Abstract: A tool head assembly for crimping, the assembly including an internal cam that spins freely on a stationary shaft in one direction and locks onto the shaft in the other direction. That cam rotates against the moving slide forcing to move away from the stationary shaft opening a gap between rollers. A controller is programmed to have the drive rotate in one direction for a set time period, then reverse the rotation to begin the crimp process. The start rotation of the drive rotates the cam and opens the roller gap. The forward rotation allows the cam to swing, closing the gap and rotating the rollers around a seal. The tool eliminates the air cylinder and related pneumatic hoses and valve making the head smaller and allows a controller to communicate with any OEM production system to verify the tool has been used and was used correctly.

Abstract: A hot-formed metal sheet has a tensile strength Rm>1300 megapascal (MPa) and includes an opening which is produced by high-speed punching at a speed of a punch of more than 6 m/s in the absence of a counter holder of a contour matching a contour of the punch, with a smooth cut proportion of the cutting surface of the opening amounting to more than 50%.

Abstract: A smart active control hemming device is provided. The device includes a robot arm and a hemming roller unit that is disposed at a front end portion of the robot arm. The hemming roller unit includes a plurality of hemming rollers, a control motor that is driven with an electric motor to adjust a hemming pressure or position of at least one of the hemming rollers, and a pressure detection sensor that detects a hemming pressure of the hemming roller in which a hemming pressure is adjusted by the control motor.

Abstract: A steering roller head for hemming or seaming metal sheets includes a mounting flange that couples to an arm of a robot. The mounting flange is offset from a longitudinal axis of the steering roller head to reduce an operating envelope of the robot arm during a roller hemming process. The mounting flange can also be offset by a mounting angle from the longitudinal axis which allows for a further reduction in an operating envelope of the robot arm during a roller hemming process. Reducing the operating envelope of the robot arm can allow for additional robots or automated tooling to access the work piece during a roller hemming process. In addition, reducing the operating envelope of the robot arm allows for improved access to the work piece during a roller hemming process.

Abstract: A vertical Pittsburgh Seam closing apparatus having a base supporting surface, a track mechanism for moving a carriage assembly which holds seam forming members used to close a Pittsburgh Seam, a pair of upper and lower guide members for guiding the duct section into a proper vertical position, and upper and lower clamping members positioned inside the duct section and adjacent the inside portion of the Pittsburgh Seam to be closed, the upper guide members and clamping member being selectively movable and adjustable for accommodating different duct section lengths. In one embodiment, the seam forming assembly includes three roller members mounted in vertical arrangement to each other, one roller member being V-shaped in configuration and the other two roller members being substantially cylindrical in shape. The V-shaped roller member may also include one or more projecting members for forming dimples in the closing process to prevent shifting and/or slipping of the closed seam.

Abstract: A hemming device is provided including a lower die, an exterior panel disposed at the lower die, and an interior panel disposed on the exterior panel and bending an edge flange portion of the exterior panel to be adjacent to the interior panel. The hemming device further includes a hemming multi-cam formed with a first hemming surface primarily bending the flange portion of the exterior panel and formed with a second hemming surface secondarily bending the flange part at one side of the first hemming surface. Additionally, a seesaw cam having a tip end portion formed with a cam tip end surface bonds the interior panel to the exterior panel and bends the flange portion secondarily bent by the second hemming surface to be adjacent to the exterior surface of the interior panel.

Abstract: A roller hemming device includes a large diameter roller having a large tapered surface and a small diameter roller having a small cylindrical surface. The small diameter roller is coaxially disposed with the large diameter roller. The small diameter roller and the large diameter roller enable to relatively move in an axial direction. The outer diameter of the small cylindrical surface is smaller than the minimum outer diameter of the large tapered surface.

Abstract: A tool and method of hemming a panel wherein the tool engages a flange to apply a compressive force with a stop initially preventing a distal end of the flange from moving inwardly. The hemming tool bends the intermediate portion of the flange between the flange bend and the distal end toward the panel. The stop is withdrawn to allow the flange to be progressively formed toward the panel until the distal end is aligned with the intermediate portion.

