Abstract: There is disclosed a plastic processing method for easily shaping a tip end of a metal rod material such that a sectional area of the tip end gradually decreases. A metal rod material 3 is contained in a molding groove 2 which is disposed in a mold 1 and whose end 2a has a sectional area smaller than that of the metal rod material 3. Then, a rolling roller 4 is rolled in contact with a mold surface 1a, and the rod material 3 is plastically deformed and molded along a shape of the molding groove 2. Subsequently, a burr 3b is removed. The molding groove 2 has a sectional area smaller than that of the metal rod material 3 on a tip end 2a side, and in addition has a width and depth larger in size than a diameter of the rod material 3 on a rear end 2b side, while having a gradually decreasing sectional area on the tip end 2a side. A rolling roller 14 rotates together with large-diameter rollers 15a, 15b, and is pressed in contact with the mold surface 1a by the rollers 15a, 15b.

Abstract: In a prior art roller type processing apparatus for processing a workpiece by roll pressing a roller, the roller is roll-pressed at the same location a number of times. Thus, longer processing time is required compared to processing using pressing dies. It is, accordingly, an object of the present invention to reduce the processing time by providing a roller type processing apparatus. Therefore, in the present invention, rollers 13, 14 are attached to a plurality of independently controllable robot arms 11, 12, respectively, and the rollers 13, 14 are successively roll-pressed along a portion to be processed We of a workpiece W in different rolling positions.

Abstract: A sheet metal hemming method and apparatus for securing inner and outer sheet metal panels together by forming a generally flat hem along respective peripheries of the two panels. A fixture receives and holds an outer sheet metal panel that is formed to include an upstanding border flange. An inner sheet metal panel is stacked on top of the outer panel. A hemming tool movably supported adjacent the fixture bends the upstanding border flange of the outer sheet metal panel over a periphery of the inner panel and into a position forming an acute angle relative to an underlying portion of the outer panel. The hemming tool also bends an outer portion of the border flange down onto the periphery of the inner panel and into a position over and generally parallel to the underlying portion of the outer sheet metal panel.

Abstract: There is disclosed a plastic processing method for easily shaping a tip end of a metal rod material such that a sectional area of the tip end gradually decreases, A metal rod material 3 is contained in a molding groove 2 which is disposed in a mold 1 and whose end 2a has a sectional area smaller than that of the metal rod material 3, a rolling roller 4 is rolled in contact with a mold surface 1a, and the rod material 3 is plastically deformed and molded along a shape of the molding groove 2. Subsequently, a burr 3b is removed. The molding groove 2 has a sectional area smaller than that of the metal rod material 3 on a tip end 2a side, has a width and depth larger in size than a diameter of the rod material 3 on a rear end 2b side, and has a gradually decreasing sectional area on the tip end 2a side. A rolling roller 14 rotates together with large-diameter rollers 15a, 15b, and is pressed in contact with the mold surface 1a by the rollers 15a, 15b.

Abstract: A multi-axis roller hemmer for forming at least a pre-hem of a flange area of a sheet metal panel having a roller engageable with the flange and movable about at least 3 axes to enable the roller to remain in contact with the flange along a substantial portion of the panel. Preferably, the apparatus is capable of varying the position of the roller along orthogonal X-Y-Z axes to enable the apparatus to form at least a pre-hem of more intricate, curved panels. Desirably, the roller may also be pivotally displaced to vary the relative angle between the roller axis of rotation and the panel to maintain the roller axis essentially parallel to the immediately underlying portion of the panels. Preferably, at least a pair of rollers are carried by the apparatus with one or more rollers forming a pre-hem of the flange and a final hem roller constructed to complete the hem of the flange area.

Abstract: An apparatus for shaping panel-shaped workpieces uses an hourglass-shaped roller as bending tool. The workpieces are clamped between a first and a second tool. The second tool has a holding-down surface. Superimposed vertical side surfaces of the tools are offset by a horizontal dimension X, which corresponds at most to five times the thickness of the panel-shaped workpiece. The second tool is inclined and forms a further vertical surface in a region in which the panel-shaped workpiece is shaped into a comer and in which the tool does not cover the workpiece.

