With Application Of Frictional Restraining Force To Work During Deformation Patents (Class 72/350)
  • Patent number: 11939643
    Abstract: A pre-coated steel strip is provided. The steel strip includes a strip of base steel having a length, a width, a first side, and a second side. The length of the strip is at least 100 m and the width is at least 600 mm. An aluminum or an aluminum alloy pre-coating is on at least part of at least one of the first or second sides of the strip of base steel. A thickness tp of the pre-coating is from 20 to 33 micrometers at every location on at least one of the first or second sides. Processes, coated stamped products and land motor vehicles are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2024
    Assignee: ArcelorMittal
    Inventors: Pascal Drillet, Dominique Spehner, Ronald Kefferstein
  • Patent number: 11890661
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an electromagnetic stamping method and an electromagnetic stamping device. The electromagnetic stamping method includes: dividing a blank holder of a stamping device into a plurality of blank holder areas based on a contour characteristic of a workpiece to be stamped; setting a blank holder force function over time for each blank holder area based on a shape characteristic of the blank holder area; collecting blank holder force data of each blank holder area every cycle period t0, and calculating an error between the blank holder force data and a value of the blank holder force function at a current time; and controlling a blank holder force for each blank holder area based on the error, and obtaining the workpiece to be stamped by stamping sheet material under the blank holder force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2024
    Assignee: HEFEI UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY
    Inventors: Lei Li, Haihong Huang, Haojie Sang, Mengxiao Yang, Qingyu Lyu, Lei Gan, Libin Zhu, Zhifeng Liu
  • Patent number: 11826809
    Abstract: A container, such as a beverage or food can is provided, which includes a first sidewall, a second sidewall and a bottom portion extending between the first and second sidewalls. The material of the bottom portion is stretched relative to the first sidewall and the second sidewall to form a thinned preselected profile, such as a dome. The material of the container at or about the dome has a substantially uniform thickness. The container is formed from a blank of material, which has a base gauge prior to being formed. After being formed, the blank of material of the container at or about the dome has a thickness less than the base gauge. Tooling having a clamp bead, or a progressive clamp bead, for selectively forming a blank of material into a container, as well as an associated method are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2023
    Assignee: Stolle Machinery Company, LLC
    Inventors: Aaron E. Carstens, James A. McClung, Patrick K. McCarty, Gregory H. Butcher
  • Patent number: 11731186
    Abstract: A container, such as a beverage or food can is provided, which includes a first sidewall, a second sidewall and a bottom portion extending between the first and second sidewalls. The material of the bottom portion is stretched relative to the first sidewall and the second sidewall to form a thinned preselected profile, such as a dome. The material of the container at or about the dome has a substantially uniform thickness. The container is formed from a blank of material, which has a base gauge prior to being formed. After being formed, the blank of material of the container at or about the dome has a thickness less than the base gauge. Tooling having a clamp bead, or a progressive clamp bead, for selectively forming a blank of material into a container, as well as an associated method are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2023
    Assignee: Stolle Machinery Company, LLC
    Inventors: Aaron E. Carstens, James A. McClung, Patrick K. McCarty, Gregory H. Butcher
  • Patent number: 11707903
    Abstract: An apparatus for the controlled return of the stems in cylinders of the types that can be applied to a press for stamping sheet metal, comprising: at least one fluid-operated cylinder), at least one hydraulic accumulator which is fluidically connected to the at least one cylinder by means of a hydraulic circuit which comprises: a duct for the discharge of the working fluid from the at least one cylinder and a duct/branch for the intake of the working fluid in the hydraulic accumulator, a duct for loading the working fluid in the at least one cylinder and at duct/branch for the output of the working fluid from the hydraulic accumulator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2023
    Assignee: SPECIAL SPRINGS S.R.L.
    Inventors: Dante Cappeller, Massimo Fiorese, Francesco Bordin
  • Patent number: 11684963
    Abstract: In a method for producing an outer panel having a character line, a punch includes a projecting portion for forming a bent surface of the character line at a punch top portion, and a punch shoulder R portion. A contact pressure applied to a blank by at least one of the projecting portion and the punch shoulder R portion is higher than a contact pressure applied to the blank by a remaining portion of the punch which excludes the projecting portion and the punch shoulder R portion. A static friction coefficient of a first portion of the punch which includes at least one of the projecting portion and the punch shoulder R portion with respect to the blank is larger than a static friction coefficient of a second portion of the punch which excludes the first portion with respect to the blank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 25, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2023
    Assignee: NIPPON STEEL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yasunori Sawa, Masahiro Saito, Shigeru Yonemura, Akira Egami, Kohki Nakamura
  • Patent number: 11529664
    Abstract: A press system providing excellent energy efficiency for a whole press system and capable of achieving low prices is provided. A die cushion apparatus constituting a press system supports a cushion pad, includes a hydraulic cylinder which generates a die cushion load on the cushion pad when a slide of a press machine descends, the press machine includes a hydraulic cylinder which generates part of a press load on the slide when the slide descends. The pressure generation chamber of the hydraulic cylinder for generating a die cushion load and the pressure generation chamber of the hydraulic cylinder for generating part of the press load can communicate with each other via pipes and a first logic valve for a period during which the die cushion load acts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2022
    Assignee: AIDA ENGINEERING, LTD.
