Patent ID: 6619096
Filing Date: 2003-09-16
Classification: B21D,B25B,Y10T

Abstract:
A die post assembly for supporting a thin metal panel in a position to allow a forming implement to flange, pre-hem, or hem a marginal edge portion of the panel; the assembly comprising:a panel support element comprising a first cast material and configured to support a metal panel as a marginal edge portion of the metal panel is bent along a bend line in a flanging, pre-hemming, or hemming operation; and an edge member supported on the edge of the panel support element and configured to support an overlying portion of the panel along the bend line during flanging, pre-hemming, or hemming, the edge member having a shape that compliments the shape of the panel and having a top surface that lies flush with the adjacent top surface of the panel support element, the edge member comprising a second material more durable than the first material to enable the die post to support a series of metal panels in a flanging, pre-hemming or hemming operation over a large number of cycles without flowing or deforming the die post, wherein the first material is lighter in weight than the second material and the first material is sufficiently dimensionally stable to allow machining immediately after casting and hardening.