Abstract: A vertical Pittsburgh Seam closing apparatus having a base supporting surface, a track mechanism for moving a carriage assembly which holds seam forming members used to close a Pittsburgh Seam, a pair of upper and lower guide members for guiding the duct section into a proper vertical position, and upper and lower clamping members positioned inside the duct section and adjacent the inside portion of the Pittsburgh Seam to be closed, the upper guide members and clamping member being selectively movable and adjustable for accommodating different duct section lengths. In one embodiment, the seam forming assembly includes three roller members mounted in vertical arrangement to each other, one roller member being V-shaped in configuration and the other two roller members being substantially cylindrical in shape. The V-shaped roller member may also include one or more projecting members for forming dimples in the closing process to prevent shifting and/or slipping of the closed seam.

Abstract: Process for making a reinforced structural member, in particular forming part of an automobile or other vehicle or an aeroplane or a ship, the reinforced structural member comprising an original structural member and a reinforcing carrier and an adhesive bead and/or a plurality of adhesive plots arranged between an outer surface of the reinforcing carrier and a contact surface of the original structural member, for structurally bonding the reinforcing carrier to the original structural member.

Abstract: A roller hemming processing apparatus adapted to perform a hemming processing has a hemming die, on which a panel-like workpiece having a hemming flange portion on a periphery portion thereof, is positioned and supported, a roller hemming processing tool that is moved along a longitudinal direction of the hemming flange portion to bend the hemming flange portion at a root portion thereof while pressing the hemming flange portion toward the hemming die, and a nesting block disposed at a part of the periphery of the hemming die. The nesting block performs positioning of the workpiece by being brought into contact with the root portion of the hemming flange portion with which the workpiece is formed. The nesting block is elastically supported to be retractable in the pressing direction and to be swingably displaceable in the longitudinal direction of the hemming flange portion.

Abstract: A device and methods are provided for deep rolling. In one embodiment, a machine includes a deep rolling tool having a plurality of rolling elements, wherein each rolling element is mounted at the distal end of a fork arm, and wherein the rolling elements are configured to apply a compressive stress to articles received by the deep rolling tool. The machine may also include a positioning element coupled to the deep rolling tool, wherein the positioning element is configured to position the deep rolling tool and apply the deep rolling tool to an article.

Abstract: A device and methods are provided for deep rolling. In one embodiment, a machine includes a deep rolling tool having a plurality of rolling elements, wherein each rolling element is mounted at the distal end of a fork arm, and wherein the rolling elements are configured to apply a compressive stress to articles received by the deep rolling tool. The machine may also include a positioning element coupled to the deep rolling tool, wherein the positioning element is configured to position the deep rolling tool and apply the deep rolling tool to an article.

Abstract: A vehicular wheel house portion structure that can improve working efficiency when applying a sealer is obtained. In unhemmed portions, an end portion of a wheel house outer panel is cut off in alignment with an application center position of a sealer in a hemmed portion. Because of this, a sealer application center position in the hemmed portion and sealer application center positions in the unhemmed portions become substantially the same.

Abstract: A moving die is held by a robot and made to approach a vehicle, and a positioning pin is inserted into a positioning hole of the vehicle. The moving die is brought into a floating state of being displaceable relative to the vehicle by reducing a force of the robot for maintaining an attitude thereof. In a state of holding the moving die by the robot, a surface of the moving die is brought into contact with the vehicle by an adsorbing mechanism including an adsorbing portion of an elastic member provided to the moving die. The moving die and the robot are cut to be separated.

Abstract: A tool and method of hemming a panel wherein the tool engages a flange to apply a compressive force with a stop initially preventing a distal end of the flange from moving inwardly. The hemming tool bends the intermediate portion of the flange between the flange bend and the distal end toward the panel. The stop is withdrawn to allow the flange to be progressively formed toward the panel until the distal end is aligned with the intermediate portion.

