Deforming Sheet Metal Patents (Class 72/379.2)
  • Publication number: 20100263432
    Abstract: A planarizer for a probe card assembly. A planarizer includes a first control member extending from a substrate in a probe card assembly. The first control member extends through at least one substrate in the probe card assembly and is accessible from an exposed side of an exterior substrate in the probe card assembly. Actuating the first control member causes a deflection of the substrate connected to the first control member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 23, 2010
    Publication date: October 21, 2010
    Inventors: Gaetan L. Mathieu, Benjamin N. Eldridge, Gary W. Grube
  • Publication number: 20100257909
    Abstract: An apparatus comprises a platform, a stylus, and a heating system. The platform is capable of holding a sheet of material. The stylus is capable of impinging the sheet of the material to incrementally form a shape for a part. The heating system is capable of heating at least a portion of the sheet of material in a location on the sheet of material prior to the stylus impinging the location.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 8, 2009
    Publication date: October 14, 2010
    Applicant: THE BOEING COMPANY
    Inventors: Christopher S. Huskamp, Keith A. Young, James B. Castle
  • Publication number: 20100257704
    Abstract: A method for producing closure elements for metal touch-and-close fasteners, in a metal carrier (3) notches (13) corresponding to the outlines of hook elements (1) to be configured being made, while leaving a connecting line in each case, and bending operations being carried out in order to raise the regions delimited by the notches (13) as hooking elements (1) around the connecting lines serving as bending lines out of the plane of the carrier (3), is characterized in that the carrier (3) is guided through the region (5) of the tooth engagement between rotational bodies (7, 9) having peripheral teeth, wherein the tooth shapes of the rotational bodies (7, 9) and the type of the tooth engagement are selected such that the tooth engagement is effective with respect to cutting for the configuration of the notches (13) and effective with respect to stamping for the bending operations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 13, 2008
    Publication date: October 14, 2010
    Inventors: Jan Tuma, Metin Efe
  • Patent number: 7802365
    Abstract: A method of making elongated spacer frame members prevents a first spacer frame member in a series of spacer frame members from being scrapped. A supply of thin relatively narrow sheet metal stock is provided. The stock is fed endwise to a stamping station. The stock is passed through the stamping station that stamps the stock to define a scrap length of stock followed by a connected first spacer frame defining length of stock. The scrap length of stock and the connected first spacer frame defining length of stock are fed to a roll forming station. The scrap length of stock and the connected first spacer frame defining length of stock are formed into a rigid linearly extending scrap element having opposite side walls and a base wall and a connected rigid linearly extending first spacer frame element having opposite side walls and a base wall. A connection between the scrap element and the first spacer frame element is then severed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2010
    Assignee: GED Integrated Solutions, Inc.
    Inventor: Timothy B. McGlinchy
  • Publication number: 20100236316
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing a sheet metal blank, in particular a tailored blank, in which at least two metal sheets are connected to one another at their respective connecting edges, the two metal sheets displaying differing thickness is provided herein and allows in a simple manner an application-specific configuration of the region of transition from one metal sheet thickness to another metal sheet thickness. The method includes a step in which, prior to the connecting of the two metal sheets, at least the region of the connecting edge of the thicker of the two metal sheets is pressed to a predefinable thickness in a forming tool in such a way that the connecting edges of the metal sheets display substantially the same thickness.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 19, 2010
    Publication date: September 23, 2010
    Applicant: ThyssenKrupp Steel Europe AG
    Inventor: Thomas Flehmig
  • Publication number: 20100229618
    Abstract: The method for forming a turbofan mixer comprises providing a single monolithic and generally flat annular sheet metal blank, providing a die surface substantially corresponding in shape to a turbofan mixer shape, positioning the blank with reference to the die surface, and forcing the blank against the die surface to transform the blank into a monolithic turbofan mixer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2008
    Publication date: September 16, 2010
    Inventors: Eugene GEKHT, Danny MILLS
  • Publication number: 20100227193
    Abstract: There is provided a method for producing a multi-colored or multi-alloy extruded shape, such as metal tubing for use in forming rings. At least two contrastingly colored metal components or metal components made from different alloys are arranged in a container. The metal components in the container are compressed so as to form a billet of distorted multi-colored or multi-alloy metal. The billet is extruded thereby forming multi-colored or multi-alloy patterns in the extruded shape.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 19, 2010
