Patent ID: 6739171
Filing Date: 2004-05-25
Classification: B21J,B21K,B23P,B27G,Y10T

Abstract:
A method of forming a plurality of parts from a continuous stock material, the method comprising:intermittently advancing the continuous stock material along a predetermined path such that the stock material advances longitudinally in a downstream direction; forming a portion of the continuous stock material into a first predetermined shape at a forming station following at least one intermittent advancement of the continuous stock material, wherein forming the portion of the continuous stock material comprises causing longitudinal growth of the continuous stock material; and at least partially compensating for the longitudinal growth of the continuous stock material caused by forming the portion of the continuous stock material; wherein intermittently advancing the continuous stock material comprises: intermittently pushing the continuous stock material in the downstream direction from a location spaced in an upstream direction from the forming station; and intermittently pulling the continuous stock material in the downstream direction from a location spaced in the downstream direction from the forming station, wherein the intermittent pushing and pulling are synchronized such that the continuous stock material is advanced longitudinally in the downstream direction along the predetermined path.