Patent Description:
Bending or folding workpieces, typically made from sheet materials, is one of the most common operations performed in industrial manufacturing. Bending a sheet material is typically performed by applying force to the material to achieve a plastic deformation.

There are a number of conventional methods for bending sheet materials. Most of these conventional methods use a die for bending, such as V-bending, bottoming, air bending, coining, U-bending, step bending, all constrained by the radius needed, the flange length of the tool and die, and the force needed for bending. Another method is roll bending, used for making tubes or cones, or rotary bending. Conventional roll bending techniques typically employ a plurality of rolls arranged in line through which a sheet material is passed, see e.g. <CIT>, and the sheet material is bent longitudinally to the operational direction.

Conventionally a steel, or similar, material can only be bent or folded in one dimension at a time. This means that in conventional construction of three dimensional objects, such objects must often be pieced and welded together by many different parts, and that spreading of the three dimensional shape on the two dimensional sheet involves cutting out individual pieces.

In some applications, a three dimensional object may be constructed by sequential folding in one dimension. This places constraints on both the use of material as well as the final design of the desired three dimensional object.

<CIT> discloses a method of forming plates of irregular and compound curvature from flat stock. The transverse curvature of the formed plates is determined by the shape of curved rolls that are used to roll the flat stock.

It is in view of the above considerations and others that the embodiments described in this disclosure have been made. This disclosure recognizes the fact that there is a need for improved methods and apparatuses reshaping, i. bending, workpieces. The objects are addressed by the appended independent claims. Embodiments are set forth in the appended dependent claims and in the following description.

According to a first aspect there is provided a method of reshaping a workpiece in accordance with appended claim <NUM>.

The current method allows for the manufacture of products or relatively complex shapes in an industrially simple manner. Relatively complex shapes may be formed by plastically deforming, typically bending, sheet material workpieces. Thereby, the number of components, or individual parts, of an end product may be substantially reduced. The current method is further highly automatable and customisable, and may be used to produce large or small series of products. Further, low power and little energy is required. The same or similar advantages are applicable to the below described apparatuses and uses. The present method, apparatuses and uses facilitate what is sometimes referred to as "industrial origami".

The method may comprise plastically deforming the workpiece in the plane that extends transversally to the operational direction by means of forces applied to the workpiece by the primary side pressing device and the secondary side pressing device. The method may comprise performing said plastically deforming by the forces applied to the workpiece by solely the primary side pressing device and the secondary side pressing device.

Moving the workpiece and/or the pressing devices with respect to one another to obtain a mutual linear movement between the workpiece and the pressing devices along an operational direction may involve movement along a predetermined line.

Moving the workpiece and/or the pressing devices with respect to one another to obtain a mutual linear movement between the workpiece and the pressing devices along an operational direction involves movement along a predetermined, non-straight line. The workpiece may be moved by hand.

Moving the workpiece and/or the pressing devices may be carried out by a robot that is controlled by a computer apparatus. Thereby, repeated, accurate and complex movement along a predetermined line may be facilitated. The method may comprise gripping a workpiece at a dedicated portion. The workpiece may thus comprise a gripping portion that is intended to be gripped by a robot during the method.

Moving the workpiece with respect to the pressing devices may comprise applying a force to the workpiece in the operational direction by means other than the pressing devices. Thus, the pressing devices may not be utilised for moving the workpiece. The pressing devices may be free from driving means, and thus not be able to move the workpiece in the operational direction. The workpiece may be pushed through the pressing devices. The workpiece may be pushed through the pressing devices in the operational direction.

The workpiece and/or the pressing devices may be repeatedly moved back and forth. , back and forth in the operational direction. The workpiece may be stepwise plastically deformed transversally to the operational direction during the back and forth movement.

The above mentioned plastically deforming may involve applying a bending moment transversally to the operational direction.

The secondary side pressing device may comprise a secondary first and a secondary second pressing part that comprise individually adjustable secondary contact surfaces. Plastically deforming the workpiece transversally to the operational direction by means of forces applied to the workpiece by at least one of the pressing devices may comprise adjusting an angle α between the secondary contact surfaces.

The primary side pressing device may comprise a primary pressing part that comprises a primary contact surface. Plastically deforming the workpiece transversally to the operational direction by means of forces applied to the workpiece by at least one of the pressing devices may comprise moving the primary contact surface towards the secondary contact surfaces. The method may comprise moving the primary contact surface may by actuating a support drive means.

Typically the method comprises plastically deforming the workpiece in a plane that extends transversally to the operational direction by means of forces applied to the workpiece by each one of the pressing devices. Typically each one of the pressing devices simultaneously apply forces to the workpiece during said plastically deforming.

The method may comprise scoring the workpiece by means of the primary pressing device to obtain a deformation instruction for said subsequent plastically deforming the workpiece. Thus, the method may comprise first scoring the workpiece and then plastically deforming the workpiece. The primary pressing device may thus be configured for scoring, and may be adapted for this purpose as is described below.

Alternatively, after the scoring the method may comprise exchanging the primary pressing device that is configured for scoring with another primary pressing device that is not configured for scoring.

At least one of the pressing devices may be spatially stationary. Alternatively, the workpiece may be stationary.

The workpiece may be plastically deformed transversally to the operational direction until opposing edges thereof are brought into contact with one another.

The method may comprise attaching sections, such as opposing edges, of the workpiece to one another, e.g. by welding. In particular, the method may comprising welding opposing edges of the workpiece to one another, which edges have been brought into contact with one another by said plastically deforming the workpiece.

The method may comprise reshaping the workpiece from a flat sheet structure into a bent sheet structure, bringing the primary and secondary side pressing device out of contact with the workpiece, reorienting the workpiece with respect to the primary and secondary side pressing device, bringing the primary and secondary side pressing device in contact with the workpiece and continuing the reshaping of the workpiece by means of forces applied to the workpiece by at least one of the pressing devices. Thus, the method may involve first reshaping a flat workpiece into a bent structure and subsequently reshaping the bent structure into a final product shape. The final product shape may thus be further reshaped, and more complex, as compared the bent structure. The bent structure shape may be referred to as an intermediate product shape.

In this way, the reshaping of a flat sheet into a closed hollow structure is facilitated. Thus, the method may involve bringing the primary side pressing device and the secondary side pressing device a sufficient distance from one another to allow insertion of the bent sheet structure there between. For example, the primary side pressing device and the secondary side pressing device may be separated at least <NUM> millimeters, or at least <NUM> millimeters.

In addition, the method may comprise attaching sections, such as opposing edges, of the final product shape to one another, e.g. by welding.

The method may comprise reshaping the workpiece from a flat sheet structure into a beam structure. The beam structure thus being an example of a final product shape.

The method may comprise reshaping the workpiece from a flat sheet structure into at least a part of a two-wheeled vehicle chassis, such as a scooter or motorcycle chassis. The chassis thus being an example of a final product shape.

The method may comprise bending the workpiece an angle β around a tangent to the primary contact surface.

The herein described second to eighth aspects are not encompassed by the wording of the claims but are considered as useful for understanding the inventive concept.

According to a second aspect there is provided a beam structure manufactured by the above method. The apparatuses described herein may be used for the manufacture, and reference is made to the respective descriptions of the apparatuses. The beam structure may for example be a chair backrest.

According to a third aspect there is provided a two-wheeled vehicle chassis, such as a scooter or motorcycle chassis, manufactured by the above method. The apparatuses described herein may be used for the manufacture of the two-wheeled vehicle chassis.

According to a fourth aspect there is provided a primary side pressing device for reshaping a workpiece, the primary side pressing device being adapted to be arranged on a primary side of the workpiece when a secondary side pressing device is arranged on a secondary side of the workpiece, the primary side pressing device comprising a primary side roller part that is rotatable around a rotational axis and comprises a proximal axial end, a distal axial end and a primary contact surface, the primary contact surface being adapted for applying a force to the workpiece from the primary side, wherein, in use, the workpiece may be bent an angle β around a tangent to the primary contact surface, and wherein the primary side roller part is configured such that the workpiece after bending may extend next to the proximal axial end or the distal axial end and past the rotational axis.

Herein, "adapted to be arranged on a primary side" may be construed as "adapted to operate on a primary side".

The primary side roller part may be configured such that the bent angle β may be at smaller than <NUM> degrees, such as <NUM> degrees or even only <NUM> degrees, without the primary side roller part obstructing the workpiece.

The diameter to width ratio of the primary side roller part may be <NUM> to <NUM>, in some embodiments <NUM> to <NUM>. The diameter may be measured in the radial direction of the primary side roller part. The width may be measured in the axial direction of the primary side roller part.

The diameter of the primary side roller part may be <NUM> to <NUM> millimeters.

The primary contact surface may be arranged at the proximal axial end or at the distal axial end of the primary side roller part. The end of the primary side roller part that comprises the primary contact surface may be essentially flat, such that the workpiece may be bent to abut against said end. The end of the primary side roller part that comprises the primary contact surface may be flat.

The primary contact surface may be arranged axially between the proximal axial end and the distal axial end of the primary side roller part. For example, the primary contact surface may be arranged centrally between the proximal axial end and the distal axial end.

The primary side roller part may be frustoconical. The primary contact surface may be ring-shaped.

