Abstract: In one example, a media support includes a sheet of elongated suction cups. In another example, a media support includes an arrangement of elongated and/or circular suction cups in which the density of the suction cups varies between different parts of the support.

Abstract: According to the present invention, the distance between a spray nozzle and a surface to be constructed is kept constant, and the spray nozzle is moved smoothly to perform water jet peening in a suitable state of construction. A water jet peening device has a spray nozzle (8) for spraying a water jet, the spray nozzle being capable of moving along a predetermined movement trajectory so that a spray port (8a) of the spray nozzle points upward or downward.

Abstract: A die having adequate flexibility at an entirety thereof while maintaining rigidity of a design surface is presented. A die is a die for a machine press. The die is a die for pressing a work plate together with a contraposed die and forming the work plate into a target shape. The die is provided with a design block, a positioning block, and a plurality of rods. The design block has a design surface for transferring the target shape to the work plate. The positioning block is used for positioning the die relative to the contraposed die. The design block and the positioning block are connected by the plurality of rods.

Abstract: In a press comprising at least one tool part with certain rigidity, the rigidity of the tool part is adjustable by changing the coupling of the tool part to the plunger or the press table to control the transmission of deformations by bending.

Abstract: An apparatus for shaping an edge of an aerofoil comprising a brush and the brush comprises a plurality of bristles extending substantially parallel to each other. A motor rotates the brush about an axis. The axis is arranged substantially parallel to the bristles of the brush. A support structure holds the brush such that the axis intersects a first surface of the edge of the aerofoil or holds the brush such that the axis intersects a second surface of the edge of the aerofoil. There are means to move the brush such that the brush contacts the first surface of the edge or such that the brush contacts the second surface of the edge. There are means to produce relative movement of the brush and the aerofoil such that the first brush moves longitudinally along the edge of the aerofoil to shape the edge of the aerofoil.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the use of an adaptive protective textile (3) in sheet metalforming, comprising non-woven material which is draped over the active surfaces of the sheet metalforming tool (2), wherein the surfaces of the sheet metal (4) are protected from contact with the surfaces of the tool (2) and the need for lubricant is eliminated.

Abstract: A drawing support for a metal sheet drawing machine. In one implementation the drawing support is constructed of a plurality of plates positioned in series one after the other and coupled together so that at least a portion of the plurality of plates are compressed one against the other. In one implementation each of the plurality of plates has a window through which metal sheet to be drawn may pass, and a holder for holding the metal sheet when it is drawn.

Abstract: Provided is a swaging apparatus for smoothly swaging a can of a rechargeable battery by absorbing excessive load above a predetermined level between a rod of a driving part and a collet of a driven part. A swaging apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment includes a collet housing for swaging a can including an electrode assembly, a collet for swaging an opening of the can inserted in the collet housing, a shock-absorbing part disposed in the collet housing and connected to the collet, and a rod connected to the shock-absorbing part to transmit a swaging load to the collet through the shock-absorbing part.

Abstract: According to an implementation a method for manufacturing a pedal for a motor vehicle is provided. The method comprising inserting into a hollow profile a flexible yet substantially incompressible retainer member and subsequently applying one or more forces to an external surface of the hollow profile to induce a change in shape of the hollow profile from a first shape to a second shape. The substantial incompressibility of the retainer member inhibiting deformations in the internal wall surface of the hollow profile as the one or more forces are applied to the external wall surface of the hollow profile so that the internal wall surface is substantially free of deformations upon the hollow profile assuming the second shape, the flexibility of the retainer member allowing it to bend in the direction of the applied one or more forces to accommodate a change in shape of the hollow profile from the first shape to the second shape.

Abstract: A crimping tool is provided for coupling a pipe with a connector or fitting. The crimping tool includes a first jaw having an opening on one side. The opening has a first slot sized and shaped to receive a portion of a pipe connector. A second jaw is operably coupled to the first jaw, the second jaw having a semi-cylindrical surface on one side with a second slot disposed therein. The semi-cylindrical surface sized and shaped to receive a portion of the pipe connector. The first jaw and second jaw are moveable between a first position and a second position, the semi-cylindrical surface being arranged at least partially within the opening when in the closed position.

