The present invention relates to a plant for producing a reflector ¹ for a lighting fitting or luminaire, especially for a fluorescent lamp or tube or the like, said reflector comprising two side components and a plurality of transversal .fins, which are preferably arranged substantially parallel to each other and spaced apart preferably at substantially the same distance and extending between said two side components, said transversal fins having projecting lugs extending through corresponding apertures of said side components and being bent for fastening said transversal fins relative to said side components, said side components and said transversal fins being made of thin metal sheet or metal foil such as thin aluminum sheet or foil.

Up to now, reflectors for lighting fittings or luminaires, especially for fluorescent lamps or tubes or the like, have exclusively been assembled manually, since no plants or machines have existed which, in a safe and reliable, fully automated manner, have been able to assemble the reflector components, i.e. the side components and the transversal fins, to form a unit. Thus, in a reflector or the like, all of the projecting lugs of the transversal fins have to be correctly inserted into the corresponding apertures of the side components and correctly bent, and furthermore the final product must not show visible mechanical marks or traces of the handling by the plant or the machines.

Thus, previous attempts to provide plants or machines of this kind have resulted in final products of a quality which has been poorer than the quality of reflectors produced manually. The reflectors produced mechanically have to a large extent shown visible traces of being handled by the plant or the machines, and furthermore, the joints which have been provided mechanically have usually been of a varying and often poor quality since not all of the projecting lugs of the transversal fins have been inserted correctly into the corresponding apertures of the side components. In this connection it is to be pointed out that the materials, of which such reflectors are

produced, are thin metal sheets or thin metal foils, such as aluminum foils of a thickness of 0.5-1.5 mm, and that they are therefore difficult or delicate to handle. In this connection especially two facts are of importance, firstly, che face chat a chin metal ≤neet or a thin metal foil constitutes a body which is in itself difficult to handle since the intrinsic strength of the metal sheet or the metal foil is highly limited and furthermore often has internal tensions, internal elasticity, etc., and secondly, the fact that the materials have a completely smooth surface, which is to serve as a reflector surface, and which is directly visible in the final product and is furthermore in this final product illuminated by the light source present in the lighting fitting or luminaire, generally a fluorescent tube contained in the fluorescent lamp or tube.

An object of the present invention is to provide a method permitting mechanical production of reflectors for lighting fittings or luminaires, on the one hand ensuring that the reflector components, i.e. the side components and the transversal fins, are not subjected to rough treatment or handling, which might result in scratches in the visible reflector surface, and on the other hand ensuring that the final product Is assembled in a correct way, which means that the projecting lugs of the transversal fins are correctly Inserted and bent in the corresponding apertures of the side components.

In accordance with the invention this object Is achieved by means of a plant of the kind stated above, said plant comprising:

a first production line for producing said transversal fins from a first continuous length of said thin metal sheet or foil by cutting out or punching transversal fin blanks having said projecting lugs and optionally by shaping said transversal fin blanks into a predetermined shape by bending, rolling or pressing said transversal fin blanks, a second production line for producing said side components from a second continuous length of said thin metal sheet or foil by cutting out or punching blanks having said apertures and optionally by shaping said side components into a predetermined shape by bending, rolling or pressing said blanks,

an assembling unit, a first transportation means for receiving said plurality of transversal fins produced in said first production line and for transferring said plurality of transversal fins from said first production line to said assembling unit, a second transportation means for receiving and transferring said side components from said second production line to said assembling unit and further for inserting said two side components into said assembling unit, said assembling unit comprising positioning means for positioning said side components and said plurality of transversal fins adjacent to each other, said projecting lugs of said transversal fins being positioned adjacent to said apertures of said side components, and assembling means for joining said plurality of transversal fins with said two side components in an assembling operation in which said lugs of said transversal fins are inserted through said apertures of said side components and are bent, and a third transportation means for receiving said reflector assembled from said transversal fins and said side components, from said assembling unit upon the completion of said assembling operation, and said second transportation means being adapted to maintain said plurality of transversal fins in positions in relation to each other substantially corresponding to said spaced apart and substantially parallel arrangement of said transversal fins of said reflector after said side components have been joined to said two side components in said assembling operation, at least during said positioning of said side components and said plurality of transversal fins adjacent to each other and at least during a first part of said assembling operation, in which first part said projecting lugs of said transversal fins are inserted through said apertures of the side components.

The present invention is based on the realization that the above- mentioned requirements to a plant for mechanical assembling reflectors for lighting fittings or luminaires are met or fulfilled provided the transversal fins are maintained in fixed positions in relation to the side components during at least the positioning of

the transversal fins and the side components in relation to each other and during the insertion of the projecting lugs of the transversal fins Into the corresponding apertures of the s5.de components. The Insertion of the projecting lugs cf hs —-..nsvεrsal fins into the side components may in itself be carried out in any appropriate manner. Thus, the insertion may be carried out in two steps, firstly by inserting the projecting lugs of the transversal fins corresponding to a first side component and secondly by inserting the projecting lugs of the transversal fins corresponding to the second side component. Furthermore, or alternatively, the second transportation means and consequently the transversal fins may be moved in relation to the two side components, or alternatively, the side components may be moved in relation to the second transportation means and consequently the transversal fins.

Preferably, the insertion of the projecting lugs of the transversal fins is carried out by moving the two side components towards the plurality of transversal fins which are maintained in fixed positions by means of the second transportation means for simultaneous and synchronized insertion of the projecting lugs of the transversal fins through the corresponding apertures of both side components. The second transportation means of the plant according to the invention preferably comprises in this preferred embodiment of the invention a fixation device for receiving and maintaining said plurality of transversal fins in said positions in relation to each other.

The components of the reflector, i.e. the side components and the transversal fins, may have any shape determined by the lighting - fitting or luminaire in question. However, the side components and the transversal fins often form a so-called double parabolic reflector, i.e. a reflector in which the side components constitute parts of a parabolic, cylindrical body In the focal line of which the light source, especially the fluorescent tube, is mounted, and in which two opposite transversal fins constitute parts of a parabolic, cylindrical body, in the focal line of which the light source, i.e. the fluorescent lamp or tube, is mounted. However, it is to be pointed out that parabolic, especially double parabolic, reflectors are often produced from components, i.e. side components and

transversal fins which do not form parts of parabolic, cylindrical bodies. The components are often made from parts of circular, cylindrical bodies, as the parabolic shapes are approximated by circular shapes. The reason for this circular approximation of the parabolic shapes is that it is far more easy and simple to produce tools for producing components of circular shapes than to produce tools for producing components of parabolic shapes, and furthermore that a circular approximation of a part of a parabolic section for practical uses may be optimalized to a deviation from the desired ideal parabolic shape, which falls within the production tolerances for providing parabolic shapes. In accordance with this advantageous embodiment of the reflector, the individual transversal fins form elements which have substantially V-shaped cross-sections.

