Patent ID: 6742372
Filing Date: 2004-06-01
Classification: B21D,Y10T

Abstract:
A machine for hemming a sheet metal assembly, the sheet metal assembly having an inner sheet metal panel and an outer sheet metal panel, the outer panel having an outer lip lying in a plane extending transversely with respect to the plane of the inner panel from a bend line in the outer panel, the inner panel having an outer edge spaced inwardly from the bend line of the outer panel, said machine comprising:a base, a final hemming tool mounted to said base, said final hemming tool having a first generally planar section, said final hemming tool having a second curvilinear section adjacent said first planar section, a nest adapted to receive and support the sheet metal assembly so that said sheet metal assembly is oriented, prior to hemming, with the first generally planar section overlying the outer of the inner panel and a portion of the lip, and the second curvilinear section overlying the remainder of said lip and extending to the bend line, means for moving said nest relative to said final hemming tool so that the sheet metal assembly compresses against said final hemming tool with the second curvilinear section engaging both the remainder of the lip and the bend line and with the first generally planar section engaging the lip to press the lip against the inner panel.