    Publication date: September 9, 2010
    Inventor: Steven G. Midgett
  • Patent number: 7788805
    Abstract: The present invention provides a rocker arm manufacturing method capable of improving the durability and excellent in productivity. In the method according to the present invention, an intermediate product 13 having both side walls 20 extended in a predetermined direction and arranged in parallel with each other and one end side connection wall 30 connecting lower ends of a longitudinal one end of both the side walls is obtained. Next, both side walls 20 formed at the one end of the intermediate product 13 are inwardly bent. Thereafter, ironing dies 60 are pressed down against outer surfaces of both the inclined side walls 20 from an upper side to a lower side to execute ironing of outer surface portions of both the side walls 20 to downwardly plastically fluidize the constituent material of both the side walls 20 to thereby form valve stem guide walls 35 at both sides of the one end side connection wall 30 in a downwardly protruded manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2010
    Assignees: Nakanishi Metal Works Co., Ltd., OTICS Corporation
    Inventor: Michiyuki Kamiji
  • Publication number: 20100218584
    Abstract: This invention provides a metal sheet pressing method of precision-pressing a metal sheet, wherein after a metal sheet (1) is partially drawn so as to form a perforated portion (1a), the perforated portion (1a) is heated by baking and after it is heated by baking, the perforated portion (1a) is pressed with press dies into an uneven-surface shape.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 24, 2009
    Publication date: September 2, 2010
    Inventors: Minoru Ishihara, Toshio Kayao
  • Publication number: 20100221569
    Abstract: Techniques for manufacturing sheet product of varying surface profile and products thus manufactured are disclosed herein. In some embodiments, the disclosed invention provides a method for profiling a surface of a sheet product having a first profile on first surface. In one embodiment, the method includes creating a profiling template or contoured support surface. A profiled surface may be formed by arranging the profiling template and the sheet product such that the profiling template is located between the sheet product and a support surface, conforming the arrangement of the sheet product and the profiling template to the support surface such that conformance causes the sheet product to have a second surface profile on the first surface, and processing the sheet product to form a third surface profile on the first surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 26, 2010
    Publication date: September 2, 2010
    Inventors: Dean Cory, David Jones
  • Publication number: 20100206037
    Abstract: A press die and a processing method of the press die surface, and a manufacturing method of a vehicle body of an automobile, are capable of maintaining a high non-defective product rate of works after press processing, even in a case in which foreign matter such as iron filings and the like have adhered to a die surface. A press die for sheet metal forming has a multitude of concave portions on a die surface, and has a roughness (Ry) of a die surface on which the multitude of concave portions has been formed of 30 to 38 ?m.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2008
    Publication date: August 19, 2010
    Applicant: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Takayuki Yagi, Akihiro Matsuyama, Shinichi Koyama, Masato Fukushima, Kinji Takahashi, Kazumichi Tosa, Masashi Seino, Takeshi Terada, Yuu Yamakawa, Motoo Takano
  • Publication number: 20100206038
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a surface that will reduce fluid flow drag over exposed surfaces of aerodynamic or hydrodynamic structures. The surface shall define a plurality of dimples. The dimples might not be aligned. Adjacent dimples might not have the same diameter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 16, 2009
    Publication date: August 19, 2010
    Inventor: Santiago Vitagliano
  • Publication number: 20100192661
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and a device for producing a planar implant (I) for a human or animal body, which planar implant (I) is preformed corresponding to a desired anatomical shape. The method comprises the following steps: making available a blank of the planar implant; making available a preforming device (V) that comprises a plurality of discrete adjustable support elements (STE) for adjusting an associated plurality of support points in accordance with the desired anatomical shape; defining the desired anatomical shape and determining corresponding settings for the support elements; adjusting the support elements in accordance with the settings determined for the desired anatomical shape; and producing the preformed implant by bending the blank onto the adjusted support elements.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 5, 2006
    Publication date: August 5, 2010
    Applicant: SYNTHES (U.S.A.)
