Flat pinch hemming of aluminum panels
US6672121B2 · kind B2 · utility
14Cited by
6References
16Claims
0Family size
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Apr 15, 2002 |
| Grant date | Jan 6, 2004 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jun 28, 2022 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10T29/53791
- WIPO fieldMachine tools
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A method is disclosed for forming a hem flange in an aluminum alloy sheet during the forming of the sheet into a panel that is intended to be attached to a second panel by hemming. The hem flange is formed by fluid pressure over a small radius tool portion to bend the flange from the sheet material and stretch the flange material below the bend to form a thinned hemline valley in the material. The original bend and thinned valley cooperate during the folding of the flange around the second panel to form a flat pinched hem without cracking or fracturing the flange material.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.