摘要 |
A hemming machine for simultaneously bending a flange on a first panel into engagement with an edge portion of a second panel to form a hem, and at least partially curing an adhesive located in the hem. The flange bending members and/or the top surface of the panel support nest of the present invention are heated using electric cartridge heaters, hot oil, or electric heating cables, for example. During the hemming operation the nested panels are in constant direct contact with the panel support nest, and the heated flange bending members are in direct contact with the hem for approximately 3 to 6 seconds (dwell time is dependent on whether the die blocks are heated or if the die blocks are heating in conjunction with the top surface of the panel support nest), which is generally sufficient to at least partially cure the adhesive located in the hem, thereby reducing the incidence of panel shift during subsequent transfer through the manufacturing process using conveyors, racks etc. By combining the hemming and heating/curing operation of adhesive bonded hems into a single machine and operation, significant savings in machines and assembly time are realized.
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