    Inventor: Marc Christian Metzger
  • Patent number: 7765849
    Abstract: A press for crimping longitudinal edges of a plate for the manufacture of pipe has a closed press frame, an upper press platen, and a lower press platen extending longitudinally through the frame. A pair of transversely spaced and transversely shiftable upper supports are provided on the upper platen, and a pair of transversely spaced and transversely shiftable lower supports on the lower platen. Respective upper dies are fixed in the upper supports and have downwardly directed lower faces, and respective lower dies are fixed in the lower supports and have upwardly directed upper faces. A piston/cylinder assembly braced between the frame and one of the platens and pressurizable to shift the one platen vertically toward the other of the platens. Hydraulic actuators may position the holders and their dies transversely and also lock them in place.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2010
    Assignee: Siempelkamp Maschinen-und Anlagenbau GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Klaus Schürmann, Lothar Sebastian, Klaus Wollny
  • Publication number: 20100187291
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for shaping sheet steel. In said method, a blank is produced from the sheet steel, the blank is inserted into a shaping tool, and the shaped workpiece is produced from the blank in a one-stage process by means of the shaping tool. Before being shaped, the blank is heated to such a degree that the steel does not undergo any phase transition and the blank is shaped in the ferritic, pearlitic, or bainitic range without exceeding the eutectoid temperature or the recrystallization temperature. The invention also relates to an apparatus for carrying out said method.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 15, 2008
    Publication date: July 29, 2010
    Applicant: VOESTALPINE ANARBEITUNG GMBH
    Inventors: Wolfgang Kriegner, Hans-Jörg Kirchweger, Karl-Heinz Krenn
  • Publication number: 20100176648
    Abstract: A method of producing a support pin component for attachment to a reclining part of a vehicle seat and for insertion into a support receiver of a seat frame. The support pin component has an attachment region for attachment to the reclining part of the vehicle seat, and a pin for the pivotable insertion into a support receiver of the seat frame. The support pin component is produced as a shaped part of sheet steel, for example in a progressive composite process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 28, 2008
    Publication date: July 15, 2010
    Applicant: Faurecia Autositze GmbH
    Inventors: Andreas Häntsch, Heiner Kempf
  • Publication number: 20100154499
    Abstract: During the bending of sheet metal sections (1, 2) in particular for forming can edges using a bending machine, the sheet metal is pre-treated at a flexing station (50) before reaching the bending station. The contact position (x, y, y?) of a sheet on a measuring plate (38) is measured and the signal representing the contact position is reproduced on a display (25), enabling the operator to adjust at least one element (7, 8, 9, 20) of the flexing station in accordance with the deviation of the actual contact position from the target contact position, either manually or by means of a drive. The signal can also be used to automatically adjust at least one element of the flexing station.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 17, 2008
    Publication date: June 24, 2010
    Inventors: Peter Hug, Daniel Dieterich
  • Publication number: 20100147130
    Abstract: A sheet of material (111) having a plurality of bend-inducing structures (113) configured and positioned to produce bending along a bend line (115). The bend-inducing structures (113) have arcuate return portions (122) extending from opposite ends (121) back along the bend-inducing structures (113) toward the other return portion (122) and each return portion (122) has a length dimension and a radius of curvature reducing stress concentrations. Preferably, the length dimension of the arcuate return portion (122) is in excess of twice the thickness. The lateral distance, LD, to which the bend-inducing structures (113) is formed in the sheet away from the bend line (115) is preferably minimized by small radius arcs (125) which connect the return portions (122) to the remainder of the bend-inducing structures (113).
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 22, 2010
    Publication date: June 17, 2010
    Applicant: Industrial Origami, Inc.
