Method and tool for making a flange on a wire mesh component

摘要

The method forms a flange in three steps. An oversize blank is cut from the mesh material. The edge of the blank is bent over approximately at right angles to the plane to form a skirt; which is then compressed in a direction approximately at right angles to the plane of the component, to produce a flange which is thicker than the parent mesh material. The press tool has upper and lower platens (46, 68) which incorporate a spring-loaded former (50) and a spring-loaded pressure plate (40) between which the mesh (12C) is clamped as the press stroke commences. The pressure plate springs compress allowing a sleeve (38) to descent around the former, cut the periphery of the blank, and form the skirt (12B). As the stroke continues, the former springs compress allowing a fixed sleeve (44a) to enter the gap between the cutter sleeve and the former, and compress the mesh skirt.