Abstract: Apparatus and method for forming (e.g. die necking) open ends of open-ended metal container bodies. An exemplary embodiment provides a number of movable holders for container bodies that move the container bodies along a path extending through the apparatus. A motor advances the holders and container bodies along the path in steps with pauses between each step. Each step advances one or more container bodies (and preferably two or more). One or more groups of work stations positioned adjacent to the path provides tool sets for carrying out a forming operation on one (and preferably two or more) container bodies simultaneously. Individual container bodies, or more preferably groups of two or more, are subjected to one or more forming operations during passage along the path (preferably the periphery of one or more star wheels).

Abstract: A device for contamination-free sealing of a tube having a collar positioned thereon. The device can include a first jaw portion and a second jaw portion. The first jaw portion can include two pressing bars extending outwardly therefrom, and a pressing piece extending outwardly therefrom. The pressing piece can include a substantially flat surface, and can be positioned between the pressing bars. The pressing bars each have a pressing surface. The second jaw portion can include a support surface. Each of the pressing surfaces can be substantially flat. When the first jaw portion is moved toward the second jaw portion, each of the two pressing bars contacts the collar proximate an end portion of the collar, and the pressing piece contacts the collar proximate a center portion of the collar.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are a helical gear forging apparatus wherein a forming introduction portion thereof, used to form gear teeth of the helical gear, is variable in shape on the basis of the desired helix angle of the gear-teeth so as to constantly keep a predetermined outer diameter of the formed gear teeth, thereby enabling easy forming of the helical gear irrespective of a variation of the helix angle, and a forging method using the same. The forging apparatus comprises a gear die having a gear teeth forming section defined at an inner circumference thereof for forming gear teeth of the helical gear, a collar die integrally formed at an upper end of the gear die, a lower die located below the gear die, a punch located above the collar die and adapted to push a stock into the collar die, and a knock-out located below the lower die and adapted to discharge the molded stock to the outside.

Abstract: A method for forging/molding a coarse blank of an aluminum transmission shaft, including steps of: placing burn-in softened aluminum material into a preheated mold; using a first punch head to first forge the aluminum material in the mold cavity from outer side of the molding hole so as to form a blank body of the transmission shaft with two pivot heads wherein one pivot head is located at each end of the transmission shaft and a shorter middle shaft rod; moving out the first punch head and connecting an extension mold with the mold; and immediately using a second punch head to secondarily forge the blank body in the mold cavity from outer side of the extension hole so as to make an end section of the second punch head extend into the mold cavity to a position near the inner end of the mold cavity, whereby the middle shaft rod of the blank body outward axially extends to the extension mold into a predetermined length to form the transmission shaft.

Abstract: A single sheet of a metal member is pressed to form an integrally molded structure of a front, a side, and a top of a door body without any joint. In addition, the front of the door body and a concave for displaying sample products or the like are integrally produced by molding. By virtue of this constitution, a door device for a vending machine can be realized which can be easily produced and possesses excellent appearance and strength.

Abstract: A vehicular body panel or component part having a reinforcing backing plate reconciled or joined to a part of a blank material at a position wherein a bending formation is implemented. The backing plate has one or more apertures formed in at least one lateral row at a location equivalent to the position of the bending formation. When forming the blank material and the backing plate concurrently by a bending operation, the backing plate becomes intimately associated with the blank sheet to avoid the backing plate from locally separating from the blank material and from forming a gap relative thereto, with a resultant improved product quality.

Abstract: In manufacturing a link plate for a roller chain, a band of sheet steel is intermittently forwarded along a path past series of dies, including rough punching dies and shaving dies. The punching dies and corresponding shaving dies are located symmetrically on opposite sides of an intermediate location along the path. The intermediate location coincides with a location at which the lateral deviation of the band reverses. Consequently, the outer peripheral surfaces of the plate and the inner peripheral surfaces of the connecting pin holes, both being formed by rough punching, are brought into very close alignment with the shaving dies.

