Novel roll stand for flexible profile bending

Abstract

Abstract A new method and roll stand for the manufacturing of structural profiles with tailored dimensions and properties based on the combination of rolling and profile bending is developed. Through this merged process the outer contour of a semi-finished product is shaped by a set of driven flexible and rigid rollers. The profile inner side is supported by an adjustable mandrel, so that an arbitrary variation of the cross-section along the profile can be achieved. Additionally, a moveable guiding roll facilitates the bending of the product. Conventionally, the manufacturing of load-optimized bent profiles requires a sequence of operations, whereas the novel method enables the manufacturing of those components in one process step. This leads to a reduction in tooling cost and setup time. Hence, the production of lightweight structures in small batch sizes is facilitated. In this contribution, the new forming method and the design of the developed roll stand are presented alongside with an investigation of the effects of stress superposition on bending stresses during combined bending and rolling as well as the possible processes applications.