The primary contact surface may be adapted for scoring a metal workpiece. The radius of curvature of the primary contact surface may be selected for scoring a metal workpiece. The primary contact surface may be made of a material that is hard enough to score a metal workpiece, such as a stainless steel sheet workpiece. The stainless steel sheet may be of a thickness in the range of <NUM> to <NUM> millimeters. The primary contact surface may comprise an acute angle γ for example in the range of <NUM> to <NUM> degrees. Thus, the primary contact surface may comprise an acute angle γ, may comprise a radius of curvature that is selected for scoring a metal workpiece, and may be made of a material that is hard enough to score a metal workpiece.

In some embodiment, the sheet thickness may be up to e.g. <NUM> millimeters, in particular if the sheet is made of aluminium.

The primary contact surface may be adapted for scoring a metal workpiece and in addition be adapted for applying a force to the workpiece to bend the workpiece. Thus, the primary contact surface may be configured to fulfil the dual purposes or scoring and bending. The primary contact surface should thereby not be too sharp nor too blunt. If the primary contact surface is too sharp the workpiece may be inadvertently scored when the workpiece is only to be bent by the primary side roller part. If the primary contact surface is too blunt the primary side roller part may not be able to score the workpiece.

A radially inner section of the primary side roller part may be made of another material than the primary contact surface. The primary contact surface may thus be formed of a radially outer section that is arranged on said radially inner section. In this, way, the properties of the primary side roller part may be tailored to specific needs. For example, the inner section may be made of a lower cost, more lightweight or ductile material than the outer section.

The primary side pressing device may comprise an elongate primary roller part support carrying the primary side roller part. The primary roller part support may be configured such that the bent angle β may be smaller than <NUM> degrees, such as <NUM> degrees or even down to <NUM> degrees, without the primary roller part support obstructing the workpiece.

The primary side pressing device may comprise a primary roller part support and a primary side shaft. The primary roller part may carry the primary side roller part via the primary side shaft, wherein the primary side shaft is a cantilever shaft. Thus, one single end of the primary side shaft may be fixedly attached to the primary roller part support. The opposing end of the primary side shaft may be unsupported.

The primary side shaft may comprise a bearing that rotationally supports the primary side roller part.

The primary side roller part may be freely rotatable around the rotational axis.

According to a fifth aspect there is provided a use of a primary side pressing device in an arrangement for reshaping a workpiece, the workpiece and/or the arrangement being movable with respect to one another to obtain a mutual linear movement between the workpiece and the arrangement along an operational direction, the arrangement comprising a secondary side pressing device adapted to be arranged on a secondary side of the workpiece, the secondary side pressing device comprising two secondary contact surfaces for applying forces to the workpiece, wherein the primary side pressing device is adapted to be arranged on a primary side of the workpiece and comprises a primary side roller part that is rotatable around a rotational axis, wherein the primary side roller part comprises a proximal axial end, a distal axial end and a primary contact surface, the primary contact surface being adapted for applying a force to the workpiece from the primary side, wherein, in use, the workpiece may be bent an angle β around a tangent to the primary contact surface, and wherein the primary side roller part is configured such that the workpiece after bending may extend next to the proximal axial end or the distal axial end and past the rotational axis.

According to a sixth aspect there is provided a secondary side pressing device for reshaping a workpiece, the secondary side pressing device being adapted to be arranged on a secondary side of the workpiece when a primary side pressing device is arranged on a primary side of the workpiece, the secondary side pressing device comprising a secondary side first roller part that is rotatable around a rotational axis and a secondary side second roller part that is rotatable around a rotational axis, wherein the rotational axes of the secondary side first and second roller parts are adjustable.

The rotational axes of the secondary side first and second roller parts may be adjusted such that the rotational axes of the secondary side first and second roller parts are non-parallel.

The rotational axes of the secondary side first and second roller parts may be adjustable during operation, i.e. during the mutual linear movement between the arrangement and the sheet structure.

The rotational axes of the secondary side first and second roller parts may be non-parallel. Thus, the rotational axes may be non-parallel no matter how they are adjusted.

The rotational axes of the secondary side first and second roller parts may be adjusted such that said rotational axes cross one another.

Circumferential contact surfaces of the secondary side roller parts may be conical. The secondary side roller parts may be frustoconical. The contact surfaces of the secondary side roller parts may be straight, as seen in a side view (orthogonal to the rotational axes).

Contact surfaces of the secondary side roller parts may meet, or essentially meet, one another at a point. The contact surfaces of the secondary side roller parts may meet, or essentially meet, one another at the point also when the rotational axes the secondary side first and second roller parts are adjusted. The contact surfaces may meet at the point no matter how the rotational axes are adjusted. Said point may be referred to as the center of rotation or the center of deformation. The point may be stationary.

A circumferential contact surface of the secondary side first roller part may extend from a proximal axial end to a distal axial end, a circumferential contact surface of the secondary side second roller part may extend from a proximal axial end to a distal axial end, and the secondary side pressing device may be configured such that the proximal axial ends of the secondary side first and second roller parts are adjacent.

The circumferential contact surface of the secondary side first roller part may extend straight between the proximal axial end and the distal axial end. The circumferential contact surface of the secondary side second roller part may extend straight between the proximal axial end and the distal axial end.

The secondary side first and second roller parts may be adjacent also when the rotational axes are adjusted, i.e. no matter how the rotational axes are adjusted.

The rotational axes may be set (adjusted) such that the circumferential contact surfaces form an angle α that is less than <NUM> degrees, such as <NUM> degrees, <NUM> degrees or <NUM> degrees.

The secondary side pressing device may comprise a secondary side first shaft, a first travel element and a secondary roller part support, wherein the secondary side first roller part is carried by the secondary side first shaft that is carried by the first travel element that is movably held in the secondary roller part support, the first travel element being movable along an arcuate path. Moving the first travel element along the arcuate path may adjust the rotational axis of the secondary side first roller.

The secondary side pressing device may comprise a secondary side second shaft and a second travel element, wherein the secondary side second roller part is carried by the secondary side second shaft that is carried by the first second travel element that is movably held in the secondary roller part support, the second travel element being movable along an arcuate path. Moving the second travel element along the arcuate path may adjust the rotational axis of the secondary side second roller.

The secondary side first shaft may be a cantilever shaft. The secondary side second shaft may be a cantilever shaft.

The secondary side first shaft may comprise a bearing to rotationally support the secondary side first roller part. The secondary side second shaft may comprise a bearing to rotationally support the secondary side second roller part. In both cases, there may be two bearings arranged at a distance from one another, to withstand high radial loads. High radial loads may in particular occur when the secondary side shafts are cantilever shafts. Also, the secondary side roller parts may typically be subject to bending moments as a result of the contact with the workpiece.

The secondary side pressing device may comprise drive means for moving the first travel element and/or the second travel element relative to the secondary roller part support. Thus, said drive means may adjust the rotational axes of the secondary side first and second roller. The drive means may be manually controlled or may be controlled by computer control means.

The diameter to width ratio of the secondary side roller parts may be <NUM> to <NUM>.

The diameters of the secondary side roller parts may be <NUM> to <NUM> millimeters. The diameter of the secondary side roller parts may be <NUM> to <NUM> millimeters at a proximal axial end and <NUM> to <NUM> millimeters at a distal axial end.

According to a seventh aspect there is provided a use of a secondary side pressing device in an arrangement for reshaping a workpiece, the workpiece and/or the arrangement being movable with respect to one another to obtain a mutual linear movement between the workpiece and the arrangement along an operational direction, the arrangement comprising a primary side pressing device adapted to be arranged on a primary side of the workpiece, the primary side pressing device comprising a primary contact surface for applying a force to the workpiece, wherein the secondary side pressing device comprises a secondary side first roller part that is rotatable around a rotational axis and a secondary side second roller part that is rotatable around a separate rotational axis, and wherein the rotational axes of the secondary side first and second roller parts are adjustable.

According to an eight aspect there is provided an arrangement for reshaping a workpiece, the workpiece and/or the arrangement being movable with respect to one another to obtain a mutual linear movement between the workpiece and the arrangement along an operational direction, the arrangement comprising a primary side pressing device adapted to be arranged on a primary side of the workpiece, the primary side pressing device comprising a primary contact surface for applying a force to the workpiece, and a secondary side pressing device adapted to be arranged on a secondary side of the workpiece, the secondary side pressing device comprising two secondary contact surfaces for applying forces to the workpiece, wherein, as seen in the operational direction, the primary contact surface is positioned between at least portions of the secondary contact surfaces such that the workpiece may be deformed transversally to the operational direction.

The primary contact surface and the secondary contact surfaces may be positioned at the same position along the operational direction.

The primary contact surface and the secondary contact surfaces may all be arranged in a plane that is orthogonal to the operational direction.

The primary and secondary side pressing devices, and contact surfaces, may correspond to the ones described above and in the description of exemplary embodiments.

The primary contact surface may be shaped such that the primary contact surface and a flat workpiece portion may engage in point contact. For example, the primary contact surface may be ring-shaped.

Thus, the primary contact surface may be shaped such that the primary contact surface may engage a flat workpiece portion along a line during the mutual linear movement. If the mutual linear movement is non-straight said line is non-straight.

The secondary contact surfaces may be shaped such that the secondary contact surfaces and the workpiece may engage in line contact.

Thus, the secondary contact surfaces may be shaped such that the respective secondary contact surface may engage a flat workpiece portion over a surface during the mutual linear movement.

The secondary contact surfaces may be conical.

The secondary side pressing device may comprises a secondary side first roller part that is rotatable around a rotational axis and a secondary side second roller part that is rotatable around a separate rotational axis.