Abstract: For use in forming apparatus having a die element and a roll platen element that have parallel, facing, flat, and preferably horizontal surfaces and each of which has an associated mounting structure, toggle assemblies to alter the distance between the flat surfaces of those elements by moving one or both of them, and to positionally fix those surfaces at desired distances from each other. Each toggle assembly includes an obtusely angled toggle link, one end of which is pivotally interconnected with an associated motion actuator means. A second toggle link that is positioned across the exterior angle of the angled toggle link has one end that is pivotally affixed to the angled toggle link at a first pivot point located at the angle of the angled link. The other end of the second toggle link and the other end of the angled toggle link are pivotally interconnected to the element and with its associated mounting structure, in either order, at second and third pivot points.

Abstract: Apparatus for effecting domain refinement of electrical steels comprises an assembly of an array of rotatable members (2) mounted within a supporting structure (3) and movable into direct contact with the surface of a strip or sheet of electrical steel to create lines of local plastic deformation which extends generally across the width of the steel to effect domain refinement thereof. Relative linear movement is imparted between the member and the steel strip or sheet.

Abstract: A portable tool for forming louvers in a sheet metal work piece. The tool has a substantially C-shaped frame with an upper leg, a lower leg, and a body forming a throat in which the louvers are formed. A female die assembly is mounted on the lower leg of the frame. A male die is positioned in a carriage which slides longitudinally along the upper leg of the frame. Stops define the length of travel of the carriage and clamps hold the work piece between the female die assembly and the male die. An increasing cutting and forming force is applied to the male die, and against the work piece and the female die assembly, until a louver is cut and formed in the work piece.

Abstract: Rapidly solidified aluminum base alloy is flow formed into tubes and tubular components using conventional flow forming equipment. A preform of preselected configuration and wall thickness for either forward or back spinning is fabricated. Flow forming is then carried out. The beginning of the flow forming step is offset by leaving undeformed a small section of the preform.

Abstract: A rolling method and apparatus permits a long metal blank to be rolled across the width thereof at a high rolling speed. According to one specific embodiment of the method and apparatus, a sun roller is mounted to a machine stand, and a set of planetary rollers is mounted for rolling movement around the sun roller. The long metal blank is rolled between the sun roller and the set of planetary rollers by feeding it in the direction of the center line axes through the sun roller and the set of planetary rollers. The method and apparatus provide a planetary cross-rolling process that may proceed in a successive manner. According to another specific embodiment of the method and apparatus, a sun roller is rotatably mounted to a machine stand, and a set of planetary rollers is mounted for engaging and rolling around the sun roller. A back-up housing is mounted to the machine stand and is also mounted around the set of planetary rollers.

Abstract: A roller type hemming apparatus for hemming a workpiece having a peripheral bent portion includes a hem roller rotated under pressure along the bent portion of the workpiece, a hem roller support adapted for displaceably supporting the hem roller, and a robot hand adapted for shifting the hem roller through the hem roller support while pressing the hem roller on the bent portion of the workpiece.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are presented for hemming a workpiece having an upturned edge, wherein the workpiece is composed of an outer panel having a peripheral upturned edge turned substantially at right angles, and an inner panel having a peripheral edge to be superimposed on the outer panel adjacent the upturned edge. The upturned edge of the outer panel is bent preliminarily by a hem roller which is held on a guide surface of a lower die. The guide surface is so formed that when the hem roller is rotated on the guide surface, the hem roller abuts against the outer periphery of the upturned edge of the outer panel at a point at least a distance 2TO+TI apart from the lower end of the upturned edge toward the distal end thereof, wherein TO is thickness of the outer panel and TI is thickness of the inner panel. The hem roller is then shifted by a robot hand to a second position in which the hem roller is parallel to the superimposed portion of the outer panel and the inner panel.

Abstract: A method of splicing together metal webs for use in planography with the ends thereof being butted or lapped against each other. In the metal web splicing method, the ends of the metal webs are spliced together in a butted manner, the splice portion thereof is welded, and the welded splice portion is rolled. According to the splicing method, there is left no level difference in the welded splice portion, which eliminates the possibility of the spliced metal webs being broken during the movement thereof and also has no ill effect on the coating process for the spliced metal webs.

Abstract: An improved apparatus for forming plates of irregular cross-sectional shape has a plate-form die which cooperates with a plurality of reciprocating rollers for forming a strip of plate material which is passed incrementally between the rollers and the die. The die includes a plate surface portion having a wedge-shaped leading end portion for forming a groove in the plate material. The rollers reciprocate with a stroke which is less than the length of the plate surface portion.

