Forming of metal structural members
US5176019A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Aug 16, 1990 |
| Grant date | Jan 5, 1993 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Aug 16, 2010 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB21D5/083
- WIPO fieldMachine tools
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A structural member having a complex shape, such as a return flange z-shape, is manufactured by confining a longitudinally-extending mid-portion of a metal strip between a pair of forming mandrels and running the mandrels and the strip as a unitary workpiece from pass-to-pass of a roll forming machine progressively to form the sheet metal about surfaces of both mandrels. The metal strip and the formed part may have a uniform thickness or may have varying thicknesses. The cross-sectional distribution of the metal mass along the length of the structural member may be modified from the original strip. The structural member may have one or more joggles using a mandrel or mandrels having a complementary recess for each joggle to be formed. In such case, one or more of the passes includes a forming roll assembly that is strongly biased, and or resiliently self-biased, toward each recessed portion of the mandrel to force the sheet metal into each such recess to complete the formation of a joggle. Joggles may be formed in structural members having shapes other than z-shapes. Equipment used in the manufacture of the structural members includes roll stands having appropriately-shaped forming…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.