    Inventors: Max W. Durney, Alan D. Pendley, Justin Koch
  • Publication number: 20100139358
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing S-shaped bent edge on heat-isolating protection metal component comprising the following steps: place in order an upper layer of metal base plate and a lower layer of metal base plate as well as a middle layer of heat-isolating materials in between according to the requirements of the outward appearance and dimension and the various layers of the product; fix the metal base plates with the heat-isolating materials by means known in the art; form J-shaped edges on the base plates by conventional stamping means, and the J-shaped edges of the base plates are perpendicular to the horizontal portion of the metal base plates; each of the J-shaped edges of the base plates has an outwardly bent curve with a crown and a curve end; by means of a stamping step performed by an upper mold M1 with a concave surface and a flat surface and a lower mold M2 with a flat surface, the concave surface of the mold M1 exerts lateral force onto the curve ends so that the J-shaped edges of the base plates in
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2008
    Publication date: June 10, 2010
    Inventor: Cui Xuejun
  • Publication number: 20100139073
    Abstract: A method for forming a face component 40 for a golf club head from a sheet of high strength metallic material is disclosed herein. The face component has a center portion 50 with a greater thickness than other portions 52 and this greater thickness portion is formed in the original sheet of material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 19, 2009
    Publication date: June 10, 2010
    Applicant: CALLAWAY GOLF COMPANY
    Inventor: J. ANDREW GALLOWAY
  • Publication number: 20100129678
    Abstract: The method serves for the production of a wire strip (1) comprising a plurality of wires (2) arranged parallel to each other. For this purpose a metal strip is first pre-notched either on one side or both sides for the formation of the wires (2), whereby wires (2) are generated which are still connected to webs (3). To transform the webs (3) subsequently into thin, easy to separate and, when separated, smooth and burr-free separation webs forming separation areas, the wire strip (1) is subjected to a milling process during which each web (3) is subjected to a multiple bending strain along the longitudinal axis thereof in such a way that incipient cracks form, due to fatigue fracture, in the area of the webs (3), and thereby the separation web is created.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 8, 2008
    Publication date: May 27, 2010
    Inventor: Karl-Hermann Stahl
  • Publication number: 20100129015
    Abstract: A method for producing a component made of metal, particularly for a head bearing housing of a spring strut. The component comprises a base part and a flange that extends away therefrom. The flange comprises a substantially tubular portion having a first diameter and a collar-type rim portion that adjoins the tubular portion. The free edge of the tubular portion has a second diameter that is greater than the first diameter of the tubular portion. A raw component is provided comprising a base part and a cylindrically tubular portion having a third diameter that is at least greater than the first diameter. The third diameter of the cylindrically tubular portion is reduced to the first diameter at a distance from an edge of the tubular portion by forming by means of a forming tool that is applied to the outside of the tubular portion and that acts approximately radially toward the longitudinal center axis, in such a way that the collar-type rim portion is constituted.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 19, 2009
    Publication date: May 27, 2010
    Inventors: Uwe Nestlen, Horst Siefermann
  • Patent number: 7721442
    Abstract: A backing of a wiper blade (53) is virtually divided into a plurality of regions in a longitudinal direction of the backing. A wiping area (B) of the wiper blade (53) in a glass surface (50a) is discretized in a wiping direction (x direction) of the wiper blade (53) and in a longitudinal direction (z direction) of the wiper blade (53). A curvature of each of the plurality of virtually divided regions of the backing is set in such a manner that a sum of variation differences of contact pressures (Fyij) at respective discretized points (Pij) is minimized. With such a wiper blade partial pressure setting method, a wiping performance of the wiper blade (53) can be easily and reliably improved over the entire wiping area of the wiping surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2010
    Assignee: ASMO Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Shigeki Okura
  • Publication number: 20100122563
    Abstract: A substantially two-dimensional sheet material is configured for bending along a bend line to form a three-dimensional article. The sheet material includes a sheet of elastically and plastically deformable material, one portion of the sheet material located on one side of the bend line and another portion located on the opposing side of the bend line, one portion being displaced relative to the another portion in the direction of the thickness of the sheet material, and/or a plurality of shear lengths extending along the bend line separating the one and another portions of the sheet material. At least a pair of adjacent shear lengths define a strap interconnecting the one and another portions of the sheet material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 16, 2009
    Publication date: May 20, 2010
    Applicant: Industrial Origami, Inc.
