Patent ID: 9676018
Date: 2017-06-13
CPC Classifications: B21C,B21D

Claim:
1. An apparatus for forming the profile of deformable materials, said apparatus comprising: at least two sets of die elements arranged for synchronized movement with respect to each other, each set including a plurality of die elements respectively arranged to travel along corresponding endless paths; said paths each including a forming portion in which die elements of each set are opposed to define a forming space therebetween; and the forming portion of each path being configured so that one or more dimensions of the forming space reduce along a length of the forming portion to simultaneously apply lateral forces to material progressing through the forming portion to shape said material to a determined profile and so that at least one of the forming portions of the paths is formed as a large radius curve, wherein a ratio of a pitch between each die in the forming portion of the path and the radius of the path is over 1:500, and wherein each die element has a base and a forming surface spaced from the base, the dies being configured so that any section taken perpendicular to the base of the die has along the longitudinal axis a constant depth from the base to the longitudinal axis and a constant depth from the forming surface to the longitudinal axis so that in each respective section the depth is the same along the forming surface of the die element, such that each of the opposing die elements define flat, planar forming surfaces.