Abstract: A hot stretch wrap forming die typically includes a rigid backing section, a series of spaced ribs extending forward from the backing section, and an elongated face sheet secured to the ribs forward of the backing section with a convex forward-facing die face. The ribs elastically deflect during thermal expansion of the face sheet when a heated metal bar is forced against the die face so that the metal bar transfers heat to the face sheet. The die typically includes stiff ribs secured to the backing section and the face sheet which provide substantially fixed points for the face sheet during its thermal expansion. The face sheet may include several face sheet segments which together from the die face. The face sheet may also include contour plates which form respective portions of the die face and which may be used to adjust the specific contour of the die face.

Abstract: According to an implementation a method for manufacturing a pedal for a motor vehicle is provided. The method comprising inserting into a hollow profile a flexible yet substantially incompressible retainer member and subsequently applying one or more forces to an external surface of the hollow profile to induce a change in shape of the hollow profile from a first shape to a second shape. The substantial incompressibility of the retainer member inhibiting deformations in the internal wall surface of the hollow profile as the one or more forces are applied to the external wall surface of the hollow profile so that the internal wall surface is substantially free of deformations upon the hollow profile assuming the second shape, the flexibility of the retainer member allowing it to bend in the direction of the applied one or more forces to accommodate a change in shape of the hollow profile from the first shape to the second shape.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for forming a style line with a sharp radius in a metal with lower formability than that of mild steel is disclosed. The apparatus and method use a die set with a means to back a portion of the metal having the style line formed with a material that moves with the surface of the style line as it is formed. In one embodiment an elastic member backs the metal panel, and in another embodiment a fluid medium backs the metal panel where the style line is formed. The apparatus and method achieve sharper radius style lines in metals like aluminum, advanced high strength steel, and ultra-high strength steel than a traditional hard surface die set can achieve.

Abstract: A crimping tool is provided for coupling a pipe with a connector or fitting. The crimping tool includes a first jaw having a opening on one side. The opening has a first slot sized and shaped to receive a portion of a pipe connector. A second jaw is operably coupled to the first jaw, the second jaw having a semi-cylindrical surface on one side with a second slot disposed therein. The semi-cylindrical surface sized and shaped to receive a portion of the pipe connector. The first jaw and second jaw are moveable between a first position and a second position, the semi-cylindrical surface being arranged at least partially within the opening when in the closed position.

Abstract: A hot stretch wrap forming die typically includes a rigid backing section, a series of spaced ribs extending forward from the backing section, and an elongated face sheet secured to the ribs forward of the backing section with a convex forward-facing die face. The ribs elastically deflect during thermal expansion of the face sheet when a heated metal bar is forced against the die face so that the metal bar transfers heat to the face sheet. The die typically includes stiff ribs secured to the backing section and the face sheet which provide substantially fixed points for the face sheet during its thermal expansion. The face sheet may include several face sheet segments which together from the die face. The face sheet may also include contour plates which form respective portions of the die face and which may be used to adjust the specific contour of the die face.

Abstract: A hand held instrument is provided in one embodiment in a kit for use in positioning a constraining ring of an acetabular liner system and includes a shaft including a first coupling member, and a plurality of heads, each of the plurality of heads including (i) a base configured to couple with the first coupling member and (ii) a pair of resilient gripper arms, each of the pair of resilient gripper arms defining a constraining ring reception area having a size different from the constraining ring reception area defined by the pair of gripper arms of each of the other of the plurality of heads.

Abstract: A formation tool is used for deforming sheet metal on punching machines. The formation tool has an upper or top die tool and a lower or bottom die tool. Toward the top die, there is an upper mold insert movable relative to a holding-down device, and toward the bottom die, a lower mold insert movable relative to a stripper plate. The deformation of the metal sheet is effected upward with respect to a punching stroke plane. The formation tool has a lifting device for aiding in lifting the lower mold insert from an initial position which is at or below the punch stroke plane before a deforming operation, to a level above the punching stroke plane.

Abstract: A device for forming a tailored blank plate 12 having a thick plate 14 connected to a thin plate 16 to a desired configuration is provided with a press device 10 and a re-strike device 100. The press device 10 is provided with a first punch part 18, a first die part 20 and holder parts 22 and 22. Between the first punch part 18 and the first die part 20, the tailored blank plate 12 is mounted and positioned so that a stepped part 12b intersects orthogonally to punch protruding parts 50a and 50b of the first punch part 18 and punch recessed parts 72a and 72b of the first die part 20 to press-form the tailored blank plate 12. Then, the press-formed tailored blank plate 212 is moved to the re-strike device 100 to carry out a re-striking process by a second punch part 102 and a second die part 104, so as obtain the tailored blank plate 300 of a final shape.