The rotational axes of the secondary side first and second roller parts may be adjustable, for example as has been described above or as is described in the below description of exemplary embodiments.

The secondary side first roller part and the secondary side second roller part may be frustoconical.

The primary side pressing device may comprise a primary side roller part that is rotatable around a rotational axis that is non-parallel to the rotational axes of the secondary side roller parts.

The primary side roller part may comprise a primary contact surface that is configured for scoring the workpiece.

The contact surfaces of the primary side roller part and of the secondary side roller parts may meet, or essentially meet, one another at the above-defined point. The above-defined point may therefore be referred to as the center of deformation.

The primary contact surface may be movably arranged, preferably straight linearly movably arranged, such that the primary contact surface may be moved towards and away from the secondary contact surfaces.

The primary contact surface may be movable such that the distance between the primary contact surface and the secondary contact surfaces may be at least <NUM> millimeters or at least <NUM> millimeters.

The arrangement may comprise a foundation structure to which the primary side pressing device and the secondary side pressing device are mounted. The foundation structure may comprises a frame support for the primary side pressing device. The frame support may comprise means for moving the primary side pressing device. Said means may be e.g. manual (e.g. comprising threads), hydraulic or electric. The means for moving the primary side pressing device may be an electric jack or a hydraulic jack.

The foundation structure may comprise an elongate support, aka base support, for the secondary side pressing device. The elongate support for the secondary side pressing device may be of a length of at least <NUM> millimeters. The secondary side pressing device may be supported solely by said elongate support. Said support may be oriented along an axis (Z) that extends in a plane (XZ) that is orthogonal to the operational direction (Y').

The foundation structure may comprise an elongate support, aka top support, for the primary side pressing device. The elongate support for the primary side pressing device may be of a length of at least <NUM> millimeters. The primary side pressing device may be supported solely by said elongate support. Said support may be oriented along an axis (Z) that extends in a plane (XZ) that is orthogonal to the operational direction (Y'). The elongate support for the primary side pressing device may comprise means for moving the primary side pressing device.

The foundation structure may be stationary. The foundation structure may essentially extend in a plane that is orthogonal to the operational direction. The foundation structure may thus be essentially flat. Further the foundation structure may have relatively small extensions in other directions than the in-plane direction. Such a foundation structure, with the pressing devices arranged therein, may be space-saving. Such a foundation structure and pressing devices may yet reshape relatively large workpieces that may be passed through the foundation structure during reshaping.

The foundation structure may be dimensioned such that workpieces that at least in one dimension are one to three meters large may pass there through. The workpiece may be a steel sheet, such as a stainless steel sheet of a width of one to three metres. For example, the workpiece may be cut from a stainless steel coil of a width of <NUM>, <NUM> or <NUM> millimeters. Thus, the width of the foundation structure, for example as measured along a horizontal axis (X) that extends in a plane (XZ) that is orthogonal to the operational direction, may be selected such that workpieces widths of <NUM> millimetres may pass through the foundation structure. In one embodiment, the width of the foundation structure, or its frame support, is one to three meters.

Embodiments of the present solution will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying schematic drawings.

In the drawings, not all reference numbers are included in each figure, for the sake of clarity. In addition, terms such as "upper", "lower" and "horizontal" refer to the apparatus when in the orientation shown in the drawings. A person skilled in the art will recognize that the apparatus can assume different orientations when in use.

<FIG> shows an arrangement <NUM> for reshaping a workpiece <NUM> and also a workpiece <NUM> to be reshaped by the arrangement <NUM>. The reshaping typically involves folding or bending, and the arrangement <NUM> may thus be referred to as a bending arrangement <NUM> or a bending machine <NUM>. <FIG> shows an alternative embodiment of the arrangement <NUM>.

The present solution may be utilized for material processing of a two dimensional sheet like material into a three dimensional shape object in accordance with the <CIT> (patent <CIT>). Thus, by reshaping may be meant forming a two dimensional sheet like material to a three dimensional shape object.

The present arrangement <NUM> may generally extend in a flat plane indicated as the XZ plane in <FIG> (and in <FIG>, <FIG> and <FIG>). When being reshaped, the workpiece <NUM> may move through the XZ plane of the arrangement <NUM> along an operational direction Y', also referred to as a process direction Y' or a feeding direction Y', that extends through the plane (XZ) of the arrangement <NUM>. The operational direction Y' may be essentially orthogonal to the plane (XZ) of the arrangement <NUM>.

In the illustrated examples (<FIG> and <FIG>), the arrangement <NUM> generally extends in a flat, vertical plane XZ and the workpiece <NUM> moves in a horizontal plane XY through said vertical plane XZ. The extension of the arrangement <NUM> in the XZ plane may substantially exceed its extensions in any other plane, such as the orthogonal vertical YZ plane or the orthogonal horizontal XY plane. The workpiece <NUM> moves along the operational direction Y' that extends in the horizontal plane XY.

The XY plane in which the workpiece <NUM> moves may be orthogonal to the XZ plane of the arrangement <NUM>. Typically, the workpiece moves essentially along the Y axis indicated in <FIG> (and <FIG>) along a non-straight operational direction Y'.

In the solution described herein, the arrangement <NUM> is stationary whereas the workpiece <NUM> is movable. In other embodiments (not shown), the arrangement <NUM> may be movable whereas the workpiece <NUM> is stationary. The latter may be beneficial should the workpiece <NUM> be very large, such as several meters, e.g. five to ten meters, long or wide.

In other embodiments (not shown), both the arrangement <NUM> and the workpiece <NUM> may be movable. Importantly, during operation there is a mutual linear movement between the workpiece <NUM> and the arrangement <NUM>. The direction of said mutual linear movement is herein referred to as the operational direction Y'. The operational direction Y' may be straight or, typically, non-straight.

Embodiments of the arrangement <NUM> and components thereof are shown in <FIG> and <FIG>. The arrangement <NUM> comprises a primary side pressing device <NUM> and a secondary side pressing device <NUM>. In the figures, the primary side 90a is a first side or upper side and the secondary side 90b is a second side or lower side. The primary side 90a and the secondary side 90b may thus be opposite sides in relation to the workpiece <NUM>.

The primary side pressing device <NUM> comprises a primary contact surface <NUM> for applying a force to the workpiece <NUM> from the primary side 90a. During operation the primary contact surface <NUM>, and thus the primary side pressing device <NUM>, is in contact with the workpiece <NUM>.

The secondary side pressing device <NUM> comprises a secondary first contact surface <NUM>' for applying a force to the workpiece <NUM> from the secondary side 90b. Further, the secondary side pressing device <NUM> comprises a secondary second contact surface <NUM>" for applying a force to the workpiece <NUM> from the secondary side 90b. In the present embodiment, the secondary first and second contact surfaces <NUM>', <NUM>" are of identical shapes.

In some embodiments (not shown) the first and second contact surfaces <NUM>', <NUM>" are not of identical shapes. For example, the secondary second contact surface <NUM>" may have a greater axial extension than the secondary first contact surface <NUM>', to increase the ability to apply a force to the workpiece <NUM> by the secondary second contact surface <NUM>".

During operation, the workpiece <NUM> is clamped between the primary side pressing device <NUM> on the primary side 90a and the secondary side pressing device <NUM> on the secondary side 90b. More precisely, the workpiece is clamped between the primary contact surface <NUM> and the secondary contact surfaces <NUM>', <NUM>".

The workpiece <NUM> may be plastically deformed, in this embodiment bent, as a result of the pressing devices <NUM>, <NUM> applying forces to the workpiece <NUM>. As is illustrated in the figures, the workpiece is deformed across the operation direction Y', or more precisely deformed in the XZ plane that extends essentially transversally to the operational direction Y'. In prior art apparatuses and methods, a workpiece is typically instead deformed in a plane that extends in parallel with the operational direction, see e.g. <CIT> <FIG>.

As seen in the operational direction Y', thus seen through the XZ plane of the arrangement <NUM>, the first and second contact surfaces <NUM>', <NUM>" extend on both lateral sides of the primary contact surface <NUM>.

The forces applied by the present primary side pressing device <NUM> and by the secondary side pressing device <NUM> affect the workpiece <NUM> at the same portion of the workpiece, as seen in the operational direction Y'. The forces applied by the primary side pressing device <NUM> and by the secondary side pressing device <NUM> act in the same plane, namely in the XZ plane of the arrangement <NUM>. In typical prior art apparatuses and methods, corresponding forces are instead applied at longitudinally (in the operational direction) separated portions of the workpiece, see <CIT> <FIG>.

Further, the forces applied by the present primary side pressing device <NUM> and by the secondary side pressing device <NUM> simultaneously affect the workpiece <NUM> at the same portion of the workpiece, as seen in the operational direction Y'.

Importantly, the workpiece <NUM> may be reshaped by the first and second pressing devices alone <NUM>, <NUM>, no further pressing devices or other force applying or supporting means are required. In the examples described herein, the workpiece <NUM> is reshaped solely by the forces applied by the first and second pressing devices <NUM>, <NUM>.

In the current examples, the primary side pressing device <NUM> is vertically movable and may be pressed against the workpiece <NUM> (from above) while the stationary secondary side pressing device <NUM> supports the workpiece <NUM> (from below). Thus, the primary side may be referred to as a punch side or a thrust side. Correspondingly, the secondary side may be referred to as a support side, a die side or an anvil side.

