WO2004002648A2 - Portable hemming apparatus and method - Google Patents
Portable hemming apparatus and method Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- WO2004002648A2 WO2004002648A2 PCT/US2003/019122 US0319122W WO2004002648A2 WO 2004002648 A2 WO2004002648 A2 WO 2004002648A2 US 0319122 W US0319122 W US 0319122W WO 2004002648 A2 WO2004002648 A2 WO 2004002648A2
- Authority
- WO
- WIPO (PCT)
- Prior art keywords
- hem
- hemming apparatus
- hemming
- portable
- support structure
- Prior art date
Links
Classifications
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B21—MECHANICAL METAL-WORKING WITHOUT ESSENTIALLY REMOVING MATERIAL; PUNCHING METAL
- B21D—WORKING OR PROCESSING OF SHEET METAL OR METAL TUBES, RODS OR PROFILES WITHOUT ESSENTIALLY REMOVING MATERIAL; PUNCHING METAL
- B21D39/00—Application of procedures in order to connect objects or parts, e.g. coating with sheet metal otherwise than by plating; Tube expanders
- B21D39/02—Application of procedures in order to connect objects or parts, e.g. coating with sheet metal otherwise than by plating; Tube expanders of sheet metal by folding, e.g. connecting edges of a sheet to form a cylinder
- B21D39/021—Application of procedures in order to connect objects or parts, e.g. coating with sheet metal otherwise than by plating; Tube expanders of sheet metal by folding, e.g. connecting edges of a sheet to form a cylinder for panels, e.g. vehicle doors
-
- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
- Y10T—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION
- Y10T29/00—Metal working
- Y10T29/49—Method of mechanical manufacture
- Y10T29/49826—Assembling or joining
- Y10T29/49908—Joining by deforming
Definitions
- This invention relates to the field of hemming one or more performed metal panels together to form a hemmed joint or closed panel, and more particularly to an improved apparatus and method for completing the hemming procedure.
- the present invention provides a portable hemming apparatus for performing both hemming and pre-hemming of metal panels on a final assembly line or a pre-assembly work cell.
- the hemming apparatus has the advantage of being more compact in size, lightweight, and portable than other similar apparatus .
- the present hemming apparatus can be transported to metal panels by mounting it to a robot, hanging it from a manually operated tool balancer, or integrating it into other tooling to act as a secondary operation.
- the portability of the hemming apparatus allows it to be integrated into a final assembly line or a pre-assembly work cell.
- the hemming apparatus can be mounted on a pedestal stand or other similar structure if it is instead desired to transport metal panels to the apparatus .
- the hemming apparatus is constructed using standardized hemming modules .
- This has the further advantage of allowing for low cost manufacturing as well as design flexibility to fit various hem profiles.
- the hemming apparatus can carry a complete die set required for both pre and final hemming operations for a specific metal panel style.
- the hemming apparatus can carry a mixed die set, thus allowing for hemming and pre-hemming of various metal panel styles .
- the hemming apparatus is powered with one or more pneumatic spring drives . This powering method has the advantage of eliminating the need for expensive, complicated, and heavy alignment mechanisms and structures as well as greatly reducing maintenance costs associated with traditional guide mechanisms, air cylinders, and especially hydraulic systems .
- a portable hemming apparatus in accordance with the invention includes a support structure to which modular hemmers and pneumatic drives are attached.
- Each modular hemmer includes a fixed hem die holder, a hem die attached to the hem die holder and a movable hem punch.
- Hemmer operators are operatively connected to the modular hemmers by a lever arm assembly. Actuation of the pneumatic drive moves the hemmer operator which correspondingly closes and opens the hem punch in relation to the hem die, causing the desired hemming to take place .