    Inventor: Max W. DURNEY
  • Publication number: 20100112371
    Abstract: A hot formed part of high-strength steel includes a body having an opening and formed in one piece with at least one tab in the form of a tongue projecting into the opening for holding a connection piece captive on the body. The tab thus is formed in one piece with the hot formed part and is produced jointly with the openings during manufacture of the hot formed part in the hot forming process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 27, 2009
    Publication date: May 6, 2010
    Applicant: Benteler Automobiltechnik GmbH
    Inventor: MARKUS KETTLER
  • Publication number: 20100101297
    Abstract: A folding device is provided for the processing of workpieces and includes, but is not limited to a holding device for the holding of a workpiece in a processing position in a holding plane and a folding slide for the folding over of an edge of the workpiece into a folding position. The folding slide at least includes, but is not limited to a first folding surface and a second folding surface. The first folding surface with the second folding surface forms an angle ?, the first folding surface with the holding plane forms an angle ?1 and the second folding surface with the holding plane forms an angle ?2 and the first folding surface and the second folding surface are intended for pressing onto the workpiece during the folding over of an edge.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2007
    Publication date: April 29, 2010
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Herbert Bauer, Reimund Ewald, Peter Nold, Gregor Ruf
  • Publication number: 20100088881
    Abstract: A rivet, including: at least one side wall extending from a first side of a sheet of material, formed from the same material as the sheet of material, and including respective inside surfaces; and a space at least partly enclosed by the respective inside surfaces. The space is open at a second side of the sheet of material. In one embodiment, the at least one side wall is cylindrical in shape. In another embodiment, the rivet includes an end wall formed of the same piece of material as the at least one side wall and defining one end of the space, the space is cylindrical in shape, the space has a first portion aligned with the sheet of material and a second portion partially defined by the end wall, and a diameter for the first portion is less than the diameter for the second portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 8, 2009
    Publication date: April 15, 2010
    Applicant: LUK LAMELLEN UND KUPPLUNGSBAU BETEILIGUNGS KG
    Inventor: Jonathan JAMESON
  • Publication number: 20100092796
    Abstract: Method of forming depressions (e.g. dimples) in a sheet material to form a textured surface thereon involves pressing one or more tool tips into a metallic or non-metallic sheet material while the sheet material is supported by a support layer that is relatively softer (e.g. having a lower Young's modulus) than the sheet material so as to allow plastic deformation and reduce pile-up of raised displaced material of the sheet material at the edges of the depressions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 6, 2009
    Publication date: April 15, 2010
    Inventors: Jian Cao, Anthony Swanson, Tiffany Davis
  • Publication number: 20100086346
    Abstract: A connector piece for the articulated connection of structural elements of a chassis of a motor vehicle. The connector piece has a main body, formed from at least one metal sheet, which has at least one bearing or joint and includes a housing connected to the main body and an inner part which is fitted within an inside space of the housing and can move relative to the housing. The housing comprises a housing portion that surrounds the inside space and includes at least two sheet-metal strips that are arranged adjacent one another, in a longitudinal direction, and are bent between their ends, in opposite directions transverse to the longitudinal direction, such that the metal strips partially surround the inside space on different sides.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 6, 2008
    Publication date: April 8, 2010
    Applicant: ZF FRIEDRICHSHAFEN AG
    Inventors: Jochen Kruse, Frank Budde, Frank Nachbar, Stefan Schonhoff
  • Patent number: 7685857
    Abstract: A curved extrusion includes a body that has indefinite length and a cross-section, and that is formed to contour and at least one channel cut into the cross-section that is filled with deposited material such that said cross-section of said body is restored. By cutting the channels into the cross-section of the extrusion, the extrusion may be easily formed onto a contoured tool to be curved with lower forming and residual stresses and distortion. By filling the channels with deposited material, the original cross-section and strength of the extrusion can be restored. By adding a transverse stiffener, the strength of the original extrusion may not only be restored but also further improved. By depositing material to create structural features the cross-section of the extrusion may be locally changed. The method for forming curved extrusions of the present invention may be used, for example, to produce T-chords of an aircraft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2010
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Tracy MacDonald-Schmidt, Kevin T. Slattery
  • Publication number: 20100071434