The primary side pressing device <NUM> may thus be referred to as a punch pressing device <NUM> or a thrust pressing device <NUM>. The secondary side pressing device <NUM> may be referred to as a support pressing device <NUM>, a die pressing device <NUM> or an anvil pressing device <NUM>. The below described primary side roller part <NUM> may be referred to as a punch or thrust roller part <NUM>. The secondary side roller parts <NUM>', <NUM>'' may be referred to as support, die or anvil roller parts <NUM>', <NUM>''.

The secondary side pressing device <NUM> may be spatially stationary. Herein, the term "spatially" stationary is used in order to include components that may rotate (such as the roller parts <NUM>, <NUM>', <NUM>'') or be movable within a stationary structure. The secondary side pressing device <NUM> may thus be denoted spatially stationary, even though it comprises internally movable travel elements <NUM>', <NUM>" and components carried thereby.

Referring in particular to <FIG>, the arrangement <NUM> may comprise a foundation structure that in the present embodiment is securely mounted to a floor. Thus, the foundation structure may be stationary. The foundation structure holds the pressing devices <NUM>, <NUM>.

The foundation structure may comprise a frame support <NUM>, or gate <NUM>, holding the primary side pressing device <NUM>. The foundation structure may comprise a base support <NUM> holding the secondary side pressing device <NUM>. The foundation structure may be of a sufficiently large dimension to allow the arrangement <NUM> to handle relatively large workpieces <NUM>, such as workpieces <NUM> (e.g. stainless steel sheets) that at least in one dimension are one to three meters large.

In the current example, the frame support <NUM> provides a through opening for the workpieces <NUM>, the through opening being approximately two meters wide and two meters high. The frame support <NUM> may extend upward from a floor, or a similar surface, on which the foundation structure is mounted. The frame support <NUM> may, as is disclosed, comprise a beam structure for example comprising three beams that are attached to one another to provide a square structure.

Thus, in the current example the foundation structure holds the pressing devices <NUM>, <NUM> and provides a through opening for the workpieces <NUM>, the through opening in typical embodiments being one to three meters wide and high. The dimension of the foundation structure is here measured in the XZ plane, i.e. the general plane of the arrangement <NUM>.

In other embodiments, the frame support <NUM> may be omitted and the primary side pressing device <NUM> may e.g. be mounted in a ceiling.

The base support <NUM> may have the form of a column or similar, that may extend upward from a floor, or a similar surface, on which the foundation structure is mounted.

As is clear from the current disclosure, the workpiece <NUM> may during the reshaping assume a shape that protrudes towards and beyond the primary side pressing device <NUM> and/or towards and beyond the secondary side pressing device <NUM>.

In some situations the workpiece <NUM> may depend down from the secondary side pressing device <NUM>, in other words protrude towards and beyond the secondary side pressing device <NUM>, and in such situations the workpiece <NUM> must not be obstructed by the floor or by the base support <NUM>. For this reason, the base support <NUM> may extend from the floor, or a similar surface, on which the foundation structure is mounted. The base support <NUM> is preferably elongated, typically with a height that substantially exceeds the width. The height to width ratio being at least <NUM>. In the current example of <FIG>, the base support <NUM> is approximately one meter high (along Z axis). In the present examples, the secondary side pressing device <NUM> is solely supported by the base support <NUM>.

In some situations the workpiece <NUM> may extend upwards from the primary side pressing device <NUM> (see e.g. <FIG>), in other words protrude towards and beyond the primary side pressing device <NUM>, and in such situation the workpiece <NUM> must not be obstructed by the frame support <NUM> or by a ceiling. For this reason the foundation structure may comprise a top support <NUM> that extends from the frame support <NUM> (or ceiling). The primary side pressing device <NUM> is mounted on the top support <NUM>. In the present examples, the primary side pressing device <NUM> is solely supported by the top support <NUM>.

Thus, the primary side pressing device <NUM> may be held by an elongate top support <NUM> and the secondary side pressing device <NUM> may be held by an elongate base support <NUM>. These supports <NUM>, <NUM> may distance the pressing devices <NUM>, <NUM> from surrounding obstacles, such as a floor and a ceiling. The base and top supports <NUM>, <NUM> are preferably elongate such that the workpiece <NUM> may extend or protrude away from the pressing devices <NUM>, <NUM> on all lateral sides of the base and top supports <NUM>, <NUM>. In the current examples, the elongate base and top supports <NUM>, <NUM> are oriented along the vertical Z axis within the XZ plane, i.e. the general plane of the arrangement <NUM>.

As is illustrated in <FIG> and <FIG>, the top support <NUM> may comprise top support <NUM> drive means to move the primary side pressing device <NUM> to and from the secondary side pressing device <NUM>. In particular, the top support <NUM> drive means may linearly straight move the primary side pressing device <NUM>. In the current examples, the top support <NUM> drive means is embodied as a hydraulic jack.

In other embodiments (not shown), the primary side pressing device <NUM> may in addition be movable in the in the XZ plane, i.e. in the general plane of the arrangement <NUM>, such that the primary side pressing device <NUM> may be tilted. In this way, the primary side pressing device <NUM> may be moved at an angle (as opposed to horizontally, as is illustrated herein) in said plane to and from the secondary side pressing device <NUM>. Such embodiments may be favourable as complex intermediate product shapes may hinder the primary side pressing device <NUM> from moving in a horizontal direction.

In the current example, the primary side and secondary side roller parts <NUM>, <NUM>', <NUM>" (described in more detail below) are freely rotationally journalled on the respective shaft <NUM>, <NUM>', <NUM>''. The roller parts <NUM>, <NUM>', <NUM>" rotationally engage with the workpiece <NUM> as the workpiece is moved through the arrangement <NUM>. The movement of the workpiece <NUM> causes the roller parts <NUM>, <NUM>', <NUM>'' to rotate.

In other embodiments, one or more of the roller parts <NUM>, <NUM>', <NUM>" may be driven, e.g. by electric motors. Such driven roller parts <NUM>, <NUM>', <NUM>" may assist in moving the workpiece through the arrangement <NUM>.

Referring in particular to <FIG> and <FIG>, the primary side pressing device <NUM> may comprise a primary side roller part <NUM> that forms the primary contact surface <NUM>.

The primary side roller part <NUM> is rotatable around a rotational axis <NUM> that may extend centrally through a primary side shaft <NUM> that may carry the primary side roller part <NUM>. Said rotational axis <NUM> may be referred to as the primary side roller part rotational axis <NUM>. The primary side roller part <NUM> may be freely rotationally journalled on the primary side shaft <NUM>. A bearing (not shown), such as a ball, slide, roll or needle bearing, may be arranged on the primary side shaft <NUM> to rotationally support the primary side roller part <NUM>.

The primary side shaft <NUM> may, as is shown, be held by a primary roller part support <NUM>. The primary roller part support <NUM> may in turn be held by the top support <NUM>. The end of the primary side roller part <NUM> that is closest to the primary roller part support <NUM> may be referred to as the proximal axial end 14p. The opposing, outer, end of the primary side roller part <NUM> may be referred to as the distal axial end 14d. In the current example, the primary contact surface <NUM> is formed by the distal axial end 14d of the primary side roller part <NUM>. The primary contact surface <NUM> may thus coincide with the distal axial end 14d of the primary side roller part <NUM>.

As is shown, the primary side shaft <NUM> may at one end (the proximal end) be fixedly attached to the primary roller part support <NUM> whereas the other end (the distal end, carrying the primary side roller part <NUM>) may be free. In other words, the primary side shaft <NUM> may be supported at one end only.

As is indicated in <FIG>, the workpiece <NUM> may be bent an angle β around a tangent t (indicated in <FIG>) to the primary contact surface <NUM>. In other words, the workpiece <NUM> may be bent transversally to the primary contact surface <NUM>, or more precisely transversally to a tangent t to the primary contact surface <NUM>.

In the shown example, the primary contact surface <NUM> is arranged above (on the first side of) the workpiece <NUM> and the workpiece <NUM> is bent upwards (toward the first side) when deformed by the pressing devices <NUM>, <NUM>. Thus, the primary side pressing device <NUM> is arranged on the primary side 90a of the workpiece <NUM> and the workpiece <NUM> is bent towards the primary side 90a.

As is clear e.g. from <FIG> the primary side roller part <NUM> is configured such that the workpiece <NUM> after bending may extend next to the distal axial end 14d (right hand side in the figures) of the primary side roller part <NUM>. The workpiece <NUM> may after bending extend past or beyond the rotational axis <NUM> of the primary side roller part <NUM>. In the embodiment of <FIG>, the workpiece <NUM> may after bending extend in parallel with the primary side roller part <NUM>, more precisely in parallel with the distal axial end 14d of the primary side roller part <NUM>. As is also clear from <FIG>, the primary side roller part <NUM> is configured such that the workpiece <NUM> after bending may extend next to the proximal axial end 14p (left in the figures) and past the rotational axis <NUM>.

In other words, parts of the workpiece <NUM> may after reshaping be positioned on one or both axial outer sides, or axial end faces, of the primary side roller part <NUM>. The rotational axis <NUM> (illustrated in <FIG>) of the primary side roller part <NUM> may pass through that part or parts of the workpiece <NUM>.

The primary side roller part <NUM> may be configured such that the bent angle β may be smaller than <NUM> degrees without the primary side roller part <NUM> obstructing the workpiece <NUM>.