Abstract: An apparatus and method to cradle and hem panels at an assembly-line station. A cradle assembly is configured to conform to the shape of a first sheet material and prevents deformation of the class-a surfaces. A first robotic arm operatively associated with said cradle assembly and a slide-assist assembly cooperate to stabilize the cradle and secure a cradle anvil against the first sheet material. A roller head for hemming said first sheet material supported on a second robotic arm. The second robotic arm moves the roller head around the periphery of the first sheet material and against the cradle anvil to form a hem.

Abstract: A rotary wheelhouse roller hemming apparatus in accordance with the present invention includes a support and a rotary mechanism including a plurality of connected anvils driveably rotatable about an axis. The rotary mechanism is mounted on the support. Rotation of the rotary mechanism about the axis moves the anvils between use and standby, non-use positions.

Abstract: The present invention has its object to provide an efficient, general use shaping technique for forming high strength sheet metal into a three-dimensionally complicated shape. Further, the present invention provides a working apparatus for shaping sheet metal comprising a die (also called a “punch”) which has a shape suitable for a shape of shaped sheet metal, a plurality of rolls which grip sheet metal (H) with the die to shape the sheet metal, roll movement mechanisms which makes the rolls independently move in a horizontal direction and make them independently ascend or descend in a vertical direction, and a roll angle setting mechanism which can change an angle by which the rolls are pressed against the die.

Abstract: The invention relates to a bending machine for the production of bent profile sections, in particular for exchanger tubes, including a frame on which an articulated arm is mounted consisting of a rotatably fixed arm capable moving along a transverse axis of movement, and a rotary arm supported by a rotary shaft and having a means for attaching a clamping jaw, a means for mounting either a freely rotating roller or a clamping shape rotatably secured about said rotary shaft on the rotary shaft of the articulated arm, driving rollers distributed in two series and positioned on either side of a bending axis, and a means for actuating said driving rollers for synchronously rotating the latter.

Abstract: A hemming station is configured for hemming a panel assembly including an outer panel having a hem flange defined by a hem edge. The hemming station includes a roller configured to fold the hem flange, a heating device configured to heat the hem edge, and a control unit. The control unit is configured to control the roller and the heating device such that the roller folds the hem flange when the temperature of the hem edge is in a predetermined temperature range.

Abstract: Provided is a spinning method of reducing a diameter of a work piece pipe body with processing rollers disposed on an outer surface of the work piece pipe body, the processing rollers being configured to be relatively revolved around the work piece pipe body, wherein, when the processing rollers are axially reciprocated while being moved in a radius direction of the work piece pipe body, wherein the diameter reducing process with the processing rollers is performed under a state in which a wound body formed of an elastic sheet-like material is inserted as a core body into the inside of a portion of the work piece pipe body to be subjected to the diameter reducing processing.

Abstract: A method for producing an ultrathin-wall seamless metal tube, which employs a cold pilger mill of mechatronics drive type including a mechanism to give a feed and a turn angle to a tube material, utilizes a roll having a tapered groove whose diameter gradually increases or gradually decreases from an engaging entry side to a finishing exit side of a pair of rolls, and a tapered mandrel whose diameter similarly gradually increases from the engaging entry side to the finishing exit side to elongate the tube material by reducing a wall thickness while expanding a mid-wall diameter of the tube material. By giving amounts of a turn angle and/or a feed equivalent or nearly equivalent to the forward stroke to the tube material immediately before the start of a backward stroke, it is possible to achieve a further increase in the reduction-rate of rolling, a further reduction of wall thickness, and improvement of dimensional accuracy of the product.

Abstract: A shaping tool as depicted in exemplary FIG. 3 comprising a rotatable base member having at least one profiled bending roller (13) which is mounted on a circular track and is rotatable about a rotation axis. The bending roller (13) arranged on a radially movable slide (11) is movable from a position defining a maximum working aperture for the tool, by means of a spring-loaded lever (9) which has an axial configuration, into a position defining a minimum working aperture for the tool.