For producing a reflector comprising transversal fins, which have substantially V-shaped cross-sections, especially a reflector of the double parabolic type discussed above, the fixation device of the second transportation means is in accordance with a further embodiment of the plant of the invention adapted to maintain said transversal fins in a compressed state while said projecting lugs of said transversal fins are Inserted through said apertures of said side components, and wherein said fixation device is adapted to be disengaged from said plurality of transversal fins after the insertion of said projecting lugs of said transversal fins through said corresponding apertures of said side components in order to permit said transversal fins to recover positions corresponding to said arrangement of said transversal fins of said reflector prior to a final part of said assembling operation, in which final part said projecting lugs of said transversal fins are bent. Thus, the fixation device may comprise means for compressing the transversal fins.

In the present preferred embodiment of the plant according to the invention the fixation device has indentations in which said plurality of transversal fins are arranged loosely before said transferring of said transversal fins from said first production line to said assembling unit, and wherein said plant has means for pressing said plurality of transversal fins against abutments in said

indentations in order to maintain said plurality of transversal fins In predetermined positions in said compressed state during said positioning of said sice compor.ants and said plurality of transversal fins adjacent to each other and during said first part of said assembling operation.

The means for pressing the plurality of transversal fins against the abutments of the indentations may be any suitable means. Thus, said means may be, e.g., a beam, which may be a stationary or a movable beam. In case the beam is a stationary beam, the fixation device is moved towards the beam in order to press down the transversal fins against the abutments of the indentations. Alternatively, in case the beam is a movable beam, it is preferably adapted to reciprocate in relation to the fixation device in order to press down, by movement from a neutral position to a working position, said plurality of transversal fins into the predetermined positions of the indentations.

In order to fulfil the above-mentioned purpose, especially the purpose of avoiding scratches or dents in the reflector components, it is preferred that those parts of said indentations of said fixation device, with which said transversal fins are in contact during said transferring from said first production line to said assembling unit and during said pressing down of said transversal fins against said abutments, comprise parts made of a material, such as FIFE (polytetrafluoroethylene) , which permits a particularly gentle contact with said transversal fins.

Furthermore, in order to fulfil this purpose It is preferred that said first transportation means of said plant comprises means for elevating said plurality of transversal fins from a supporting surface in said first production line and, during said transferring of said plurality of transversal fins from said first production line to said assembling unit, to keep said transversal fins free of frictional contact with supporting surfaces, that said second transportation means of said plant comprises means for elevating said side components from a supporting surface in said second production line and, during said transferring of said side components from said

second production line to said assembling unit, to keep said side components free of frictional contact with supporting surfaces, and that said third transportation means of said plant comprises a carriage for of said completed reflector from said assembling unit.

The present invention also provides a method for producing a reflector for a lighting fitting or luminaire, especially for a fluorescent lamp or tube or the like, said reflector comprising two side components and a plurality of transversal fins, preferably arranged substantially parallel to each other and spaced apart preferably at substantially the same distance and extending between said two side components, said side components and said transversal fins being made of a thin metal sheet or foil such as thin aluminum sheet or foil, wherein said side components and said transversal fins are assembled to a unit in an assembling operation, in which said lugs of said transversal fins are inserted through corresponding apertures of said side components and are bent in order to secure said individual transversal fins relative to said side components, ^• wherein said transversal fins are fitted into a fixation device in positions substantially corresponding to said spaced apart and substantially parallel arrangement of said transversal fins after said assembling with said side components, prior to said joining with said side components, wherein said side components and said transversal fins are positioned adjacent to each other so as to position said projecting lugs of said transversal fins adjacent to said apertures of said side components, and wherein said side components are maintained in said positions by means of said fixation device, at least during said positioning of said side components and said transversal fins relative to each other and at least during a first part of said assembling operation in which first part said projecting lugs of said transversal fins are inserted through said apertures of said side components.

The method of the invention may preferably be carried out in accordance with any of the above stated features of the plant of the invention. Thus, the method of the invention can especially be used for producing a reflector comprising transversal fins having a

substantially V-shaped cross-section, wherein said transversal fins are kept in a compressed state in said fixation device while said projecting lugs of said transversal fins are inserted through said corresponding apertures of said side components, whereupon said fixation device is disengaged from said plurality of transversal fins in order to permit said transversal fins to recover positions corresponding to said arrangement of said transversal fins of said reflector.

In accordance with this special aspect of the method of the invention it is preferred that the transversal fins are fitted in said fixation device by being arranged loosely in indentations of said fixation device, whereupon said transversal fins are pressed against abutments of said indentations so as to maintain said transversal fins in predetermined positions in said compressed state.

It is to be noted that the transversal fins described above may be made of identical elements or may comprise a plurality of identical transversal fins and two end fins, as will appear from the detailed description of an at present preferred embodiment of a plant according to the invention, which end fins may each constitute half a transversal fin, as two end fins are made from one transversal fin by dividing the transversal fin.

Furthermore, it is to be noted that the transversal fins are preferably arranged mutually parallelly in the reflector. However, in accordance with the teachings of the invention reflectors for lighting fittings or luminaires may be produced, in which reflectors the transversal fins are not arranged mutually parallelly. Furthermore, the transversal fins are not necessarily arranged spaced apart at the same distance, but may be spaced apart at varying distances.

The invention will now be further described with reference to the drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a schematic view of a plant according to the invention for punching, folding, assembling and joining components prepared in the

plant for a reflector for a fluorescent lamp or tube, which plant comprises two, three or more production lines, in which the components are produced, and an assembling unit, in which the components are asseαtDled, Fig. 2 is a perspective view of a first part of a first production line shown in Fig. 1,

Fig. 3 is a perspective view of a second part of the first production line shown in Fig. 1, Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the assembling unit shown in Fig. 1, Fig. 5 is a schematic view of a detail in the transferring of a component in the assembling unit shown in Fig. 4,

Fig. 6 is a perspective view of a part of the assembling unit shown in Fig. 4, the part being in a working position in which the components produced in the individual production lines are about to be assembled,

Fig. 7 is a perspective view of a detail of the assembling unit shown in Figs. 4 and 6 illustrating the joining of the components shown in Fig. 6, and Fig. 8 is a perspective and schematic view of an alternative embodiment of a fixation device in the assembling unit shown in Figs. 4 and 6.

