Reciprocating devices for forming, folding, and/or hemming and methods therefor

摘要

A hem is formed in two abutting surfaces of a work piece in a two-pass process in which the work piece is pre-hemmed by a reciprocating tool in a first pass and in which the hem is then formed from the pre-hem by the same reciprocating tool in a second pass upon inversion of the work piece. In especially preferred aspects, the reciprocating tool has an angled contact surface that cooperates with a corresponding static tool.

主权项

1. A forming device operable upon at least one workpiece, collectively having first and second ends, comprising:
a first tool having a first angled contact surface and a second tool having a second angled contact surface that is complementary to the first angled contact surface; wherein the first tool and the second tool are reciprocally operable with respect to one another such that the first angled contact surface and the second angled contact surface cooperate to simultaneously bend the first and second ends into a first bend of less than 170 degrees, wherein the first tool has a central axis and reciprocates along the central axis which is at an angle relative to a central axis of the second tool and the first tool having a third angled contact surface and the second tool having a fourth angled contact surface that is complementary to the third angled contact surface; wherein the first tool and the second tool are reciprocally operable with respect to one another such that the third angled contact surface and the fourth angled contact surface cooperate to simultaneously increase an angle of the first bend to at least 170 degrees upon inversion of the workpiece relative to the first and second tools.