Patent ID: 7051566
Filing Date: 2006-05-30
Classification: B21D,Y10T

Abstract:
1. A hemming machine for hemming an inner panel and outer metal panel together in which the metal panels each include a substantially planar outer edge portion without a flange or flange break-line initially formed, said hemming machine comprising: a frame, a nest mounted to said frame, wherein said nest supports the panels so that the outer edge portions flatly abut against each other and lie in predetermined parallel planes with the outer edge portion of the outer panel forming a coupon which protrudes outwardly from the outer edge portion of the inner panel, a prehemming tool mounted to said frame and having a curvilinear surface aligned with the coupon, said nest and said prehemming tool being movable relative to each other in a prehemming operation in a direction substantially parallel to said predetermined parallel planes between a first position in which said curvilinear surface of said prehemming tool is spaced from the coupon and a second position in which said curvilinear surface of said prehemming tool contacts the coupon and bends the coupon so that the coupon extends in a direction transverse to said predetermined parallel planes and so that the coupon overlies an outer edge of the inner panel, a final hemming tool mounted to said frame and having a work surface, said nest and said final hemming tool being movable relative to each other in a final hemming operation in a direction substantially parallel to said predetermined parallel planes between a first position in which said work surface of said final hemming tool is spaced from the coupon and a second position in which said work surface of said final hemming tool overlies the outer edge portion of the outer panel and sandwiches the coupon between the final hemming tool work surface and the outer edge portion of the inner panel and so that said coupon at the initiation of the prehemming operation, said coupon at the completion of the final hemming operation and said outer edge portion of said inner panel all lie in parallel planes and form a hem, at least one actuator for relatively moving said nest and said hemming tools between said respective first and second positions.