    Inventor: Yasuyuki Kohno
  • Patent number: 11400505
    Abstract: A press tooling includes a distance member pivotably supported by a holder; and a moving device provided on a first die unit. The holder is provided in a movable manner with respect to a punch in a press direction, and a pad is provided in a movable manner with respect to a die in the press direction. The distance member is pivotable between a home position in which the distance member does not come into contact with the second die and a preventive position in which the distance between the pad and the holder in the press direction is prevented from being equal to or less than a predetermined distance. As the holder moves relative to the punch in the first direction, the moving device causes the distance member to pivot from the home position toward the preventive position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2022
    Assignee: NIPPON STEEL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kazunori Oooka, Toshimitsu Aso, Hiroshi Yoshida, Daisuke Yasufuku, Yasuharu Tanaka, Takashi Miyagi, Junichiro Suzuki, Shinobu Yamamoto
  • Patent number: 11389852
    Abstract: A forming tool for forming a metal sheet, having an upper tool part and a movable sheet holder that is supported against the lower tool part, and having a locking device, which is provided between the sheet holder and a hold-down and has at least one spacer element that is supported so that it is able to move from a rest position into a working position as a function of a relative movement, which occurs during the closing of the forming tool. The forming tool also has a wedge drive with a slider and a driver, the slider that is equipped with the spacer element is supported so that it is able to move in contact with the driver as a function of the relative movement that occurs between the sheet holder and the upper tool part during the closing of the forming tool, in order to move the spacer element into its working position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2022
    Assignee: voestalpine Automotive Components Dettingen GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Ralf Schleich, Claus Eisinger
  • Patent number: 11318518
    Abstract: A deep-drawing tool for deep drawing blanks which are punched out of sheet material that is painted or coated with film material, in order to obtain flangeless molded blanks, includes a drawing bell, a drawing core, a blank holder, a force transmission device, a drawing cushion for applying a spring force to the blank holder by the force transmission device, and a drive which, after the drawing bell reaches a predetermined position in downward movement thereof, drives the force transmission device to perform a movement which precedes movement of the drawing bell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2022
    Assignee: Rainer Naroska Engineering GmbH
    Inventor: Marcus Naroska
  • Patent number: 11285523
    Abstract: A metal blank is clamped between upper and lower binders with the metal blank engaging against a protrusion extending from a binder surface of any of the upper binder, the lower binder, and both upper and lower binders, to create a binder gap between the metal blank and the binder surface adjacent the protrusion. The binder gap prevents cooperating springback control binder elements of the binder surface from actively engaging the metal blank. The metal blank is drawn into a cavity, with the protrusion riding on the metal blank until the protrusion falls off an edge of the metal blank, which closes the binder gap between the metal blank and the binder surface causing the cooperating springback control binder elements to actively engage the blank for the post-forming stretching operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2022
    Assignee: FCA US LLC
    Inventors: Dajun Zhou, Changqing Du, Kaiping Li, Robert D Miller
  • Patent number: 11267032
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for producing a dimensionally stable sheet metal component, wherein the method includes preforming a metal sheet into a sheet metal preform comprising at least one base region, a frame region, a transitional region between the base region and the frame region, optionally a flange region and a transitional region between the frame region and the flange region, wherein at least one of the regions comprises excess material at least in portions. The sheet metal preform is cut at least in portions to form a cut sheet metal preform with a sheet metal preform The sheet metal preform is one of swagged and calibrated which has been cut at least in portions to form a substantially finished formed sheet metal component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 2, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2022