Abstract: A method for making blanks of a profile varying lengthwise, such as few-leaf springs involves placing a heated billet (1) on a sizing former (2) and feeding it to a deformation zone for forming a product of a preset profile which is carried out from the middle part (3) of the billet simultaneously towards its ends (4,5) thereof to form its runs by drawing or rolling. In an apparatus for carrying out this method, a forming means is provided with a constant-size groove (6) so that the billet runs are formed simultaneously during passage therethrough, or has a pair of carriages supporting non-driven rolls and moving in the opposite directions.

Abstract: An apparatus for creating a florentine finish on a gold strip comprising a table-like support including spaced-apart driven friction wheels which move the gold strip across the upper surface of the support beneath a rotating and oscillating cutter wheel which grinds or cuts the upper surface of the gold strip as it passes therebeneath.

Abstract: This invention relates to apparatus for forming shaped pieces. One embodiment useful in forming metal parts, such as fins for use in the compressor section of gas turbines, comprises apparatus for use with a flat-surfaced die having a forming die depression in the upper surface, which has a pair of cylindrical rolls oriented with their axes parallel and positioned one above the other between the flat surface of the die and the lower surface of a downward acting hydraulic press, with the rolls simultaneously moveable horizontally and in rolling contact with each other, the upper surface of the die, and the lower surface of the hydraulic press platen, by a horizontally oriented hydraulic ram. The platen and the die are limited as to how close they may come to each other, and the rolls are free to "float" away from the die and toward the platen as the lower roll comes into contact with the work piece.

Abstract: The present invention provides an improved method of forming improved dies for rolling an article, such as a lock thread convolution. The dies are formed by rolling a circular hob along a flank of a thread form ridge on the die. As the hob is rolled along the thread form ridge, teeth on the hob are pressed against the thread form ridge with a constant force to form uniform indentations and/or projections in the thread form ridge. The indentations and/or projections which are formed in the thread form ridge by the hob all have the same configuration since the hob is pressed against the thread form ridge with a force of a constant magnitude as the hob is rolled along the thread form ridge. During the rolling of an external thread convolution on a bolt blank with the improved die, the indentation and/or projections on the thread form ridge shape teeth on the flank of an external thread convolution on the bolt.

Abstract: A metal sheet is formed into an arcuate contour by rolling the sheet under high pressure on an elastomeric pad (24) supported by a rigid frame. A pair of laterally spaced rollers (30, 32) are used to form the arc. Each moves from the transverse edge of the sheet inwardly and crosses the center line of the sheet. Under the high pressure applied to the rolls the sheet yields to form the arc and the elastomeric material elastically deforms as the arc is formed. The rollers depend from vertical guides (34, 36) which follow a track extending transversely across the sheet. A guide track (38) is provided in a transverse beam located above the rolls and the guides. Hydraulic or pneumatic jacks (70) apply pressure to the beam which in turn applies pressure to the rolls.

Abstract: A small and simply operated recording apparatus employing an elastic pressure element is utilized to make a three dimensional recording in thin metallic foil from each of the two sides of a primary key from which a secondary key is to be manufactured, the recordings placed in an interpreting apparatus, which may be located remotely from the recording apparatus, which permits extraction of precise three dimensional data stored in the recordings whereafter the extracted data is utilized in key cutting apparatus to produce a secondary key, in all comprising a key making system.

Abstract: Apparatus for forming circular rims for bicycle wheels from metal profiled strip material in which first strip pieces are cut to a length corresponding to the circumferential length of the rims, curved end portions are formed on each strip piece, and each strip piece is introduced into a three-roll ring rolling apparatus. After the strip piece has been worked up to the trailing curved end portion thereof, the adjustable middle roll of the rolling apparatus is shifted a small distance towards the two outer rolls into a position corresponding with a substantially bending-free passage of the trailing curved end portion of the strip piece.

Abstract: A device for achieving a continuous forming of a metal rod or bar as it emerges from an extruder to impart desired repeating design characteristics therealong. The device includes a pair of co-acting motor driven forming rollers with complementary design portions formed in their engaging peripheral surfaces to engage the rod therebetween and to impart the forming roller design thereto. The forming rollers and variable speed drive motor are mounted on a carriage trolley movable on a track toward and away from the extruder in alignment with the extrusion emerging therefrom. The piston rod of a pneumatic piston and cylinder assembly is fixed to the carriage to impart a predetermined degree of pressure thereto in alignment with and in the same direction as the pressure forces of the metal rod extrusion. The drive motor is operated at a predetermined R.P.M. to create a condition whereby the driven forming rollers engagement with the extrusion substantially counterbalances the combined P.S.I.