Patent ID: 6524506
Filing Date: 2003-02-25
Classification: B26F,B29C,B29L,Y10T

Abstract:
A method of using a combination tool to edge-fold and cut a rim of a panel being formed on a mold,wherein the combination tool includes: a tool holder frame; a cutting blade that is fixedly secured to said tool holder frame so as to be immovable relative to said tool holder frame, and that includes a blade body and a cutting edge protruding away from said tool holder frame; an edge-folding tool that is movably mounted to said tool holder frame so as to be linearly slidable relative to said tool holder frame in a linear stamping direction, and that includes an edge-folding tool body and a stamping face protruding away from said tool holder frame proximate to said cutting edge; and a biasing device that is interposed between said tool holder frame and said edge-folding tool to apply a biasing force between said tool holder frame and said edge-folding tool which urges said edge-folding tool to protrude away from said tool holder frame in said linear stamping direction; and wherein the method comprises the following steps: a) positioning said combination tool relative to said mold at an initial position in which said edge-folding tool is maximally protruding from said tool holder frame; b) moving said tool holder frame toward an edge margin of said panel and said mold in said linear stamping direction, whereby said cutting blade and said edge-folding tool move with said tool holder frame in said linear stamping direction; c) contacting said stamping face onto said edge margin of said panel and continuing said moving of said step b) so that said edge-folding tool folds back and compresses said edge margin of said panel against said mold, without contacting said cutting edge onto said edge margin of said panel; d) continuing to move said tool holder frame in said linear stamping direction while said edge-folding tool remains stationary as said edge-folding tool body is progressively retracted relative to said tool holder body against said biasing force by a reactive force applied by said mold and said edge margin of said panel against said stamping face; e) continuing said step d) until said cutting edge contacts and cuts through said edge margin of said panel, while said stamping face of said edge-folding tool continues to compress said edge margin of said panel adjacent to said cutting edge; and f) moving said tool holder frame away from said panel and said mold.