    Assignee: thyssenknupp AG
    Inventors: Thomas Flehmig, Martin Kibben, Daniel Nierhoff, Arndt Marx, Daniel Caspary
  • Patent number: 11155305
    Abstract: A press-molded product capable of improving the bonding strength between a vehicle body reinforcing member and the other member or the rigidity of a vehicle body by enlarging a cross-section of a member to a fullest extent of a design cross-section without forming a notch for preventing a press-molding failure in a ridge-portion flange. A press-molded product is formed by a steel plate having a tensile strength of 340 MPa or more, and includes an inward continuous flange in at least one end portion, the inward continuous flange being obtained by continuously forming a ridge-portion flange, a first flange formed inward in at least a part of an area of the end portion of a first surface portion, and a second flange formed inward in at least a part of an area of the end portion of a second surface portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2021
    Assignee: NIPPON STEEL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yasuhiro Ito, Yoshiaki Nakazawa
  • Patent number: 10888913
    Abstract: A shell, a container employing the shell, and tooling and associated methods for forming the shell are provided. The shell includes a center panel, a circumferential chuck wall, an annular countersink between the center panel and the circumferential chuck wall, and a curl extending radially outwardly from the chuck wall. The material of at least one predetermined portion of the shell is selectively stretched relative to at least one other portion of the shell, thereby providing a corresponding thinned portion. The tooling includes a pressure concentrating forming surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2021
    Assignee: Stolle Machinery Company, LLC
    Inventors: Aaron E. Carstens, James A. McClung, Paul L. Ripple, Gregory H. Butcher, Patrick K. McCarty
  • Patent number: 10658899
    Abstract: A yoke housing includes a tubular case and a flange. The tubular case is formed from a metal sheet in a drawing process. The flange is formed at an end of the tubular case. The flange has a width in the lateral direction that is equal to the outer diameter of the tubular case. The flange has a base including beads and a thick portion. Each of the beads is formed by compressing the base. A portion of the base in which the beads are not formed defines a thick portion. The thick portion is located at a middle portion of the flange in the lateral direction. The beads are located on opposite sides of the thick portion in the lateral direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2020
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventors: Yousuke Kanbe, Tsuyoshi Matsuda
  • Patent number: 10179360
    Abstract: A curved part 10 having a hat-shaped cross section is produced by press-forming without causing cracks and wrinkles. When producing a curved part 10, which is made up of a top plate 11, vertical walls 12a and 12b extended in parallel with each other along ridgelines 14a and 14b of the top plate, and outwardly directed flanges 13a and 13b which connect to leading edges of the vertical walls, and has a generally hat-shaped cross section, by press forming, the metal material sheet 601 is interposed and constrained by the die 502 and the blank holder 505 and is press-formed while the metal material sheet 601 being interposed and constrained by the pad 503 and the punch 504.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2019
    Assignee: NIPPON STEEL & SUMITOMO METAL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Toshimitsu Aso, Yasuharu Tanaka, Takashi Miyagi, Misao Ogawa, Kazuyuki Kawano
  • Patent number: 10160024
    Abstract: The present invention provides a deep-drawing method and a forming die therefor which can prevent the occurrence of cup side wall wrinkles and the collapse of the bottom during the process of deep-drawing a blank and which can increase the drawing ratio. A wrinkle pressing surface of a pressure pad (1) or an upper surface of a draw die (2) includes a flat inner edge surface (11), a tapered surface (12) which becomes deeper as the surface advances from the flat inner edge surface toward an outer circumference, a deepest flat surface (13), and a flat outer edge surface (14), which are provided in that order from an inner edge through which a draw punch passes toward an outer edge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2018
    Assignee: TOYO SEIKAN GROUP HOLDINGS, LTD.
