Abstract: A fixture includes a supporting body configured to support a front door panel (workpiece) in an inclined state, a pad capable of being abutted to a plate surface of the front door panel, and a negative-pressure unit serving to bring the plate surface of the front door panel into an attracted state by maintaining an inside of a space enclosed by the plate surface and the pad under negative pressure, while the pad is abutted to the plate surface of the front door panel. This negative-pressure unit can switch between a shutdown state in which an attracted state is not achieved, a weakly attracted state in which the attracted state is achieved with a relatively weak negative pressure, and a firmly attracted state in which the attracted state is achieved with a relatively strong negative pressure.

Abstract: A die includes a plastic positioning body configured to position a door outer panel to be set in a predetermined posture by being abutted along an edge of an edge of the door outer panel. This positioning body includes a metal inset (or metal inserts) having a higher surface hardness than the plastic at application portion (or portions) where force is applied from areas when these areas, in which deformation resistance at the door outer panel is locally increased, are bent back. The metal insert is in a half-embedded state in which one part of the metal insert(s) is exposed from a surface of the application portion while the remaining part is embedded inside the application portion.

Abstract: A hemming unit may include a hemming tool, an actuator for moving the hemming tool, and a link mechanism connecting the actuator and the hemming tool. Therefore, the hemming tool can be moved by the actuator by means of the link mechanism to perform a hemming operation. A hemming apparatus may include at least one hemming unit, a workpiece support for supporting a workpiece during the hemming operation, and a workpiece holder for holding the workpiece in position relative to the workpiece support during the hemming operation.