A SWEEP FORMING ASSEMBLY, A BUMPER AND A METHOD OF MANUFACTURE THEREOF

摘要

A method and apparatus produces a roll formed bumper member comprising of a metal material. A strip bumper structure (40) is fed into a forming assembly (10) along a line level. The bumper structure has the predetermined transverse cross section and an assembly straight longitudinal configuration. The forming assembly has a driven support roller (16) and a èair of driven cooperating flexing rollers (18,20). A first roller (18) of the pair of flexing rollers is positioned to defect the bumper structure (40) out of the line level. A second roller (20) of the pair of flexing rollers is mounted to revolve about the first roller (18). The support roller (16) and the pair of cooperating flexing rollers (18,20) are driven for feeding the bumper structure (40) between the pair of cooperating and counter rotating flexing rollers (16,18,20). Revolving the second flexing roller (20) about the first flexing roller (18) flexes the bumper structure (40) between the support roller (16) and the first flexing roller (18) imparting a permanent longitudinal curvature to the bumper structure (40). A bumper with a sweep of 80 is also disclosed.