Abstract: A moving die is held by a robot and made to approach a vehicle, and a positioning pin is inserted into a positioning hole of the vehicle. The moving die is brought into a floating state of being displaceable relative to the vehicle by reducing a force of the robot for maintaining an attitude thereof. In a state of holding the moving die by the robot, a surface of the moving die is brought into contact with the vehicle by an adsorbing mechanism including an adsorbing portion of an elastic member provided to the moving die. The moving die and the robot are cut to be separated.

Abstract: Hemming finishing pliers press and thereby bring a folded portion of a panel into close contact with an inner surface side of the panel facing the folded portion, by a clamping action of first and second holding arms. A pressure receiving plate for supporting an outer surface of the panel is provided in a tip end portion of the first holding arm. A pressing claw for pressing the folded portion against the panel supported by the plate is provided in a tip end portion of the second holding arm. A pressure receiving surface of the plate facing the outer surface of the panel is set wider than a pressing surface of the claw facing the folded portion. A supporting wall for supporting a flexed part of the folded portion is formed in the plate. Accordingly, the pliers enable efficient hemming finishing without requiring a skill.

Abstract: A sealed hemmed closure assembly includes an inner panel having a first face and a second face, and an outer panel having a panel portion and a hemming portion. The second face of the inner panel substantially opposes the first face, and the hemming portion of the outer panel is disposed proximate an edge of the outer panel. The panel portion of the outer face is configured to abut the first face of the inner panel, and the hemming portion is configured to abut the second face of the inner panel. An adhesive material is disposed between the panel portion of the outer panel and the first face of the inner panel, and a sealant material is disposed between the hemming portion of the outer panel and the second face of the inner panel.

Abstract: A crimping assembly is provided for securing a cover part to a structural member. The crimping assembly includes a housing, a drive shaft disposed within the housing and rotatable in a first direction, and a first roller fixedly secured to the drive shaft and rotatable therewith. The crimping assembly also includes a slide shaft disposed within the housing and rotatable in a second direction. A second roller is fixedly secured to the slide shaft and rotatable therewith. A drive mechanism is operably coupled to the drive and slide shafts to roll the first and second rollers over the cover part to secure the cover part to the structural member. A coupling mechanism is operably connected between the drive shaft and the slide shaft to allow movement of the slide shaft towards and away from the drive shaft during operation of the crimping assembly to accommodate variations in flange thickness.

Abstract: A panel positioning apparatus is provided with an outer panel supporting device 20 adapted to support the outer panel 11 from a lower side of the outer panel 11 and an inner panel supporting device 30 adapted to support the inner panel 12 from an upper side of the inner panel 12. The outer panel supporting device 20 has a lower-surface contact section 23 adapted to abut against a lower surface of the outer panel 11. The inner panel supporting device 30 has an upper-surface contact section 344 adapted to expose below the inner panel 12 and to abut against an upper surface of a part of the outer panel 12 against which the lower-surface contact section 23 abuts. The outer panel 11 and the inner panel 12 are overlaid with each other, and a bending part 112A of the outer panel 11 is bent by pinching the outer panel 11 by the lower-surface contact section 23 and the upper-surface contact section 334.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for controlling a hem profile in roll-forming processes are described. An example roll-forming apparatus includes a first plurality of work rolls to form a first hem on a material and a second plurality of work rolls. One of the second plurality of work rolls is adjustable relative to an opposing work roll and to the first plurality of work rolls to adjustably control a profile of the first hem.

Abstract: An apparatus and method to cradle and hem panels at an assembly-line station. A cradle assembly is configured to conform to the shape of a first sheet material and prevents deformation of the class-a surfaces. A first robotic arm operatively associated with said cradle assembly and a slide-assist assembly cooperate to stabilize the cradle and secure a cradle anvil against the first sheet material. A roller head for hemming said first sheet material supported on a second robotic arm. The second robotic arm moves the roller head around the periphery of the first sheet material and against the cradle anvil to form a hem.