A reflector for a fluorescent lamp or tube consists of two side components, a plurality of transversal fins and two end components or end fins. The transversal fins and end components have lugs, which are inserted into corresponding holes or apertures of the side components and are bent in said holes or apertures in order to fix the transversal fins and the end components in relation to the side components and in order to maintain the side components, the transversal fins and the end components as a unit.

In contrast to previous, rather unsuccessful attempts to automate the assembling of reflectors to form fluorescent lamps or tubes, the plant shown in Fig. 1 for fully automated production of reflectors for fluorescent lamps or tubes can carry out the production of all components in the reflector and the assembling and joining thereof, without the final product carrying any traces of a rough treatment or handling in the plant, which traces would otherwise make the product

unacceptable for prospective buyers. As will be appreciated, such traces may e.g. be dents, scratches, etc., and will in consequence of the strong illumination of the reflector in the fluorescent lamp or tube, nowever small the traces may be, be highly conspic ous.

The plant shown in Fig. 1 basically comprises a production line shown in the lower left-hand corner of Fig. 1 consisting of two blocks designated the reference numerals 10 and 12, In which production line the above-mentioned transversal fins and end fins or end components are produced, a production line shown in the upper half of Fig. 1 consisting of two blocks 11 and 13 substantially corresponding to the above-mentioned blocks 10 and 12, in which blocks 11 and 13 the side components or at least one of the side components is produced, and a block 15 in which the side components -produced in the production line comprising the blocks 11 and 13 are turned around and introduced into an assembling unit 14, in which assembling unit 14 the transversal fins and end fins produced in the production line comprising the blocks 10 and 12 and the side components produced in the production line comprising the blocks 11 , 13 and 15 are assembled to a complete reflector. Below the block 15, the reference numerals 16 and 17 designate two side components, which are to be joined in the assembling unit 14 to transversal fins and end fins, which as a unit are transferred on carriages, of which two are shown in Fig. 1 designated by the reference numerals 18 and 19.

In the upper right-hand corner of Fig. 1 a block 20 is shown with a dotted line, which block 20 may be a block corresponding to the block 13 for producing the side component 17. Thus, in case the plant in addition to the block 20 comprises a further block corresponding to the block 11 and arranged to the right-hand side of the block 20, the blocks 11 and 13 shown in the upper left-hand corner of Fig. 1 only serve the purpose of producing the side component 16, whereas the side component 17 is produced by the block 20 and the block mentioned above, but not shown in the drawing.

Alternatively, the blocks 11 and 13 may produce a continuous sequence of side components such as the side components 16 and 17 shown in Fig. 1. Thus, the block 15, apart from reversing the direction of

feed of the side components produced by the blocks 11 and 13, furthermore turns every second side component to the effect that the side components 16 and 17 are produced in one and the same production line comprising solely the blocks 11, 13 and 15.

Furthermore or alternatively, the plant shown in Fig. 1 may comprise one or more further production lines arranged on the right-hand side of the assembling unit 14, which further production line or lines comprise blocks corresponding to the blocks 10 and 12 and consequently serve the purpose of producing transversal fins and end fins or end components.

Below the assembling unit 14, a control board 21 is shown schematically, which is connected to an electrical or electronic control unit such as a computer, which monitors and controls the function of the whole plant and via indicators, lamps, etc. presents information regarding the operation of the plant, including any malfunction, blockings, shortage of material for processing in the individual production lines, etc. , to an operator who operates the plant.

As already suggested above, the blocks 11 and 13 are of substantially the same construction as the blocks 10 and 12, respectively, as the blocks 10 and 11 and the blocks 12 and 13 contain substantially the same means for carrying out substantially the same functions. Accordingly, only the blocks 10 and 12 will be described below, unless otherwise explicitly stated.

Fig. 2 is a perspective and more detailed view of the block 10 and the components contained in said block. In the block 10, a continuous length of a thin metal foil such as an aluminum foil or a high lustre thin metal foil, especially a 0.5 mm aluminum foil, is fed from a foil roller 22 in the form of a continuous length 23 and conveyed through the block 10. The roller 22 is journaled on a rotational axis 24 of a bearing block 25. It is to be noted that the foil which is fed from the roller 22 in the form of the continuous length 23 has a protection foil in the form of a thin protecting plastic foil

on the lower side surface of the foil length 23, which side surface corresponds to the outer peripheral surface of the roller 22. Initially, the foil length 23 is taken through a unit 26 in which the aetai foil Is smoothed and corrected, the. lengt Z.Z being guided through four pairs of pressure rollers. At least one of the eight rollers is driven by a drive engine 27 contained in the unit 26. The activation of the drive engine 27 for feeding the foil length 23 from the roller 22 is controlled and monitored by the control device or computer connected to the control board 21. In Fig. 2, one of the rollers of the unit 26 is in Fig. 2 designated the reference numeral 28.

From the assembling unit 26, the foil length 23 is fed to a unit 30 in which the foil length 23 on the one hand is given an intermittent feed movement and on the other hand is subjected to a treatment to remove the above-mentioned protecting plastic foil, which is pulled off the lower side surface of the foil length 23 and is fed as an independent length 31 to a roller 32 on which the protecting plastic foil is wound driven by an engine 33 which is activated and controlled by the above-mentioned control device or computer. The foil length 23 is fed into the unit 30 by two guiding rollers 34 and 35 mounted on a supporting block 36 which is stationary relative to the foundation of the unit 30. From the block 36 two guiding bars 37 and 38 extend to a supporting block 39, above which a block 40 is mounted so that an interspace is provided between the blocks 39 and 40, through which interspace the foil length 23 is guided. On the guiding bars 37 and 38 a block 41 is supported, above which a block 42 is mounted, which may be moved upwards and downward relative to the block 41 so that the block 42 can be moved relative to the block 41 from a releasing position, in which the foil length 23 can pass freely between the blocks 41 and 42, to a holding position, in which the foil length 23 is maintained in a fixed or locked position between the blocks 41 and 42. The block 41, which is supported on the guiding bars 37 and 38 is given a forward and backward movement by a driving cylinder 43.