Abstract: An apparatus for shaping an edge of an aerofoil comprising a brush and the brush comprises a plurality of bristles extending substantially parallel to each other. A motor rotates the brush about an axis. The axis is arranged substantially parallel to the bristles of the brush. A support structure holds the brush such that the axis intersects a first surface of the edge of the aerofoil or holds the brush such that the axis intersects a second surface of the edge of the aerofoil. There are means to move the brush such that the brush contacts the first surface of the edge or such that the brush contacts the second surface of the edge. There are means to produce relative movement of the brush and the aerofoil such that the first brush moves longitudinally along the edge of the aerofoil to shape the edge of the aerofoil.

Abstract: A discrete die for forming a three-dimensionally curved surface. The discrete die includes a frame and parallel pins which are individually movable in a first longitudinal direction relative to the frame. The pins are arranged in parallel rows and front ends of the pins define the three-dimensionally curved surface. Further included are substantially plate-shaped separating elements and at least one of which is situated between the rows. Also included are pressure elements for pressing against the rows of pins and configured to push off against the frame in the radial direction of the pins. A surface of some of the plate-shaped separating elements extends parallel to the first longitudinal direction, the surface being corrugated in the second longitudinal direction, at least during use of the discrete die.

Abstract: A hot stretch wrap forming die typically includes a rigid backing section, a series of spaced ribs extending forward from the backing section, and an elongated face sheet secured to the ribs forward of the backing section with a convex forward-facing die face. The ribs elastically deflect during thermal expansion of the face sheet when a heated metal bar is forced against the die face so that the metal bar transfers heat to the face sheet. The die typically includes stiff ribs secured to the backing section and the face sheet which provide substantially fixed points for the face sheet during its thermal expansion. The face sheet may include several face sheet segments which together form the die face. The face sheet may also include contour plates which form respective portions of the die face and which may be used to adjust the specific contour of the die face.

Abstract: A hollow component is adjusted in shape, for example to correct circularity, by means of a shape adjusting tool. The tool comprises a base structure 2 on which adjuster elements 6 are guided. An adjustment ring 8 has a ramp surface 26 corresponding to each adjuster element 6 so that rotation of the adjustment ring 8 causes radial displacement of the adjuster elements 6. The adjuster elements 6 are displaced in unison, and engage the internal surface of the component to be adjusted so as to deform the component to the desired shape. The segments 20 are interconnected by rigid links 32 and a single flexible link 34, and are supported on baring rollers 36 mounted on the base structure 2.

Abstract: In a multi-station forging machine having a stationary die breast and a reciprocating slide moveable in a direction towards and away from the die breast, the slide carrying a tool holder at a workstation, a tool case moveable back and forth on the tool holder in the direction of slide movement, tool segments carried in the tool case and moveable between open and closed positions, a pivotal lever carried on the slide having one portion engaging a rearwardly facing surface adjacent a rear of the tool case, a pivot surface around which said lever pivots, and another portion on a part of the lever extending from the pivot surface remote from the one portion, a high force spring mounted on the die breast, the spring being arranged to apply a high biasing force to said other lever portion when the slide is near or at front dead center, the lever transferring said biasing force to said tool case to bias said tool case forwardly.

Abstract: A fastener installation tool including an anvil member having a swage cavity, a collet having a pull section with a fastener engagement end and a plurality of teeth, and an anvil member. The plurality of teeth includes a first tooth with a first inner diameter, and each of the remainder of teeth includes a second inner diameter, the first inner diameter being greater than the second inner diameter. The collet has a protrusion extending the length of the pull section to increase the contact area with the anvil member. The anvil member includes a swage cavity with an entrance section, a swage land located adjacent to the entrance section, and an inner bore located adjacent to the swage land.

Abstract: Provided herein are pressure modules for use with die pressing operations for stripping work pieces from individual dies. The pressure modules include a top plate and a transfer plate that is separated by a resilient member that is compressed when a die set is closed and which provides a restoring force when the die set is opened. The pressure modules are formed independent of the dies and supported relative to the ram or press-bed of the press. In this regard, transfer pins may be utilized to transfer the restoring force from the resilient member to a stripper mechanism. In another arrangement, a press is provided that allows the pressure modules to be removed from or inserted into the press without removing a die attached to the press.