Abstract: A rivet machine is provided. The rivet machine employs a die including a die body that has an inner wall with a pair of retaining ribs or projections extending inwardly therefrom. In use, the rivet pushes a slug from a workpiece within which it is mounted and into an opening of the die. The projections engage and retain the slug within the inner wall. According to further aspects, the pair of retaining ribs are diametrically opposed around the inner wall. Each of the retaining ribs has two converging surfaces that form an angle of between 90 and 150 degrees. In yet another aspect, the projections can be discontinuous such that a first retaining rib is longitudinally offset on the inner wall from a second retaining rib.

Abstract: A fastener machine is provided. In another aspect, a rivet machine employs a rivet feeding mechanism. A further aspect includes a guide located at an intersection between a feed track and a feed rail with the guide having an angular offset orientation relative to both in order to deter ricocheting of the rivet back into the feed track when the rivet enters the feed rail. Moreover, an aspect of the present machine employs a rocker arm.

Abstract: A crimping assembly is provided for securing a cover part to a structural member. The crimping assembly includes a housing, a drive shaft disposed within the housing and rotatable in a first direction, and a first roller fixedly secured to the drive shaft and rotatable therewith. The crimping assembly also includes a slide shaft disposed within the housing and rotatable in a second direction. A second roller is fixedly secured to the slide shaft and rotatable therewith. A drive mechanism is operably coupled to the drive and slide shafts to roll the first and second rollers over the cover part to secure the cover part to the structural member. A coupling mechanism is operably connected between the drive shaft and the slide shaft to allow movement of the slide shaft towards and away from the drive shaft during operation of the crimping assembly to accommodate variations in flange thickness.

Abstract: A hemming station is configured for hemming a panel assembly including an outer panel having a hem flange defined by a hem edge. The hemming station includes a roller configured to fold the hem flange, a heating device configured to heat the hem edge, and a control unit. The control unit is configured to control the roller and the heating device such that the roller folds the hem flange when the temperature of the hem edge is in a predetermined temperature range.

Abstract: A punching tool for attaching adjacent steel deck panels along a side-lapped seam positions first and second jaws on one side of the seam, and positions third, fourth and fifth jaws on the other side. An actuator compresses the two sets of jaws; blades on the ends of such jaws shear the seam to create two louvers extending in one direction separated by a third louver extending in the other direction. The first jaw blade passes between the third and fourth jaw blades, and the second jaw blade passes between the fourth and fifth jaw blades. The blades are tapered to prevent binding upon release. The blades may include semi-cylindrical punching portions, and can be formed as detachable inserts coupled to the jaws, as by dovetail joints. The jaws may be made of a metal having a hardness rating less than that of the detachable blade inserts.

Abstract: A crimping assembly is provided for securing a cover part to a structural member. The crimping assembly includes a housing, a drive shaft disposed within the housing and rotatable in a first direction, and a first roller fixedly secured to the drive shaft and rotatable therewith. The crimping assembly also includes a slide shaft disposed within the housing and rotatable in a second direction. A second roller is fixedly secured to the slide shaft and rotatable therewith. A drive mechanism is operably coupled to the drive and slide shafts to roll the first and second rollers over the cover part to secure the cover part to the structural member. A coupling mechanism is operably connected between the drive shaft and the slide shaft to allow movement of the slide shaft towards and away from the drive shaft during operation of the crimping assembly to accommodate variations in flange thickness.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for retaining an ornament, for example, an ornamental crystal, on a frame or plate is provided. The method includes providing a pin having a first end and a second end, opposite the first end, the second end comprising a projection, for example, a head; inserting the first end of the pin through an aperture in the ornament and through a hole in the frame wherein the projection obstructs the aperture in the ornament; deforming, for example, twisting, the second end of the pin to provide a deformation of the second end that obstructs passage of the second end through the hole in the frame; and retaining the ornament on the frame by the projection of the first end of the pin and the deformation of the second end of the pin. Aspects of the invention facilitate the mounting of ornaments to ornamental fixtures, for example, chandeliers.

