metallic profiles of  claim 13  wherein said arching device comprises at least one Turkshead. 
     
     
         16 . The apparatus for bending metallic profiles of  claim 13  further comprising a cutting assembly configured to receive said arched profile and cut said profile into particular lengths. 
     
     
         17 . The apparatus for bending metallic profiles of  claim 15  further comprising a support guide disposed within said Turkshead about which said metallic profile is arched. 
     
     
         18 . The apparatus for bending metallic profiles of  claim 13  wherein said arching device is displaced linearly with respect to said roll forming station. 
     
     
         19 . The apparatus for bending metallic profiles of  claim 13  wherein said arching device is displaced angularly with respect to said roll forming station. 
     
     
         20 . The apparatus for bending metallic profiles of  claim 15  wherein said Turkshead is a first Turkshead, said arching device further comprising a second Turkshead disposed between said first Turkshead and said roll forming station. 
     
     
         21 . The apparatus for bending metallic profile of  claim 20  wherein said second Turkshead includes an insert roller device corresponding to a shape of said profile, said insert roller device configured to equalize a longitudinal stress incident on the profile during arching.