The bent angle β may be defined as the angle that the workpiece is bent by the pressing devices <NUM>, <NUM>, as is illustrated in <FIG> illustrates a bent angle β (included angle) of approximately <NUM> degrees. <FIG> illustrates a bent angle β of approximately <NUM> degrees.

The primary side roller part <NUM> illustrated herein has a diameter to width ratio of approximately <NUM>. Thus, the primary side roller part <NUM> has a radial extension that substantially exceeds the axial extension. In some embodiments a larger diameter to width ratio results in a smaller possible bent angle β. However, a large diameter to width ratio may require a larger force applied by the pressing devices <NUM>, <NUM> to obtain the bending, as the contact between the primary side roller part <NUM> and the workpiece <NUM> increases with an increasing primary side roller part <NUM> diameter. Also, a large diameter to width ratio may result in the material of the primary side roller part <NUM> being subject to high stress. A small diameter to width ratio may be beneficial for curve scoring and curve bending the workpiece.

In typical embodiments, the diameter to width ratio of the primary side roller part <NUM> is <NUM> to <NUM>, the range <NUM> to <NUM> being preferred.

The diameter of the primary side roller part <NUM> may in typical embodiments be <NUM> to <NUM> millimeters. In the current example, the diameter of the primary roller part <NUM> is approximately <NUM> millimeters. Such a diameter, or a diameter of approximately <NUM> to <NUM> millimeters, may be suitable for reshaping workpieces <NUM> having a largest dimension of approximately <NUM> meter. Such as workpieces <NUM> of stainless steel sheet of a thickness in the range of <NUM> to <NUM> millimeters.

The width (axial extension) of the primary side roller part <NUM> may in typical embodiments be <NUM> to <NUM> millimeters. In the current example, the width of the primary roller part <NUM> is approximately <NUM> millimeters.

As mentioned above and illustrated in <FIG> and <FIG>, the primary contact surface <NUM> may be arranged at the distal axial end 14d of the primary side roller part <NUM>. In other embodiments (not shown), the primary contact surface <NUM> may be arranged at the proximal axial end 14p of the primary side roller part. Such embodiments may be less favourable as they typically would not allow a small bent angle β.

In the current example, the primary side roller part <NUM> is frustoconical as is especially clear from <FIG> The latter figure illustrating a frustoconical primary side roller part <NUM> with a smoother primary contact surface <NUM>, i.e. with a larger radius of curvature.

<FIG> illustrates a primary side roller part <NUM> of a conical shape and <FIG> illustrates a primary side roller part <NUM> of a pointed or double conical shape, with the two cones pointing away from one another. <FIG> illustrates a primary side roller part <NUM> in the shape of a circular cylinder with a pointed radially outer section.

Thus, as is shown in <FIG>and <FIG> the primary contact surface <NUM> may be arranged axially between the proximal axial end 14p and the distal axial end 14d of the primary side roller part <NUM>. The primary side roller part <NUM> may comprise a radial plane of symmetry (<FIG>and <FIG>), which may be beneficial should the primary side roller part <NUM> be subject to high loads.

<FIG> illustrates a primary side roller part <NUM> of cylindrical shape. The primary contact surface <NUM> of the primary side roller part <NUM> of <FIG> is configured for applying a force to the workpiece <NUM> without scoring the workpiece <NUM>. The contact surface <NUM> is in this embodiment cylindrical and extends in parallel with the primary side roller part rotational axis <NUM>.

The primary contact surface <NUM> may be adapted for scoring a metal workpiece <NUM>. The primary contact surface <NUM> may be relatively sharp and comprise an acute angle γ (indicated in <FIG>). Said angle γ may lie in the range of <NUM> to <NUM> degrees, preferably approximately <NUM> to <NUM> degrees. The radius of curvature of the primary contact surface <NUM> may be selected such that a metal workpiece may be scored.

The primary side roller part <NUM> may be adapted to first score the workpiece <NUM> and subsequently bend the workpiece across the score <NUM> (indicated in <FIG> and <FIG>). The score, or notch, may thus serve as a deformation instruction <NUM> for the bending (plastic deformation). The deformation instruction <NUM> has a reduced thickness relative to the adjacent portions of the workpiece <NUM>. The primary contact surface <NUM> may be of a material that is hard enough to score a metal workpiece <NUM>, such as a steel or a stainless steel workpiece <NUM>. Since the primary contact surface <NUM> may be utilised to both score a workpiece <NUM> and to apply a force to the workpiece <NUM> to bend the workpiece <NUM> (without scoring), the primary contact surface <NUM> should be relatively sharp but not too sharp.

In some embodiments, a radially inner section of the primary side roller part <NUM> may be of a different material than a radially outer section of the primary side roller part <NUM> that forms the primary contact surface <NUM>. For example, the radially inner section of the primary side roller part <NUM> may be of a more resilient material than the radially outer section.

As is shown, the primary roller part support <NUM> may carry the primary side roller part <NUM>. The primary roller part support <NUM> is preferably elongate, such a shape may allow a bent angle β below <NUM> degrees without the primary roller part support <NUM> obstructing the workpiece <NUM> (see e.g. <FIG>). The lateral side of the primary roller part support <NUM> that faces the same direction as the distal axial end 14d of the primary side roller part <NUM> may be, as is illustrated, arranged to not obstruct the workpiece <NUM> when the latter is bent towards the primary side.

The lateral side (or distal lateral side) 17d of the primary roller part support <NUM> that faces the same direction as the distal axial end 14d of the primary side roller part <NUM> may be substantially flush with (see <FIG>), or countersunk in relation to, the distal end face of the primary side roller part <NUM>. Thus, the primary roller part support <NUM> may be configured such that it does not obstruct any bent portion of the workpiece that extends past the distal axial end 14d of the primary side roller part <NUM>. In the illustrated example, there is instead a small overhang of the distal lateral side 17d of the primary roller part support <NUM>, meaning that the distal lateral side 17d extends axially (to the right in <FIG>) past the distal end face of the primary side roller part <NUM>.

As is illustrated in <FIG>, <FIG> and <FIG>, the distal axial end 14d of the primary side roller part <NUM> may be flat. Thus, the primary side roller part <NUM> may be configured such that it does not obstruct any bent portion of the workpiece <NUM> that extends past the distal axial end 14d of the primary side roller part <NUM>. <FIG> instead illustrate a portion of the primary side shaft <NUM>, or a retaining element such as a nut, optionally protruding axially from the distal axial end 14d of the primary side roller part <NUM>.

As is clear from <FIG>, the primary roller part support <NUM> and also the primary side roller part <NUM> may be configured such that the workpiece may be bent <NUM> degrees around the tangent t to the primary side roller part <NUM> on the distal axial end 14d side of the primary side roller part <NUM>. The top support <NUM> may be designed to extend flush with the distal axial end 14d of the primary side roller part <NUM>, such that the top support <NUM> does not obstruct the bent workpiece <NUM>.

As has been mentioned with reference to <FIG>, the primary side roller part <NUM> is configured such that the workpiece <NUM> after bending may extend next to the proximal axial end 14p and past the rotational axis <NUM>. Thus, the primary roller part support <NUM> and also the primary side roller part <NUM> may be configured such that the workpiece may be bent around the primary side roller part <NUM> on its proximal axial end 14p side. In total, a bent angle β of less than <NUM> degrees may thus be obtained. The embodiment of <FIG> allows a bent angle β of down to approximately <NUM> degrees.

As is to be apprehended, the primary side roller part <NUM> and its suspension (including the design of the primary side shaft <NUM>) may be modified such that a smaller bent angle β may be obtained. Such that a bent angle β of down to approximately <NUM> degrees, matching an angle α of <NUM> degrees formed by the secondary contact surfaces <NUM>', <NUM>'' (described below).

In the current embodiment, the rotational axis <NUM> of the primary side roller part <NUM> extends in the XZ plane, i.e. in the general plane of the arrangement <NUM>.

Referring in particular to <FIG> and <FIG>, the secondary side pressing device <NUM> may comprise secondary side first and second roller parts <NUM>', <NUM>'' that form the secondary contact surfaces <NUM>', <NUM>".

The secondary side first roller part <NUM>' is rotatable around a rotational axis <NUM>' that may extend centrally through a secondary side first shaft <NUM>' that may carry the secondary side first roller part <NUM>'. Said rotational axis <NUM>' may be referred to as the secondary side first roller part rotational axis <NUM>'. The secondary side first roller part <NUM>' may be freely rotationally journalled on secondary side first shaft <NUM>'. A bearing (not shown), such as a ball, slide, roll or needlebearing, may be arranged on the secondary side first shaft <NUM>' to rotationally support the secondary side first roller part <NUM>'. There may be two bearings arranged at an axial distance from one another.

The secondary side first shaft <NUM>' may, as is best illustrated in <FIG>, may be carried by a first radial bracket <NUM>'. The first radial bracket <NUM>' may, as in the present example, be essentially rod-shaped and comprise a distal opening receiving the secondary side first shaft <NUM>'. The first radial bracket <NUM>' may extend orthogonally to the secondary side first shaft <NUM>'. The proximal end of the first radial bracket <NUM>' may be attached to a first travel element <NUM>'. The first radial bracket <NUM>' may be formed in one integral piece with the first travel element <NUM>' such that large forces may be tolerated. The first travel element <NUM>' may be movably carried in a secondary roller part support <NUM>. More precisely, the first travel element <NUM>' may be movable along an arcuate path <NUM>.