Abstract: A joining tool is disclosed comprising a support; a stationary arm extending from the support at one end, the stationary arm comprising at the opposite end a first jaw; a movable arm pivotally mounted on the stationary arm; the movable arm driveable from the stationary arm in a pivotable motion by an actuator coupled to the moveable arm; and a second jaw coupled to the moveable arm, the moveable arm movable between an activated position in which the second jaw engages the first jaw and an initial position in which the second jaw is spaced from the first jaw.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for making armed sutures has a pair of opposed die assemblies that may be driven by actuating surfaces of a swaging machine to hold and swage a needle on a suture. The dies grip and confine the needle in the area of the suture receptacle. A pair of opposed swaging elements with offset stakes insert through passageways in the dies and impinge on the captured needle making a plurality of indentations in the needle barrel and gripping the suture in the suture receptacle. The indentations are offset and aligned generally in alternating peak-to-valley relationship, causing the suture receptacle and the contained suture to assume a serpentine configuration. The stakes and the resulting indentations can be dimensioned to result in a converging suture receptacle, which exhibits increasing shear force being exerted on the suture with increasing depth into the suture receptacle.

Abstract: A self-propelled apparatus for the seaming of roof assemblies for a building structure, wherein the apparatus includes multiple belt components configured parallel to one another around the same set of horizontal rollers for the alignment of panel edges in order for engagement of such horizontal rollers to perform the seaming procedure is provided. Such an apparatus exhibits a greatly reduced propensity for potentially marring, distorting, or otherwise misaligning the panel edges due to uniform pressures exerted on the target panel surfaces during use. In addition, the inventive multiple belt-drive apparatus exhibits a much lower potential for slippage during use than an apparatus utilizing multiple rollers to apply proper force during a seaming operation.

Abstract: A hemming head device and method for hem forming one or more edges of deformable material. The hemming head device includes dual biasing spring members which provide a resistive force whether the hemming wheel is in a push hemming operation on an exterior joint edge or in a pull hemming operation on an interior joint edge. The device further includes a quick connect device for selectively connecting hemming wheels and other forming devices to the head and a gauge to measure the relative position or resistive force applied on the forming member by the biasing members. A method for hem forming a workpiece using dual biasing spring members is also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention provides a hemming device for a wheel housing of a vehicle where a hemming bed unit is attached to an installation frame at one side of the wheel housing, and where a worker can manually hem an inner panel and an outer panel by rotating a hemming roller unit for each process of which the lower portion is fixed to the upper center of the installation frame by a rotary clamper.

Abstract: A device (1) is provided for connecting a metal sheet (23, 33?) at the edges, particularly body sheet metal in automobiles. The device (1) includes at least one folding bed (2) for receiving at least two metal sheets, folding jaws (3) which are functionally connected to associated folding jaw supports (4), at least one thermal jointing tool (5), and at least one mass electrode (9, 9?). At least the joining tool is not attached to the folding jaws, and the joining tool contains a lever oriented away from the folding bed as a linear feed device. The lever (6) has a center of rotation (10) outside the folding bed, wherein the joining tool can swivel in the manner of a knee lever into an operating and/or non-operating position.

Abstract: In the area of manufacturing peel-off lids (28) out of lid rings with a peel-off foil (25) sealed on it, a part of the sealing surface (26) is bent up in the direction of the lid edge in order to tension the sealing surface with the peel-off foil. A clamping tool (30, 31) is provided in order to clamp the sealing surface with the peel-off foil and a pressing tool (35) in order to bend up the unclamped sealing surface section (26?).