    Inventors: Hidekazu Tomaru, Nobuhisa Okabe, Hironori Oonishi
  • Patent number: 10071410
    Abstract: There is provided a manufacturing apparatus and a manufacturing method for a stretch-formed product which can improve the yield of material in the stretch forming performed while clamping the blank by the lock beads.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2018
    Assignee: NIPPON STEEL & SUMITOMO METAL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Ryuichi Nishimura, Yorifumi Sakamoto, Toru Yonebayashi, Yoshihiko Masuo, Yoshiaki Nakazawa, Koji Hashimoto
  • Patent number: 10065229
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing highly dimensionally accurate half-shells from a tailored blank, wherein, in a first die, with optional use of at least one hold-down means, the half-shell is subjected to pre-shaping by deep drawing, wherein the first die has at least one punch, a die base, a die rest surface and a jacket region, and wherein the pre-shaped half-shell is subsequently subjected to final shaping in a second die, in particular in a calibration tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2018
    Assignee: THYSSENKRUPP STEEL EUROPE AG
    Inventors: Thomas Flehmig, Konstantinos Savvas, Michael Brüggenbrock, Jörg Gorschlüter
  • Patent number: 9914164
    Abstract: A binder assembly for stamping sheet material includes an upper die, a stationary punch, an outer ring, and an inner ring. The stationary punch is aligned to be received inside a cavity of the upper die. The outer ring and the inner ring extend around the punch and are movable relative thereto. The inner ring includes teeth on a top surface and is positioned an initial distance from an end of the punch. The upper die is driven along the punch the initial distance such that the punch is received inside the cavity of the upper die a partial distance and a remaining distance such that the punch is received inside the cavity of the upper die a deeper distance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2018
    Assignee: FCA US LLC
    Inventors: John F Siekirk, III, Dajun Zhou, Changqing Du, Robert D Miller
  • Patent number: 9895736
    Abstract: A manufacturing method of a cover by bending a non-magnetic metal sheet, the cover being provided between an annular magnet fixed to a rotary member and a magnetic sensor detecting magnetism generated from the annular magnet, and a press die having a first die and a second die configured to be able to approach to and depart from each other. The method includes a bending step of bending the metal sheet by using a forming machine of which contact portion with the metal sheet is a non-magnetized portion. The press die presses and bends a non-magnetic metal sheet, and the first die and the second die include non-magnetic portions on a part of press faces configured to press the metal sheet, respectively, the non-magnetic portions facing each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2018
    Assignee: Uchiyama Manufacturing Corp.
    Inventors: Hiroshi Terazawa, Teruyuki Kiyoshi
  • Patent number: 9878362
    Abstract: A press-forming tool comprising: a punch including a punch portion and a plate portion transferring shape to a blank material; a die paired with the punch and opposes the punch portion; a wrinkle suppression mold including a first surface opposing the plate portion and comes into contact with the plate portion at a press-forming ending point, a second surface opposing the die and holds the blank material along with the die, and a third surface continued between the first and second surface and opposes the punch portion, and disposed between the third surface and the punch portion via a gap; a pressure receiving portion including a groove portion on the first surface of the wrinkle suppression mold; and a wrinkle suppression force increasing portion disposed on a surface opposing the first surface of the plate portion, protrudes toward the pressure receiving portion, and generates a reaction force opposed to a pressing direction when pressed in the pressing direction in end-phase of a press-forming.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2018
    Assignee: NIPPON STEEL & SUMITOMO METAL CORPORATION
    Inventor: Tohru Yoshida
  • Patent number: 9713833
    Abstract: In the proposed hydro ironing method, through an innovative arrangement of loads and using a novel configuration for the die components, the thickness reduction in one stage of ironing is almost equal to twice the common approaches.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2017
    Inventors: Ahmad Shirazi, Karen Abrinia
  • Patent number: 9687900
    Abstract: Provided is a technique capable of inexpensively working a steel sheet. A method for working a workpiece with an apparatus for working a workpiece, includes: a drawing step for performing drawing with a drawing device having an upper die and a lower die; and a cutting step for cutting the drawn workpiece with a cutting device having nibblers. The nibbler has a cylindrical case, a punch housed in the case, which reciprocates in a top-bottom direction to punch the workpiece, and a die arranged below the case, the die having a die hole into which the punch enters, and an ejecting hole communicating with the die hole, through which a scrap is ejected. The nibbler trims the workpiece fed between the case and the die.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2017
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Kazumi Saito
  • Patent number: 9527125
    Abstract: A draw die set defines a die cavity. A die entry area is provided at the location where a blank is drawn into the die cavity. A plurality of rolling elements such as cylindrical rollers or spherical balls are retained in pockets formed at the die entry area. A punch may be provided with rolling elements that engage a blank on the opposite side from the rollers in the die entry area. The rollers in the die entry area and on the punch may be arranged in rows that form a tangent surface that engages the sheet metal blank as it is drawn into the die cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2016
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventor: Sergey Fedorovich Golovashchenko
  • Patent number: 9346095