The intermittent feeding of the foil length 23 is provided by the unit described above in the following way. From a position in which

the blocks 41 and 42 is moved towards the block 39, the foil length 23 is released from the blocks 41 and 42, and the blocks 41 and 42 are moved by the driving cylinder 43 to an initial position, I.e. towards the block 36. In this initial position the foil length 23 is secured between the blocks 41 and 42, whereupon the block 41 is moved towards the block 39 driven by the cylinder 43 so that the foil length 23, which is secured between the blocks 41 and 42, Is moved forward. In this final position, the foil length 23 is released from the blocks 41 and 42, and the block 41 is returned to the above- mentioned initial position. By this intermittent feeding of the foil length 23, the foil length 23 is transferred from the unit 30 guided between two guiding rollers 44 and 45 to a first cutting station 50, which is shown schematically in Fig. 1 and also shown in Fig. 3.

It is to be noted that after the removal of the protecting plastic foil 31 from the lower side surface of the foil length 23, the foil length 23 is moved on through the plant, without the side surface of the foil length, from which the protecting plastic foil has been removed, -being displaced across the surface, which might cause scratches in the unprotected foil surface, e.g. in case extraneous matter such as a dust particle, a metal particle or the like is carried along by the unprotected foil length. The above-mentioned rollers 34, 35, 44 and 45 serve to "contactlessly" move the foil length.

The foil length 23 Is accordingly feed to the cutting station 50, without the lower side surface of the foil length being brought into contact with a surface of the cutting station 50. After the feeding of the foil length by the intermittent feeding from the unit 30 into the cutting station 50, which feeding is controlled by the above- mentioned, central control device or computer of the plant, a cutting tool contained in the cutting station 50 is activated. This cutting tool comprises two parts 51 and 52, of which the part 51 constitutes a supporting surface, against which the lower side surface of the foil length 23 is pressed when the part 52 containing the actual cutting or punching tools is moved downward towards the part 51 driven by a driving cylinder 53. In this cutting or punching operation a section of the foil length is cut off, which section

constitutes a sheet section or fin blank 60 shown in Fig. 2 as well as in Fig. 3. By the cutting from the continuous foil length 23 the section 60 falls upon a supporting surface 54, which, as is evident ires. _Ti^. 3, Is placed below the upper side surface defi ed y the part 51, and which furthermore constitutes a surface having a surface coating of a material which provides a particularly gentle handling or treatment of the sheet section 60, such as a surface coating of PTFE (polytetrafluoroethylene) .

The sheet section 60 is moved from the cutting station 50 described above and is shaped into a transversal fin or optionally an end fin in the remaining part of the production line shown in Fig. 3, which part constitutes the block 12 shown in Fig. 1. The sheet section 60 is moved through three processing stations 70, 80 and 90, respectively, by being lifted from the supporting surface 54 by two arms 61 and 62. The arms 61 and 62 each have a sucking disc 63 and

64, respectively, and are mounted on a carriage 65 which can be moved from a left-hand end position shown in Fig. 3 to a right-hand end position driven by a fluid cylinder 66, in which right-hand end position the right-hand end surface of the carriage 5 abuts a block 75. Corresponding to the arms 61 and 62 and the sucking discs 63 and 64, the station 70 is provided with arms 71 and 72, respectively, having sucking discs 73 and 74, respectively, fitted on the arms 71 and 72, respectively, which arms 71 and 72 are mounted on a block 75. Similarly, the station 80 is provided with arms 81 and 82 with suction discs 83 and 84, the arms 81 and 82 being supported by a block 85 corresponding to the block 75. The blocks 75 and 85 as well as the carriage 65 are supported as a unit on a beam 100, which is in its turn supported by three fluid cylinders 101, 102 and 103, which cylinders are in their turn supported by an h-shaped, horizontal beam 104, on which a beam 95 corresponding to the blocks 75 and 85 is mounted in the station 90. On the beam 95, arms 91 and 92 are mounted, from which sucking discs 93 and 94 extend in the axial directions of the arms 91 and 92. The beam 104 is in its turn mounted on roller supports 105 _r 106, 107 and 108, which are supported on supporting plates 109 and 110, respectively. The plates 109 and 110 are supported by means of rollers on beams 111 and 112 which are stationary parts of the plant. The roller supports 105 and 106 and

the roller supports 107 and 108 are attached to pistons of driving cylinders, 113 and 114, respectively, and the h-shaped beam 104 supported on the plates 109 and 110 is attached to a fluid drive cylinder 115 so that the beam 104 and the beam 100 as a unit is movable from the position shown in Fig. 3 to the right, as the plates 109 and 110 are rolling on the supporting beams 111 and 112.

As will be understood, by this joint movement of the beams 100 and 104 from the position shown in Fig. 3 to the right, the sheet section 60 is transferred from the station 50 to the station 70, a sheet section 67 present in the station 70 is transferred from the station 70 to the station 80, and a sheet section 68 present in the station 80 and processed therein is transferred from the station 80 to the station 90 from which a sheet section 69 present in the station 90 and processed therein is released from the apparatus shown in Fig. 3. The sheet section 69 is transferred to a holder 120 by displacement of the beams 100 and 104 to the right, which holder 120 already contains two finished transversal fins 121 and 122, which have been . transferred from the apparatus shown in Fig. 3 to the holder 120 at the end of the preceding steps of operation. In the holder 120, the individual, finished transversal fins or end fins, e.g. the transversal fins 121 and 122 shown in Fig. 3, are moved forward as will be explained below with reference to Fig. 4 so that there is room in the holder for receiving a transversal fin or an end fin which is transferred from the station 90.

Simultaneously with this joint movement of the beams 100 and 104 to the right from the position shown in Fig. 3 produced by the driving cylinder 115, the carriage 65 makes the above-mentioned movement from the position shown in Fig. 3 to the right driven by the driving cylinder 66, the distance from the cutting station 50, in which the sheet section is picked up, to the station 70 being longer than the distance between the stations 70 and 80 and between the stations 80 and 90.

In the station 70 a knife 76 is fitted which is driven by a fluid driving device 77 and is movable from a position shown in Fig. 3 downward for dividing the sheet section 67 present in the station 70.