Abstract: A moving die is held by a robot and made to approach a vehicle, and a positioning pin is inserted into a positioning hole of the vehicle. The moving die is brought into a floating state of being displaceable relative to the vehicle by reducing a force of the robot for maintaining an attitude thereof. In a state of holding the moving die by the robot, a surface of the moving die is brought into contact with the vehicle by an adsorbing mechanism including an adsorbing portion of an elastic member provided to the moving die. The moving die and the robot are cut to be separated.

Abstract: A hemming station is configured for hemming a panel assembly including an outer panel having a hem flange defined by a hem edge. The hemming station includes a roller configured to fold the hem flange, a heating device configured to heat the hem edge, and a control unit. The control unit is configured to control the roller and the heating device such that the roller folds the hem flange when the temperature of the hem edge is in a predetermined temperature range.

Abstract: An apparatus and process for causing excess covering material at a workpiece corner to be gathered, folded and secured to a back side of the panel. A corner tucking apparatus includes a gathering plate positioned adjacent a positioning structure, and moves inwardly across the back side of the workpiece, from the corner, to gather and fold the corner flap. The gathering plate has a generally V-shaped notch which causes excess material to be gathered together as the plate moves inwardly. The gathered material upon reaching the apex of the notch is folded downwardly into contact with the back side of the workpiece. A securing structure which is carried inwardly with the gathering plate is then activated to fixedly secure the folded flap to the pad or workpiece.

Abstract: A method for mounting a soft member on a longitudinal member by pressing the soft member against the longitudinal member by a roller. The roller is rotated using a servomotor so that the peripheral speed (V2) of the pressing surface of the roller, which forms the outer peripheral surface of the roller, is equal to a transfer speed (V1) at which the roller is transferred along the longitudinal member or the peripheral speed is larger by 10% max. than the transfer speed (V1) partly in a roller transfer route. The soft member is pulled back in the opposite direction of the roller transfer direction by the rotating force of the roller to prevent the soft member from being loosened.

Abstract: A roller hemming system for hemming nested panels includes a single hemming workstation providing for tooling exchange operations simultaneous with hemming operations. A plurality of robots that perform tooling exchange at the hemming workstation, movement of nested panels through the system, and hemming operations on nested panels at the hemming workstation. Nested panels are inputted into the system and hemmed nested panel assemblies are outputted from the system.

Abstract: A punching tool for forming an attachment in a side-lapped seam of steel decking includes four cutting jaws each having a cutting edge. Two jaws are positioned against one side of the seam, and two jaws are positioned on the opposite side of the seam. An actuator selectively pivots the cutting edges of opposing jaws generally toward each other to a closed position, driving the cutting edges of a first pair of jaws partially past each other for cutting a first slot through the seam, and driving the cutting edges of a second pair of jaws partially past each other for cutting a second slot through the seam.

Abstract: An apparatus for the sealing of roof assemblies for a building structure, wherein the apparatus includes a vertically configured roller and a plurality of horizontally configured rollers to simultaneously produce a hook in the female panel edge and seal the male and female edge together is provided. Such an apparatus thus permits the utilization of any type of metal paneling to create the desired roof assembly, with the capability of providing a secure seal to increase the waterproofing and uplift protection potential thereof. The versatility permitted with such an apparatus allows for ease in placement of the targeted metal panels prior to sealing with the aforementioned increase in reliability of the ultimate roof assembly in terms of shear force protection. The method of sealing with such an apparatus is also encompassed within this invention.

Abstract: An outer panel and an inner panel are integrated by placing peripheral parts of the outer panel on a top surface of a lower mold such that bending parts formed by bending the peripheral parts of the outer panel are set up upward; placing a central portion of the outer panel on a top surface of a lifting device; lifting the central portion of the outer panel by the lifting device to open leading end sides of the bending parts of the outer panel outward; placing the inner panel on the top surface of the outer panel so as to superimpose those onto each other; lowering the central portion of the outer panel by the lifting device; and pressing the bending parts toward the lower mold by an upper mold to further bend the bending parts, and making the bending parts to closely contact with the peripheral parts of the inner panel.