The secondary roller part support <NUM> may comprise an arc-shaped structure within which the first travel element <NUM>' may be guided. The first travel element <NUM>' may, as is illustrated, be of an arc-shape that corresponds to the arc-shaped structure of the secondary roller part support <NUM>. The secondary roller part support <NUM> and the first travel element <NUM>' may be configured such that the first travel element <NUM>' may slide in the secondary roller part support <NUM> along the arcuate path <NUM>. When the first travel element <NUM>' moves along the arcuate path <NUM>, the first radial bracket <NUM>' is caused to perform a rotary motion like the hands of a clock.

The secondary side second roller part <NUM>'' and its suspension may be similar to the secondary side first roller part <NUM>', as is clear from <FIG>. The secondary side second roller part <NUM>' is rotatable around a rotational axis <NUM>'' that may extend centrally through a secondary side second shaft <NUM>'' that may carry the secondary side second roller part <NUM>". Said rotational axis <NUM>'' may be referred to as the secondary side second roller part rotational axis <NUM>''. The secondary side second roller part <NUM>'' may be freely rotationally journalled on secondary side second shaft <NUM>''. One or two bearings (not shown), such as a ball, slide, roll or needle bearing, may be arranged on the secondary side second shaft <NUM>'' to rotationally support the secondary side second roller part <NUM>''.

In one embodiment, there is one bearing arranged on the primary side shaft <NUM> to rotationally support the primary side roller part <NUM>, and two bearings on each one of the secondary side shafts <NUM>', <NUM>'' to rotationally support the respective secondary side roller parts <NUM>', <NUM>''.

The secondary side second shaft <NUM>" may be carried by a second radial bracket <NUM>". The second radial bracket <NUM>" may be essentially rod-shaped and comprise a distal opening receiving the secondary side second shaft <NUM>". The proximal end of the second radial bracket <NUM>" may be attached to a second travel element <NUM>''. The second radial bracket <NUM>" may be formed in one integral piece with the second travel element <NUM>" such that large forces may be tolerated. The second travel element <NUM>" may be movably carried in the secondary roller part support <NUM> described above, or in a separate support (not shown). The second travel element <NUM>" may be movable along the arcuate path <NUM>.

The second travel element <NUM>" may be guided in the same arc-shaped structure as is the first travel element <NUM>'. As is shown, the first and second travel elements <NUM>', <NUM>'' may be arranged adjacent one another in the arc-shaped structure of the secondary roller part support <NUM>. In the current example, the first and second travel elements <NUM>', <NUM>'' are individually movable (<FIG>).

The secondary roller part support <NUM> and the second travel element <NUM>" may be configured such that the second travel element <NUM>" may slide in the secondary roller part support <NUM> along the arcuate path <NUM>. When the second travel element <NUM>" moves <NUM>" (double-pointed arrow in <FIG>) along the arcuate path <NUM>, the second radial bracket <NUM>'' is caused to perform a rotary motion (double-pointed, arcuate arrow in <FIG>) like the hands of a clock.

Thus, as follows from the above and as is also clear from, e.g. <FIG>, the rotational axes <NUM>', <NUM>" of the secondary side first and second roller parts <NUM>', <NUM>'' are adjustable <NUM>', <NUM>''. In other words, the direction, or orientation, of the rotational axes <NUM>', <NUM>'' may be adjusted. More precisely the rotational axes <NUM>', <NUM>" are individually adjustable (<FIG>). As is described herein, the rotational axes <NUM>', <NUM>'' may be adjustable during operation.

As is shown, the secondary side shafts <NUM>', <NUM>" may be cantilever shafts. The proximal ends of the secondary side shafts <NUM>', <NUM>" may be fixedly attached to the respective radial bracket <NUM>', <NUM>" whereas the distal ends (carrying the secondary side roller parts <NUM>', <NUM>'') may be free. In other words, the respective secondary side shaft <NUM>', <NUM>" may be supported at one end only. The distal ends of the respective secondary side shaft <NUM>', <NUM>" may comprise the above-described bearings.

The current design of the secondary side pressing device <NUM> allows exact and sturdy setting and control of the rotational axes <NUM>', <NUM>" of the secondary side first and second roller parts <NUM>', <NUM>'' in a simple manner. It is to be apprehended that alternative solutions are conceivable. The secondary side first and second shafts <NUM>', <NUM>" could for example be held by separate robot arms. Similarly, the primary side shaft <NUM> could be held by a separate robot arm.

In the current embodiment, the rotational axes <NUM>', <NUM>" of the secondary side first and second roller parts <NUM>', <NUM>'' extend in the XZ plane, i.e. the general plane of the arrangement <NUM>. Further, in all adjustable positions, the rotational axes <NUM>', <NUM>" of the secondary side first and second roller parts <NUM>', <NUM>'' are non-parallel. Also, in all positions the rotational axes <NUM>', <NUM>'' cross one another.

The secondary side first roller part <NUM>' comprises a mantle surface, or outer circumferential surface, that forms the secondary first contact surface <NUM>'. Correspondingly, the secondary side second roller part <NUM>'' comprises a mantle surface that forms the secondary second contact surface <NUM>''. In the present embodiment, the secondary contact surfaces <NUM>', <NUM>" are conical. The secondary contact surfaces <NUM>', <NUM>" are in this embodiment formed by secondary side roller parts <NUM>', <NUM>'' of frustoconical shape, even though e.g. a conical design would be conceivable.

As is especially clear from <FIG> and <FIG>, the present secondary contact surfaces <NUM>', <NUM>" meet one another at a point P. The secondary contact surfaces <NUM>', <NUM>'' need not be in contact with one another to clamp the workpiece <NUM>, or form the die or support, for reshaping the workpiece <NUM>. There may be a small distance between the secondary contact surfaces <NUM>', <NUM>". In other words, the secondary contact surfaces <NUM>', <NUM>" may essentially meet one another at the point P.

The secondary contact surfaces <NUM>', <NUM>'' are to be positioned sufficiently close to one another to appropriately apply the force to the workpiece <NUM> from the secondary side 90b. As is clear to a skilled person, e.g. the material properties and thickness of the workpiece <NUM> may affect the allowed distance between the secondary contact surfaces <NUM>', <NUM>'' at the point P.

The above-described design of the secondary side pressing device <NUM> that results in the rotary motion (like the hands of a clock) of the first and second radial brackets <NUM>', <NUM>" entail that the secondary contact surfaces <NUM>', <NUM>'' are rotatable around the point P. The point P may thus be stationary of fixed. The point P may be referred to as the center of rotation.

In other words, the secondary contact surfaces <NUM>', <NUM>'' of the secondary side roller parts <NUM>', <NUM>'' will meet, or essentially meet, one another at the fixed point P also when the rotational axes <NUM>', <NUM>" are adjusted <NUM>', <NUM>". This fact is clear from <FIG> that illustrate various positions of the secondary rotational axes <NUM>', <NUM>" and also that said axes <NUM>', <NUM>" are individually adjustable.

Referring to <FIG>, the secondary first contact surface <NUM>' extends from a proximal axial end 24p' to a distal axial end 24d'. The secondary second contact surface <NUM>" extends from a proximal axial end 24p'' to a distal axial end 24d''. The axial ends that are closest to the radial brackets being referred to as proximal. Referring to the above discussion about the secondary contact surfaces <NUM>', <NUM>" essentially meeting at the fixed point P, the proximal axial ends 24p', 24p'' of the secondary side first and second roller parts <NUM>', <NUM>'' may be adjacent. Thus, the proximal axial ends 24p', 24p'' of the secondary side first and second roller parts <NUM>', <NUM>" meet or essentially meet at the fixed point P.

As is clear in particular from <FIG>, the secondary contact surfaces <NUM>', <NUM>'' of the secondary side roller parts <NUM>', <NUM>'' and the primary contact surface <NUM> of the primary side roller part <NUM> meet, or essentially meet, one another at the point P. The point P may be referred to as the center of deformation.

The proximal axial ends 24p', 24p'' of the secondary side first and second roller parts <NUM>', <NUM>'' are adjacent also when the rotational axes <NUM>', <NUM>" are adjusted.

As has been mentioned, the workpiece <NUM> may be plastically deformed (bent) as a result of the pressing devices <NUM>, <NUM> applying forces to the workpiece <NUM>. Referring to <FIG>, the primary contact surface <NUM> of the primary side pressing device <NUM> may apply a force from above while the secondary contact surfaces <NUM>', <NUM>" of secondary side pressing device <NUM> at the same time applies forces from below. The force of the primary contact surface <NUM> affects the workpiece <NUM> at a position between at least portions of the forces of the secondary contact surfaces <NUM>', <NUM>'' such that the workpiece <NUM> is subject to a bending moment.

<FIG> and <FIG> illustrate the secondary rotational axes <NUM>', <NUM>'' being set (adjusted) such that the secondary contact surfaces <NUM>', <NUM>'' form an angle α that is less than <NUM> degrees. The secondary contact surfaces <NUM>', <NUM>'' may thus form an obtuse angle allowing the workpiece <NUM> to be bent. After the workpiece <NUM> has been deformed, the bent angle β may equal the angle α of the secondary contact surfaces <NUM>', <NUM>".

The current secondary side pressing device <NUM> allows the rotational axes <NUM>', <NUM>" being set such that the circumferential contact surfaces <NUM>', <NUM>" form an angle α that is less than <NUM> degrees (<FIG>), such as a right angle or an acute angle (not illustrated).

