[TheForge] Re: scroll machine

[Ries Niemi]

> I have always said I wouldnt need a scroll machine, because I found 
> scrolls seldom fit in my designs, and when I did need one, I just pull 
> it on my hossfeld.
However, I am working on a project now where I think I am going to need 
something  like 1600 8" diameter scrolls.
I have a Hebo ornamental iron machine- a cnc controlled 7 1/2hp high 
torque 14rpm motorised  machine.
The Hebo folks, over in Germany, make a scroll attachment for my 
machine- but it costs around 3200 euros, which is a lot, and getting 
more daily. So if this job comes thru, I am going to copy their design, 
and use my  base machine to power it.
www.heboe.com shows their modular scroll bender, stand alone scroll 
benders, and their tooling.
Their stuff is pricey, and made to order in germany, but it is top 
quality, kick butt stuff that is built like a tank.
Their design uses a modular scroll die- each die has a drive shaft on 
the bottom, and sits on a uniform size disc of 3/4" plate, which drops 
into the drive unit. They make some nifty segmented scroll dies, which 
unfold to load your straight stick of material, then hinge into place, 
piece by piece, as you form the scroll.
I think their scroll dies are the best designed I have seen.
Other companies that make similar scroll machines in Europe include 
Kreiger and Glaser. Dont know if they both have websites or not.
the big thing I need to figure out is a right angle drive unit, to 
convert the drive shaft of my machine, which is horizontal, into a 
vertical shaft to run the scroll dies. It needs to be mondo hefty, as 
this machine has no trouble twisting a piece of 1 1/2" hot rolled 
square, cold.
but the rest of the scrolling machine is pretty basic. I like the flat, 
horizontal plane for making scrolls- I get tired of stuff falling on my 
feet.
To convert your jelly roll machine to scrolls, you probably would have 
to make it turn the scroll in the vertical plane. this would work, 
although a little inconvenient. Self ejecting though- thats a selling  
point.
You would be restricted in size to pretty small stuff- 1/8" x 1" flat 
bar and the like.
For my machine, my 1600 scrolls will need to be at least 1/2" round 304 
stainless. Bent cold, of course. A little more torque than you could 
get with your handwheel.

ries