Method and apparatus for sheet-metal processing
US5359872A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Aug 28, 1992 |
| Grant date | Nov 1, 1994 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Aug 28, 2012 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB29C2035/0838
- WIPO fieldMachine tools
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
The portion to be deformed of a metal sheet is heated by irradiating it with a laser beam which is scanned at a high speed, and, when the portion to be deformed has attained a predetermined temperature, a bending force is applied to the portion to be bent to perform bending of the metal sheet. When the shape of a metal sheet is to be worked into a circular arc of 90.degree. having a predetermined radius by means of six bending processes, the metal sheet is worked such that the working process is divided into six processes and the bending processes are sequentially performed after fixing a metal sheet edge of the metal sheet. The yield strength of a steel material is reduced when it is heated and a metal sheet is worked using a laser by which a local heating is possible. Dies are therfore unnecessary, whereby processing at low costs and an apparatus therefor may be achieved.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.