Apparatus for manufacturing welded wire mesh mats for reinforcing concrete

Claim 2

A process for manufacturing welded wire mesh mats for reinforcing concrete with the aid of at least one welding machine having wire feeders, devices for adjusting the longitudinal wire spacings, the transverse wire spacing, the wire mesh mat length and wire mesh mat width, an automatic controller for controlling the operation of said welding machine in response to order signals and a computer for providing and feeding said order signals to said automatic controller, comprising the steps of feeding input data relating to the desired longitudinal and transverse strengths of the wire mesh mats to the computer, combining said input data in the computer with standard limiting values for the wire mesh mats stored in the computer, determining the economically best combination of values for the wire mesh mats by the computer and transmitting the resulting order signals from the computer to the automatic controller.

Claim 3

A process according to claim 1 wherein said standard limiting values for the mats are longitudinal wire cross-section data fL , transverse wire cross-section data fQ , thickness of concrete slab D, said input information data are the length L of mat, the width B of the mat, number n of mats to make up a batch, and the resulting parameters of the mats to be manufactured are the longitudinal wire spacing tL and the transverse wire space tQ.

Claim 4

A process according to claim 1 wherein said standard limiting values for the mats are longitudinal wire cross-section data fL , transverse wire cross-section data fQ , thickness of concrete slab D, said input information data are the length L of mat, the width B of the mat, number n of mats to make up a batch, and the resulting parameters of the mats to be manufactured are the longitudinal wire spacing tL and the transverse wire space tQ.

Claim 5

A process according to claim 2, comprising the steps of feeding the input data fL, fQ and D to the computer, combining said input data in the computer with information stored in a limiting data store of the computer, determining by the computer the wire diameters d1, d2, d3 required in order to obtain the most economical results in manufacturing a particular batch of wire mats, evaluating the corresponding longitudinal wire spacing tL and transverse wire spacing tQ and transmitting the corresponding information together wiTh the input information L, B and n to buffer-stores PS 1, PS 2, PS 3, each of said buffer-stores receiving and storing all operating data requisite for manufacturing the program of batches using wires with one of the diameters d1, d2, d3 and being selectively connectable to the automatic controller of a wire mesh welding machine equipped with a plurality of wire feeders D 1, D 2, D 3 containing wire of the diameters d1, d2, d3 respectively, and connecting the respective buffer-store to the automatic controller of the wire mesh welding machine when the machine is changed to receive wire from another feeder.

Claim 6

A process according to claim 2, comprising the steps of feeding the input data fL, fQ and D to the computer, combining said input data in the computer with information stored in a limiting data store of the computer, determining by the computer the wire diameters d1, d2, d3 required in order to obtain the most economical results in manufacturing a particular batch of wire mats, evaluating the corresponding longitudinal wire spacing tL and transverse wire spacing tQ and transmitting the corresponding information together with the input information L, B and n to buffer-stores PS 1, PS 2, PS 3, each of said buffer-stores receiving and storing all operating data requisite for manufacturing the program of batches using wires with one of the diameters d1, d2, d3 and being selectively connectable to the automatic controller of a wire mesh welding machine equipped with a plurality of wire feeders D 1, D 2, D 3 containing wire of the diameters d1, d2, d3 respectively, and connecting the respective buffer-store to the automatic controller of the wire mesh welding machine when the machine is changed to receive wire from another feeder.

Claim 7

A process according to claim 2 comprising the steps of feeding the input data fL, fQ and D to the computer, combining the input data in the computer with information stored in thE limiting data store Sp of the computer, determining by the computer the wire diameters d1, d2, d3 required in order to obtain the most economical result in manufacturing a particular batch of wire mesh mats, evaluating the corresponding longitudinal wire spacing tL and transverse wire spacing tQ and transmitting the corresponding information together with the input information L, B and n to buffer-stores PS 1, PS 2, PS 3, each of said buffer-stores receiving and storing all operating data requisite for manufacturing the program of batches using wire with one of the diameters d1, d2, d3 and being connected to the automatic controller of one of a plurality of wire-mesh welding machines to which wire of the corresponding diameter is fed.

