Patent ID: 7263757

Claim:
A method of applying electromagnetic force (EMF) for hemming together edges of at least two metal panels to form an edge hemmed panel assembly, the method comprising: holding at least first and second metal panels with edges aligned in mated face engagement, the first panel having a flange portion bent at an angle from the mated edge of the first panel across and beyond the mated edge of the second panel; positioning an EMF hemming coil closely opposite an outer face of the flange; and energizing the coil to generate eddy currents in the flange that form opposing magnetic fields in the flange and bend the flange away from the coil to form a finished hem of the first panel around an associated edge of the second panel; wherein the holding step includes holding the panels in a combined trimming, flanging and hemming fixture and the method steps include: energizing an EMF holding coil to hold an addendum portion of the first panel against a trimming member; energizing an EMF trimming and flanging coil to trim the addendum portion from the flange by forcing the flange against a sharp edge of the trimming member and bending the flange to said angle by continued EMF force of the second coil; and moving a coil member carrying the hemming coil to position the hemming coil opposite the flange and performing the energizing step to form the finished hem.