The secondary side pressing device <NUM> may comprise drive means (not shown) for moving the first travel element <NUM>' relative to the secondary roller part support <NUM>. When the first travel element <NUM>' is moved, the rotational axis <NUM>' of the secondary side first roller part <NUM>' is adjusted, i.e. the direction or orientation of said axis <NUM>' in relation to the secondary roller part support <NUM> and in relation to the rotational axis <NUM>" of the secondary side second roller part <NUM>'' is changed.

The drive means may for example be embodied by an electric motor that is fixed to the secondary roller part support <NUM>. The electric motor may comprise a rotatable gear that engages teeth (not shown) provided on the first travel element <NUM>'. In other embodiments, such drive means may be omitted and the first travel element <NUM>' may be moved manually.

The optional electric motor, or a separate locking means (not shown), may be used to fix the position of the first travel element <NUM>' in relation to the secondary roller part support <NUM>.

Similarly, the side pressing device <NUM> may comprise drive means for moving the second travel element <NUM>'' relative to the secondary roller part support <NUM> to adjust the rotational axis <NUM>" of the secondary side second roller part <NUM>".

There may be separate drive means provided for the first and second travel elements <NUM>', <NUM>" such that the corresponding rotational axes <NUM>', <NUM>" are individually adjustable. The rotational axes <NUM>', <NUM>" may be adjusted by computer control means.

The secondary side roller parts <NUM>', <NUM>'' of the present embodiment have a diameter to width ratio of approximately <NUM>. Thus, the secondary side roller parts <NUM>', <NUM>'' have radial extensions exceeding the axial extensions.

The secondary side roller parts <NUM>', <NUM>'' of the present embodiment are enclosed by the arcuate path <NUM>. The radius of the arcuate path <NUM> exceeds the diameters of the secondary side roller parts <NUM>', <NUM>''. The arcuate path <NUM> may, as is shown, extend in the XZ plane.

The diameters of the secondary side roller parts <NUM>', <NUM>'' may in typical embodiments be <NUM> to <NUM> millimeters. In the current example, the diameters of the secondary side roller parts <NUM>', <NUM>'' are approximately <NUM> millimeters. Such diameters, or diameters of approximately <NUM> to <NUM> millimeters, are suitable for reshaping workpieces <NUM>, especially sheet metal workpieces, having a largest dimension of approximately <NUM> meter.

In the present embodiment, the secondary side roller parts <NUM>', <NUM>'' are frustoconical. The exemplary diameters given above may then refer to an average diameter of the secondary side roller parts <NUM>', <NUM>''. In more detail, the diameter of the secondary side roller parts <NUM>', <NUM>'' at a proximal axial end 24p', 24p'' may be <NUM> to <NUM> millimeters and the diameter of the secondary side roller parts <NUM>', <NUM>'' at a distal axial end 24d' may be <NUM> to <NUM> millimeters.

Referring to the above description of the arrangement <NUM> and the primary and secondary side pressing devices <NUM>, <NUM>, and to <FIG>, a method <NUM> of reshaping a workpiece <NUM> will next be described. The method <NUM> may be applicable to the arrangement <NUM> and the pressing devices <NUM>, <NUM> described herein or to similar devices of other, similar configurations. Not all features of the already described arrangement <NUM> and pressing devices <NUM>, <NUM>, which may be employed in the method, will be repeated.

The method comprises bringing <NUM> a primary side pressing device <NUM> in contact with the workpiece <NUM> on a primary side 90a of the workpiece <NUM> and bringing <NUM> a secondary side pressing device <NUM> in contact with the workpiece <NUM> on a secondary side 90b of the workpiece <NUM>.

The pressing devices <NUM>, <NUM> may be brought in contact with the workpiece by moving one of the pressing devices <NUM>, <NUM> or both pressing devices. In the current example, the primary side pressing device <NUM> is moved linearly straight into contact with the workpiece <NUM>. Thus, the method <NUM> may comprise moving the primary side pressing device <NUM> towards the secondary side pressing device <NUM> to clamp the workpiece between the primary side pressing device <NUM> and the secondary side pressing device <NUM>.

The primary side pressing device <NUM> may be moved by actuating the top support <NUM> drive means.

The method comprises moving <NUM> the workpiece <NUM> and/or the pressing devices <NUM>, <NUM> with respect to one another to obtain a mutual linear movement between the workpiece <NUM> and the pressing devices <NUM>, <NUM> along an operational direction Y'. In particular, the method may comprise moving <NUM> the workpiece <NUM> with respect to the pressing devices <NUM>, <NUM> such that a mutual linear movement is obtained between the workpiece <NUM> and the pressing devices <NUM>, <NUM> along an operational direction Y'. The operational direction Y' may be referred to as a movement direction Y'. The movement <NUM> may be a translatory movement.

The method further comprises plastically deforming <NUM> the workpiece <NUM> in a plane XZ that extends essentially transversally to the operational direction Y' by means of forces applied to the workpiece <NUM> by at least one of the pressing devices <NUM>, <NUM>.

The primary side pressing device <NUM> and/or the secondary side pressing device <NUM> may be movable in the XZ plane. The primary side pressing device <NUM> and/or the secondary side pressing device <NUM> may be movable only in said XZ plane. In the disclosed example, the primary side pressing device <NUM> is only movable only in the XZ plane whereas the secondary side pressing device <NUM> is spatially stationary.

Typically, the workpiece <NUM> is moved <NUM> along a predetermined line <NUM>. As has been described, the workpiece <NUM> may be scored <NUM> along said predetermined line <NUM> by the primary side pressing device <NUM>, and subsequently deformed (bent). Typically, the workpiece <NUM> is moved <NUM> along a non-straight, predetermined line <NUM>. When the workpiece <NUM> is scored <NUM> on a first (upper) side by the primary side pressing device <NUM>, the secondary side pressing device <NUM> functions as a support on the opposite (lower) side of the workpiece <NUM>. A subsequent deformation transversally the non-straight, predetermined line <NUM> may result in the formation of a composite pair of a convex and concave surfaces, as is described in the copending <CIT>.

In the current example, the workpiece <NUM> is made from sheet material. More precisely, the present workpiece <NUM> is made from a metal sheet, such as an aluminium (or "aluminum") sheet, a steel sheet or a stainless steel sheet. However, the workpiece <NUM> may be a plastic sheet material of e.g. polypropylene, PVC, polycarbonate or ABS.

In the figures, the workpiece <NUM> is initially a flat sheet, i.e. before being reshaped. Even though all physical objects are in effect three dimensional, the method can be said to involve reshaping the workpiece <NUM> from a two dimensional object into a three dimensional object. As described herein, the method may involve reshaping in several steps, therefore the method may also involve reshaping a three dimensional object into a three dimensional object of a different shape.

The workpiece <NUM> may be moved <NUM> by hand. The workpiece <NUM> may comprise an indication, such as a line or lines, which show an operator how the workpiece <NUM> is to be moved through the pressing devices <NUM>, <NUM>.

Alternatively, the workpiece <NUM> may be moved <NUM> by a robot. The robot may be instructed by a computer apparatus such that the movement occurs along the predetermined line <NUM>. The method <NUM> may thus involve a computer control means controlling the movement <NUM> of the workpiece <NUM> and also controlling other features, such as the adjustment of the rotational axes <NUM>', <NUM>" of the secondary side second roller parts <NUM>', <NUM>" (angle α) and the movement of the primary side roller part <NUM>.

Moving the workpiece <NUM> with respect to the pressing devices <NUM>, <NUM> may comprise applying a force to the workpiece <NUM> in the operational direction Y', i.e. pushing and/or pulling the workpiece <NUM> in the operational direction Y'. The operator or robot may push the workpiece through the pressing devices <NUM>, <NUM>.

Moving the workpiece <NUM> with respect to the pressing devices <NUM>, <NUM> may comprise bringing the freely rotationally journalled roller parts <NUM>, <NUM>', <NUM>'' to rotate by the movement of the workpiece <NUM>.

The method may comprise repeatedly moving <NUM> the workpiece <NUM> back and forth through the pressing devices <NUM>, <NUM>. Thereby, the workpiece <NUM> may be reshaped in steps. During the back and forth movement, the workpiece <NUM> may be stepwise plastically deformed <NUM> across the operational direction Y', i.e. in a plane XZ that extends transversally to the operational direction Y'.

As has been described, said plastic deforming <NUM> may involve applying a bending moment across the operational direction Y', i.e. in the XZ plane. The pressing devices <NUM>, <NUM> may exert a bending moment that is directed transversely to the operational direction Y'. The bending moment may thus be exerted transversely to the operational direction Y' (in the XZ plane).

As has been described, the secondary side pressing device <NUM> may comprise a secondary first and a second pressing part <NUM>', <NUM>'' that comprise individually adjustable contact surfaces <NUM>', <NUM>''. Plastically deforming <NUM> the workpiece <NUM> across the operational direction Y' by means of forces applied to the workpiece <NUM> by at least one of the pressing devices <NUM>, <NUM> may comprise adjusting an angle α between said contact surfaces <NUM>', <NUM>''.

The secondary first and second pressing part <NUM>', <NUM>'' may be embodied by the herein described secondary side first and second roller parts <NUM>', <NUM>". It is however conceivable to instead of rolling parts use, at the primary or secondary side, sliding parts that comprise the contact surfaces. Possibly, in such an embodiments lubricant needs to be added to reduce the friction.