- PIG. 1 is a partial perspective view of a portable hemming apparatus according to the invention illustrating a retracted position of the apparatus;
- FIG. 2 is a partial perspective view of the portable hemming apparatus illustrated in an extended hemming position of the apparatus;
- FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a complete portable hemming apparatus according to the invention in the retracted position
- FIG. 4 is a plan view illustrating one distinct arrangement of hemmer modules that forms part of the present portable hemming apparatus
- FIG. 5 is another plan view illustrating another distinct arrangement of hemmer modules that forms part of the present portable hemming apparatus ,-
- FIG. 6 is yet another plan view illustrating another distinct arrangement of hemmer modules that forms part of the present portable hemming apparatus ;
- FIG. 7 is a perspective view illustrating a portable hemming apparatus in accordance with the invention mounted to a robot arm;
- FIG. 8 is an environmental perspective view of portable hemming apparatus of FIG. 7 mounted to a robot arm approaching a metal panel
- FIG. 9 is an environmental perspective view of portable hemming apparatus of FIG. 7 mounted to a robot arm and nearly in position with respect to the metal panel, while the pre-hem die set of the apparatus is oriented towards the metal panel;
- FIG. 10 is an environmental perspective view of the portable hemming apparatus of FIG. 7 mounted to a robot arm in working position with respect to the metal panel, while the pre-hem die set of the apparatus is oriented towards the metal panel;
- FIG. 11 is an environmental perspective view of the portable hemming apparatus mounted to a robot arm nearly in position with respect to the metal panel, while the apparatus is rotated so that the final hem' die set of the apparatus is oriented towards the metal panel;
- FIG. 12 is an environmental perspective view of the portable hemming apparatus of FIG. 7 mounted to a robot arm in working position with respect to the metal panel, while the final hem die set of the apparatus is oriented towards the metal panel;
- FIG. 13 is an environmental perspective view of a portable hemming apparatus in accordance with the invention mounted to a pedestal stand with a metal panel being transported towards the apparatus;
- FIG. 14 is an environmental perspective view of the portable hemming apparatus of FIG. 13 mounted to the pedestal stand nearly in position with respect to the metal panel, while the pre-hem die set of the apparatus is oriented towards the metal panel;
- FIG. 15 is an environmental perspective view of the portable hemming apparatus of FIG. 13 mounted to the pedestal stand in working position with respect to the metal panel, while the pre-hem die set of the apparatus is oriented towards the metal panel;
- FIG. 16 is an environmental perspective view of the portable hemming apparatus of FIG. 13 mounted to the pedestal stand nearly in position with respect to the metal panel, while the final die set of the apparatus is oriented towards the metal panel;
- FIG. 17 is an environmental perspective view of the portable hemming apparatus of FIG. 13 mounted to the pedestal stand in working position with respect to the metal panel, while the final die set of the apparatus is oriented towards the metal panel .
- numeral 20 generally indicates a portable hemming apparatus comprising a support structure 1, a plurality of modular hem die holders 2 attached to the support structure 1, and a corresponding plurality of hem punches 5, 15.
- a corresponding plurality of hem dies 3 , 14 is mounted to the hem die holders 2.
- the hem punches 5, 15 are operatively connected to lever arms 4 which can freely rotate about pivots 7 mounted in the hem die holders 2.
- Moveable engagement members 6 fixed in the lever arms 4 rest on a roller plate 8, such roller plate 8 being attached to a first air spring drive 9.
- the first air spring drive 9 is connected to the support structure 1 on the side opposite the roller plate 8. Figs .
- FIG. 1 and 3 show the hemming apparatus 20 in a retracted position while Fig. 2 shows the hemming apparatus 20 in an extended hemming position.
- the hemming apparatus 20 is at rest in the retracted position.
- the roller plate 8 is moveable in a range that is bounded by a stop plate 13 on the end farthest from the support structure 1.
- the roller plate 8 ceases to move away from the support structure 1 when a roller plate cap 10 contacts the stop plate 13.
- the stop plate 13 is fixed to the die holders 2 by shims 12 that allow for adjustment of the stop position.
- the expansion of the first air spring 9 simultaneously forces the rollers 6 away from the support structure 1, causing the lever arms 4 to rotate about the pivots 7 and to close the hem punches 5, 15 onto the hem dies 3, 14. In this position, the hemming apparatus 20 is fully extended.
- Figs. 4, 5 and 6 show examples of arrangements of modular hemmers 27. Varying the number and orientation of the modules as shown by example in Figs. 4-6 allows for the hemming of many different shapes of metal panels. Further, varying the number and orientation of the air spring (s) 9 in Figs. 1-3 and the size and shape of the support structure 1 and roller plate 8 in Figs. 1-3 also allows for hemming of many different types of metal panels with varying profiles, including, but not limited to, body side wheel openings, fender openings, window openings, sun roof openings, and entire closure panels .
- Figs. 7-12 show a method of operation of the hemming apparatus 20 when the apparatus is mounted to a robot arm 21.
- Fig. 7 shows the hemming apparatus 20 mounted to a robot arm 21.
- the robot arm 21 moves the hemming apparatus 20 towards a metal panel 22.
- the robot arm 21 has moved the hemming apparatus 20 nearly in position with respect to the metal panel 22.
- the pre-hem die set 23 is oriented towards the metal panel 22, which is the operating orientation.
- the final hem die set 24 is oriented away from the metal panel 22.
- the pre-hem die set 23 of the hemming apparatus 20 is in working position with respect to the metal panel 22.
- the hemming apparatus 20 can then be cycled as described in Figs. 1-3 to complete the pre-hem operation.
- the hemming apparatus 20 has moved to a clearance condition with respect to the metal panel 22 and the robot arm 21 has rotated the hemming apparatus 20 180 degrees so that the final hem die set 24 is oriented towards the metal panel 22 for operation on the panel.
- the final hem die set 24 of the hemming apparatus 20 is in working position with respect to the metal panel 22.
- the hemming apparatus 20 can then be cycled as described in Figs. 1-3 to complete the final hem operation.
- the robot then transports the hemming apparatus 20 away from the metal panel 22, returning to the orientation shown in Fig. 8.
- Figs. 13-17 show a method of operation of the hemming apparatus 20 when the apparatus is mounted to a pedestal stand 25.