Abstract: A roll-flanging tool, including a bearing structure having a connector, by which the tool can be connected via a connection plane to an actuator which can be moved spatially. A first arm and a second arm are spread apart from each other and connected to each other in a connection portion which includes the connector. A first flanging roller is mounted on an end of the first arm which faces away from the connection plane, such that it can be rotated about a first rotational axis which extends along the first arm and pierces the connection plane. A second flanging roller is mounted on an end of the second arm which faces away from the connection plane, such that it can be rotated about a second rotational axis. The first rotational axis intersects or crosses a perpendicular dropped onto the second rotational axis, in or on the roll-flanging tool.

Abstract: A self-propelled apparatus for the seaming of roof assemblies for a building structure, wherein the apparatus includes multiple belt components configured parallel to one another around the same set of horizontal rollers for the alignment of panel edges in order for engagement of such horizontal rollers to perform the seaming procedure is provided. Such an apparatus exhibits a greatly reduced propensity for potentially marring, distorting, or otherwise misaligning the panel edges due to uniform pressures exerted on the target panel surfaces during use. In addition, the inventive multiple belt-drive apparatus exhibits a much lower potential for slippage during use than an apparatus utilizing multiple rollers to apply proper force during a seaming operation.

Abstract: A hemming head device and method for hem forming one or more edges of deformable material. The hemming head device includes dual biasing spring members which provide a resistive force whether the hemming wheel is in a push hemming operation on an exterior joint edge or in a pull hemming operation on an interior joint edge. The device further includes a quick connect device for selectively connecting hemming wheels and other forming devices to the head and a gauge to measure the relative position or resistive force applied on the forming member by the biasing members. A method for hem forming a workpiece using dual biasing spring members is also disclosed.

Abstract: A second press 10 irons a plate-like steel plate W. This second press 10 comprises a base block 22 for supporting the lower surface of the steel plate W, a rod 11 disposed on the upper surface of the steel plate W, an upper die 30 including a guide rail 24, a first cam 25 and a second cam 34 and a lifting mechanism 40 for moving the rod 11 along the surface of the steel plate W. The base block 22 regulates the movement of the rod 11 in a thickness direction of the steel plate W by contacting the upper surface of the rod 11 over the movement range of the ironing member in the surface direction of the steel plate W.

Abstract: A moving die is held by a robot and made to approach a vehicle, and a positioning pin is inserted into a positioning hole of the vehicle. The moving die is brought into a floating state of being displaceable relative to the vehicle by reducing a force of the robot for maintaining an attitude thereof. In a state of holding the moving die by the robot, a surface of the moving die is brought into contact with the vehicle by an adsorbing mechanism including an adsorbing portion of an elastic member provided to the moving die. The moving die and the robot are cut to be separated.

Abstract: According to the invention, folding a sheet edge at high folding speed with no faults may be achieved, wherein a conically contoured folding roller is used with an inclined attitude to the direction of movement thereof, firstly engaging the edge of the sheet for folding with the front region of the largest diameter thereof and then continuously folding the edge of the sheet until contact is made with the limiting part of the sheet component continuously over the conical region until the region of the smallest diameter thereof is reached.

Abstract: A method of forming a pair of opposed side walls and a pair of opposed end walls of a sheet metal casket shell from a single piece of sheet metal. The piece of sheet metal has opposite ends and a length equal to the combined length of the pair of side walls and the pair of end walls of the casket shell to be formed. The opposite ends of the piece of sheet metal are secured together to form a tube. A roll forming roller is positioned in an interior of the tube. A female die configured to produce a desired profile for the side walls and the end walls of the casket shell is positioned around an exterior of the tube. The roller is moved outwardly so as to contact an interior surface of the tube and deform the tube toward a die cavity of the female die. The roller is rolled around a perimeter of the interior of the tube so as to deform the perimeter of the tube toward the die cavity of the female die. The desired profile for the side walls and the end walls of the casket shell is thereby produced.