    Abstract: A press forming method for a metal sheet is provided. The method is capable of improving a forming limit at which a crack appears in a metal sheet and being easily applied to a large press machine for mass production with a low cost, without correcting the shape of dies, such as a punch and an upper die, or changing the shape or material of a blank to a special shape or material. Dies, a surface roughness of which is an arithmetical mean roughness Ra of 7.5 ?m or smaller, are used as a punch, an upper die, and a blank holder. Fluid with a kinematic viscosity of 500 mm2/s of lower (40° C.) is used as a lubricant, and 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, thereby improving formability.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 22, 2007
    Publication date: March 25, 2010
    Applicant: JTE Steel Corporation
    Inventors: Yoshikiyo Tamai, Yuji Yamasaki, Akihide Yoshitake
  • Publication number: 20100058589
    Abstract: The invention relates to a structured material web, particularly a metal web, having a multi-dimensional structure comprising beads or creases and structures disposed next to each other and each formed by a surface section enclosed by the beads or the creases, wherein each of the structures has a dedicated location with a hole, and the surface section in every other location of the structure is formed by an incline toward the dedicated location.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2007
    Publication date: March 11, 2010
    Inventors: Schokufeh Mirtsch, Michael Mirtsch
  • Patent number: 7673487
    Abstract: There is provided a method for forming a hollow shaft with a flange directly in sheet metal. This method is a method for forming a hollow shaft having a flange portion 17 at the end thereof based on stamping performed on sheet metal 20. The method includes forming an upright portion 14 which is upright with respect to the surface of the sheet metal 20 by using a burring punch 320 and a burring die 310, and bending outward the free end portion of the upright portion 14 radially with respect to the central axis of the cylindrical portion by using a bending punch and a bending die. Here, the formed hollow shaft has the upright portion 14 protruding upright with respect to the surface and the flange portion 17 radially extending from the end of the upright portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2010
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Yoshitaka Oda
  • Publication number: 20100053989
    Abstract: A high pressure discharge lamp (10), which is particularly a motor vehicle headlight, comprises a high pressure discharge burner (12) for emitting light supported by at least one leg (24), preferably three or four legs (24). By means of the legs (24) the burner (12) is mechanically connected to a socket (14) of the high pressure discharge lamp (10). According to the invention the legs (24) are part of a holder (16), which comprises further a ring (18) surrounding the socket (14), whereby the ring (18) is one-piece with the legs (24). Due to the design of the holder (16) as ring (18) with protruding legs (24) the heat of the burner (12) is conducted from the burner (12) via the legs (24) to the ring (18) by heat conduction. From the ring (18) the heat is led away to the environment by convection. This leads to a significant cooler Temperature of the holder (16) with respect to the burner (12), so that the material of the socket (14) needs not to be selected with respect to a good heat resistance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 7, 2008
    Publication date: March 4, 2010
    Applicant: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS ELECTRONICS N.V.
    Inventors: Markus Gerhard, Nathijs De Wit
  • Patent number: 7669334
    Abstract: Disclosed is a system for forming a blade-section including a transporting frame, at least one transporting support removeably associated with the transporting frame, and a blade-section forming structure receptive of the transporting frame and the at least one transporting support.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2010
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Jan Willem Bakhuis, Andrew John Billen, Sjef van Breugel, Jamie Thomas Livingston
  • Patent number: 7665340
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing a one piece turnbuckle includes preparing a board of metal; deep drawing the board to form two protrusions and shaping the board into a form which has two opposite ends, with the opposite ends defined by the protrusions; deep drawing the board to reduce its thickness and to form a recess; punching the recess off so as to form a through opening; boring a hole through each of the protrusions; and tapping each hole to form a threaded section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2010
    Inventor: Han-Ching Huang
  • Publication number: 20100037668
    Abstract: A method and system for making a window well having a station with a first well area and a second well area, a conveyor to transport a first blank to the first well area, and a transport conveyor that transports a second blank to the second well area based on a signal from a sensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 13, 2008
    Publication date: February 18, 2010
    Inventor: MORGAN F. THEOPHILUS
  • Publication number: 20100032330
    Abstract: A method for producing self-dunnaged cathode bundles, comprising the steps of forming at least one deformed cathode by bending opposed ends of at least one cathode to form a pair of supports disposed at an angle to a central portion of the at least one deformed cathode, and stacking one or more further cathodes above or below the at least one deformed cathode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 19, 2009
    Publication date: February 11, 2010
    Applicant: XSTRATA TECHNOLOGY PTY LTD.