- the metal panel 22 is transported to the hemming apparatus 20 by means of a gripper 26 mounted to a robot arm 21.
- the hemming apparatus 20 is mounted in such a way that the pre-hem die set 23 is facing upwards away from the base of the pedestal 25 while the final hem die set 24 is facing down towards the base of the pedestal 25.
- the metal panel 22 is nearly in position with respect to the hemming apparatus 20 and the metal panel 22 is oriented for pre-hem operation.
- the metal panel 22 is in working position with respect to the pre-hem die set 23.
- the hemming apparatus 20 can then be cycled as described in Figs. 1-3 to complete the pre-hem operation.
- the metal panel 22 is nearly in position with respect to the hemming apparatus 20 and is oriented for the final hem operation.
- the metal panel 22 is in working position with respect to the final hem die set 24.
- the hemming apparatus 20 can then be cycled as described in Figs. 1-3 to complete the final hem operation.
- the robot arm 21 then transports the metal panel 22 away from the hemming apparatus 22, returning to the orientation shown in Fig. 13.
Abstract
Description
Claims
Priority Applications (3)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US10/517,570 US20060053616A1 (en) | 2002-06-26 | 2003-06-17 | Portable hemming apparatus and method |
DE10392927T DE10392927T5 (en) | 2002-06-26 | 2003-06-17 | Transportable folding device and method |
AU2003238269A AU2003238269A1 (en) | 2002-06-26 | 2003-06-17 | Portable hemming apparatus and method |
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US39201602P | 2002-06-26 | 2002-06-26 | |
US60/392,016 | 2002-06-26 |
Publications (2)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
WO2004002648A2 true WO2004002648A2 (en) | 2004-01-08 |
WO2004002648A3 WO2004002648A3 (en) | 2006-05-18 |
Family
ID=30000793
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
PCT/US2003/019122 WO2004002648A2 (en) | 2002-06-26 | 2003-06-17 | Portable hemming apparatus and method |
Country Status (4)
Country | Link |
---|---|
US (1) | US20060053616A1 (en) |
AU (1) | AU2003238269A1 (en) |
DE (1) | DE10392927T5 (en) |
WO (1) | WO2004002648A2 (en) |
Cited By (2)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US7124611B2 (en) | 2004-10-08 | 2006-10-24 | Valiant Corporation | Roller hemming machine |
USD967219S1 (en) * | 2020-06-17 | 2022-10-18 | Smc Corporation | Gripper for non-contact transport |
Families Citing this family (2)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
DE202010000426U1 (en) * | 2010-03-19 | 2011-08-09 | Kuka Systems Gmbh | folding device |
DE102015100659B4 (en) * | 2015-01-19 | 2023-01-05 | Fft Produktionssysteme Gmbh & Co. Kg | Flanging system, flanging unit and flanging process for self-sufficient flanging |
Citations (3)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US4928388A (en) * | 1985-12-05 | 1990-05-29 | Utica Enterprises, Inc. | Single station hemming tooling |
JP2000061557A (en) * | 1998-08-25 | 2000-02-29 | Nissan Motor Co Ltd | Hemming device |
US6324880B1 (en) * | 1999-04-28 | 2001-12-04 | Nissan Motor Co., Ltd. | Method for hemming and hemming system |
-
2003
- 2003-06-17 US US10/517,570 patent/US20060053616A1/en not_active Abandoned
- 2003-06-17 DE DE10392927T patent/DE10392927T5/en not_active Withdrawn
- 2003-06-17 WO PCT/US2003/019122 patent/WO2004002648A2/en not_active Application Discontinuation
- 2003-06-17 AU AU2003238269A patent/AU2003238269A1/en not_active Abandoned
Patent Citations (3)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US4928388A (en) * | 1985-12-05 | 1990-05-29 | Utica Enterprises, Inc. | Single station hemming tooling |
JP2000061557A (en) * | 1998-08-25 | 2000-02-29 | Nissan Motor Co Ltd | Hemming device |
US6324880B1 (en) * | 1999-04-28 | 2001-12-04 | Nissan Motor Co., Ltd. | Method for hemming and hemming system |
Non-Patent Citations (1)
Title |
---|
PATENT ABSTRACTS OF JAPAN vol. 2000, no. 05, 14 September 2000 (2000-09-14) -& JP 2000 061557 A (NISSAN MOTOR CO LTD), 29 February 2000 (2000-02-29) * |
Cited By (2)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US7124611B2 (en) | 2004-10-08 | 2006-10-24 | Valiant Corporation | Roller hemming machine |
USD967219S1 (en) * | 2020-06-17 | 2022-10-18 | Smc Corporation | Gripper for non-contact transport |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
US20060053616A1 (en) | 2006-03-16 |
DE10392927T5 (en) | 2005-08-25 |
AU2003238269A8 (en) | 2004-01-19 |
AU2003238269A1 (en) | 2004-01-19 |
WO2004002648A3 (en) | 2006-05-18 |
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