As will be understood, the station 70 thus serves the purpose of producing, from a sheet body 60, two halves which will constitute an end fin of a reflector for which a plurality of transversal fins and one m-zϊά ϊ±τ. have been produced or processed ir_ advance, __.s "ell as ^~~ . end fin for a further reflector. The cutting tool or knife 76 of the station 70 is accordingly only activated periodically. In the station 70 the sheet body 67 is supported on two supporting plates 78 and 79, between which an Interspace Is defined. After the activation of the station 70, the station 70 remains inactivated during the subsequent processing or production of a predetermined number of transversal fins for a reflector, the transversal fins being shaped in the stations 80 and 90, which stations 80 and 90 are Inactivated while the end fins produced In the station 70 are taken out from the apparatus shown in Fig. 3. The control of the stations 70, 80 and 90 for producing end fins and transversal fins is carried out by the central control device or computer of the plant.

In Fig. 3, the sheet body 68 present in the station 80 is shaped by means of a shaping tool 86, which is movable downward from a position shown in Fig. 3 driven by a fluid driving device 87. The shaping tool 86 bends the body 68 into a arched shape and furthermore provides two webs of the sheet body 68, which webs project upwards from the supporting plane. In the station 80 the sheet body is supported on a compliant supporting surface 88, such as a rubber surface.

In the station 90, a sheet body, which has the same shape as the sheet body 68 shown in the station 80 and has been transferred from the station 80 to the station 90, is provided with a "gull wing" shape by a bending process. This bending process is carried out by means of a tool 96 which like the tools 76 and 86 is movable downward from an inactivated position shown in Fig. 4 driven by a fluid driving device 97. Prior to the bending of the sheet body present in the station 90 the sheet body is supported on supporting parts 98 and 99 of the station 90, between which supporting parts an interspace is defined. After the sheet body has been shaped into the above-mentioned "gull wing" shape, the webs of the sheet body clamp tightly round the bending tool 96 so that the finished transversal

fin 69 sticks to the bending tool 96 when the bending tool 96 is raised to its inactivated or neutral position.

While che sheet bodies 67 and 63 may be transferred from the stations 70 and 80 to the stations 80 and 90, respectively, after the tools present in the stations 70 and 80 have been moved from their activated positions to their inactivated positions shown in Fig. 3, the finished transversal fin 69 cannot directly be taken out from the station 90. The finished transversal fin 69 must actively be caught by the sucking discs 93 and 94 and be held by the same before the tool 96 is moved from the inactivated position shown in Fig, 3 to an elevated position in which the transversal fin 69 is released from the tool 96.

When the sheet bodies 60, 67 and 68 shown in Fig. 3 and the finished transversal fin 69 are to be transferred from their positions shown in Fig. 3 to succeeding stations and the holder 120, respectively, the following movements are produced by the parts described above. It is presumed that the tools 76, 86 and 96 are in the positions shown in Fig. 3. The beam 104 and the beam 100 are moved from a position in which the beams are located outside the apparatus, and into the apparatus to the position shown in Fig. 3, in which the sucking discs 93 and 94 grip the transversal fin 69. The beam 100 is during this movement elevated relative to the beam 104, which elevation is provided by the cylinders 101, 102 and 103. Thereupon the beam 100 is lowered relative to the beam 104, and the tool 96 is moved by the fluid drive device 97 to the elevated position mentioned above, so that the finished transversal fin 69 is released from the tool 96. Thereupon the sucking discs 63, 64, 73, 74, 83 and 84 are contacted with the sheet bodies 60, 67 and 68. Thus, the sheet body 60 is caught by the sucking discs 63 and 64, while the body present in the station 70 is caught by the sucking discs 73 and 74, and the sheet body 68 present in the station 80 is caught by the sucking discs 83 and 84. The beam 100 is elevated or raised relative to the beam 104 so that the sheet bodies 60, 67 and 68 are elevated relative to their supports. Thereupon the fluid driving cylinders 113 and 114 are activated so that the beam 104 and the beam 100, which remains elevated relative to the beam 104, are taken out from the drawing

plane and the bodies 60, 67 and 68 and furthermore the transversal fin 69 are taken out of the apparatus shown in Fig. 3.

By activating the fluid driving cylinder 115 the øeam 104, which Is supported on the plates 109 and 110, is displaced relative to the supporting frame beams 111 and 112, so that the beam 104 and the beam 100 are displaced to the right. By this displacement, the body 67 is moved from a position In front of, but disengaged relative to the station 80, to a position in front of, but disengaged relative to the station 80, and at the same time the body 68 is correspondingly transferred from a disengaged position relative to the station 80 to a disengaged position relative to the station 90. The finished transversal fin 69 is correspondingly transferred from a disengaged position relative to the station 90 to a disengaged position relative to the holder 120. The unprocessed sheet body 60 is transferred from a position disengaged relative to the position shown in Fig. 3 to a disengaged position in front of the station 70 by further activating the fluid driving cylinder 66 so that the carriage 65 is moved relative to the beam 100 from the position shown in Fig. 3 to the right and abuts the block 75.

When the sheet bodies 60, 67 and 68 have been transferred to the subsequent stations in positions disengaged relative to said stations, and when furthermore the transversal fin 69 has been transferred to a position or location disengaged relative to the holder 120, the cylinders 113 and 114 are activated so that the bodies are moved from the disengaged position into positions in the receiving stations 70, 80 and 90 and in the holder 120. Thereupon the beam 100 is lowered so that the sheet bodies 60, 67 and 68 are lowered onto the supports 78, 88 and 98 as well as 99, respectively, of the stations 70, 80 and 90, respectively. The sucking discs 63, 64, 73, 74, 83, 84, 93 and 94 are inactivated, and the beam 100 is elevated relative to the beam 104 so that the sucking discs 63, 64, 73, 74, 83 and 84 are elevated. Thereupon, the activation of the fluid driving cylinders 113 and 114 generates a movement of the beam 104 and the beam 100 out of the drawing plane and consequently to the above-mentioned disengaged positions relative to the stations 70, 80 and 90. Finally, the beam 104 is moved back to the left by the

activation of the fluid driving cylinder 115 so that the apparatus is ready to start another transferring operation after the bodies just transferred to the stations 70, 80 and 90 have been processed therein and n transfer ar.othsr sheet body cut in the station 50 from the station 50 to the station 70.

While the transversal fin 69 and the end fins are produced in the blocks 10 and 12 shown in Fig. 1 in the way described above with reference to Figs. 2 and 3, the side components 16 and 17 are produced in the blocks 11 and 13 shown in Fig. 1 in substantially the same way as the above-described method of producing the transversal fins and end fins. The apparatus shown in Fig. 3, which constitutes the block 12, may accordingly be modified so as to cut a body corresponding to a side component in the station 50, to punch holes in said body for a side component in the stations 70, 80 and 90, to shape the body into a given, desired shape or profile, and furthermore to bend an upper edge and a lower edge from the body. Such modifications of the apparatus shown in Fig. 3 for carrying out the process of producing a side component in the block 13 in Fig. 1 will be evident to those skilled in the art.

