Abstract: A vehicle framing system for framing an automotive vehicle body from a plurality of separate body components wherein the body components each include a reference surface. The system includes an assembly station having spaced-apart frame members positioned so that, when a vehicle carrier supporting the vehicle body components is positioned at the assembly station, the frame members extend along opposite sides of the vehicle carrier. At least two docking stations are secured to each frame member at predetermined locations. A robot mounts its associated tool arm with a docking station. At least one set of reference block and framing clamp is secured to each tool arm and these framing clamps maintain the reference surfaces of the vehicle body components against the reference blocks to hold the vehicle components at a predetermined position relative to each other.

Abstract: A vehicle framing system for framing an automotive vehicle body from a plurality of separate body components wherein the body components each include a reference surface. The system includes an assembly station having spaced-apart frame members positioned so that, when a vehicle carrier supporting the vehicle body components is positioned at the assembly station, the frame members extend along opposite sides of the vehicle carrier. At least two docking stations are secured to each frame member at predetermined locations. A robot mounts its associated tool arm with a docking station. At least one set of reference block and framing clamp is secured to each tool arm and these framing clamps maintain the reference surfaces of the vehicle body components against the reference blocks to hold the vehicle components at a predetermined position relative to each other.

Abstract: A hemming die tool assembly for use with an anvil supporting a workpiece to be hemmed. A mounting plate is pivotally secured about an axis relative to the anvil while a vertical slide is slidably attached to the mounting plate along a first direction. An elongated channel is attached to the vertical slide so that the axis of the channel is transverse to the first direction. A hemming tool is secured to the vertical slide while a rocker arm is pivotally secured at one end to the mounting plate about the pivotal axis of the mounting plate while a second end of the rocker arm is longitudinally slidably mounted in the channel. A first cam assembly pivots the mounting plate between a retracted position, in which the hemming tool is positioned away from the workpiece, and an extended position in which the hemming tool overlies the workpiece.

Abstract: A vehicle framing system for framing an automotive vehicle body from a plurality of separate body components wherein the body components each include a reference surface. The system includes an assembly station having spaced-apart frame members positioned so that, when a vehicle carrier supporting the vehicle body components is positioned at the assembly station, the frame members extend along opposite sides of the vehicle carrier. At least two docking stations are secured to each frame member at predetermined locations. A robot mounts its associated tool arm with a docking station. At least one set of reference block and framing clamp is secured to each tool arm and these framing clamps maintain the reference surfaces of the vehicle body components against the reference blocks to hold the vehicle components at a predetermined position relative to each other.

Abstract: A hemming machine having a nest adapted to support a part to be hemmed. A hold down is movable between a retracted position in which the hold down is spaced from the part and an extended position in which the part is sandwiched between the hold down and the nest and a guide surface is formed around the periphery of the hold down. A hemming head having a roller hemmer assembly and mounted to and manipulated by a robotic arm. The roller assembly includes a first roller which engages the guide surface during a roller prehemming operation of the part performed by the robotic arm and a second roller which prehems the part.

Abstract: A vehicle framing system for framing an automotive vehicle body from a plurality of separate body components wherein the body components each include a reference surface. The system includes an assembly station having spaced-apart frame members positioned so that, when a vehicle carrier supporting the vehicle body components is positioned at the assembly station, the frame members extend along opposite sides of the vehicle carrier. At least two docking stations are secured to each frame member at predetermined locations. A robot mounts its associated tool arm with a docking station. At least one set of reference block and framing clamp is secured to each tool arm and these framing clamps maintain the reference surfaces of the vehicle body components against the reference blocks to hold the vehicle components at a predetermined position relative to each other.

Abstract: A hemming method for performing a 180 degree hem between an inner panel and outer metal panel. A curvilinear prehemming tool is then moved in a direction substantially parallel to the plane of the inner and outer panels so that the prehemming tool contacts a protruding coupon on the outer panel and creates a bend line in the coupon at a position spaced outwardly from the outer edge of the inner panel. Thereafter, a final hemming tool moves relative to the panels in a direction substantially parallel to the original plane of the inner and outer panels. This final hemming tool includes a first curvilinear surface which initially contacts the coupon and rolls the coupon such that the edge of the coupon contacts the inner panel. Thereafter, a generally planar wedge section of the final hemming tool contacts the coupon and compresses the coupon against the inner panel thus completing the hemming operation.

