Patent ID: 6772617
Filing Date: 2004-08-10
Classification: B21D

Abstract:
A method of reducing distortion in a stamped sheet metal strip comprising the steps of:providing a stretch-forming press having a main forming station and a leveling station, the leveling station having a pair of jaws, each jaw being slidably received in a recess inclined at an acute angle with respective to a direction of travel of a strip of sheet metal through the stretch-forming press; stamping a desired pattern on the strip of sheet metal at the main forming station by closing the stretch-forming press; advancing the strip of sheet metal through the stretch-forming press in a direction of travel a desired distance such that the desired pattern is aligned with the leveling station; and closing the stretch-forming press such that the jaws of the leveling station engage the strip of sheet metal and stretch a portion of the strip of sheet metal containing the desired pattern in the direction of travel a selected distance as the jaws slide into the respective recesses when the stretch-forming press is closed.