Abstract: A moving die is held by a robot and made to approach a vehicle, and a positioning pin is inserted into a positioning hole of the vehicle. The moving die is brought into a floating state of being displaceable relative to the vehicle by reducing a force of the robot for maintaining an attitude thereof. In a state of holding the moving die by the robot, a surface of the moving die is brought into contact with the vehicle by an adsorbing mechanism including an adsorbing portion of an elastic member provided to the moving die. The moving die and the robot are cut to be separated.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed having a plurality of cold rolling installations which each have a roll stand movable along a linear path and having at least one roll which is fixed rotatably to the roll stand, a drive connected to the roll stand and having an electric motor so adapted that the roll stand is drivable in an oscillating movement along the linear path, and a feed clamping saddle for feeding a blank. The apparatus has an electric control having at least two control outputs, wherein each control output is connected to the electric motor of the drive of a roll stand and wherein the control is so adapted that in operation of the apparatus it so controls the electric motors that they drive at least two of the roll stands with an adjustable phase displacement between the oscillating movements of the roll stands.

Abstract: A hemming station is configured for hemming a panel assembly including an outer panel having a hem flange defined by a hem edge. The hemming station includes a roller configured to fold the hem flange, a heating device configured to heat the hem edge, and a control unit. The control unit is configured to control the roller and the heating device such that the roller folds the hem flange when the temperature of the hem edge is in a predetermined temperature range.

Abstract: A device and method for forming notches in tubes or other parts includes a roller that travels along a non-linear path. The roller may include a component of motion away from the part to reduce bulging or other deformations in an outer surface of the part that could otherwise result from a straight roller path.

Abstract: The apparatus comprises a crank arm in a crank-arm press with a curved tool at the end of the crank arm being constrained to move so the curved tool makes rolling contact across a flat, stationary substrate. The crankshaft rotates about an axis, the crank arm is rotatably mounted at one end to the crankshaft, a curved tool is mounted at the other end of the crank arm, a line on the surface of the curved tool and parallel to the crankshaft axis of rotation is constrained to move perpendicular to a plane while the curved tool is in rolling contact with the substrate, said plane being the plane of the flat stationary substrate, the radius of curvature of the curved tool being greater than the length of the crank arm; and with the radius of the curved tool, the length of the crank arm, and the eccentric radius of rotation of the crankshaft being selected to maintain the contact line of the curved tool in the substrate plane during the rolling contact.

Abstract: A combined motion control and brake apparatus and method includes a linear longitudinal rail, a bearing block supported on the linear longitudinal rail, a linear rail brake fixed to the linear longitudinal rail, a carrier connected to the rail brake and supported by the bearing block, a pair of linear cross slide rails fixed on the carrier, the cross slide rails disposed generally at right angles to the longitudinal rail, a cross slide bearing block mounted on each cross slide rail, a cross slide supported on the cross slide bearing block moveable in both longitudinal and lateral directions, relative to the longitudinal rails, the cross slide including an engagement feature, and an engager operable to engage the engagement feature to release the rail brake and to move the cross slide rail.

Abstract: A drive for a roll stand having a reciprocal frame, has a pair of substantially identical cranks rotating about respective crank axes offset from the frame, respective connecting rods pivoted on and connected between the cranks and the frame, and respective counterweight on the cranks opposite the respective arms. The cranks, rods, and counterweights flank a central plane. Respective drives rotate the cranks about the respective axes in opposite rotational directions.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a system for and a method of manufacturing a linear gear (rack gear), in which a forming roll and a guide roll are used to form gear teeth in a sequential manner so as not to require a high load, thereby enabling to easily manufacture the rack gear. A system for manufacturing a rack gear according to the invention includes a forming roll having a convexo-concave portion formed on a part of the surface contacting with a linear bar, a guide roll adapted to roll while facing the forming roll, and at least one support member for supporting the linear bar so as to allow the linear bar to linearly move.

Abstract: Provided is a spinning method of reducing a diameter of a work piece pipe body with processing rollers disposed on an outer surface of the work piece pipe body, the processing rollers being configured to be relatively revolved around the work piece pipe body, wherein, when the processing rollers are axially reciprocated while being moved in a radius direction of the work piece pipe body, wherein the diameter reducing process with the processing rollers is performed under a state in which a wound body formed of an elastic sheet-like material is inserted as a core body into the inside of a portion of the work piece pipe body to be subjected to the diameter reducing processing.