Abstract: A coaxial connector crimping tool has a base, a handle, a transmittal unit and a crimping area. The base has a containment slot, and the containment slot has a guiding structure. One end of the handle is pivoted on an end of the base. Two ends of the transmittal unit are respectively pivoted on a first predetermined position of the guiding structure and a second predetermined position of the handle, and the transmittal unit has an adjustable length. The transmittal unit has an adjustable portion, and the adjustable portion is disposed between the first predetermined position and the second predetermined position. The crimping area is pivoted on the transmittal unit and disposed in the containment slot.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a crimp die holder. The crimp die holder includes a main body portion, a pin, and a spring. The main body portion includes a first recess, a second recess, and an opening. The first recess extends from a first side of the main body portion to a middle section of the main body portion. The second recess extends from a second side of the main body portion to the middle section. The opening extends from a third side of the main body portion and through a section of the second recess. The pin is disposed within the opening. The pin includes a first portion along a length of the pin. The first portion of the pin is configured to engage with a portion of a crimp die at the section of the second recess. The spring is between the main body portion and the pin.

Abstract: A system and method for monitoring clinched joints senses lateral displacement of die segments during formation of a joint, which depends on joint button diameter. The system determines whether a joint is acceptable by correlating acceptable button diameter with acceptable amount of punch advancement. A predetermined number of unacceptable joints indicates excessive punch and/or die wear.

Abstract: A mandrel assembly has a mandrel, a biasing member, and a outer member. The biasing member biasly maintains the outer member in a first position, which corresponds to a contoured portion of the mandrel, when the outer member is either on the access or the blind side of a workpiece. The biasing member is compressible to allow the outer member to move into a second position as the outer member is moved through an opening in the workpiece. In the first position, the outer member includes a maximum outer circumference that is larger than the opening of the structural workpiece. In the second position, the outer member includes a maximum outer circumference that fits within the opening of the structural workpiece.

Abstract: Bolt element (10) having a shaft part (12) which is designed at a first end (14) for a rivet connection (16) to a panel element (18), in particular to a sheet metal part, is characterized in that the shaft part (12) has a spherical formation (22) at its other end (20) the ball diameter (D) of which is larger than that of the shaft part (12). In this manner a bolt element with a spherical head can be manufactured in an extremely favourable manner price-wise and it can be ensured that the spherical head has no burr which would lead to the wearing of the socket provided in operation which slides on the spherical head.

Abstract: A method and assembly for punching a hole in material provided. A magnetostrictive device 14 includes a coil 26, a magnetostrictive member 22, and a punch 28 operatively associated with the magnetostrictive member 22. The magnetostrictive member 22 is constructed and arranged to lengthen, when exposed to a magnetic field created by the coil 26, thereby moving the punch 28. Material 12 to be punched is associated with the punch 28. The coil is energized to create a magnetic field and thus lengthen the magnetostrictive member 22 so that the punch 28 moves through the material 12, creating a hole in the material 12.

Abstract: A servo motor in die tapping unit provides built in shock protection for the motor by fixing a shock plate to the servo motor and floatingly mounting the shock plate to a base structure attachable to a stripper plate in a press. Sets of opposing springs allow movement of the shock plate relative the base plate to relieve shock loads when the press is operated, the shock plate guided on dowel pins fixed to the base structure. The shock plate, and tapping unit and base structure form a self contained assembly for mounting together in the press.

Abstract: A die cushion device is comprised of die cushion modules which are independently movable and unitized. The individual die cushion modules are provided with a cushion pad, a servomotor, a power transmission mechanism, a power conversion mechanism and a guide member. By configuring in this way, the design of the die cushion is facilitated, a drive mechanism of the die cushion becomes compact, and the number of types of parts used is decreased.

Abstract: A die for a tool set includes at least one punch and a die which defines a cavity for effecting joining. The die comprises an anvil opposite the punch. Die segments adjoin the said anvil and define the cavity in the circumferential direction. When the punch is being fed in the direction of the anvil, the segments execute a yielding movement transversely to the punch feed direction.