In Fig. 4 the assembling unit 14 and the central control board 21 of the plant is shown, which control board is arranged on a console, in which the above-mentioned central control unit or computer of the plant or parts thereof may be included or housed.

In the lower left-hand corner of Fig. 4, the holder 120 is shown in greater detail with the above-mentioned two completely processed transversal fins 121 and 122 fitted in a second and a third position of the holder 120, i.e. in positions corresponding to the positions shown in Fig. 3. A completely processed transversal fin is, however, not fitted into a first position of the holder 120, which means that the holder 120 like in Fig. 3 is ready to receive the completely processed transversal fin 69 from station 90, shown in Fig. 3. As will be understood from the description above, the fins are moved, i.e. the transversal fins and the first and the last end fin, relative to the holder 120, which, accordingly, in the same position receives the completely processed transversal fin 69 just released

and transferred from the apparatus shown in Fig. 3. This movement of the fins forward through the holder 120 is provided by a carrier part 125, which is mounted on two vertically dispiaceabla pistons 126 and 127 of fluid driving cylinders 128 and 129, respectively, and which 5 is consequently movable in relation to the stationary frame of the plant. The fluid driving cylinders 128 and 129 are mounted on a common shaft 130 which is fastened to a piston 132 of a fluid driving cylinder 133 through a plate part fastened on the shaft 130, which fluid driving cylinder 133 is stationary relative to the stationary

10 frame of the plant. By the activation of the fluid driving cylinders 128, 129 and 133, the carrier part 125 is moved. The carrier part 125 is firstly moved upwards so that the transversal fins 121 and 122, which are received in the holder 120, are solely held by the carrier part 125, which is thereupon moved one position forward relative to

15 the stationary holder 120. The carrier part 125 is then lowered so that the transversal fins 121 and 122 are transferred to different positions of the holder 120, the transversal fin 121 being transferred to the position in which the transversal fin 122 was previously received. After lowering of the carrier part 125, the

20 carrier part 125 is returned to its initial position and is consequently ready for a new transferring operation for moving all the transversal fins received in the holder 120 one position forward.

When the stationary holder 120 has received a predetermined number of transversal fins and in an first and a last position a first and a

25. last end fin, respectively, the plurality of transversal fins and end fins necessary for producing a desired reflector are present in the holder 120 and are ready to be transferred from the holder 120 so as to be assembled with the side components 16 and 17 shown in Fig. 1 In the central part of the assembling unit 14 shown in Fig. 4. By the

30 assembling of fins comprising partly end fins, partly transversal fins and side components a carriage 140 is used, which is shown in Fig. 4 In. a lower initial position, and which is shown in greater detail In Fig. 6. The fins, which have been received by the stationary holder 120, are transferred to the carriage 140 by means

35 of a beam 141 after the carriage 140 has been elevated from the position shown in Fig. 4 to a position shown with dotted line in Fig. 4. The beam 141 is supported on arms 142 and 143, which are in their

turn journaled displaceably on guiding rods 144 and 145, which are stationary guiding rods, i.e. guiding rods which are firmly attached to the stationary frame of the plant. The displacement of the arms '. ^~ x.ά 3 on the guiding rods 144 «__nd 145 is generated by a fluid driving cylinder 146. By the displacement of the beam 141 towards the stationary holder 120, the beam 141 pushes the fins received in the holder 120 towards the assembling unit 14 so that the fins are transferred to the carriage 140, which is in the position shown with dotted line in Fig. 4. The elevation and lowering of the carriage 140 is provided by a fluid driving cylinder 150, the carriage 140 furthermore being journaled displaceably on stationary guiding rods 152 and 153, i.e. guiding rods which are firmly attached to the stationary frame of the plant. The carriage 140 is consequently displaceable from the position shown in Fig. 4 into a position in the central part of the assembling unit 14 and can in this position in the central part of the assembling unit 14 be elevated to a position shown in Fig. 6.

It is evident from Figs. 4 and 6 that the fins are received in transversal indentations of the body of the carriage 140 when the fins have been transferred to the carriage 140. The indentations are complementary to the "gull wing"-shaped profile of the completely processed transversal fin such as the transversal fins 69, 121 and 122 shown in Fig. 3. It is to be noted that the fins are supported by a set of PTFE bodies 151 arranged in such a way that the pressure generated by each body 151 is distributed across the outer surface of the body and is furthermore distributed uniformly between the four bodies 151 when the fins are received in the indentations of the body of the carriage 140. The choice of the material PTFE for the bodies 151 furthermore ensures that the outer surfaces of the transversal fins are not damaged when they are brought into contact with the bodies 151.

When the fins have been transferred from the stationary holder 120 to the carriage 140, the fins rest loosely in the indentations of the body of the carriage 140. In these positions the Individual fin has substantially the profile shape of the transversal fins 121 and 122 shown in Fig. 4, i.e. the transversal fins are open. Furthermore, the

transversal fins have only been moved partly into the individual indentations of the body of the carriage 140, whereas the fins shown in Fi__;. 6, which are received in the carriage 140, have been pressed completely down into the indentations so that the transversal fins are compressed. By this pressing down and simultaneous compression of the individual transversal fins the individual transversal fins are displaced relative to the bodies 151, and by this displacement it is highly important that the surface of the transversal fins are not scratched, which is ensured by the choice of the material PTFE for the bodies 151. This pressing down and simultaneous compression of the transversal fins into the indentations of the carriage 140 is generated by a beam 160, which is shown in Fig. 4 and in Fig. 6.