Abstract: A lower platen of the hemming apparatus is provided with a hem punch capable of being pressed against an inner periphery bent portion of a workpiece having a frame and a cam follower. The cam follower is disposed on the lower platen to come outside the frame of the workpiece. The cam follower and the hem punch are connected through a connecting member. An upper platen of the hemming apparatus is provided with a driver cam engageable against the cam follower. The driver cam moves the cam follower, whereby the hem punch is pressed against the inner periphery bent portion.

Abstract: A crimping assembly is provided for securing a cover part to a structural member. The crimping assembly includes a housing, a drive shaft disposed within the housing and rotatable in a first direction, and a first roller fixedly secured to the drive shaft and rotatable therewith. The crimping assembly also includes a slide shaft disposed within the housing and rotatable in a second direction. A second roller is fixedly secured to the slide shaft and rotatable therewith. A drive mechanism is operably coupled to the drive and slide shafts to roll the first and second rollers over the cover part to secure the cover part to the structural member. A coupling mechanism is operably connected between the drive shaft and the slide shaft to allow movement of the slide shaft towards and away from the drive shaft during operation of the crimping assembly to accommodate variations in flange thickness.

Abstract: A method may include providing an outer panel that may have a flange that defines at least one planar section. The flange may be heated at the at least one planar section, and the flange may be bent about the at least one planar section.

Abstract: A roller hemming system for edge hemming vehicle closures from nested metal panels includes an anvil robot moveably supporting a hemming anvil having a working surface, a clamping spider cooperable with the anvil robot for clamping the nested metal panels on the working surface, an anvil register including a base and a registration feature for matingly positioning the hemming anvil thereto, a hemming robot including a multi-axis controllable arm, a roller hemming apparatus mounted on a distal end of the multi-axis arm, the roller hemming apparatus being moveable along edges of the nested metal panels on the anvil to hem the panels together.

Abstract: A crimping assembly is provided for securing a cover part to a structural member. The crimping assembly includes a housing, a drive shaft disposed within the housing and rotatable in a first direction, and a first roller fixedly secured to the drive shaft and rotatable therewith. The crimping assembly also includes a slide shaft disposed within the housing and rotatable in a second direction. A second roller is fixedly secured to the slide shaft and rotatable therewith. A drive mechanism is operably coupled to the drive and slide shafts to roll the first and second rollers over the cover part to secure the cover part to the structural member. A coupling mechanism is operably connected between the drive shaft and the slide shaft to allow movement of the slide shaft towards and away from the drive shaft during operation of the crimping assembly to accommodate variations in flange thickness.

Abstract: A hemming system and method is taught. The system and method employs tool platen assemblies comprising an anvil and one or more beam assemblies which are configured on the tool platen assembly and which tool platen assembly can be removed and replaced in the hemming system without the need for reconfiguration of the tool platen components. This allows for relatively rapid change over for the hemming system to hem different components. Further, the lift table of the hemming system includes a lift plate which moves the anvil through a predefined constant vertical stroke, but the start and end positions of that constant stroke length can be changed by inserting and removing a set of spacers from the anvil lift path. When the spacers are in the lift path, the lowered position and the raised position of the anvil are both higher than the corresponding lowered position and raised position when the spacers are removed from the lift path.

Abstract: A metal sheet composite comprising an outer metal sheet having a flange which is folded over around a flanging edge; an inner metal sheet which forms a joint with the flange; and a welding or soldering seam which is produced on or in the joint and fixedly connects the metal sheets to each other. A method for joining metal sheets and a device for flanging and welding or soldering are also disclosed. The device includes: a tool head; a flanging member, arranged on the tool head, for roll-flanging or slide-flanging; and a welding or soldering tool arranged on the tool head, wherein the flanging member and the welding or soldering tool are arranged such that the flanging member forms a pressing means for a welding or soldering process which can be performed using the welding or soldering tool.