Claim 8

A process according to claim 2 comprising the steps of feeding the input data fL, fQ and D to the computer, combining the input data in the computer with information stored in the limiting data store Sp of the computer, determining by the computer the wire diameters d1, d2, d3 required in order to obtain the most economical result in manufacturing a particular batch of wire mesh mats, evaluating the corresponding longitudinal wire spacing tL and transverse wire spacing tQ and transmitting the corresponding information together with the input information L, B and n to buffer-stores PS 1, PS 2, PS 3, each of said buffer-stores receiving and storing all operating data requisite for manufacturing the program of batches using wire with one of the diameters d1, d2, d3 and being connected to the automatic controller of one of a plurality of wire-mesh welding machines to which wire of the corresponding diameter is fed.

Claim 9

A process according to claim 1 comprising the steps of forming a pattern of longitudinal wires in accordance with the computed parameters, feeding consecutively transverse wires across said longitudinal wires, welding consecutively each transverse wire to said longitudinal wires and intermittently advancing said pattern of longitudinal wires in concert with the feed of said transverse wires, all in accordance with the computed data.

Claim 10

A process according to claim 1 comprising the steps of forming a pattern of longitudinal wires in accordance with the computed parameters, feeding consecutively transverse wires across said longitudinal wires, welding consecutively each transverse wire to said longitudinal wires and intermittently advancing said pattern of longitudinal wires in concert with the feed of said transverse wires, all in accordance with the computed data.

Claim 11

A process according to claim 1 comprising the additional step of printing the characteristics of each batch of mats on a card by means of a printing device attached to the computer.

Claim 12

A process according to claim 1 comprising the additional step of printing the characteristics of each batch of mats on a card by means of a printing device attached to the computer.

Claim 13

A process for manufacturing welded wire mesh mats for reinforcing concrete comprising the steps of manually adjusting the wire spacings in certain areas of the mat, feeding input data relating to the desired longitudinal and transverse strengths of the remaining areas of the mat to a computer, combining said input data in the computer with standard limiting values for the wire mesh mats stored in the computer, determining the economically best combination of values for the wire mesh mats by the computer and transmitting corresponding orders from the computer to the automatic controller of at least one wire mesh welding machine which is equipped with devices for adjusting the longitudinal wire spacing, the transverse wire spacing, the wire mesh mat length and the wire mesh mat width, said devices being controllable by said automatic controller.

Claim 14

A process for manufacturing welded wire mesh mats for reinforcing concrete comprising the steps of manually adjusting the wire spacings in certain areas of the mat, feeding input data relating to the desired longitudinal and transverse strengths of the remaining areas of the mat to a computer, combining said input data in the computer with standard limiting values for the wire mesh mats stored in the computer, determining the economically best combination of values for the wire mesh mats by the computer and transmitting corresponding orders from the computer to the automatic controller of at least one wire mesh welding machine which is equipped with devices for adjusting the longitudinal wire spacing, the transverse wire spacing, the wire mesh mat length and the wire mesh mat width, said devices being controllable by said automatic controller.

Claim 15

A process for manufacturing welded wire mesh mats for reinforcing concrete comprising the steps of manually adjusting the wire spacings in certain areas of the mat, feeding input data relating to the desired longitudinal and transverse strengths of the remaining areas of the mat to a computer, combining said input data in the computer with standard limiting values for the wire mesh mats stored in the computer, determining the economically best combination of values for the wire mesh mats by the computer and transmitting corresponding orders from the computer to the automatic controller of at least one wire mesh welding machine which is equipped with devices for adjusting the longitudinal wire spacing, the transverse wire spacing, the wire mesh mat length and the wire mesh mat width, said devices being controllable by said automatic controller.

