Patent ID: 7997113
Filing Date: 2011-08-16
Classification: B21D,Y10T

Abstract:
1. A hemming system for hemming the edges of two or more components, the system comprising: a lift table including a drive and a lift plate assembly, the drive operable to move the lift plate assembly through a fixed vertical stroke and operable to receive a tool platen assembly comprising an anvil, the lift plate assembly engaging the anvil through a lift path to move the anvil vertically through a stroke length corresponding to the fixed vertical stroke of the lift plate, the lift table being further operable to move a set of spacers into and out of the lift path to selectably move the anvil through the fixed stroke length from either a first or second vertical position; a clamp frame including a clamp carriage moveable vertically in the clamp frame, the clamp carriage receiving a clamp to engage and retain components to be hemmed which are loaded onto the anvil; and at least one beam assembly on the tool platen assembly, the at least one beam assembly including a mounting surface to which a preliminary hemming beam and a final hemming beam are mounted, one above the other, and the beam assembly being operable to move the mounting surface between a retracted position where the preliminary hemming beam and final hemming beam are distal the anvil and an operating position wherein the preliminary hemming beam and final hemming beam are adjacent the anvil such that the operative surface of one of the preliminary hemming beam and final hemming beams is positioned to engage the edge of the components as the anvil is moved vertically upward.