Abstract: An arrangement for forming an annular component includes a small diameter clamp for securely retaining a first holding surface of a small diameter end of a preform, a large diameter clamp for securely retaining a second holding surface of a large diameter end of the preform, and a punch having an external surface contour shaped to correspond to a shape of a profile of the annular component. The small diameter clamp and/or the large diameter clamp is configured to clamp the respective small and/or large holding surface, respectively, at an angle other than a slant angle of a main frusto-conical portion of the preform.

Abstract: A method of forming an annular part includes forming a conical or frusto-conical preform with at least one open end, initiating an actuation means to cause relative coaxial movement only between a punch, a clamping means and a gripping means, thereby clamping a large diameter end of the preform in the clamping means and gripping a second small diameter end of the preform in the gripping means and the external surface of the punch to engage the internal surface of the preform, and causing relative co-axial movement between the gripping means and the punch so that the portion of the wall of the preform between the punch and the gripping means is formed over the leading edge of the punch.

Abstract: A method of forming a sector of an annular component such as an inlet cowl/lip skin of a nacelle for an aircraft engine. The method comprising the steps of clamping at least part of a blank along a clamping boundary in a retaining arrangement so as to leave a portion of the blank exposed within the clamping boundary. Moving a punch and/or retaining arrangement radially so that the punch comes in to contact with the exposed portion of the blank and through the main body of the exposed blank thereby drawing the blank onto an external surface of the punch forming the sector from the leading edge to the trailing edge. Activating cooperating forming arrangement for engaging the blank and drawing the blank over the punch forming the sector of the inlet cowl from the leading edge to the inlet edge, the method comprising using a second draw forming tooling arrangement for the cooperating forming arrangement.

Abstract: A method of forming an annular part includes forming a conical or frusto-conical preform with at least one open end, initiating an actuation means to cause relative coaxial movement only between a punch, a clamping means and a gripping means, thereby clamping a large diameter end of the preform in the clamping means and gripping a second small diameter end of the preform in the gripping means and the external surface of the punch to engage the internal surface of the preform, and causing relative co-axial movement between the gripping means and the punch so that the portion of the wall of the preform between the punch and the gripping means is formed over the leading edge of the punch.

Abstract: An apparatus (31) for forming an annular part (53) includes a punch (2) having a forming end with an external surface (32) shaped to correspond to the shape of the annular part (53). The apparatus further includes a clamping arrangement (3, 5) for clamping a large diameter end of a preform (4) and a gripping arrangement (6, 7) for adjustably gripping a small diameter end of the preform (4). An actuation system is provided for facilitating relative coaxial movement only between the punch (2). the clamping arrangement (3, 5) and the gripping arrangement (6, 7).

Abstract: An apparatus for forming a sector of an annular component having an arrangement for securely retaining at least a portion of a blank mountable thereon. The retaining arrangement is adapted for leaving a portion of the retainable blank accessible. A punch is provided having an external surface contour shaped to correspond to the shape of all or a part of the profile of the sector of the annular component from a trailing edge to a leading edge and/or from a leading edge to an inlet edge. The apparatus has a cooperating forming arrangement for forming the profile of the sector of the annular component from the leading edge to the inlet edge. The retaining arrangement is adapted for forming a clamping boundary enclosing the accessible part of the blank to be formed by the punch.

Abstract: An apparatus for forming a sector of an annular component having an arrangement for securely retaining at least a portion of a blank mountable thereon. The retaining arrangement is adapted for leaving a portion of the retainable blank accessible. A punch is provided having an external surface contour shaped to correspond to the shape of all or a part of the profile of the sector of the annular component from a trailing edge to a leading edge and/or from a leading edge to an inlet edge. The apparatus has a cooperating forming arrangement for forming the profile of the sector of the annular component from the leading edge to the inlet edge. The retaining arrangement is adapted for forming a clamping boundary enclosing the accessible part of the blank to be formed by the punch.