Claim 16

A process for manufacturing welded wire mesh mats for reinforcing concrete comprising the steps of manually adjusting the wire spacings in certain areas of the mat, feeding input data relating to the desired longitudinal and transverse strengths of the remaining areas of the mat to a computer, combining said input data in the computer with standard limiting values for the wire mesh mats stored in the computer, determining the economically best combination of values for the wire mesh mats by the computer and transmitting corresponding orders from the computer to the automatic controller of at least one wire mesh welding machine which is equipped with devices for adjusting the longitudinal wire spacing, the transverse wire spacing, the wire mesh mat length and the wire mesh mat width, said devices being controllable by said automatic controller.

Claim 17

A process for manufacturing welded wire mesh mats for reinforcing concrete comprising the steps of manually feeding information for the adjustment of longitudinal and transverse wire spacing in certain areas of the mat to the computer, feeding input data relating to the desired longitudinal and transverse strengths of the remaining areas of the mat to a computer, combining said input data in the computer with standard limiting values for the wire mesh mats stored in the computer, determining the economically best combination of values for the wire mesh mats by the computer and transmitting corresponding orders from the computer to the controller of at least one wire mesh welding machine which is equipped with devices for adjusting the longitudinal wire spacing, the transverse wire spacing, the wire mesh mat length and the wire mesh mat width, said devices being controllable by said automatic controller.

Claim 18

A process for manufacturing welded wire mesh mats for reinforcing concrete comprising the steps of manually feeding information for the adjustment of longitudinal and transverse wire spacing in certain areas of the mat to the computer, feeding input data relating to the desired longitudinal and transverse strengths of the remaining areas of the mat to a computer, combining said input data in the computer with standard limiting values for the wire mesh mats stored in the computer, determining the economically best combination of values for the wire mesh mats by the computer and transmitting corresponding orders from the computer to the controller of at least one wire mesh welding machine which is equipped with devices for adjusting the longitudinal wire spacing, the transverse wire spacing, the wire mesh mat length and the wire mesh mat width, said devices being controllable by said automatic controller.

Claim 19

A process for manufacturing welded wire mesh mats for reinforcing concrete comprising the steps of manually feeding information for the adjustment of longitudinal and transverse wire spacing in certain areas of the mat to the computer, feeding input data relating to the desired longitudinal and transverse strengths of the remaining areas of the mat to a computer, combining said input data in the computer with standard limiting values for the wire mesh mats stored in the computer, determining the economically best combination of values for the wire mesh mats by the computer and transmitting corresponding orders from the computer to the controller of at least one wire mesh welding machine which is equipped with devices for adjusting the longitudinal wire spacing, the transverse wire spacing, the wire mesh mat length and the wire mesh mat width, said devices being controllable by said automAtic controller.

Claim 20

A process for manufacturing welded wire mesh mats for reinforcing concrete comprising the steps of manually feeding information for the adjustment of longitudinal and transverse wire spacing in certain areas of the mat to the computer, feeding input data relating to the desired longitudinal and transverse strengths of the remaining areas of the mat to a computer, combining said input data in the computer with standard limiting values for the wire mesh mats stored in the computer, determining the economically best combination of values for the wire mesh mats by the computer and transmitting corresponding orders from the computer to the controller of at least one wire mesh welding machine which is equipped with devices for adjusting the longitudinal wire spacing, the transverse wire spacing, the wire mesh mat length and the wire mesh mat width, said devices being controllable by said automAtic controller.

Claim 21

A process for manufacturing welded wire mesh mats for reinforcing concrete with the aid of a welding machine having wire feeders, devices for adjusting the longitudinal wire spacings, the transverse wire spacing, the wire mesh mat length and the wire mesh mat width, an automatic controller for controlling the operation of said welding machine in response to order signals and a computer for providing and feeding said order signals to said automatic controller, comprising the steps of feeding input data relating to the desired longitudinal and transverse strengths of the wire mesh mats to the computer, combining said input data in the computer with standard limiting values for the wire mesh mats stored in the computer, determining the economically best combination of values for the wire spacings on the baSis of given wire diameters by the computer and transmitting the resulting order signals from the computer to buffer-stores, each of said buffer-stores receiving and storing all operating data requisite for manufacturing the program of batches using wires with one of the given diameters and being selectively connectable to the automatic controller of the wire mesh welding machine, the machine being equipped with a plurality of wire feeders, each of said feeders containing wire of one of the given diameters, and selectively connecting the respective buffer store to the automatic controller of the wire mesh welding machine when the machine is changed to receive wire from another feeder.

