Patent ID: 9352373
Filing Date: 2016-05-31
CPC Classification: B21D,B23P

Claim Text:
1. An assembly for press forming a deformable material to a predetermined profile, the assembly including: a first die array defining a first die profile along a processing length of the first die array, the first die array including a plurality of dies that includes a preliminary set of dies arranged alternately and sequentially with a secondary set of dies along the processing length; a first drive plate on which the dies of the preliminary set of dies of the first die array are mounted; a second drive plate on which the dies of the secondary set of dies of the first die array are mounted; a second die array, situated opposite to the first die array, defining a second die profile that is complementary with the first die profile, the second die array including a plurality of dies, the first and second die profiles being shaped such that deformable material progressing along the processing length is progressively deformed to the predetermined profile between the first and second die arrays with continuous progression of the deformable material along the processing length; and a drive for driving at least the first die array, the drive including a first drive for driving the first drive plate and a second drive for driving the second drive plate, the first and second drives being configured to move the first and second drive plates such that: the preliminary and secondary sets of dies are each driven toward the second die array in a reciprocating motion that includes a translational components in a direction parallel to the processing length to facilitate movement of the deformable material through the assembly, the motion of the preliminary set of dies is offset relative to the motion of the secondary set of dies, and the preliminary set of dies engages the deformable material alternately with the secondary set of dies.