Abstract: A method of forming a sector of an annular component such as an inlet cowl/lip skin of a nacelle for an aircraft engine. The method comprising the steps of clamping at least part of a blank along a clamping boundary in a retaining arrangement so as to leave a portion of the blank exposed within the clamping boundary. Moving a punch and/or retaining arrangement radially so that the punch comes in to contact with the exposed portion of the blank and through the main body of the exposed blank thereby drawing the blank onto an external surface of the punch forming the sector from the leading edge to the trailing edge. Activating cooperating forming arrangement for engaging the blank and drawing the blank over the punch forming the sector of the inlet cowl from the leading edge to the inlet edge, the method comprising using a second draw forming tooling arrangement for the cooperating forming arrangement.

Abstract: An apparatus for forming a sector of an annular component having an arrangement for securely retaining at least a portion of a blank mountable thereon. The retaining arrangement is adapted for leaving a portion of the retainable blank accessible. A punch is provided having an external surface contour shaped to correspond to the shape of all or a part of the profile of the sector of the annular component from a trailing edge to a leading edge and/or from a leading edge to an inlet edge. The apparatus has a cooperating forming arrangement for forming the profile of the sector of the annular component from the leading edge to the inlet edge. The retaining arrangement is adapted for forming a clamping boundary enclosing the accessible part of the blank to be formed by the punch.

Abstract: An apparatus (31) for forming an annular part (53) comprising a punch (2) having a forming end with an external surface (32) shaped to correspond to the shape of the annular part (53). The apparatus further comprises a clamping arrangement (3, 5) for clamping a large diameter end of a preform (4) and a gripping arrangement (6, 7) for adjustably gripping a small diameter end of the preform (4). An actuation system is provided for facilitating relative coaxial movement only between the punch (2), the clamping arrangement (3, 5) and the gripping arrangement (6, 7).

Abstract: An apparatus for forming a sector of an annular component having an arrangement for securely retaining at least a portion of a blank mountable thereon. The retaining arrangement is adapted for leaving a portion of the retainable blank accessible. A punch is provided having an external surface contour shaped to correspond to the shape of all or a part of the profile of the sector of the annular component from a trailing edge to a leading edge and/or from a leading edge to an inlet edge. The apparatus has a cooperating forming arrangement for forming the profile of the sector of the annular component from the leading edge to the inlet edge. The retaining arrangement is adapted for forming a clamping boundary enclosing the accessible part of the blank to be formed by the punch.

Abstract: Forming a sector for a nacelle lip skin from a sheet metal blank via punch by placing the blank against an outer surface of the punch and clamping a trailing edge of the blank in a clamping member that grips a trailing edge of the blank without slippage; gripping a leading edge of the blank, opposite the trailing edge, in a gripping device at a location axially spaced from the punch with sufficient force to permit the blank to flow therethrough in a controlled manner; displacing the gripping device in a first direction, radially with respect to the punch while drawing the blank through the gripper; displacing the gripping device in a second direction, axially with respect to the punch, to draw the blank over the leading edge of the punch and through the gripping device.

Abstract: A method of forming a sector for a nacelle lip skin from a sheet metal blank comprising the steps of: providing an arcuate or annular punch (7) or mandrel having an inner surface, an outer surface and a leading edge, said punch (7) substantially corresponding in shape to an inner surface of at least a sector of the nacelle lip skin, placing the blank (13) against the outer surface of the punch (7) and clamping a trailing edge of the blank (13) in a clamping means (11,12) to hold the blank (13) against the outer surface of the punch (7), said clamping means (11,12) gripping said trailing edge of the blank without slippage; gripping a leading edge of the blank (13), opposite said trailing edge, in a gripping means (8,9), at a location axially spaced from said punch (7) adjacent and in front of the leading edge of the punch (7), said gripping means (8,9) gripping said blank (13) with sufficient force to permit the blank (13) to flow therethrough in a controlled manner without tearing or wrinkling; displacing the