Abstract: A hemming machine having a nest adapted to support a part to be hemmed. A hold down is movable between a retracted position in which the hold down is spaced from the part and an extended position in which the part is sandwiched between the hold down and the nest and a guide surface is formed around the periphery of the hold down. A hemming head having a roller hemmer assembly and mounted to and manipulated by a robotic arm. The roller assembly includes a first roller which engages the guide surface during a roller prehemming operation of the part performed by the robotic arm and a second roller which prehems the part.

Abstract: A hemming die tool assembly for use with an anvil supporting a workpiece to be hemmed. A mounting plate is pivotally secured about an axis relative to the anvil while a vertical slide is slidably attached to the mounting plate along a first direction. An elongated channel is attached to the vertical slide so that the axis of the channel is transverse to the first direction. A hemming tool is secured to the vertical slide while a rocker arm is pivotally secured at one end to the mounting plate about the pivotal axis of the mounting plate while a second end of the rocker arm is longitudinally slidably mounted in the channel. A first cam assembly pivots the mounting plate between a retracted position, in which the hemming tool is positioned away from the workpiece, and an extended position in which the hemming tool overlies the workpiece.

Abstract: A vehicle framing system for framing an automotive vehicle body from a plurality of separate body components wherein the body components each include a reference surface. The system includes an assembly station having spaced-apart frame members positioned so that, when a vehicle carrier supporting the vehicle body components is positioned at the assembly station, the frame members end along opposite sides of the vehicle carrier. At least two docking stations are secured to each frame member at predetermined locations. A robot mounts its associated tool arm with a docking station. At least one set of reference block and framing clamp is secured to each tool arm and these framing clamps maintain the reference surfaces of the vehicle body components against the reference blocks to hold the vehicle components at a predetermined position relative to each other.

Abstract: A hemming method for performing a 180 degree hem between an inner panel and outer metal panel. A curvilinear prehemming tool is then moved in a direction substantially parallel to the plane of the inner and outer panels so that the prehemming tool contacts a protruding coupon on the outer panel and creates a bend line in the coupon at a position spaced outwardly from the outer edge of the inner panel. Thereafter, a final hemming tool moves relative to the panels in a direction substantially parallel to the original plane of the inner and outer panels. This final hemming tool includes a first curvilinear surface which initially contacts the coupon and rolls the coupon such that the edge of the coupon contacts the inner panel. Thereafter, a generally planar wedge section of the final hemming tool contacts the coupon and compresses the coupon against the inner panel thus completing the hemming operation.

Abstract: A method for sharp, crisp hemming inner and outer aluminum sheet metal panels in which a flange is formed along an outer edge so that the flange extends from a bend line and lies in a plane generally perpendicular to the plane of the outer panel. This bend line, furthermore, has an outer radius in the range of (1.0 mm+t)>R>(0.2 mm+t) where t=the thickness of the outer panel. The inner panel is then positioned on the outer panel so that an outer edge of the inner panel is adjacent the bend line. The flange is then bent so that the flange overlies the outer edge of the inner panel while simultaneously compressing the flange in the direction towards the bend line. Thereafter, the flange is compressed against the outer peripheral portion of the inner panel thus completing the hem.

Abstract: A vehicle framing system for framing an automotive vehicle body from a plurality of separate body components wherein the body components each include a reference surface. The system includes an assembly station having spaced-apart frame members positioned so that, when a vehicle carrier supporting the vehicle body components is positioned at the assembly station, the frame members extend along opposite sides of the vehicle carrier. At least two docking stations are secured to each frame member at predetermined locations. A robot mounts its associated tool arm with a docking station. At least one set of reference block and framing clamp is secured to each tool arm and these framing clamps maintain the reference surfaces of the vehicle body components against the reference blocks to hold the vehicle components at a predetermined position relative to each other.