Abstract: A system for protecting a stent from contact during loading comprises a stent, a protective sleeve disposed about the stent and a loading tool. The inner diameter of the protective sleeve is greater than the outer diameter of the stent. The protective sleeve has a length longer than that of the stent. The portion of the sleeve extending beyond the length of the stent defines a sleeve extension. The loading tool is positioned about at the stent retaining sleeve of a catheter. The tip region of the loading tool separates the protective sleeve and the stent from one another when the protective sleeve is pulled over the tip region of the loading tool. When the protective sleeve is pulled over the tip region of the loading tool the stent is advanced into a lumen defined by the stent retaining sleeve of the catheter.

Abstract: A process for forming a metallic tubular connector of the type having a cylindrical shell which extends circumferentially about a tubular body for joining said tubular connector to a conduit. The process involves using a first forming machine to form a first peripheral bead in a first end portion of a tubular metallic body, having a substantially uniform diameter and wall thickness, reduce the outside diameter of a second end portion, and slope an intermediate surface portion. Then, a second end forming machine tool, carrying a metallic socket, freely receives the tubular body second end portion, contacts the sloped intermediate surface portion, forms a second peripheral bead adjacent the first peripheral bead, while an annular end surface of the socket is compressed and locked between the first and second beads. Further, the tubular body is manufactured from a 5000 series aluminum alloy material.

Abstract: A self-piercing element including a shank, a radial flange and a tubular barrel. The flange includes spaced concave surfaces and the annular bearing surface has an area at least four times the concave surfaces. The element is installed in a panel supported on a female die including a central die post, wherein the outer side wall is a frustoconical having an included angle between five and twelve degrees. During installation, the tubular barrel pierces an opening in the panel and the panel is drawn against the outer surface of the tubular barrel and the barrel is deformed into a U-shape. The flange is simultaneously received in the die cavity and the panel is incrementally deformed radially into the concave surfaces between the frustoconical side wall and the flange portion providing improved torque resistance.

Abstract: An auxiliary joining element is joint to a sheet metal work-piece with a foot deformed to interlock the auxiliary joining element to the sheet metal work-piece. The foot is depressed into the sheet metal work-piece, which is retained over a die having a recess defined by a wall. The wall is interrupted by die parts that are movable radially inwardly of the wall. The foot deforms the sheet metal work-piece into the recess and simultaneously forces the die parts radially inwardly of the wall. Spaced undercuts are formed by the die parts in the foot and the deformed sheet metal work-piece for retaining the auxiliary joining element to the sheet metal work-piece.

Abstract: A method for the quality assurance of crimp joints on crimping devices, in which, based on a setpoint dimension of crimp force and/or crimp height, the actual value of crimp force and/or crimp height is measured continuously within defined upper and/or lower tolerance dimensions of crimp force and/or crimp height, and a corrected re-adjustment of crimp height is effected after the actual values have reach a correction value.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a one piece sinker reversibly attachable to a fishing line. The sinker is a streanmlined, truncated cone shape having a line accepting passage along the center line thereof. The sinker includes line centering surfaces to prevent line twist as the sinker is drawn though water, and a elongated thumb slot for inserting a tool having a length longer than the sinker to allow a user to manually opening the sinker. Also disclosed is a method of making the sinker employing a unique core blade punch for forming the line accepting passage with the sinker jaws having discontinuous but mateable line engaging surfaces.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of making lithium-containing aluminum base alloy extrusion having at least a section thereof having a low aspect ratio or which is generally axisymmetrical, the extrusions having improved properties in sections thereof having the low aspect ratio or which are axisymmetrical. The method comprises providing a body of a lithium-containing aluminum alloy, pressing a portion of the body which is to form the axisymmetrical or low aspect ratio section through a tortuous path and extruding an axisymmetrical or a low aspect ratio extrusion section. The axisymmetrical or low aspect ratio section of the extrusion has a tensile strength of at least 60 ksi and an ultimate yield strength at least 4.5 ksi greater than the tensile yield strength.

Abstract: A sacrificial anode and method of making a sacrificial anode are provided. The anode includes an extruded galvanically active metal rod and integrally formed end cap which has a cylindrically shaped portion with a threaded exterior surface. The anode is formed by extruding the rod, forging the end cap from the anchoring end portion of the rod, and machining the outer surface of the end cap to provide threads.

