Patent ID: 6564442
Filing Date: 2003-05-20
Classification: B21D,B23K,B23P,Y10T

Abstract:
A sheet metal forming machine having:(a) a bending station including (i) a bending tool and cooperating bending die, said tool and die being relatively movable to bend a sheet metal workpiece disposed therebetween; (ii) workpiece positioning means including at least one positioning stop for positioning the workpiece between said bending tool and die; (iii) first drive means for moving said positioning stop; (iv) second drive means to effect relative movement of the bending tool and die to bend the workpiece to provide at least one pair of adjacent edge surfaces; (b) a forming station including (i) at least one welding head for welding adjacent edge surfaces of the bent workpiece, said welding head being movable with said positioning stop; (ii) workpiece positioning means; and (c) control means (i) for said second drive means to effect relative movement of said bending tool and die (ii) for said first drive means for said positioning stop to effect movement of said welding head along the adjacent edge surfaces of the workpiece, and (iii) for said welding head to supply energy thereto to produce a weldment between the adjacent edge surfaces of the workpiece.