Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus for the dieless forming of a sheet. The apparatus comprises a pressing mechanism and a sheet holding mechanism which are moved with respect to each other in X, Y and Z-axis directions and has a fixed ceiling plate form having a plane shape matching the bottom profile of a product to be formed; a framelike support plate surrounding the ceiling plate form is raised and lowered by at least one pair of raising/lowering actuators, and restraining actuators apply a controllable restraining force to the sheet byway of a framelike restraining plate clamping the periphery of the sheet in the sheet thickness direction between itself and the support plate. A mechanism for causing the support plate to undergo balanced movement and a material flow control mechanism may be preferably further provided.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
July 12, 1999
Date of Patent:
April 17, 2001
Assignees:
Amino Corporation, Shigeo Matsubara
Inventors:
Shigeo Matsubara, Hiroyuki Amino, Susumu Aoyama, Yan Lu