Abstract: A variable crimp on flange (COF) tool is provided for engaging and attaching a weather strip and like structures onto a flange. The COF tool includes a housing with two or more crimp rollers that project therefrom. For example, a fixed roller is mounted to the housing to rotate in a first direction, while a movable roller is mounted to the housing to rotate in a second, opposite direction. The movable roller is axially offset from and movable relative to the fixed roller. A driving mechanism, such as a pneumatic motor, is encased within the housing, and operates to rotate the crimp rollers. A biasing mechanism, such as a pneumatic piston assembly, is also encased within the housing, and operates to move the movable crimp roller relative to the fixed crimp roller. The COF tool is engineered such that the crimp speed, crimp rate, and crimp pressure are independently adjustable.

Abstract: The present invention provides a hemming device for a wheel housing of a vehicle where a hemming bed unit is attached to an installation frame at one side of the wheel housing, and where a worker can manually hem an inner panel and an outer panel by rotating a hemming roller unit for each process of which the lower portion is fixed to the upper center of the installation frame by a rotary clamper.

Abstract: A method for connecting shell parts (01, 02), which have been formed from sheet metal, for example by deep drawing. The shell parts (01, 02) may be any desired workpieces of a chassis part in the form of semifinished items or other components that are suitable for a folded seam connection. For this, the shell parts must have edges which are arranged lying one against the other in the connecting position. The method according includes first arranging the shell parts (1, 2) that are to be connected in a position envisaged for the shell parts (01, 02) in the connected state. Subsequently, the edge (03) of the first shell part (01) is folded around the edge (04) of the second shell part (02), so that a folded seam (06) is formed. After the folding operation, according to the invention the folded seam (06) is heated and subsequently once again pressed together. As a result, a positive and gap-free folded seam connection is achieved, with which the shell parts (01, 02) are permanently firmly connected.

Abstract: A movable die 18 including a first groove 52 and a second groove 54 that extend in a direction in which hemming is performed is moved by a robot 22, and is positioned and set with respect to a wheel arch portion 16 in a vehicle 12 on a production line 14. The movable die 18 is mounted, positioned and fixed with respect to the vehicle 12 by a clamping mechanism 58. A guide roller 32 is rolled while the guide roller is engaged with the first groove 52, and a flange 17 is inclined by a conical surface of a tapered roller 38 of a hemming roller 30 that moves in an interlocking manner with the guide roller 32. Next, the guide roller 32 is rolled while the guide roller is engaged with the second groove 54, and the flange 17 is bent by a cylindrical surface of a cylindrical roller 40 of the hemming roller 30. The movable die 18 is separated from the vehicle 12 after the hemming.

Abstract: In a roller hemming method for folding a flange erected from a workpiece by pressing a working roller against the flange and moving the working roller relative to the flange, the flange is folded by: a first temporary bending step of bending a tip-side portion of the flange into a state that the tip-side portion is inclined; a second temporary bending step of bending a remaining, base-side portion of the flange into a state that the base-side portion is inclined; and a full bending step of bending the thus-bent flange into a final shape so that the flange is into contact with a flange-proximate portion.

Abstract: A horizontally stacked hemming press includes a horizontally disposed base. A first vertical support is mounted on the base and disposed generally perpendicular to the base. A linear track is mounted on the base. A horizontally disposed die stack including a plurality of cooperably operable die sets are horizontally arranged in series and moveable along the linear track. Each die set includes a pair of vertically disposed die shoes. A guided press platen is horizontally moveable along the linear track. A second vertical support is mounted on the base distal from the first vertical support and disposed generally perpendicular to the base. A drive mechanism is supported by one of the supports and connected to the press platen for opening and closing the die sets. Actuation of the drive mechanism horizontally moves the press platen and thereby horizontally opens one of the die sets.