The side components 16 and 17 shown schematically in Fig. 1 are transferred from the block 15 to the assembling unit 14 by means of a transferring unit 170, which comprises two rods 171 and 172 which are displaceable relative to each other, and which are displaceable towards the assembling unit 14 driven by a fluid driving cylinder 173. The side components are secured relative to the rods 171 and 172 by means of a plurality of sucking discs. In Fig. 4 a single sucking disc 175 is shown. In the assembling unit 14, the side components 16 and 17 are received on rotatable fixation units 180 and 190, respectively. Only the unit 180 will be described in greater detail below since the unit 190 has the same structure as the unit 180. The unit 180 has a shaft 181, on which four roller-shaped supports 182, 183, 184 and 185 are journaled, of which the supports 182 and 185 each have four projecting spikes 186 and 187, respectively. The side components are suspended on the spikes 186 and 187 turning upside down as seen in relation to the envisaged fitting direction of the side components, when these have been assembled with a plurality of transversal fins and two end fins, on the side of the unit 180 which turns away from the interior of the assembling unit 14. After the suspending of e.g. four side components on the spikes 186 and 187, the unit 180 is rotated 90° in an upward direction driven by an engine 188 and further by meshing gear-wheels 189 and 191 in such a way that the suspended side components are rotated from the position shown in Fig. 4 into a substantially horizontal position, suspended on vertical upward projecting spikes. The side components which have

previously been rotated to this top position are simultaneously rotated into a position facing the interior of the assembling unit 14, in which position the assembling unit 14 receives a side component from the unit 180 and correspondingly receives a side component from the unit 190, which side components are to be joined with the fins previously received by the carriage 140. For receiving the side components from the units 180 and 190 and further inserting the side components into the interior of the assembling unit 14 the assembling unit 14 has two units, one of which is designated the reference numeral 200, which unit 200 serves the purpose of transferring the side component 16 from the unit 180 to the interior of the assembling unit 14. The unit 200 is shown in greater detail in Fig. 5.

The unit 200 has a beam 201 on which a plurality of sucking discs 202 are mounted for maintaining the side component 16, shown in Fig. 5, relative to the beam 201. The beam 201 is displaceable horizontally as well as vertically driven by two fluid driving cylinders 203 and 204, respectively. As is evident from Fig. 5, the beam 201 is mounted vertically displaceably on two vertical guiding rods 205 and 206 on which the beam 201 is vertically displaceable, driven by the fluid driving cylinder 204. The vertical guiding rods 205 and 206 are connected to each other through a yoke-shaped beam 207 on which the fluid driving cylinder 204 is mounted. The beam 201, the guiding rods 205 and 206 and the yoke-shaped beam 207 form together a frame which is mounted on horizontal guiding rods 209 and 210. The frame is displaceable on the guiding rods 209 and 210 driven by the fluid driving cylinder 203.

Driven by the fluid driving cylinders 203 and 204 the beam 201 carries out the following movements during the transferring of the side component 16 from the unit 180 to the interior of the assembling unit 14. From an Initial position, the beam 201 moves horizontally towards the unit 180, in which position the side component 16 is received by the sucking discs 202. From this position the beam 201 moves horizontally back to its initial position, whereupon the beam 201 moves vertically down into the interior of the assembling unit 14 to a position, in which the side component 16 is transferred to a

holder unit 220, which is shown in Fig. 6, and which corresponds to the holder unit 230 for receiving and securing the side component 17 in the interior of the assembling unit 14. The holder unit 230 is shown schematically In Fig. 4 and in greater detail in Fig. 6. After the transferring of the side component 16 from the beam 201 of the unit 200 to the holder unit 220, the beam 201 moves back to Its initial position driven by the fluid driving cylinder 204 whereupon the unit 200 is ready to pick up or receive another side component from the unit 180 and to transfer said other side component to the interior of the assembling unit 14, in which the proper joining or assembling operation takes place as will be explained below with reference to Fig. 6.

Each of the holder units 220 and 230 comprises two mutually displaceable beams 221, 222 and 231, 232, respectively. On the beams 221 and 231 and on the beams 222 and 232 tool parts 240 and holder parts 241, respectively, are fitted. The tool parts 240 and the holder parts 241 are provided in a number and in a spaced apart arrangement corresponding to the number of apertures and the spacing between the apertures, respectively, of the side components 16 and 17.

Each holder part 241 has an Interior contact surface 242, which is complementary to the outer side surface of the side component, from which contact surface 242 a spike 243 projects, and in which contact surface 242 a sucking disc 244 is fitted. The side components 16, 17 are thus suspended on the spikes 243 and fixed by means of the sucking discs 244. Each tool part 240 has two projecting studs 245 and 246. The lower beams 221 and 231 of the holder units 220 and 230, respectively, are horizontally displaceable driven by fluid driving cylinders 252 and 253, respectively, while the upper beams 222 and 232 of the holder units 220 and 230, respectively, are horizontally displaceable driven by fluid driving cylinders 254 and 255, respectively. In Fig. 6 only the fluid driving cylinder 255 is shown connected to the beam 232, while the driving cylinder 254 connected to the beam 222 is shown in Fig. 4. Furthermore, the beams 221 and 231 are horizontally displaceable perpendicularly to the directions of movement determined by the fluid driving cylinders 252 and 253 and

are driven by fluid driving cylinders 292 and 293, respectively. The beams 221 and 231 are normally kept locked in the positions shown in Fig. 6 by means of locking units 294 and 295, respectively, each comprising a cylinder 296 and 297, respectively, which can be activated, and by means of which the locking units 294 and 295 can release the beams 221 and 231, respectively, for horizontal movement. Each of the locking units 294 and 295 comprises a locking pawl, of which Fig. 6 shows only one locking pawl 298 belonging to the locking unit 294, which locking pawl 298 in the normal, inactivated position of the fluid driving cylinder 296 engages in a space between two annular parts 300 and 301 firmly fitted on a rod 302 which is in its turn firmly connected to the beam 221. The movements of the beams 222 and 232 are synchronized by means of a rack-and-pinion coupling or structure 262, while the movements of the beams 221 and 231 are synchronized by means of a rack-and-pinion coupling or structure 263.

It is, however, to be noted that a total of two rack-and-pinion couplings or structures are fitted at each end of the beams belong to each pair of beams, such as the pair of beams 222, 232 and the pair of beams 221, 231.

Each of the couplings 262 and 263 belonging to the beams 222, 232 and 221, 231, respectively, has two guiding rods 272, 274 and 273, 275, respectively, on which two guiding blocks 276, 278 and 277, 279, respectively, are fitted. The guiding blocks 276 and 278 are firmly connected to the beams 222 and 232, respectively, while the guiding blocks 277 and 279 are firmly connected to the beams 221 and 231, respectively. The guiding blocks 276 and 278 are connected to racks 280 and 282, respectively, and the guiding blocks 277 and 279 are connected to racks 281 and 283, respectively. The pair of racks 280, 282 and 281, 283 engage and interact with toothed wheels 284 and 285, respectively, which are firmly connected to the stationary beam 254 and consequently forces the guiding blocks 276, 278 and 277, 279, respectively to move in synchronism forward and backward controlled by the couplings.