Abstract: A method for sharp, crisp hemming inner and outer aluminum sheet metal panels in which a flange is formed along an outer edge so that the flange extends from a bend line and lies in a plane generally perpendicular to the plane of the outer panel. This bend line, furthermore, has an outer radius in the range of (1.0 mm+t)>R>(0.2 mm+t) where t=the thickness of the outer panel. The inner panel is then positioned on the outer panel so that an outer edge of the inner panel is adjacent the bend line. The flange is then bent so that the flange overlies the outer edge of the inner panel while simultaneously compressing the flange in the direction towards the bend line. Thereafter, the flange is compressed against the outer peripheral portion of the inner panel thus completing the hem.

Abstract: A machine for hemming a sheet metal assembly is disclosed in which the sheet metal assembly includes an inner sheet metal panel and an outer sheet metal panel. The outer panel also has an outer lip which lies in a plane transverse with respect to the plane of the inner panel from a bend line in the outer panel. The inner panel also has an outer edge spaced inwardly a few millimeters from the bend line of the outer panel. The apparatus includes a base and a nest adapted to receive and support the sheet metal assembly, and this nest is movably mounted relative to the base. A final hem tool mounted to the base performs a final hem operation. This final hem tool has a generally planar section overlying the outer edge of the inner panel and a portion of the lip following a prehem operation. The final hemming tool also includes a second curvilinear section adjacent the first planar section and this second curvilinear section overlies the remainder of the lip and extends to the bend line.

Abstract: A method for sharp, crisp hemming inner and outer aluminum sheet metal panels in which a flange is formed along an outer edge so that the flange extends from a bend line and lies in a plane generally perpendicular to the plane of the outer panel. This bend line, furthermore, has an outer radius in the range of (1.0 mm+t)>R>(0.2 mm+t) where t=the thickness of the outer panel. The inner panel is then positioned on the outer panel so that an outer edge of the inner panel is adjacent the bend line. The flange is then bent so that the flange overlies the outer edge of the inner panel while simultaneously compressing the flange in the direction towards the bend line. Thereafter, the flange is compressed against the outer peripheral portion of the inner panel thus completing the hem.

Abstract: A method for sharp, crisp hemming inner and outer aluminum sheet metal panels in which a flange is formed along an outer edge so that the flange extends from a bend line and lies in a plane generally perpendicular to the plane of the outer panel. This bend line, furthermore, has an outer radius in the range of (1.0 mm+t)>R>(0.2 mm+t) where t=the thickness of the outer panel. The inner panel is then positioned on the outer panel so that an outer edge of the inner panel is adjacent the bend line. The flange is then bent so that the flange overlies the outer edge of the inner panel while simultaneously compressing the flange in the direction towards the bend line. Thereafter, the flange is compressed against the outer peripheral portion of the inner panel thus completing the hem.

Abstract: A machine for hemming a sheet metal assembly is disclosed in which the sheet metal assembly includes an inner sheet metal panel and an outer sheet metal panel. The outer panel also has an outer lip which lies in a plane transverse with respect to the plane of the inner panel from a bend line in the outer panel. The inner panel also has an outer edge spaced inwardly a few millimeters from the bend line of the outer panel. The apparatus includes a base and a nest adapted to receive and support the sheet metal assembly, and this nest is movably mounted relative to the base. A final hem tool mounted to the base performs a final hem operation. This final hem tool has a generally planar section overlying the outer edge of the inner panel and a portion of the lip following a prehem operation. The final hemming tool also includes a second curvilinear section adjacent the first planar section and this second curvilinear section overlies the remainder of the lip and extends to the bend line.

Abstract: A hemming machine is disclosed having a base, a plate mounted to the base and a nest adapted to support a workpiece to be hemmed which is vertically slidably mounted to the base above the plate. An inflatable bladder is sandwiched in between the plate and the nest or even the base and the plate while a source of incompressible fluid selectively inflates the bladder thus vertically displacing the nest relative to the plate.

Abstract: A hemming machine is disclosed having a base, a plate mounted to the base and a nest adapted to support a workpiece to be hemmed which is vertically slidably mounted to the base above the plate. An inflatable bladder is sandwiched in between the plate and the nest or even the base and the plate while a source of incompressible fluid selectively inflates the bladder thus vertically displacing the nest relative to the plate.