Claim 22

A process for manufacturing welded wire mesh mats for reinforcing concrete with the aid of a welding machine having wire feeders, devices for adjusting the longitudinal wire spacings, the transverse wire spacing, the wire mesh mat length and the wire mesh mat width, an automatic controller for controlling the operation of said welding machine in response to order signals and a computer for providing and feeding said order signals to said automatic controller, comprising the steps of feeding input data relating to the desired longitudinal and transverse strengths of the wire mesh mats to the computer, combining said input data in the computer with standard limiting values for the wire mesh mats stored in the computer, determining the economically best combination of values for the wire spacings on the baSis of given wire diameters by the computer and transmitting the resulting order signals from the computer to buffer-stores, each of said buffer-stores receiving and storing all operating data requisite for manufacturing the program of batches using wires with one of the given diameters and being selectively connectable to the automatic controller of the wire mesh welding machine, the machine being equipped with a plurality of wire feeders, each of said feeders containing wire of one of the given diameters, and selectively connecting the respective buffer store to the automatic controller of the wire mesh welding machine when the machine is changed to receive wire from another feeder.

Claim 23

A process for manufacturing welded wire mesh mats for reinforcing concrete with the aid of a welding machine having wire feeders, devices for adjusting the longitudinal wire spacings, the transverse wire spacing, the wire mesh mat length and the wire mesh mat width, an automatic controller for controlling the operation of said welding machine in response to order signals and a computer for providing and feeding said order signals to said automatic controller, comprising the steps of feeding input data relating to the desired longitudinal and transverse stengths of the wire mesh mats to the computer, combining said input data in the computer with standard limiting values for the wire mesh mats stored in the computer, determining the economically best combination of values for the wire spacings on the basis of given wire diameters by the computer and trasntransmitting the resulting order signals from the computer to buffer-stores, each of said buffer-stores receiving and storing all operating data requisite for manufacturing the program of batches using wires with one of the given diameters and being selectively connectable to the automatic controller of the wire mesh welding machine, the machine being equipped with a plurality of wire feeders, each of said feeders containing wire of one of the given diameters, and selectively connecting the respective buffer store to the automatic controller of the wire mesh welding machine when the machine is changed to receive wire from another feeder.

Claim 24

A process for manufacturing welded wire mesh mats for reinforcing concrete with the aid of a welding machine having wire feeders, devices for adjusting the longitudinal wire spacings, the transverse wire spacing, the wire mesh mat length and the wire mesh mat width, an automatic controller for controlling the operation of said welding machine in response to order signals and a computer for providing and feeding said order signals to said automatic controller, comprising the steps of feeding input data relating to the desired longitudinal and transverse stengths of the wire mesh mats to the computer, combining said input data in the computer with standard limiting values for the wire mesh mats stored in the computer, determining the economically best combination of values for the wire spacings on the basis of given wire diameters by the computer and trasntransmitting the resulting order signals from the computer to buffer-stores, each of said buffer-stores receiving and storing all operating data requisite for manufacturing the program of batches using wires with one of the given diameters and being selectively connectable to the automatic controller of the wire mesh welding machine, the machine being equipped with a plurality of wire feeders, each of said feeders containing wire of one of the given diameters, and selectively connecting the respective buffer store to the automatic controller of the wire mesh welding machine when the machine is changed to receive wire from another feeder.