Abstract: A process for extruding a section or the like body from an ingot is such that an ingot is introduced into a bore of a container and, by means of an extrusion stem, is fed in the direction of extrusion into a shape-giving opening in a die. Before the ingot enters the die opening, it is pushed out of the container by an amount corresponding to the width (t) of a collar whereupon a disk-shaped slice is sheared off the free end of the ingot and removed. The free end of the ingot is then pushed onto the die opening. In order to carry out this process a shearing tool is provided after the end of the container facing the die and a moveable shearing blade positioned over that entrance to the container boreThe disk-shaped slice should preferably be sheared away together with a residual butt of the previously extruded ingot which faces away from the die. To that end a shearing tool with two shearing blades is provided and can be moved radially with respect to the longitudinal axis (A) of the container bore.

Abstract: An improved cooling system is provided in a piercing mandrel used in extruding tubular material made of metals having extruding temperatures above the annealing temperature of H13 tool steel such as brass, copper and the like. The piercing mandrel has a replaceable tip fitted on the end of the stem portion for the mandrel. A cooling channel system is provided at the distal end of the stem and comprises a disperser for dispersing cooling fluid in equi-distant, multi-radial directions as the cooling fluid flows out of the stem distal end. An annular channel is provided at the perimeter of the mating faces of the bore in the tip and the stem distal end and which is in communication with the disperser to direct radially cooling fluid annularly of the perimeter of the mating faces at the stem distal end. The cooling channel system further comprises about the perimeter of the stem distal end a plurality of equi-distant, longitudinally directed channels which are in communication with the annular channel.

Abstract: A device for alignment of a vehicle body and a method in the work of alignment of a vehicle body. The device includes an alignment table to which the vehicle is attached by skirt clamps, the vehicle being fixed from skirt plates to the skirt clamps and through the skirt clamps to the alignment table during alignment work. Each skirt clamp has a support arm which is positionable in relation to, and separated from, the skirt clamp and which support arm can be coupled with the skirt clamp by a fastening member. The support arm is also connected with the constructions of the vehicle directly or through intermediate parts such that damage to the skirt beam is prevented by the support arm during the alignment work as the support force of the support arm is received by the skirt clamps.

Abstract: A aluminum alloy in the form of bulk includes an aluminum matrix and carbon particles having an average particle size of 100 nm or less and dispersed in the aluminum matrix in an amount of 1 to 40 atomic % with respect to the total atoms constituting the aluminum alloy. The aluminum alloy is produced by preparing a raw material comprising aluminum and carbon as components and forming an aluminum alloy by inserting the raw material into a cavity formed by a set of dies and applying repeatedly plastic deformation to the raw material while maintaining the temperature of the raw material in the range of from 100 to 400.degree. C.

Abstract: Apparatus for forming a form wound stator coil from a bobbin has means for clamping the straight portions of the bobbin to define the straight portions of the each leg of the coil. It also has means for bending the bobbin to predetermined radii to form arms extending from the straight portions of each leg of the coil to each nose of the coil. Means are provided for bending each arm to a predetermined radius. Means are further provided for bending the nose portions to a predetermined angle. Means for providing a drop to the arm portions of the coil relative to the stator bore are also provided. Means for forming the leads of the bobbin to a predetermined configuration are also provided. Hydraulic means for powering the apparatus and a system for controlling the hydraulic means are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for superplastic and diffusion bonding of hollow metal parts which are generally surfaces of rotation. A hollow frangible ceramic die having an interior shaping surface is provided. A metal part to be shaped is placed against the shaping surface (together with any other metal components to be diffusion bonded to the part during forming) and the remainder of the die is covered with sheet metal pieces, all of which are sealed together and to the part to form a gas-tight enclosure for the die. The enclosure is flushed with an inert gas and/or evacuated through an opening in the enclosure. The assembly is placed in an autoclave and exposed to an appropriate pressure and temperature to superplastic form the part outwardly against the shaping surface. The assembly is cooled and removed from the autoclave, then the enclosure is removed. The die is broken away, freeing the formed part.

Abstract: A bumper bar for vehicles formed from rolled sheet steel having a closed tubular profile designed to have a high impact resistance, high strength-to-weight ratio, and a low cost of manufacture. The bar is preferably swept along its longitudinal axis to create a curvature consistent with modern automotive design.

