Patent ID: 8511178

Claim:
A test machine for testing an elongated planar metal sample that has two planar sides and a sidewall extending between the planar sides for suitability for use in a flanging operation in which a flange is stretched while the flange is formed, the test machine comprising: a mandrel; a first clamping element engaging one planar side of the sample and a second clamping element engaging the other planar side of the sample, wherein the first and second clamping elements are a plurality of washers assembled to the mandrel that secure the sample to the mandrel, wherein the first and second clamping elements engage an intermediate portion of the sample that is secured with the sidewall against the mandrel; and a first bending member and a second bending member engage a first end portion and a second end portion of the sidewall of the sample on opposite ends of the intermediate portion of the sample to bend the sample about the mandrel, and wherein the sidewall between the first end portion and second end portion is stretched while the first and second bending members bend the sample.