| 摘要 |
A process for forming a variable gauge metal sheet into a desired shape. The variable gauge metal sheet has a first surface and a second surface, having a thickness measured at any point on the metal sheet as the distance between the first surface and the second surface, and with the thickness of the metal sheet being different over a first portion of the sheet than over a second portion of the sheet. The process comprises forming said metal sheet into a first desired shape by bending the metal sheet about a first fold line extending through both the first portion and the second portion, to bring segments of the first surface of the metal sheet on either side of the first fold line into increased opposition with each other. The bending of the metal sheet is effected by holding the metal sheet on a first clamped side of the first fold line secured between a first clamping die and a second clamping die while applying forces to the second surface of the metal sheet on a second moved side of the first fold line. The first clamping die has a first engagement surface which engages the first surface of the metal sheet and is a complementary mirror image to a surface contour of the first surface of the metal sheet that it engages. The second clamping die has second engagement surface which engages the second surface of the metal sheet and is a complementary mirror image to a surface contour of the second surface of the metal sheet that it engages. |