Abstract: An apparatus (1) for winding a strip (3), in particular a metal strip of varying thickness, into a coil (2) with a device for applying a deformable material onto the strip (3) that is to be wound, characterized in that the device comprises means (11, 22) for creating a resilient, in particular an elastic material or a self-expanding or foaming material for placement onto the coil (2).

Abstract: A roller hemming system for edge hemming vehicle closures from nested metal panels includes an anvil robot moveably supporting a hemming anvil having a working surface, a clamping spider cooperable with the anvil robot for clamping the nested metal panels on the working surface, an anvil register including a base and a registration feature for matingly positioning the hemming anvil thereto, a hemming robot including a multi-axis controllable arm, a roller hemming apparatus mounted on a distal end of the multi-axis arm, the roller hemming apparatus being moveable along edges of the nested metal panels on the anvil to hem the panels together.

Abstract: A hemming apparatus is provided for use with a robot in performing a hemming operation. The hemming apparatus comprises a support housing which mounts to a machine and has a pressurizable interior chamber having forward and rearward portions. A slide member includes a piston which is disposed in the chamber, and a plunger extends outwardly from the piston. Means are provided for attaching the housing to a nose having a central passageway. A bearing shaft is disposed within the central passageway, and means are provided for connecting the bearing shaft to the plunger. A hem roller is attached at the end of the bearing shaft. The rearward and forward portions of the chamber are connectible to a source of fluid pressure such that adjusting the chamber pressures moves the piston, thereby causing the bearing shaft to drive the hem roller into engagement with a work piece.

Abstract: A robotic wheelhouse hemming apparatus includes a base. A multi-axis robot is mounted on the base. The robot includes an arm. A roller hemming head is mounted on an end of the arm for roller hemming. A slide mechanism is mounted for multi-directional movement on the base. A support is mounted on the slide mechanism. An anvil is supported on the support. A registration member is integral with the support and is engagable by the roller hemming head. The robot arm is operable to manipulate the roller hemming head into engagement with the registration member, and subsequent movement of the robot arm moves the support on the slide mechanism, thereby adjusting the position of the anvil relative to a workpiece to be hemmed.

Abstract: An apparatus and method to cradle and hem panels at an assembly-line station. A cradle assembly is configured to conform to the shape of a first sheet material and prevents deformation of the class-a surfaces. A first robotic arm operatively associated with said cradle assembly and a slide-assist assembly cooperate to stabilize the cradle and secure a cradle anvil against the first sheet material. A roller head for hemming said first sheet material supported on a second robotic arm. The second robotic arm moves the roller head around the periphery of the first sheet material and against the cradle anvil to form a hem.

Abstract: A method of mechanically treating alloy metal surgical needles to improve bending strength is disclosed. The needles are curved and reverse-curved in this method to improve bending strength.

Abstract: In a roller hemming method for folding a flange erected from a workpiece by pressing a working roller against the flange and moving the working roller relative to the flange, the flange is folded by: a first temporary bending step of bending a tip-side portion of the flange into a state that the tip-side portion is inclined; a second temporary bending step of bending a remaining, base-side portion of the flange into a state that the base-side portion is inclined; and a full bending step of bending the thus-bent flange into a final shape so that the flange is into contact with a flange-proximate portion.

Abstract: An exemplary embodiment of the invention provides a method for producing an ultra thin wall metallic tube by cold working method with significant wall thickness reduction. In a method for producing the metallic tube with a cold pilger mill according to the invention, cold rolling is performed while tube diameters are being expanded using rolls having tapered groove dies whose calibers increase from an engaging entry side toward a finishing exit side. In a method for producing the metallic tube with a drawing machine according to the invention, cold drawing is performed while the tube diameters are being expanded using a solid die whose calibers increase from an engaging entry side toward a finishing exit side and a plug of a tapered mandrel bar whose diameters increase from an entry side of the die toward an exit side. In the metallic tube producing method, a maximum diameter of the plug or tapered mandrel bar may be larger than an outside diameter of the mother tube.