Abstract: A one-piece transmission brake band and the method of forming the same whin the band is an elongated strap with brackets at the opposite ends thereof, the brackets providing an apply end and a reaction end. Each end consists of an end portion of the strap that is folded over upon itself onto the exterior surface of the band and suitably fastened thereto, such as by clinch fastening or spot welding. The apply end of the band has the outer layer provided with a transverse upwardly folded or crimped ridge having a central depression to receive the end of an apply piston, and the reaction end has an outwardly extending radial opening formed by piercing through both layers of material after the end is folded over, with the layers being outwardly extruded in both the radial and circumferential directions. An alternative embodiment utilizes an insert having a cylindrical body with a circumferential base flange.

Abstract: A device and method for taking to account the elasticity of materials during bending operations to cause the proper amount of overbending such that after springback and while at rest, the material assumes its intended shape.

Abstract: A continuous supply of tubing is fed intermittently into a work station. Partial cuts are made at periodic intervals by a cutoff head that operates in timed relation with tube clamping device. Tube gripping device then pulls on the end portion or segment to position it precisely downstream of and in alignment with the freshly cut tubing end. A double tube end forming device moves in between the downstream end of the tubing and the upstream end of the tube segment. This device has tube end forming heads that include tooling for suitably shaping both these ends simultaneously.

Abstract: A wire straightener, and multiple preform rollers prepare a continuous length wire for further forming with multiple form rollers having multiple spaced apart notches on an exterior surface edge of the rollers. The notches cause a section of the wire to be non-formed. After the formed wire is fed to a gripper housing where the wire is cut to a predetermined length, the non-formed section is punched to create the fastener head. The end section of the fastener opposite the head is tapered and the finished fastener is ejected from the machine.

Abstract: A panel straightening apparatus includes a first dent engaging member having a pointed-tip spike portion to be driven through the dent in an automotive body panel. A second leverage member is then engaged with the first member and leverage is applied to move the dented area into substantial alignment with the panel surface. The second member includes a lever arm curved to permit engagement with the first member at various heights above the panel. The first member includes a handhold for use without the lever arm.

Abstract: A machine for producing metal drape panels having integral male and female hinge means formed therein at preselected intervals and a preselected cross-sectional profile. A first machine and method stage employs a plurality of rotary die stations to cut initial hinge patterns for the male and female hinge means and to equalize out of the strip any remanant curl or side curve while stretching the strip to increase the interval between initial hinge patterns to a final preselected interval. A second machine stage employs a plurality of punch die stations for forming the initial hinge pattern on the strip into final male and female hinge means and a shaping-compensating die station for simultaneously shaping the preselected cross-sectional profile and compensating out of the strip any inherent remaining curl or twist therein.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for galvanized pipe and other formed sections which sometimes include reentrant angles and strapping. The pipe and other sections are sized and hot dipped in a bath of molten zinc at a temperature of about 850.degree. F. (450.degree. C.) and then controlled for thickness with an air knife. The molten zinc is cooled at a rate of 20.degree.-70.degree./second by an air blast or an air amplifier to solidify the zinc coating before the formation of more than 0.00008" to 0.00018" of intermetallic compound to form a layer of zinc from 0.0004" to 0.0008" in thickness. The zinc is water quenched without the formation of spangles and plastic coated with a layer of polyesters, vinyl alkyds or fluorocarbons, from 0.002" to 0.006", resulting in a coated steel that does not develop extensive rust corrosion in less than 1000 hours in a neutral salt spray. The formed product meets ASTM A-525 specifications and is designated G-30 or G-60 according to the thickness of the zinc layer.

Abstract: Part of a red-hot metal rod between the ends of the rod is supported and first and second bending members are displaced, preferably simultaneously, to bend parts of the rod on both sides of said part around respective forming surfaces to produce two U-bends substantially without movement of said part. Then the two end portions of the rod point in substantially opposite directions and overlap without touching one another. Preferably the rod bent in this way, still red-hot, proceeds to another location where it is bent further to produce a railway rail-fastening clip of the desired final shape.