    Inventor: Brendan Joseph O'Rourke
  • Publication number: 20100028713
    Abstract: A method of processing an article includes mechanically working an article having a metallic layer disposed on a titanium substrate and establishing a residual stress region that extends through the metallic layer and at least partially into the titanium substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 29, 2008
    Publication date: February 4, 2010
    Inventors: Aaron T. Nardi, Blair A. Smith, Timothy R. Boysen
  • Publication number: 20100024510
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a press die set for forming a flange that bends an edge of a part, such as a door panel and a hood panel, at a right angle in a press-forming direction and bends an edge adjacent to the edge at a negative angle, and a flange forming method. The press die set for forming a flange according to the present invention can accomplish the flange formation described above in one step, has a simple structure, and is easy to maintain.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 30, 2008
    Publication date: February 4, 2010
    Applicant: HIROTEC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Koichi SASAKI, Nobuyuki SHIOZAKI
  • Publication number: 20100018276
    Abstract: A sheet metal rocker arm of the end pivot rocker arm type formed by bending into a U shape a precursor sheet metal piece and characterized by having a reinforcing cross member which is integrally formed by bending a tab that is cut in the central portion of the connecting part of a U-channel element to yield a reinforcing cross member to provide a unitary structure that introduces substantially enhanced stiffness to the rocker arm. The method of creating integrally formed reinforcing cross-members by appropriately cutting slits that provide reinforcing members can be applied to any stamped rocker arm that has a U-channel architecture, e.g., including, for example, rocker arms for pushrod type valvetrains as well as roller finger follower type rocker arms. Provision of the integrally formed cross member abutting the inner wall of the sides of the U-shaped rocker arm renders stiffness to the rocker arm that enables an engine to operate at a higher rpm and thereby improves horsepower output.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 28, 2008
    Publication date: January 28, 2010
    Inventor: THOMAS C. EDELMAYER
  • Patent number: 7643967
    Abstract: A method of designing fold lines in sheet material includes the steps defining the desired fold line in a parent plane on a drawing system, and populating the fold line with a fold geometry including a series of cut zones that define a series of connected zones configured and positioned relative to the fold line whereby upon folding the material along the fold line produces edge-to-face engagement of the material on opposite sides of the cut zones.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2010
    Assignee: Industrial Original, Inc.
