The sheet metal strip is formed to the desired shape on the profiling line so as to bring about an undulating cross direction profile. After the profiling line, there is usually a pressing device which presses the sheet metal at certain intervals in the other direction, producing a step, or the like. In the following phase, the sheet metal strip is cut with a cutting device. These metal sheets are used, for example, as roof plates in buildings.

At present, the systems used to convey the sheet metal strip require an electric motor in the entire mechanism, in other words, both on the profiling line and after the line for the pressing device and cutting device. In the shaping process, the sheet metal strip is hurried repeatedly in its forward movement in the beginning when it is sped up to accelerate from zero to the rate of transfer so that the strip can be moved at the transfer rate for a limited distance, then be stopped again throughout the steps of the work process. This continuous engagement and disengagement of the electric motor at full power strains the electric motor and precipitates the need for servicing on a relatively frequent basis. One other disadvantage is also that, when using an electric motor, a long time is required before the motor can reach its full capacity and maximum conveying speed. With the usual conveying mechanisms, the average speed reached by the sheet metal strip is approximately 3.5 meters per minute. There are expensive

specialized mechanisms which can attain a speed of approximately 7 meters per minute.

These electric mechanisms use intricate and expensive electric measuring devices to measure the length of the sheet metal strip in the different stages of the process. These measuring devices require a large amount of maintenance. These electric mechanisms also pose a problem in countries and/or regions where the supply of electric current is discontinuous or where it is difficult to arrange for maintenance.

The present invention seeks to provide a mechanism for conveying sheet metal strip, by which the disadvantages associated with current mechanisms are eliminated.

Specifically, the invention seeks to provide a mechanism which can essentially increase the conveyance speed, by which the conveyance distance can be freely regulated, and which is reliable in all conditions. Further, the invention seeks to provide a mechanism which is advantageous in its operating costs, and which can be fitted onto earlier mentioned mechanisms.

The object of the invention is accomplished by a mechanism, the characteristics of which are set forth in the claims of this application.

A mechanism according to the invention comprises a hydraulic gripping presser which is located after the sheet metal strip profiling line, and joined to said gripping presser is a hydraulic carrying component and a hydraulic motor which moves the sheet metal strip and the carrying component. The hydraulically powered mechanism functions reliably in all conditions. The hydraulic mechanism does not require an

electric current in order for it to operate and it is easy to adjust to correspond to different purposes. Furthermore, the maximum conveyance speed can be attained immediately after the flow begins. The hydraulic mechanism produces a conveyance speed of 7 meters per minute, so that with the hydraulic mechanism there is a notable increase in speed.

According to the invention, in one advantageous application of the mechanism, the mechanism is equipped with adjustable limit switches in order to direct and control the operation of the hydraulic motor, pressing device and carrying component. With the limit switches, the operation of said mechanism can be directed and controlled reliably and according to its purpose.

Now the invention will be described in a more detailed way with reference to the accompanying drawings in which Figure 1 illustrates a certain application of a mechanism according to the invention diagrammatically represented as viewed from the side and Figure 2 illustrates a certain application of a model profiled metal sheet as viewed from the side.

A mechanism according to the figure is comprised of a sheet metal strip 1, profiling line 2, or a hydraulic motor 5 in the immediate vicinity of the profiling line 2. The hydraulic motor 5 is joined as a hydraulic carrying component to the active hydraulic cylinder 4, which is joined to the hydraulic gripping presser 3, located after the profiling line.

Additionally, the mechanism comprises limit switches 6,7 to direct and control the operation of the components which comprise the mechanism. The profiling line is conventionally comprised of a pressing device 8, used to form a graded profile in the sheet metal strip and cutting device 9 to cut the sheet metal strip.

In using a mechanism in accordance with Fig. 1, a manual valve 10 is placed in position 11 and the sheet metal strip is passed through the profiling line by the hydraulic motor 5 and then it is passed through the gripping presser 3 to point A, after which the hydraulic motor 5 stops and the profiled sheet metal is gripped by the gripping presser 3. Next, valve 10 is placed in position 12, at which point the hydraulic fluid is lead simultaneously to the hydraulic cylinder 4 and to the motor 5, whereupon the metal strip is conveyed further. Limit switches 6,7 are adjusted to the desired position in such a way that limit switch 6 regulates the interval distances in conveyance, which is x + y, in which y represents the longitude of the sheet metal strip and x represents the differentiation. Limit switch 7 regulates the entire length of the sheet metal, which is n x (x + y) + z, in which z represents the extra metal sheeting for the eaves.

The number of times the sheet metal strip is moved can be set from the control center, for example, if the controls are set to five, the limit switch 6 is activated five times by the gripping presser 3, which moves the sheet metal strip with it, then releases the metal strip and returns empty back to the limit switch 6 and then goes once again to limit switch 7.

Every time the gripping presser goes back to its starting position, a step is pressed into the sheet metal strip by pressing device 8. When the sheet of metal has reached the desired length, it is cut with the cutting device 9. Then the mechanism returns to the beginning of the work process and the work cycle is repeated.

The invention is not limited to the advantageous application set forth in this application. The invention is versatile and its form can vary within the frame of the idea put forth in the claims.