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 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 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 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.