The assembling of the side components 16 and 17 and the transversal fins 121 and 122 and further transversal fins and end fins belonging

to the side components 16 and 17 will be further explained below. It is implied that the assembling unit 14 is in the position shown in Fig. 6. Accordingly, the transversal fins 121 and 122 are pressed completely down and compressed in the indentations of the carriage 140. The beams 222 and 232 are moved towards each other and towards the transversal fins 121 and 122 driven by the fluid driving cylinders 254 and 255, respectively. The beams 222 and 232 are moved so close to each other that the projecting lugs of the transversal fins and the end fins are inserted in the corresponding apertures or holes of the side components. From Fig. 6 it is apparent that each transversal fin 121, 122 has a total of eight lugs of which four lugs are to be introduced two by two in two apertures or holes in one of the side components 16 or 17. Each of these pairs of lugs have a lug belonging to one half of the "gull wing"-shaped transversal fin. When the side components 16 and 17 have thus been brought into contact with the transversal fins 121, 122 and the other transversal fins and end fins belonging to this reflector, and when the projecting lugs of the transversal fins and the end fins have been inserted through the corresponding apertures or holes of the side components 16 and 17, the driving cylinder 150 is activated so that the carriage 140 is moved downward or lowered. The transversal fins and end fins are consequently released from the carriage 140. When the carriage 140 is moved downward and the transversal fins are released from the carriage 140, the intrinsic spring effect of the transversal fins causes the transversal fins to open up so that the projecting lugs are inserted in a correct position in the T-shaped apertures or holes of the side components. From this point, the ^' transversal fins and end fins are maintained merely by their engagement with the T-shaped apertures or holes of the side components 16 and 17.

The beams 221 and 231 are then moved forward to a position shown in Fig. 7, in which position the projecting studs 245 and 246 are arranged partly inserted between the lugs of the transversal fins projecting outwardly from the apertures or holes of the side components 1& and 17. The locks 294 and 295 and the fluid driving cylinders 292 and 293 are activated so that the tool parts 241 are moved forward and back in directions indicated with a double arrow 303 in Fig. 7. The lugs projecting through the apertures of the side

components are consequently bent partly sideways, whereupon the tool parts 241, when the beams 221 and 231 are again locked in their correctly centered position by means of the locking units 294 and 295, are moved forward to positions indicated with an arrow 304 in Fig. 7, in which position the lugs of the transversal fins and end fins projecting through the apertures or holes of the side components and previously partly bent, are bent, so as to be flush with the outer surface of the side components. The above-mentioned couplings 262 and 263 ensures that the joining of the side components 16 and 17 to the transversal fins and end fins fitted in the carriage 140 as well as the bending of the lugs of the transversal fins and end fins take place in synchronism for both side components 16 and 17.

Now the reflector is assembled and ready to be taken out of or released from the assembling unit 14 by means of a carriage 306 shown in Fig. 4. The carriage 306 is moved in a way similar to the way the carriage 104 is moved, and can be elevated from a position shown In Fig. 4 to a position in which the lower side surface of the completed reflector rests on the upper side surface of the carriage 306. The elevation of the carriage is generated by means of a fluid driving cylinder 307. Like the carriage 104 the carriage 306 is moved on the guiding rods 152 and 153, and when the completed reflector has been placed on the upper side surface of the carriage 306, and when the beams 221, 222 and 231, 232 have been moved aside, the carriage 306 is again lowered and driven to the side opposite the carriage 104 so that a finished or completed reflector is transferred to a table 308. The finished reflector is shown in Fig. 4 and designated the reference numeral 309. The assembling unit 14 is now ready to assemble another reflector from two side components and a predetermined number of transversal fins and two end fins In the above-described manner.

Fig. 8 shows an alternative embodiment of the carriage or fixation device 140 shown in Fig. 4 and shown in greater detail in Fig. 6. The alternative embodiment of the carriage or fixation device shown in Fig. 8 differs from that shown above in that the indentations of the body of the holder 140 are wider and are not adapted to receive the

transversal fins 121 and 122 by pressing them down. Thus, the transversal fins 121 and 122 only rest in the Indentations of the carriage 140 in the embodiment shown in Fig. 8. Furthermore, in the embodiment shown in Fig. 8 the beam 160 is omitted. Instead, the assembling unit 14 is provided with a bar 316, in which two mutually displaceable rods 317 and 318 are inserted in a groove, which rods 317 and 318 via gearing are coupled in a rack-and-pinion coupling by means of a toothed wheel 319 in the same way as the racks 280, 282 and the racks 281, 283 described above. From the rods 317 and 318, arms 320 and 321, respectively, extend downward, on which arms abutting bodies 322 and 323, respectively, are fitted. The bodies 322 and 323 correspond to the bodies 151 described above. When the rods 317 and 318 are moved relative to each other, the bodies 322 and 323 serve to compress the "gull wing"-shaped transversal fins 121 and 122 in the same way as in the embodiment shown in Fig. 6. The stϊructure shown in Fig. 8 may of course be modified in numerous ways. Thus, the bodies 322 and 323 may have a different shape, and the arms 320 and 321 may be coupled together In a different way than by- the rack-and- pinion coupling. Furthermore, the arms may extend upwards in an inner cavity of the body of the carriage 140.

It is stated above that the movable parts of the plant are moved by means of fluid driving cylinders, which may be hydraulic cylinders or preferably pneumatically operated cylinders. Alternatively, the movable parts of the plant may be moved by means of, e.g., electrical motors or the like. The sucking discs described above are activated by vacuum, and all movements in the plant are monitored by the central control device or computer of the plant by means of optical detectors or inductive or capacitive sensors well-known per se in the art, which provides the control device or the computer with information about the current position of the Individual movable parts in relation to given reference positions. A detailed explanation of these control techniques falls without the scope of the present application since such control techniques are evident to those skilled in the art and are easily implemented in accordance with specific requirements.

As indicated above, the assembling unit of the plant may be supplied with side components and end fins and transversal fins from several production lines. Thus, it has been realized that the production speed of the assembling unit and a single production line producing side components exceeds the production speed of a single production line producing transversal fins and end fins. Consequently, two or more production lines producing transversal fins and end fins are preferably employed in the plant comprising one or two production lines for producing side components and a single assembling unit. Numerous other modifications and amendments are obvious to those skilled in the art and are considered part of the present invention as defined in the appending claims.