The deformation <NUM> of the workpiece may result from the primary side pressing device <NUM> being pressed (in this example by the top support <NUM> drive means) towards the secondary side pressing device <NUM> such that the workpiece <NUM> conforms to the angle α between the secondary contact surfaces <NUM>', <NUM>''. The deformation <NUM> of the workpiece may alternatively, or in addition, result from the workpiece <NUM> being inserted (pushed) in-between the primary side pressing device <NUM> and the secondary side pressing device <NUM> such that the workpiece <NUM> conforms to the angle α between the secondary contact surfaces <NUM>', <NUM>" as the workpiece <NUM> is pushed in.

The angle α between the contact surfaces <NUM>', <NUM>" may be adjustable during operation, i.e. during the mutual linear movement. Alternatively, or in addition, the angle α between the contact surfaces <NUM>', <NUM>'' may be adjustable between successive passes of the workpiece <NUM> back and forth through the pressing devices <NUM>, <NUM>.

The angle α formed by the secondary contact surfaces <NUM>', <NUM>" may be referred to as a support angle α, a die angle α or an anvil angle α.

As has been mentioned, the method <NUM> may comprise scoring <NUM> the workpiece <NUM> by means of the primary side pressing device <NUM> to obtain the deformation instruction <NUM> for the subsequent plastic deformation <NUM>. Practical trials have shown that when a workpiece <NUM> e.g. in the form of a flat steel sheet material is scored along a line <NUM>, such as a curved line <NUM>, a subsequent bending moment applied transversally to the said line results in the formation of a bend along the line <NUM>, the line <NUM> thereby serving as a deformation instruction. By "bend along the line <NUM>" is meant that the bend, after the plastic deformation <NUM>, follows the line. Such scoring may be referred to as curve scoring and the bending may be referred to as curve bending.

As has been mentioned, the method <NUM> may be performed with the workpiece <NUM> being stationary.

The method <NUM> may comprise plastically deforming <NUM> the workpiece <NUM> until opposing edges thereof are brought into contact with one another.

The method <NUM> may comprise attaching <NUM> opposing edges of the workpiece <NUM> to one another, e.g. by welding. Alternatively, the opposing edges of the workpiece <NUM> may comprise attachment means for attaching <NUM> the opposing edges of the workpiece <NUM> to one another. Such attachment means may e.g. be one or more dove-tail features or similar attachment means for positive fit attachment. The method <NUM> may comprise firstly attaching the opposing edges by attachment means for positive fit attachment, and subsequently securing the edges by welding.

The method <NUM> may comprise reshaping the workpiece <NUM> from a flat sheet structure into a beam structure, as is schematically illustrated in <FIG>.

In <FIG>, a workpiece <NUM> in the form of a flat sheet is provided. Next, the workpiece <NUM> may be cut into a desired shape shown in <FIG>.

Notably, the non-straight dashed lines <NUM> (deformation instruction) indicated in <FIG> may be provided on the workpiece <NUM> before the workpiece <NUM> is brought to the pressing devices <NUM>, <NUM> (or to the arrangement <NUM>). In this situation, an operator or a robot may follow the lines <NUM> with the primary side pressing device <NUM> such that deformation instructions are produced on the workpiece <NUM>. <FIG> shows an example of a hollow beam structure that is the result reshaping the cut workpiece of <FIG> in accordance with the present method <NUM>. The method <NUM> may comprise attaching <NUM> the opposing edges of the hollow beam structure to one another by welding.

As has been mentioned, the present method and apparatuses allow for reshaping a flat workpiece into a bent structure (intermediate product shape) and subsequently reshaping the bent structure into a final product shape.

For example, the hollow beam structure of <FIG> may not be producible without an intermediate product shape being formed and subsequently reoriented or repositioned for further reshaping. Thus, the workpiece <NUM> of <FIG> may first be bent to a certain degree, following the lines <NUM>, to form an intermediate product. Next, the pressing devices <NUM>, <NUM> may be separated approximately <NUM> millimeters and the intermediate product be reoriented by being turned approximately <NUM> degrees e.g. around the Y axis. Finally the pressing devices <NUM>, <NUM> may again be brought closer to one another to continue forming (bending) the intermediate product by the primary side pressing device <NUM> pressing towards one of the sidewalls of the intermediate product (without scoring the sidewall) while the secondary side pressing device <NUM> acts as a support.

The intermediate product may be bent by the contact surfaces <NUM>', <NUM>'' of the secondary side pressing device <NUM> forming a nip and the primary side pressing device <NUM> pushing the intermediate product into the nip. In this situation, the contact surfaces <NUM>', <NUM>" of the secondary side pressing device <NUM> essentially act as pliers.

The pressing devices <NUM>, <NUM> may be separated and be brought closer to one another by actuation of the top support <NUM> drive means to move the primary side pressing device <NUM>.

<FIG> shows a workpiece <NUM> in the form of a flat sheet. <FIG> shows the workpiece <NUM> cut into a desired shape and <FIG> shows a beam structure, more precisely a chair backrest, which is the result reshaping the cut workpiece of <FIG> in accordance with the present method <NUM>. To strengthen the chair backrest, sections of the workpiece <NUM> may be attached to one another, e.g. by welding.

Typically, sections of the workpiece <NUM> that as a result of the reshaping come into contact with another may be attached to one another, e.g. by welding, for example laser welding. The arrangement <NUM>, for example the primary side pressing device <NUM> may comprise laser welding equipment.

<FIG> shows a workpiece <NUM> in the form of a flat sheet. <FIG> schematically illustrates the workpiece <NUM> cut into a desired shape and <FIG> shows a chassis for a two-wheeled vehicle that has been formed from the cut workpiece <NUM>. To strengthen chassis, several sections of the workpiece <NUM> may be attached to one another, e.g. by welding. The chassis of <FIG> may not be producible without an intermediate product shape being, possible several times, reoriented or repositioned for further reshaping.

As is clear from <FIG>, the present method and apparatuses make possible a bidirectional reshaping of a sheet material workpiece. Practical trials have shown that when a workpiece <NUM> e.g. in the form of a flat steel sheet material is scored along a curved line <NUM>, and subsequently bent, the portion of the reshaped structure that comprises the line <NUM> will be bent in two dimensions. Thus, the sheet material workpiece has been reshaped into a bidirectional form.

<FIG> shows a second, alternative, embodiment of the above described arrangement <NUM>. Reference number <NUM> is used for both the first and the second embodiments of the arrangement. Similar to the first embodiment of <FIG>, the second embodiment of the arrangement <NUM> generally extends in the flat XZ plane. When being reshaped, a workpiece <NUM> may move through the XZ plane of the arrangement <NUM> along an operational direction Y' (indicated in <FIG>). Furthermore, the extension of the arrangement <NUM> of <FIG> in the XZ plane substantially exceeds its extensions in any other planes.

The foundation structure of <FIG> consist of a beam framework and may thus provide better stability than the three beams of <FIG>. In the second embodiment, the base support <NUM> is not formed by a separate column but is formed by a pair of horizontal beams forming part of the beam framework and a box shaped support structure housing the components <NUM>, <NUM>-<NUM> that hold the secondary side roller parts <NUM>', <NUM>''. As is shown, the box shaped support structure may comprise a pivotable support table <NUM>, two are shown in <FIG>, that may be erected to provide lateral support for the workpiece <NUM>. The support table(s) <NUM> may, as shown, be provided with conveyor balls.

The top support <NUM> drive means of <FIG> extends above the frame support <NUM>. The top support <NUM> of <FIG> is configured such that the primary side pressing device <NUM>, in the withdrawn position of the top support <NUM> drive means, may be brought essentially all the way into contact with the frame support <NUM>. In contrast thereto, the top support <NUM> drive means of <FIG> does not extend above the frame support <NUM>. The top support <NUM> <FIG> is of a telescopic design.

In the embodiment of <FIG>, an example of a tool exchange mechanism for the primary side pressing device <NUM> is shown. The primary roller part support <NUM> comprises a plate structure that may be slid in and out of engagement with a tool holder that is attached to the top support <NUM>. The tool exchange mechanism facilitates an exchange of the primary side pressing device <NUM> to one that is most suitable for scoring a particular workpiece or, in some situations, for applying a force to a workpiece without scoring the workpiece. An example of such a pressing device <NUM> (primary side roller part <NUM>) is illustrated in <FIG>.

Claim 1:
A method (<NUM>) of reshaping a workpiece (<NUM>) comprising
bringing (<NUM>) a primary side pressing device (<NUM>) in contact with the workpiece (<NUM>) on a primary side (90a) of the workpiece (<NUM>),
bringing (<NUM>) a secondary side pressing device (<NUM>) in contact with the workpiece (<NUM>) on a secondary side (90b) of the workpiece (<NUM>),
moving (<NUM>) the workpiece (<NUM>) and/or the pressing devices (<NUM>, <NUM>) with respect to one another to obtain a mutual linear movement between the workpiece (<NUM>) and the pressing devices (<NUM>, <NUM>) along an operational direction (Y'), and
plastically deforming (<NUM>) the workpiece (<NUM>) in a plane (XZ) that extends transversally to the operational direction (Y') by means of forces applied to the workpiece (<NUM>) by at least one of the pressing devices (<NUM>, <NUM>),
characterised in that moving (<NUM>) the workpiece (<NUM>) and/or the pressing devices (<NUM>, <NUM>) with respect to one another to obtain a mutual linear movement between the workpiece (<NUM>) and the pressing devices (<NUM>, <NUM>) along an operational direction (Y') involves movement along a predetermined, non-straight line (<NUM>).