A plant for producing a structured cross-channel packing element. The structured cross-channel packing element comprises at least two adjacent layers made of expanded metal sheets each comprising periodic deformations. The plant comprises a stretching machine configured to cut and stretch a metal sheet to form one of a plurality of first expanded metal sheets, a calibration machine configured to roll the first expanded metal sheets to a desired thickness, a sheet storage unit configured to directly receive each of the first expanded metal sheets rolled in the calibration machine, a forming machine configured to form each of the first expanded metal sheets to form the expanded metal sheets comprising periodic deformations, and a stacking machine configured to stack the expanded metal sheets comprising periodic deformations to form the structured cross-channel packing element. The sheet storage unit is configured to release the first expanded metal sheets directly to the forming machine.

A plant for producing a structured cross-channel packing element. The structured cross-channel packing element comprises at least two adjacent layers made of expanded metal sheets each comprising periodic deformations. The plant comprises a stretching machine configured to cut and stretch a metal sheet to form one of a plurality of first expanded metal sheets, a calibration machine configured to roll the first expanded metal sheets to a desired thickness, a sheet storage unit configured to directly receive each of the first expanded metal sheets rolled in the calibration machine, a forming machine configured to form each of the first expanded metal sheets to form the expanded metal sheets comprising periodic deformations, and a stacking machine configured to stack the expanded metal sheets comprising periodic deformations to form the structured cross-channel packing element. The sheet storage unit is configured to release the first expanded metal sheets directly to the forming machine.

A zero-scrap method and associating tooling for manufacturing can bodies is provided. A metal sheet is shorn into strips, and each strip is wound to form a cylindrical tube. Each tube is cut into two or more can bodies using a zigzagged pattern, such that each can body has one planar edge and one zigzagged edge with triangular formations. Each can body is mounted on a mounting base for support while steps are performed to form the zigzagged edge into the can body base. A folding die folds the triangular formations until their apexes all coincide with one another and with the central axis of the can body. A flattening die then flattens the folded formation into a flat end of the can body. A friction stir welding assembly then stir welds the entire flat end of the can body at one time in order to seal all seams.

A zero-scrap method and associating tooling for manufacturing can bodies is provided. A metal sheet is shorn into strips, and each strip is wound to form a cylindrical tube. Each tube is cut into two or more can bodies using a zigzagged pattern, such that each can body has one planar edge and one zigzagged edge with triangular formations. Each can body is mounted on a mounting base for support while steps are performed to form the zigzagged edge into the can body base. A folding die folds the triangular formations until their apexes all coincide with one another and with the central axis of the can body. A flattening die then flattens the folded formation into a flat end of the can body. A friction stir welding assembly then stir welds the entire flat end of the can body at one time in order to seal all seams.

A baseboard element including a nose portion, a riser portion coupled to the nose portion, and a wall groove portion coupled to the riser portion. The nose portion includes a nose bottom section and a nose face section. The riser portion includes a riser section approximately perpendicular to the nose bottom section. The nose portion is positioned only on a first side of the riser section, and the wall groove portion is positioned only on a second side of the riser section, the second side opposite the first side. The nose bottom section comprises a nose bottom edge that is located at a terminal end of the nose bottom section and that is located closer to a plane defined by the riser section than the nose face section is to the plane. Other embodiments are also provided.

A bending method for bending the arrester tabs by providing a first battery cell having a first arrester tab and a second battery cell having a second arrester tab, and bending the first arrester tab and the second arrester tab differently. The bending comprises the steps of: providing a first and a second holding device for holding a first and a second end portion respectively of the arrester tab to be bent, the holding devices being relatively movable with a computer-controlled relative moving device; holding the first arrester tab with the holding device and controlling the relative movement device to bend the first arrester tab into a first bent shape; and holding the second arrester tab with the holding device and controlling the relative movement device differently from the previous step to bend the second arrester tab into a second bent shape different from the first bent shape.

A bending method for bending the arrester tabs by providing a first battery cell having a first arrester tab and a second battery cell having a second arrester tab, and bending the first arrester tab and the second arrester tab differently. The bending comprises the steps of: providing a first and a second holding device for holding a first and a second end portion respectively of the arrester tab to be bent, the holding devices being relatively movable with a computer-controlled relative moving device; holding the first arrester tab with the holding device and controlling the relative movement device to bend the first arrester tab into a first bent shape; and holding the second arrester tab with the holding device and controlling the relative movement device differently from the previous step to bend the second arrester tab into a second bent shape different from the first bent shape.

This stiffener is intended for a fuselage. It comprises a hollow section that can be trapezoidal, with a base attached to the fuselage or to the floor, high enough rising sides and a top side contributing to the rigidity and cohesion of the stiffener. A direct assembly with the fuselage is possible. The base is made of two edges provided one on the other or in front of the other. This rigid stiffener, in spite of its discontinuous section, can be manufactured by simple foldings of a planar metal sheet at the beginning.

This stiffener is intended for a fuselage. It comprises a hollow section that can be trapezoidal, with a base attached to the fuselage or to the floor, high enough rising sides and a top side contributing to the rigidity and cohesion of the stiffener. A direct assembly with the fuselage is possible. The base is made of two edges provided one on the other or in front of the other. This rigid stiffener, in spite of its discontinuous section, can be manufactured by simple foldings of a planar metal sheet at the beginning.

A roller hemming tool having a main hollow body including a first end for fastening to a robot and a second end having a secondary body which, in turn, includes at least one roller. The tool also includes the following elements which are axially distributed therein: a load cell on the first end; a die in contact with the load cell; a first cylinder in contact with the die; a second cylinder to which the secondary body is fastened; an elastic means in contact with the first cylinder and the second cylinder; and a cap limiting the axial movement of the second cylinder. When in use, the roller continuously exerts pressure in an axial direction, said pressure being successively transmitted to the secondary body, the second cylinder, the elastic means, the first cylinder, the die and up to the load cell.