    Inventors: Max W. Durney, Alan D. Pendley
  • Patent number: 7637137
    Abstract: A press forming method which can prevent a stretch-flange crack while using conventional press forming equipment at a time of press forming a formed member with flange includes steps of constructing a blank for press forming with a base body blank portion corresponding to flat base body of the formed member, and a concave flange blank portion formed by bending on a concave outer peripheral edge of the base body blank portion. The concave blank portion is constituted by a convex flange blank portion in which a stretch-flange deformation is generated, and an adjacent flange blank portion which is adjacent thereto. An outer peripheral edge of the convex flange blank portion is formed such that one end exists between two points on a profile line corresponding to an outer peripheral edge of the adjacent flange blank portion, the other end exists between two other points, and the one end and the other end are smoothly connected between the straight lines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2009
    Assignee: Kobe Steel, Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroshi Akamizu, Jiro Iwaya
  • Publication number: 20090308130
    Abstract: A method for utilizing a bending machine die layout, the method including the steps of: designating a bending machine die layout; extracting a region, in the designated die layout, where a punch and a die face each other, as a virtual die stage; and assigning the extracted virtual die stage to each bend line using a sheet metal shape model of a working part.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 5, 2007
    Publication date: December 17, 2009
    Applicant: AMADA COMPANY, LIMITED
    Inventor: Akira Senba
  • Publication number: 20090301158
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 22, 2007
    Publication date: December 10, 2009
    Inventor: Mario Hermann
  • Patent number: 7628050
    Abstract: A press-working method comprises: cutting out a member with a predetermined shape from a sheet material, the member having a longitudinal direction; bending the member with the predetermined shape to form a bottom portion and a wall portion extending at an angle from the bottom portion as seen in a direction along the longitudinal direction such that the bottom portion has an arched surface as seen in a side view, using at least one plunger and at least one die, wherein an edge of the wall portion is allowed to expand along the plunger and the die while changes in a thickness of the wall portion is controlled by the plunger and the die, and wherein the step of cutting out a member is performed such that the wall portion has an edge with a preset shape after the bending step.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2009
    Assignee: Kubota Corporation
    Inventors: Toshio Nishi, Hirofumi Inoue
  • Publication number: 20090297740
    Abstract: Precision-folded, high strength, fatigue-resistant structures and a sheet therefore are disclosed. To form the structures, methods for precision bending of a sheet of material along a bend line and a sheet of material formed with bending strap-defining structures, such as slits or grooves, are disclosed. Methods include steps of designing and then separately forming longitudinally extending slits or grooves through the sheet of material in axially spaced relation to produce precise bending of the sheet when bent along the bend line. The bending straps have a configuration and orientation which increases their strength and fatigue resistance, and most preferably slits or arcs are used which causes edges to be engaged and supported on faces of the sheet material on opposite sides of the slits or arcs. The edge-to-face contact produces bending along a virtual fulcrum position in superimposed relation to the bend line.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 19, 2009
    Publication date: December 3, 2009
    Applicant: Industrial Origami, Inc.
    Inventor: Max W. DURNEY
  • Publication number: 20090286045
    Abstract: A stamper manufacturing method comprises: forming a stamper body so as to have a concave/convex pattern on one surface and a crystalline structure on at least a side toward the other surface; forming a layer having an amorphous structure on the other surface side of the stamper body; and polishing a surface of the layer having the amorphous structure. A resin molded article manufacturing method includes an injection molding process using the stamper as a prototype so as to transfer the concave/convex pattern of the stamper to a resin material. A stamper comprises a stamper body which is formed so as to have a concave/convex pattern on one surface and have a crystalline structure on at least a side toward the other surface. In the stamper, a layer having an amorphous structure and a surface of which is polished is formed on the other surface side of the stamper body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 5, 2009
    Publication date: November 19, 2009
    Applicant: TDK CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yuuichi Kawaguchi, Shuichi Okawa, Katsumichi Tagami
  • Publication number: 20090285687
    Abstract: Plural saddle shape patches are formed on a blank material for forming a blade using a manufacturing apparatus provided with a punch support having punches each with a holder attached to be opposite with one another at a predetermined interval corresponding to a thickness of the blank material. The punch support is mounted to a second ram via a second rotational mechanism which is rotatable in a direction in which the ram moves. The die is attached to the first ram via the first rotational mechanism. The actuator controls the rotating angles of both the rotational mechanisms.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 19, 2009
    Publication date: November 19, 2009
    Inventors: Tetsuya Yagami, Toshiya Teramae, Koji Hayashi, Kazutoshi Yanagihara, Ryouichi Kataoka
  • Publication number: 20090272167
    Abstract: A tooling method for calibrating a partially formed metal part in an electro-hydraulic forming tool. The method includes loading a partially formed metal part onto a forming surface of a die. The part is then clamped onto the forming surface and the part is pulsed with a high rate energy pulse to overcome a spring-back effect in the part. The EHF calibration tool includes a punch to which a part is held by clamps while a capacitive discharge circuit is discharged through electrodes provided in the tool. Upon discharge of the capacitive discharge circuit through the electrodes, a high rate energy pulse is applied through a liquid to calibrate the part.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 5, 2008
    Publication date: November 5, 2009
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventor: SERGEY FEDOROVICH GOLOVASHCHENKO