Abstract: A drive for a roll stand having a reciprocal frame, has a pair of substantially identical cranks rotating about respective crank axes offset from the frame, respective connecting rods pivoted on and connected between the cranks and the frame, and respective counterweight on the cranks opposite the respective arms. The cranks, rods, and counterweights flank a central plane. Respective drives rotate the cranks about the respective axes in opposite rotational directions.

Abstract: An integrated forming, assembly and inspection system includes a plurality of robotic material conveyors. The integrated system also includes a forming subsystem including sheet metal drawing apparatus, a roller hemming subsystem, and an inspection subsystem. The plurality of robotic material conveyors are operable to convey assembly workpieces to and from the subsystems.

Abstract: A method urges a blank along an axial direction between a movable bending tool and a stationary counter-tool and, while the blank is being moved forwards, of moving the bending tool from a neutral position, in which the blank is not bent, to a working position, in which the blank is bent to the desired bending centerline radius, the working position being rotated with respect to the neutral position by a given angle of rotation depending on the desired bending centerline radius. The method further includes urging the blank between a pair of shoes upstream of the bending tool so as to make the deformation of the blank easier, and the step of moving the bending tool from the neutral position to the working position is carried out by controlling at least two degrees of freedom of the movement of the bending tool in the plane defined by the axial direction and by a transverse direction perpendicular to the axial direction.

Abstract: A prespray processing method includes preparing a work surface for spray coating, roughing the work surface by pressing a tool against the work surface, having a material of the work surface displaced thereon to form a depression thereinto, and keeping the material of the work surface unremoved therefrom.

Abstract: Incoming tubes are turned and fed into a pilger mill by use of a single gearbox using a rotating dual track drive system. The dual track system holds the incoming tube while tube reducing (metal tube forming) occurs by the pilger tooling. When the pilger tooling is free of the incoming tube product, the dual track drive moves the tube into the pilger tooling by feeding an incremental amount of tube product. The dual track drive also indexes the incoming tube at the correct time and at a pre-determined amount. Additionally, the gearbox sub-assembly bumps the tube at a pre-determined time while the tube is free from the tooling.

Abstract: A device and method for forming notches in tubes or other parts includes a roller that travels along a non-linear path. The roller may include a component of motion away from the part to reduce bulging or other deformations in an outer surface of the part that could otherwise result from a straight roller path.

Abstract: A roller hemming apparatus includes a linear actuator mountable on an end of a multi-axis robotic arm. The linear actuator includes a connector. A roller hemming head is mounted on the linear actuator by the connector. The roller hemming head includes at least one hem roller. The roller hemming head performs both push force and pull force roller hemming operations.

Abstract: A method of roller hemming an inner panel and an outer panel includes providing a hem roller having an angled roller hemming surface, and adjusting a hem flange line by moving the hem roller axially and generally parallel to an anvil support surface.

Abstract: A hemming apparatus is provided for use with a robot in performing a hemming operation. The hemming apparatus comprises a support housing which mounts to a machine and has a pressurizable interior chamber having forward and rearward portions. A slide member includes a piston which is disposed in the chamber, and a plunger extends outwardly from the piston. Means are provided for attaching the housing to a nose having a central passageway. A bearing shaft is disposed within the central passageway, and means are provided for connecting the bearing shaft to the plunger. A hem roller is attached at the end of the bearing shaft. The rearward and forward portions of the chamber are connectible to a source of fluid pressure such that adjusting the chamber pressures moves the piston, thereby causing the bearing shaft to drive the hem roller into engagement with a work piece.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device and a method for producing longitudinal grooves in cylindrical workpieces, especially for producing longitudinal grooves having an irregular profile. the forming process is carried out by means of segmental wheels in a similar manner to that of a rolling method.