Abstract: A die post assembly that supports a metal panel in a position to allow an implement such as a roller or die steel to flange, pre-hem or hem an edge of the panel. A die post support surface is disposed on a panel support element and an edge member of the assembly. The die post support surface is shaped to support the panel and includes a bearing surface that supports an overlying portion of the panel against deformation as the marginal edge portion of the panel is bent in a flanging or hemming operation. The edge member includes the bearing surface and is supported on the panel support element. The edge member comprises a material more durable than the material of the panel support element. This material is sufficiently durable to allow the edge member to support a series of metal panels over a large number of hemming or flanging cycles without flowing or otherwise deforming due to heat and pressures typically generated in such operations.

Abstract: A hemming apparatus for joining together an inside panel and an outside panel of a closure, such as a door. The apparatus includes inner and outer tools and sliding and scarfing dies supported on a frame at a bending station. The inner tool is moved into a position against an inner surface of an inside upstanding flange of the inside panel. The outer tool is pressed against an outer surface of an outside upstanding flange of the outside panel. The sliding die bends an upper portion of the outside upstanding flange over the inside upstanding flange. The scarfing die then folds the upper portion of the outside upstanding flange downward against the inside upstanding flange to complete the hem.

Abstract: Improved method and apparatus for interlocking hemmed together edges of inner and outer vehicle body panels with an improved interlock joint. The inner panel blank is draw stamped and provided with PLP holes in a stamping press. A plurality of conventional hardware components are then welded to the inner panel. Then interlock holes are formed by a piercing tool moving through the inner panel border from its outboard to its inboard side while the inner panel is held by clamps and PLP pins. The hole piercing punch thus leaves cold worked upset material slightly raised inboard, rather than outboard, around the pierced interlock hole margin. Then the inner panel subassembly is married to the outer panel and transferred to a hemming station and again precisely clamped and positioned by PLP pins, whereupon hemming press gates are operable for hemming the flange lip of the outer panel over the inner panel border.

Abstract: An apparatus constructed to be received within an interior opening of a sheet metal panels to form a pre-hem and a complete hem about the periphery of the opening with a plurality of generally radially outwardly movable hemming plates or steels which are driven by an actuator to move from a retracted position within the opening to an extended position overlying a portion of the periphery of the opening to pre-hem a flange about the periphery of the opening. With the hem steels in their extended position, a second actuator displaces the steels towards the sheet metal panels to complete the folding or final hemming of the flange about the periphery of the opening.

Abstract: A device for prehemming at least a portion of an upstanding flange of a sheet metal panel which has a tapered roller which is moved into engagement with the flange while moving the roller along the flange with its axis of rotation disposed in a path which is substantially parallel to the fold line of the flange along the periphery of the panel. The roller is journalled for rotation on an arm pivotally carried by a slide which is moved by a drive cylinder along a lineal path generally parallel to the fold line of the portion of the flange to be prehemmed. As the slide moves linearly the arm is pivoted to move the roller transversely by a follower carried by the arm and received in an elongate cam track having a portion contoured to impart pivotal movement of the arm to cause the roller to follow the desired path of travel substantially parallel to the fold line of the flange for prehemming the flange by bending it to an acute included angle relative to an adjoining portion of the panel.

Abstract: A press with both prehemming and final hemming tools or steels each driven by the same prime mover. Each steel is mounted on a separate carrier driven through separate toggle joints to advance and retract the steels for prehemming and final hemming of an upturned flange along an edge of a steel panel. To facilitate synchronizing the operation of at least two presses, the prime mover may be a screw and servo motor drive assembly.

Abstract: A woodworking router has an electric motor driven router head (12) surrounded by a dust collection collar (20). Pneumatic means (26) control the height of the collar relative to the router head between (a) a raised position exposing the router head for tool changing; (b) a lowered safety position in which the collar provides a safety guard around the router head; and (c) an even lower scavenge position for cleaning the worktable without routing. A factory dust collection duct is connected to a dust extraction duct mounting the collar for establishing an air flow over the electric motor (10) for motor cooling.