    Abstract: A die cushion drive includes a first pump, operated by a first electrical machine and at least one hydraulic cylinder having first and second chambers, with the first chamber in fluid communication with the first pump. A die cushion mechanically connected to the hydraulic cylinder. During a controlled movement of the die cushion, a pressure regulation and a preliminary control are active, with a second pump being coupled to a second electrical machine. During preliminary control, the second electrical machine is operated as a generator, with a first valve being used as an adjustment element of the pressure regulation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2016
    Assignee: SIEMENS AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
    Inventors: Frank Knoche, Johannes Kurz, Oleg Schlegel, Stephan Schäufele
  • Patent number: 9266162
    Abstract: A forming method that forms a press component with an L shape from a blank metal sheet, the press component having a top sheet section and a vertical wall section which is connected to the top sheet section via a bent section having a part curved in an arc shape and which has a flange section on an opposite side to the bent section, the top sheet section being arranged on an outside of the arc of the vertical wall section, the method including: disposing the blank metal sheet between a die and both of a pad and a bending die; and forming the vertical wall section and the flange section while at least a part of the blank metal sheet is caused to slide on a part of the die corresponding to the top sheet section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2016
    Assignee: NIPPON STEEL & SUMITOMO METAL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yasuharu Tanaka, Takashi Miyagi, Misao Ogawa, Shigeru Uchiyama
  • Patent number: 9149854
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides stamping apparatus for stamping a blank. The stamping apparatus includes a first die and a blank-holding ram. The first die includes a forming cavity and a depression positioned outboard of the forming cavity. The depression is defined by a first corner proximate the forming cavity and a second corner distal the forming cavity in the outboard direction from the first corner and the forming cavity. The blank-holding ram includes a bead configured to engage a portion of the blank into the depression when the blank is positioned between the first die and the blank-holding ram. The bead includes a third corner proximate the forming cavity and a fourth corner surface distal the forming cavity in the outboard direction from the third corner. The first corner of the depression includes a radii of curvature greater than a radii of curvature of the second corner of the depression and the radii of curvature of the third and fourth corners of the bead.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2015
    Assignee: FCA US LLC
    Inventors: Dajun Zhou, Changqing Du, Yang Hu, Yongjun Zhou
  • Patent number: 9120137
    Abstract: A stamping apparatus includes a lower die defining a cavity, with a land portion surrounding the cavity. A movable upper die includes a drawing punch that corresponds to the cavity. A binder movable towards the land portion of the lower die engages an edge portion of the blank, wherein the land portion of the lower die and the movable binder each include a plurality of beads that crimp the edge portion of the blank when the movable binder engages the edge portion of the blank. The plurality of beads are oriented orthogonal to a terminal edge of the edge portion. By orienting the plurality of beads in this manner, the crimped edge portion of the blank is allowed to move inboard towards the cavity when the blank is engaged by the drawing punch before being constrained by a throat portion defined by the binder and the lower die.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2015
    Assignee: FCA US LLC
    Inventors: Dajun Zhou, Changqing Du, John F. Siekirk, III
  • Patent number: 9056347
    Abstract: A press-die is provided with a lower die and an upper die. The lower die includes a drawing punch, a blank holder, and a cushion part. The upper die includes a drawing die part, and a trimming part. The blank holder includes a first holder part disposed to face to an end portion of the drawing die part, and a second holder part disposed to face to the trimming part. The second holder part has a drawing support portion that supports a first portion of a bottom surface of the first holder part. The drawing punch has a trimming support portion that supports a second portion of the bottom surface of the first holder part. The first holder part has a lower trimming blade at an outer edge thereof. The trimming part has an upper trimming blade at an inner edge thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2015
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Eguchi, Toshifumi Matsuda, Kazuya Saito, Jiro Watanabe, Kohei Teshima, Michio Nakamura, Masayasu Nishida, Ken Hashimoto
  • Patent number: 9003858
    Abstract: Provided are a bending die having surface microstructures and a bending punch thereof applicable to stamping processing to bend a blank to form a shape. The bending die includes a lower die, an upper die, and a workpiece placing piece. The lower die includes a die, and the die includes a forming surface. The upper die includes a bending punch, the bending punch stamps a blank placed on the die in a back and forth stroke, and the bending punch includes a working portion coming into contact with the blank during stamping. The workpiece placing piece is disposed between the upper die and the lower die and used to position or/and press the blank placed on the die. A plurality of microstructures are disposed on the forming surface and/or on the surface of the working portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: National Kaohsiung First University of Science and Technology
    Inventors: Bor-Tsuen Lin, Chun-Chih Kuo
  • Patent number: 8919178
    Abstract: A guided keeper and method for metal forming dies includes a base with a head portion and an opposite externally threaded mounting portion received in a mating die aperture. A scalloped shoulder portion with arc-shaped notches is located axially between the head and the mounting portions of the base, and a retainer ring groove is located axially between the head and the scalloped shoulder portion of the base. A cap screw is retained in the die, and has a cylindrical head received in one of the arc-shaped notches in the base to retain the base in place. A retainer ring is mounted in the ring groove in the base and retains the cap screw in place.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2014
    Assignee: Standard Lifters, Inc.
