Quick automated tool changer roll forming apparatus

PCT No. PCT/CA94/00587 Sec. 371 Date Apr. 18, 1996 Sec. 102(e) Date Apr. 18, 1996 PCT Filed Oct. 18, 1994 PCT Pub. No. WO95/11097 PCT Pub. Date Apr. 27, 1995The apparatus comprises a pair of rotatable devices each holding a plurality of metal shaping and/or cutting rollers, the rollers of one device meshing with rollers of the other device to produce specific designs or widths of material. This is made possible by merely selecting suitable rollers of both sets and when production of a specific metallic section of desired widths are terminated, other rollers are selected by rotating the rotatable devices. When suitable rollers have been selected they are locked in operating position and when another design or widths are required, the devices are unlocked, a selection is made, and the devices are again locked to produce the new metallic section or widths of material. The present quick automated tool changer, i.e. QATC, roll forming apparatus is characterized by a novel indexing device for the two forming rolls to be used in a roll forming operation; by the use of Brushless-type motors for individually driving the shafts carrying the forming rolls in use, these motors being of the constant torque type; by quick-changing supports carrying the rolls for allowing the rolls which are not in use to be changed; by sensors on the cylinders providing the force on the forming rolls for giving feedback to the operator on changes in this force; and by a pair of gears selectively engageable with the gearing mechanism linking the Brushless motors to the forming rolls in use for providing a larger range of operating speeds of the forming rolls.