Abstract: A three-dimensional measurement method and device are intended for fast and accurate measurement of large objects such as vehicles. The method includes the steps of determining approximate measurement positions of a shape measurement sensor; positioning the sensor at successive approximate measurement positions to read off the shape of surface portions of the object represented by points on the object whose co-ordinates are expressed in a system of axes fixed relative to the sensor; identifying accurate positions of the sensor at the approximate measurement positions relative to a predetermined fixed system of axes; and converting the co-ordinates of the points of the surface portions expressed in the system of axes fixed relative to the sensor into co-ordinates expressed in the fixed system of axes on the basis of the identified accurate positions of the sensor.

Abstract: A motor vehicle side panel which includes at least two uprights and a lower member of the substructure of the vehicle which form a door frame, and at least one door mounted upon the door frame which includes a solid lower part formed of an outer panel and an inner panel defining a housing for a drop glass therebetween. The inner panel is substantially planar and includes an inner side facing the door frame when the door is closed, with the inner panel including an outer side which faces the outer panel. Steel sections are welded on the inner side of the inner panel and project toward the door frame, with the steel sections extending at least along the portions of the inner panel which face the upright members and the lower member of the door frame.

Abstract: A device is provided for stamping materials in sheet form, especially sheet metal blanks (5), on a single-acting press. The device includes a cushion (2) made from an elastic material, forming a punch and housed in a retention dish (1) and means for preforming and permanently forming the sheet metal blank (5). The preforming and permanent forming means are arranged in a die (6) including a framework (8), an upper peripheral blank-clamp (9) connected to the framework (8) by at least on elastic member (11) for reaction, strain relief and retention and a die bottom (10) arranged in the upper peripheral blank-clamp (9). The upper peripheral blank-clamp (9) and the die bottom (10) are mounted so as to slide relative to one another and include means (13) for instantaneously linking them together.

Abstract: In the method for blanking out a sheet material (1) between a punch (4) and a die (6) having a sharp edge (7), the punch (4) is formed by a heterogeneous composite elastic material having localized regions (4a) having a relatively higher hardness, and complementary regions (4b) having a relatively lower hardness.

Abstract: Pressing sheet material with a device comprising a cushion (6) composed of an elastic material, comprising disposing a sheet blank (3) to be formed on a support constituting a lower peripheral blank holder (2a), applying an upper blank holder (1a) on the peripheral portion of the sheet blank (3) for preforming the blank, then applying a punch (4) on the central portion of the sheet blank (3) for effecting the final forming, wherein, in the course of the final forming, the excess volume of the elastic cushion (6), produced by the application of the punch (4), relative to the volume determined by the surface area of the finished part to be obtained, is absorbed.

Abstract: Device for pressing sheet material blanks, in particular sheet metal blanks (10), comprising a cushion (2) composed of an elastic material disposed in a retaining box (1), an arrangement for performing the sheet blank constituted by an outer slide carrying an upper blank holder (6), and an arrangement for finally forming the sheet blank constituted by a central slide acting on a punch (8), the device further comprising a lower blank blank holder constituted by an element (3) for supporting and maintaining at least a portion of the sheet blank (10), placed directly on the elastic cushion (2) and cooperative with the upper blank holder (6) for gripping the sheet blank in at least localized region of the blank.

Abstract: Method for pressing sheet material, in particular sheet metal, on a press by way of a cushion (12) composed of an elastic material, comprising disposing a sheet blank (20) to be formed on a support whose peripheral part forms a lower blank holder (2) and whose central part constitutes a die (3), applying, under the action of an outer slide, an upper blank holder (9) on the peripheral portion of the sheet blank (20), then applying a punch (11) under the effect of a ram, the method further comprising, in the course of a first step, applying, under the action of the ram, the cushion (12) on the sheet blank (20) for preforming the sheet blank in such manner as to impart thereto a surface area substantially equal to the surface area of the finished part to be obtained, then, in the course of a second step, continuing, under the action of the ram, the descent of the elastic cushion (12) and simultaneously displacing all or a part of the bottom of the die (3) for achieving the final shaping of the part.

Abstract: A sheet of metal of given thickness is press-formed to provide a part having a substantially constant thickness on a double action press. The sheet to be formed is disposed on a support. A first outer slide, or blank holder is applied on the peripheral portion of the sheet. A second central slide is applied on the central portion of the sheet. The peripheral portion of the sheet is formed while allowing it to slide under the blank holder, by displacing relative to said support at least one active part of the outer slide so as to compensate, in certain regions of the finished part, for excess areas of the sheet, for the given thickness of said sheet, relative to the volume of metal to be formed, and displacing simultaneously with the displacement of the part the central slide so as to shape angular volumes of the central portion of the sheet by application of the sheet against the surfaces of the central part of the support.

Abstract: Process for press-forming sheet materials and in particular metal sheets on a double-action press of the type comprising a cushion (5) of an elastically yieldable material, the process comprising disposing the sheet on a support, applying a first outer slide (1) on the peripheral portion of the sheet (4), then applying a second central slide (10) on a central portion of the sheet, the process further comprising disposing the peripheral portion of the sheet on a lower blank holder (3) forming a tank for the cushion (5) and having an upper surface (6) for maintaining the sheet and located at a higher level than the level of the working surface (7) of the cushion (5), applying the first outer slide, which has a body (8) having a cross-section less than the lower blank holder (3) and includes on its periphery an upper blank holder (2) cooperative with the lower blank holder (3) for gripping the sheet (4), continuing the descent of the outer slide (1) against the cushion for turning up an edge portion (20) of the

Abstract: The composite-wall panel or case structure comprises a wall formed by at least two shaped sheets 5, 6 which have regions in which confronting surfaces are in adjoining relation and interconnected by bonding or spot welding, and regions in which hollow bodies are formed between said confronting surfaces so as to impart a required rigidity to the structure. A method is disclosed for producing said panel or case structure. Application in the automobile industry.