Patent ID: 8499604

Claim:
An apparatus for in-line manufacturing of duct blanks from a metal web, comprising: a lower platen; an upper platen vertically and pivotally movable toward and away from the lower platen; a table horizontally and vertically movable toward and away from the lower platen, the table including a lower insert movable between a retracted position fully housed within the table and a fully extended position protruding above the table; a clamp beam horizontally movable with the table and vertically movable toward and away from the table, the clamp beam including a groove extending across the lateral width of the clamp beam in horizontal alignment with the lower insert of the table such that, in the fully extended position, the lower insert is inserted into the groove; and a leaf horizontally movable with the table and pivotally and vertically movable relative to the table, the leaf including a clinching tool; and a controller operatively connected to control the movements of the upper platen, the table, the clamp beam, and the leaf.