    Inventors: Scott M. Breen, Joel T. Pyper
  • Patent number: 8910502
    Abstract: A locking collar assembly for metal forming dies includes a disc-shaped locking collar with a cylindrical outer surface closely received in a collar bore in one face of a first die member. A circular recess in the outer face of the locking collar has an internal retainer ring groove. A counter bore shaped fastener hole extends through the collar and a part of the recess, and has shank, head and shoulder portions. A socket head cap screw is inserted in the fastener hole with a threaded end anchored in a threaded end aperture in one of the guide pins, with the head seated on the shoulder of the fastener hole. A retainer ring is mounted in the collar ring groove and overlies the cap screw head to positively prevent the cap screw from unintentionally unfastening from the guide pin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2014
    Assignee: Standard Lifters, Inc.
    Inventors: Scott M. Breen, Joel T. Pyper
  • Patent number: 8857237
    Abstract: The method is performed by a power press machine composed of a concave die, a convex die with two shoulders and two depressors separately beside the convex die, and includes the steps of: a) placing the high-strength steel (HSS) on the convex die and under the concave die; b) moving the depressors to have two opposite side portions of the HSS clamped between the concave die and the depressors; c) moving the convex die to press the HSS and keeping the side portions immovable; d) forming two steps adjacent to the side portions by the shoulders; and e) cutting off the steps with the side portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Inventor: Yong-Wah Chien
  • Patent number: 8850864
    Abstract: This aims to provide a press process for drawing a plate material into a predetermined shape. This press process performs a first unwrinkling treatment and a second unwrinkling treatment sequentially for unwrinkling the material. Between these first and second unwrinkling treatments, an introduction for deforming the material is made so that the portion of the material on the side to be subjected to the second unwrinkling treatment may be positioned on the side of a drawing direction with respect to the portion subjected to the first unwrinkling treatment. This first unwrinkling treatment is made on such a portion to be unwrinkled in the material as is located on the side of a larger drawing depth for the predetermined shape. On the other hand, the second unwrinkling treatment is made on such a portion to be unwrinkled as is located on the side of a smaller drawing depth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2014
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Masao Kubo
  • Patent number: 8839652
    Abstract: In a method for press-hardening a metallic formed structure made of a hardenable steel sheet, the steel sheet is heated above a transition temperature Ac3 and then placed in a cooled press having a forming tool with at least one uncooled contour section for forming a region of reduced hardness. Marginal regions of the steel sheet are clamped with a sheet holder arrangement which has an inner sheet holder and an outer sheet holder. The inner sheet holder is hereby located closer to the forming tool than the outer sheet holder. The sheet holder arrangement is configured to slow down flow of the marginal regions into the forming tool. After closing the press tool, the steel sheet is formed in a first forming phase by holding the marginal region with the outer sheet holder and in a subsequent forming phase by holding the marginal region with the inner sheet holder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2014
    Assignee: Benteler Automobiltechnik GmbH
    Inventors: Kiyohito Kondo, Friedrich Bohner, Martin Pohl, Robert Stockter
  • Patent number: 8640519
    Abstract: Provided are a press-molding mold, in which cracks and wrinkles to be formed at the corner portions of a press-molded article are reduced regardless of the depth of the drawing, and a press-molding method using that mold. The press-molding mold (1) comprises a die (2) having a recess (2b) and a wrinkle holding face (2a) formed around the recess (2b), a punch (3) having a protrusion (3a) matching the recess (2b), and a blank holder (4) having a cushion face (4a) matching the wrinkle holding face (2a). In the press-molding mold (1), the wrinkle holding face (2a) and the cushion face (4a) form a clamping portion (14), by which a material member (5) is clamped for the press-molding operation. The clamping portion (14) of the press-molding mold (1) is divided by an opening portion (15) communicating with a corner recess (2c) of the recess (2b), into a first clamping portion (14a) and a second clamping portion (14b), by which the material member (5) is clamped.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2014
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Masao Kubo
  • Patent number: 8616038
    Abstract: A two-piece guide pin for metal forming dies includes a guide pin body formed from a cut length of an elongate, solid bar of stock having a cylindrical shape and a hard and smooth finished exterior surface with an outside diameter selected for close reception and reciprocal motion in an associated die bore. An alignment member is formed on a first end of the guide pin body. A guide pin head is formed from a cut length of an elongate, solid bar of stock having an outside diameter that is substantially greater than that of the guide pin body, and is rigidly connected with the second end of the guide pin body in a generally concentric relationship to define an enlarged head that positively limits travel between an associated die shoe and die pad.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: Standard Lifters, Inc.