Abstract: A device for processing a thin metal foil and provided with a frame plate (7) for a die (16), a guide plate (10) for a punch (11), and a guide arranging for the die (16) and the punch to cooperate in the desired manner for the purpose of processing a thin metal foil by the die and the punch. The guide consists of at least two hinge elements (8, 9), each connected by means of an elastic line hinge (4, 5) with both the frame plate and the guide plate, the line hinges allowing only a pivotal motion in substantially the rectilinear displacement. The frame plate, the guide plate and the guide are manufactured from a single block (1) of material, in which the frame plate, guide and guide plate connected by the elastic line hinges are formed by the provision of bores (3), slits (6) and/or recesses (2).

Abstract: A press tool for pressing a receiving part of a fitting onto a pipe is provided. The press tool includes two elastically-deformable press elements, each having a first end, a pressing region, assigned to the sealing section, having an inner shape that at least partially departs from a constant curvature in a circumferential direction, and a second end having a force input region and a stop surface. A hinge couples the press elements together at the first end of each press element. When the press tool is closed, the stop surfaces of the press elements abut one another, and when the press tool is closed and a pressing force is applied to the force input regions of the press elements, the press elements elastically deform such that the inner shapes of the pressing regions are substantially constantly curved in the circumferential direction.

Abstract: A die roll 3 comprises a core part 3a which is formed of an elastic material and faces a punch part 2a of a punch roll 2. The core part 3a presses a bottom portion 4b of a drawn portion 4a of a metal material 4 and is separate from a surrounding die part 3b and is provided with a space 3c at the whole outer periphery of the core part 3a. In accordance with the above configuration, swelling is suppressed at the bottom portion 4b of the drawn portion 4a and production of large wrinkles, which is a reason for folds, can be prevented by increase of pressing areas for preventing wrinkles at both sides of the drawn portion.

Abstract: A method and tool for forming a hem flange pre-hem and a final hem on a sheet metal panel wherein elastomeric tooling elements are used to apply radial compression during a forming operation. The elastomeric tooling elements are compressed and apply pressure to a side of the sheet metal panel, for example an aluminum panel, that is stretched during a forming process step. A foil layer may be placed between the sheet metal blank and the elastomeric tooling element to reduce friction and further improve forming performance.

Abstract: A roll-hardening machine for crankshafts with hard-rolling tools (2) which each have a hard-rolling roller head (1) and a counter-support roller that are each detachably attached to the ends (17) of appropriate scissors arms (3) by means of two clamping blocks (15) wherein respectively a first of the two clamping blocks (15) is positioned on the front surface (16) of the end (17) of the scissor arm (3) and the second clamping block is located at a right angle to the first (15) on the side surface (16) of this same scissor arm (3) on the tool side, characterized in that the first clamping block (15) is supported on the front surface (16) at the end (17) of the respective scissors arm (3) such that it can slide in the direction of the appropriate hard-rolling tool (1), the hard-rolling roller head (1) is supported moveably at the location of the second clamping block on the scissors arm (3), by having guide grooves on its front surfaces facing the scissors arm (3), wherein prismatic blocks of the scissors arm (

Abstract: A die assembly for machines used to bend lengths of pipe for pipeline applications. The die assembly includes three major components, an exterior housing, a flexible die, and an eggcrate assembly. The exterior housing encompasses the flexible die and eggcrate assembly and pins into conventional bending machines. The flexible die includes a plurality of narrow plate segments positioned along a pair of tie rods. The plate segments are free floating and spaced so as to converge or diverge with respect to the direction of flex of the tie rods. The eggcrate assembly provides support for a plurality of spring plates. Each spring plate has a radius of curvature consistent with the amount of desired bend in the length of pipe.

Abstract: A pipe bending machine, a segmented bending die for use in a pipe bending machine, and a method for bending pipe are disclosed. The pipe bending machine includes a frame, a segmented bending die, a support structure, a stiffback, and a pin up shoe. A pipe is inserted in the pipe bending machine, over the pin up shoe, between the segmented bending die and the support structure, and onto the stiffback. By raising the stiffback upwardly and securing an end of the pipe with the pin up shoe, the pipe is bent against the segmented bending die. The segmented bending die and the support structure conform to the external surface contours of the pipe to support the walls of the pipe, thereby preventing distortion, buckling, flattening, or collapsing of the pipe during bending.

Abstract: A metal container lid having an apertured design with rolled edges is stamped by a method and apparatus incorporating a cushioning pad between a die and the metal sheet, which is then stamped with a perforating punch.