Patent ID: 6802683
Filing Date: 2004-10-12
Classification: B21D

Abstract:
A multiple-out press for forming ends in a sheet of material having straight parallel sides, comprising a series of work stations, said work stations comprising a first set of work stations performing shell conversion operations on a sheet of end material as said sheet of end material is advanced through said press, and a second set of work stations operating on said sheet of end material;wherein said first set of work stations comprises tools constructed and arranged to operate on said sheet of end material and complete said shell conversion operations while maintaining said sheet of end material in a substantially planar, continuous and void-free state; wherein said second set of work stations comprises at least one work station comprising tools constructed and arranged for forming a panel and countersink in said sheet of end material and completion of the formation of finished opening features for said ends while maintaining said sheet of end material in a substantially continuous and void-free state and then blanking said ends from said sheet of end material, and wherein said second set of work stations is operative on said sheet of end material after said first set of work stations has performed said shell conversion operations on said sheet of end material; wherein said first and second set of work stations are constructed and arranged relative to said sheet of end material such that multiple ends are simultaneously formed in said sheet of end material in a direction extending transversely or obliquely across said sheet of end material, whereby multiple completed ends are blanked from said sheet of end material across said sheet of end material as said sheet of end material is fed through said press.