    Inventors: Scott M. Breen, Joel T. Pyper
  • Patent number: 8584496
    Abstract: A press-forming device includes a punch and a die, as a mold to be measured, and a strain measurement means arranged within the mold and measuring a strain amount generated by press-forming. The strain measurement means is positioned at the press-direction side relative to a radius end of a die shoulder on the material flow-out side when the mold is positioned at a lower dead point of press-forming. The strain measurement means is preferably positioned within a region defined by a surface which is away from the center of curvature of a curved surface of the mold by the distance ten times R, where R is a curvature radius of the curved surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2013
    Assignee: Nippon Steel & Sumitomo Metal Corporation
    Inventors: Takuya Kuwayama, Noriyuki Suzuki
  • Publication number: 20130291613
    Abstract: A manufacturing method forms components having a desired shape. A contoured surface is defined for a forming tool for forming a metal blank into the desired shape, wherein respective portions of the metal blank flow over the contoured surface during forming. An intrinsic material flow pattern resulting from the contoured surface is compared to a desired flow in order to identify regions of the contoured surface having an insufficient flow that creates areas in the formed metal blank receiving less than a desired amount of metal. A surface microtexture is applied onto the contoured surface in a pattern selected to increase metal flow along the identified regions by providing a friction in the identified regions that is reduced relative to adjacent regions of the contoured surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 7, 2012
    Publication date: November 7, 2013
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Zhiyong Cedric Xia, Jian Cao, Qian Wang, Rajesh Talwar, Donald J. Grzina, Tiffany Davis Ling, Pinzhi Liu
  • Patent number: 8573021
    Abstract: A metal blank that includes a binder trim component having at least one cut edge with a non-linear section. The creation of the non-linear section simultaneously forms a corresponding section in a binder trim component of an adjacent metal blank so that binder material can be shared therebetween. This reduces the amount of scrap metal, as the binder trim component is subsequently cut off and discarded. Furthermore, the non-linear section can include one or more strategically placed formations, such as projections, recesses, flat sections, etc., that cause it to be non-uniform along its length and to be specifically tailored to the manufacturing requirements of the part being formed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2013
    Assignee: Shiloh Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: John R. Ewolski, James W. Walther, Stephen A. Fetsko
  • Patent number: 8522595
    Abstract: A guided keeper assembly for metal forming dies includes a base having a mounting face and a fastener aperture to mount the base to an associated die shoe, as well as a central guide aperture. A guide pin having a central portion is closely received in the central guide aperture for precisely guiding reciprocal motion between the die pad and the die shoe. The guide pin has an enlarged head at one end which abuts the the-base to positively limit travel between the die shoe and the die pad, and a shoulder at an opposite end with an alignment mechanism that precisely locates the guide pin on the die pad. A fastener extends through the fastener aperture in the base to securely connect the same with the die shoe. Another fastener securely connects the second end of the guide pin with the die pad.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2013
    Assignee: Standard Lifters, Inc.
    Inventors: Joel T. Pyper, Scott M. Breen, Gordon L. Chaisson, Jeremie J. Yoder, Theodore A. McIntyre
  • Patent number: 8511129
    Abstract: A press forming method for a metal sheet uses dies, a surface roughness of which is an arithmetical mean roughness Ra of 7.5 ?m or smaller, which are used as a punch, an upper die, and a blank holder. Fluid with a kinematic viscosity of 500 mm2/s or lower is supplied to a space between a metal sheet and the blank holder, a space between the metal sheet and the punch, and a space between the metal sheet and the upper die. A die is detached from a workpiece in the middle of forming, and resuming the forming.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2013
    Assignee: JFE Steel Corporation
    Inventors: Yoshikiyo Tamai, Yuji Yamasaki, Akihide Yoshitake
  • Patent number: 8511134
    Abstract: Forming processes such as hot creep forming or superplastic deformation require a die former. This die former includes a lower die and an upper die within which an initial roughly shaped component is placed and then shaped by downward pressure between the die parts. Previous arrangements have included a simple stop to engage edges of the component to define position. In use, due to the nature of the forming process, movement of the component can occur, and in such circumstances it may be necessary for the operator to adjust the position of the component during the forming process. By utilising pegs about the periphery at least of leading and trailing edges of a component, a better edge definition is created, thereby reducing the requirement for interim positioning of the component in use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2013
    Assignee: Rolls-Royce PLC
    Inventors: Philip Brennand, Dion Soraine
  • Patent number: 8490456