Claim 25

A process for manufacturing welded wire mesh mats for reinforcing concrete with the aid of a plurality of welding machines each having wire feeders, devices for adjusting the longitudinal wire spacing, the transverse wire spacing, the wire mesh mat length and the wire mesh mat width, and an automatic controller for controlling the operation of the respective welding machine in response to order signals and a computer for providing and feeding said order signals to said automatic controllers, comprising the steps of feeding input data relating to the desired longitudinal and transverse strengths of the wire mesh mats to the computer, combining said input data in the computer with standard limiting values for the wire mesh mats stored in the computer, determining the economically best combination of values for the wire spacings on the basis of given wire diameters by the computer and transmitting the resulting order signals from the computer to a plurality of buffer-stores, each of said buffer-stores receiving and storing all operating data requisite for manufacturing the program of batches using wire with one of the given diameters and being connected to the automatic controller of a particular one of the plurality of wire-mesh welding machines to which wire of the corresponding diameter is fed. B. d2 0.6 cm ( Line wire) mLo (4.2/0.28).1.70 25.5 . . . . mL 26 FL (26.0.28/1.70 4.28 sqcm per m cL 170/25 6.8 cm k (16 + 8) - 20 4 >0 r 1.2 - 2 -0.8 <0 Therefore: 20 > 6.8 > 2 Condition satisfied, wire may be used! PL2 25.26.5.0.1.10 3,575/ C. d3 0.9 cm ( Line wire) mLo (4.2/0.64). 1.70 11.2 . . . mL 12 FL (12 hu . 0.64/1.70) 4.52 sqcm per m eL 170/11 15.4 cm k (16 + 8) - 20 -4 > 0 r 1.8 - 2 - 0.2 < 0 Therefore: 20 > 15.4 >2 Condition satisfied, wire may be used ! PL3 25.12.5.0.2.40 3,600/ D. d1 0.3 (Cross wire) mQo (1.4/0.07).5.0 100 . . . . mQ 100 FQ (100.0.07/5.0 1.4 per m eQ 500/99 5.05 cm r 0.6 - 2 -1.2 < 0 Therefore: 33 > 5.05 > 2 Condition satisfied, wire may be used. PQ1 25.100. 1.70.0.3 1,275/ E. d2 0.6 cm (Cross wire) mQo (1.4/0.28).5.0 25 . . . . mQ 25 FQ (25..0.28/5.0) 1.40 sqcm per m eQ 500/24 20.8 cm r 1.2 - 2 - 0.8 < 0 Therefore: 33 > 20.8 > 2 Condition satisfied, wire may be used. PQ2 25.25.1.70.1.10 1,168.75/ F. d3 0.9 (Cross wire) mQo (1.40/0.64).5.0 1.9 . . . . mQ 11 FQ (11.0.64/5.0 1.41 sqcm per m eQ 500/10 50 r 1.8 - 2 -0.2 < 0 Therefore: 33 < 50 > 2 Condition not satisfied, wire must not be used! The economic optimum: PL2 + PQ1 P21 3,575 +1,275 4,850 PL2 + PQ2 P22 3,575 + 1,168.75 4,743.75 PL3 + PQ1 P31 3,600 + 1,275 4,875 PL3 + PQ2 P32 3,600 + 1,168.75 4,768.75 P22 is the economkc optimum! The mats to be produced have the specifications: Line wires d 0.6 cm Cross wires d 0.6 cm eL 6.8 cm eQ 20.8 cm 26 line wires FL 4.28 sqcm per m Cross wires d 0.6 cm eQ 20.8 cm 25 cross wires FQ 1.4 sqcm per m EXAMPLE 2 Wires available: The same as in Example 1. Imposed limitations: The same as in Example 1 Values resulting from statical computation: fL 7.3 sq cm per m fQ 2.0 sq cm per m L 4.70 m B 1.40 m D 18 cm n 40 A. d1 0.3 cm (Line wire) Since fL 7.3 q cm per m is bigger than the corresponding value in Example 1, a sire with a diameter of o.3 cm cannot satisfy the condition 20 > eL>2 B. d2 0.6 cm ( Line wires) mLo (7.3/0.28). 1.40 36.6 . . . mL 37 FL (37.0.28/1.40) 7.4 q cm per m eL 140/36 3.9 cm k 26 - 20 6 > 0 r 1.2 - 2 -0.8 < 0 20 > 3.9 > 2 Condition satisfied PL2 40. 37.4.701.10 7,651.60 C. d3 0.9 cm ( Line wires) mLo (7.3/0.64). 1.40 16 . . . mL 16 FL (16.0.64/1.40 7.30 sq cm per m eL 140/15 9.3 cm k 26 -20 6 >0 r 1.8 -2 -0.2 <0 20 >9.3 >2 Condition satisfied PL3 4.0.16.4.7.2.4 7,219.20/ D. d1 0.3 cm (Cross wires) mQ0 (2.0/0.07).4.70 134.2 . . . mQ 135 FQ (135/4.70). 0.07 2.01 sq cm per m eQ 470/134 3.5 cm r 0.6 -2 -1.4 < 0 33 > 3.5 >2 Condition satisfied PQ1 40.135.1.40. 0.30 2,268.0/ E. d2 0.6 cm (Cross wires) mQo (2.00/0.28). 4.70 33.5 . . . mQ 34 FQ (340. 28/4.70) 2.02 sq cm per m eQ 470/33 14.2 cm r 1.2 -2 -0.8 <0 33 >14.2 > 2 Condition satisfied PQ2 40.34.1.40.1.10 2,094.4/ F. d3 0.9 cm (Cross wires) mQ (2.00/0.64). 4.70 14.7 . . . mQ 15 FQ (15.0.64/4.70) 2.05 sq cm per m eQ 470/14 33.6 cm r 1.8 -2 -0.2 <0 33 <33.6 >2 Condition not satisfied, wire must not be used! The economic optimum: PL2 + PQ1 P21 7,651.60 +2,268.0 9.919.60 PL2 +PQ2 P22 7,651.60 +2,094.4 9,746.00 PL3 +PQ1 P31 7,219.20 +2,268.0 9,487.20 PL3 +PQ2 P32 2 7,219.20 +2,094.4 9,313.60 The mats to be produced have the specification: Line wires cross wires d o,9 cm d o,6 cm eL 9,3 cm eQ 14.2 cm FL 7,3 sq cm per m FQ 2,02 sq cm per m 16 Line wires 34 Cross wires. We claim:

Claim 26

A process for manufacturing welded wire mesh mats for reinforcing concrete with the aid of a plurality of welding machines each having wire feeders, devices for adjusting the longitudinal wire spacing, the transverse the wire spacing, the wire mesh mat length and the wire mesh mat width, and an automatic controller for controlling the operation of the respective welding machine in response to order signals and a computer for providing and feeding said order signals to said automatic controllers, comprising the steps of feeding input data relating to the desired longitudinal and transverse strengths of the wire mesh mats to the computer, combining said input data in the computer with standard limiting values for the wire mesh mats stored in the computer, determining the economically best combination of values for the wire spacings on the basis of given wire diameters by the computer and transmitting the resulting order signals from the computer to a plurality of buffer-stores, each of said buffer-stores receiving and storing all operating data requisite for manufacturing the program of batches using wire with one of the given diameters and being connected to the automatic controller of a particular one of the plurality of wire-mesh welding machines to which wire of the corresponding diameter is fed.

Claim 27

A process for manufacturing welded wire mesh mats for reinforcing concrete with the aid of a plurality of welding machines each having wire feeders, devices for adjusting the longitudinal wire spacing, the transverse the wire spacing, the wire mesh mat length and the wire mesh mat width, and an automatic controller for controlling the operation of the respective welding machine in response to order signals and a computer for providing and feeding said order signals to said automatic controllers, comprising the steps of feeding input data relating to the desired longitudinal and transverse strengths of the wire mesh mats to the computer, combining said input data in the computer with standard limiting values for the wire mesh mats stored in the computer, determining the economically best combination of values for the wire spacings on the basis of given wire diameters by the computer and transmitting the resulting order signals from the computer to a plurality of buffer-stores, each of said buffer-stores receiving and storing all operating data requisite for manufacturing the program of batches using wire with one of the given diameters and being connected to the automatic controller of a particular one of the plurality of wire-mesh welding machines to which wire of the corresponding diameter is fed.