    Abstract: The embodiment relates generally to a stamping or draw die used for forming a workpiece into a part or component using a first die shoe, a second die shoe and a punch wherein the punch draws the material into a cavity located in the second die shoe. The force is generated during the forming operation are often unbalanced which generates an uneven stress distribution on the component of the die assembly. By varying the position and angle of the guide surfaces located on the punch, first die shoe and second die shoe the stress can be distributed across a greater area of the respective die assembly component to reduce stress concentrations in a localized area and correspondingly reduce the potential for die failure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2013
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Amber Wang, Weilong Hu
  • Publication number: 20130180301
    Abstract: The drawing press according to the invention includes a support structure for supporting a metal sheet holder which is part of a tool and supported on the press frame via the support structure. The metal sheet holder is assigned a plunger with a die tool, whereas the plunger is moved by means of a plunger drive which includes a blocking position. The blocking position is obtained, for example, by a drive which, in the locking position does not transmit any movement of the drive output to the driving servomotor. This can be achieved, for example, by an eccentric drive in the stretched position thereof. For performing the actual drawing stroke, the stamping tool is vertically movably supported. A carriage is raised or lowered by the press table by means of a table drive. As table drive, preferably a servomotor with a non-linear drive, such as an eccentric drive is used.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 13, 2013
    Publication date: July 18, 2013
    Applicant: SCHULER PRESSEN GMBH
    Inventors: DIETMAR SCHOELLHAMMER, Martin Schmeink, Andreas Dangelmayr, Hans Hofele, Juergen Fahrenbach
  • Patent number: 8468866
    Abstract: In the die cushion device, a shock absorber device relieves shock between a cushion pad and a support section. The shock absorber device includes a damping section and an elastic section. The damping section generates reaction force in accordance with the relative speed of the cushion pad with respect to the support section. The elastic section generates reaction force in accordance with the relative displacement of the cushion pad with respect to the support section. The controller section controls a servomotor so that a speed difference between the speed of the slide member and the speed of the support section is set to be a predetermined target speed difference value that changes over time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2013
    Assignee: Komatsu Ltd.
    Inventors: Takuji Miyasaka, Hirohide Sato, Ryota Yoshimura, Masaya Nakagawa, Eiji Doba, Hiroyuki Ito, Takeo Arikabe
  • Patent number: 8429946
    Abstract: A press-working apparatus capable of forming a clear character line. The press-working apparatus forms a product having a character line. The press-working apparatus comprises an upper die and a lower die arranged across a steel sheet, an upper die mechanism for moving the upper die toward and away from the lower die, a first holder and a second holder for clamping the steel sheet and applying an unwrinkling force to the same, and a control unit for controlling the upper die mechanism and the first holder. The upper die is divided on the character line of the product into a first upper die and a second upper die. The control unit makes the unwrinkling force by the first holder stronger than that by the second holder, so that the steel sheet is press-worked by the second upper die and then by the first upper die.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2013
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shingo Maeda, Hideo Meguri, Seiji Takahashi, Yuichi Nagai
  • Patent number: 8418517
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a pipe coupling that prevents leakage including: forming a semi-tubular portion and flat portions along opposite sides of the semi-tubular portion; deforming the flat portions to produce larger bending depth and smaller width; bending portions of the flat portions so that the bent portions form acute angles in relation to the semi-tubular portion with sloping flat portions extending from the semi-tubular portion, and distal narrow flat portions; pushing the sloping flat portions away from the semi-tubular portion; pressing the semi-tubular portion, the sloping flat portions, and the narrow flat portions to produce a final shape; and removing burrs so that the semi-tubular portion of the final shape comes into close contact with an outer circumferential surface of a pipe, and the final flat portions are integrally formed along opposite side edges of the semi-tubular portion in a common plane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2013
    Assignee: Showa Denko K.K.
    Inventor: Daisuke Uneno
  • Patent number: 8348249
    Abstract: An apparatus may have a cylinder including a piston rod and a chamber in which a working fluid is received to resist movement of the piston rod into the chamber, and an accumulator having a first chamber in communication with the cylinder chamber to receive fluid from the cylinder chamber upon movement of the piston rod into the cylinder chamber. The apparatus may also have a pressure controller having a fluid chamber where some of the working fluid may be received and an actuator operable to increase the volume of the fluid chamber when the piston rod is retracted into the cylinder chamber to increase the total volume in which the working fluid may be received, wherein the increased volume of the fluid chamber may accommodate fluid movement in the assembly not caused by movement of the piston rod.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Assignee: DADCO, Inc.
    Inventor: Jonathan P. Cotter