A method of manufacturing a complex-shaped metal part, including the steps of applying a metallic sheath around a sheet metal workpiece and applying an electric current through the workpiece in the metallic sheath to heat the workpiece. The method also includes shaping the workpiece in the metallic sheath into a complex-shaped metal part while it is being heated. The shaping can be performed between two ceramic dies or using other techniques for forming complex shapes and curvatures into the workpiece. The method then may include cooling the complex-shaped metal part and removing the metallic sheath from the complex-shaped metal part. This method can allow reactive and refractory material to be safely heated without oxidation when heating/forming in air when the workpiece is sealed within a sacrificial stainless steel or nickel alloy envelope to protect the enclosed workpiece.

A formed sheet metal material (100) and methods, tools (1, 2, 8) and apparatus for forming the sheet metal material (100) in which a pattern of projections and depressions are cold worked in a first portion (101) and, simultaneously, indicia (103) is embossed in a second portion (102) of the sheet material (100). The cold worked portion (101) is formed with the projections and depression configured and distributed such that lines drawn on a surface of the formed sheet material (100) between adjacent rows of projections and depressions are not rectilinear. The indicia (103) is indicative of the alignment between the tools (1, 2, 8).

A formed sheet metal material (100) and methods, tools (1, 2, 8) and apparatus for forming the sheet metal material (100) in which a pattern of projections and depressions are cold worked in a first portion (101) and, simultaneously, indicia (103) is embossed in a second portion (102) of the sheet material (100). The cold worked portion (101) is formed with the projections and depression configured and distributed such that lines drawn on a surface of the formed sheet material (100) between adjacent rows of projections and depressions are not rectilinear. The indicia (103) is indicative of the alignment between the tools (1, 2, 8).

There is provided a press brake (1) that, if subjecting a workpiece (90) having non-uniform thickness to bending, can efficiently give uniform curvature to the workpiece (90). The press brake (1) includes: a die (2) supporting the workpiece (90); a punch supporting member (4) arranged so as to be opposed to the die (2); a moving mechanism (5) that moves the punch supporting member (4) relative to the die (2); a punch (3) that is supported by the punch supporting member (4), is opposed to the die (2) or the workpiece (90) in a relative movement direction of the punch supporting member (4), and includes punch elements (3a) lined up in a direction orthogonal to the relative movement direction; and punch element adjusting mechanisms that are disposed so as to correspond to the respective punch elements (3a) and adjusts positions of the punch elements (3a) relative to the punch supporting member (4) in the relative movement direction.

There is provided a press brake (1) that, if subjecting a workpiece (90) having non-uniform thickness to bending, can efficiently give uniform curvature to the workpiece (90). The press brake (1) includes: a die (2) supporting the workpiece (90); a punch supporting member (4) arranged so as to be opposed to the die (2); a moving mechanism (5) that moves the punch supporting member (4) relative to the die (2); a punch (3) that is supported by the punch supporting member (4), is opposed to the die (2) or the workpiece (90) in a relative movement direction of the punch supporting member (4), and includes punch elements (3a) lined up in a direction orthogonal to the relative movement direction; and punch element adjusting mechanisms that are disposed so as to correspond to the respective punch elements (3a) and adjusts positions of the punch elements (3a) relative to the punch supporting member (4) in the relative movement direction.

An elongated securement member for enabling the accurate alignment and securement of a first plate and a second plate together through a configured bore arranged therebetween, the elongated securement member having a first for securement member upper end and a second or securement member lower end. The first or securement member having a longitudinal axis, the upper end of which also having a tapered or wedge inducing non-cylindrical portion, the second or securement member lower end having a threaded portion of a diameter D1 and a middle cylindrical portion of a diameter D2, and an annularly arranged channel formed at a juncture of the tapered or wedge inducing non-cylindrical portion of the securement member upper end and the middle cylindrical portion of diameter D1 of the securement member.

An elongated securement member for enabling the accurate alignment and securement of a first plate and a second plate together through a configured bore arranged therebetween, the elongated securement member having a first for securement member upper end and a second or securement member lower end. The first or securement member having a longitudinal axis, the upper end of which also having a tapered or wedge inducing non-cylindrical portion, the second or securement member lower end having a threaded portion of a diameter D1 and a middle cylindrical portion of a diameter D2, and an annularly arranged channel formed at a juncture of the tapered or wedge inducing non-cylindrical portion of the securement member upper end and the middle cylindrical portion of diameter D1 of the securement member.

Disclosed is a forming system having a first die assembly and a second die assembly with dies having die surfaces that are configured to cooperate with each other to form a die cavity therebetween so as to receive a workpiece therein. One or both of the dies includes a heater insert member that has a serpentine groove therein for receiving a flexible heater member. The flexible heater member is configured to conform with the shape of the serpentine groove. The heater insert member is position adjacent to the die surface and provides more uniform heating of the surface to form complex 3D surfaces with tailored properties.

A modular roller hemming system having a base assembly, a replaceable anvil, a spider arm assembly, a plurality of support arms for supporting the spider arm assembly, and a plurality of repositionable unit tools. The anvil is 3-D printed of a polymer composite material and may be replaced with similarly manufactured anvils having different form factors for receiving various shaped and dimensioned workpiece assemblies. The plurality of support arms are repositionable on the base assembly, the spider arm assembly is reconfigurable, and the plurality of unit tools are moveable to accommodate various anvils having different form factors. The support arms includes an upper segment that is detachable from the lower segment to facilitate the changeover of anvils.

A modular roller hemming system having a base assembly, a replaceable anvil, a spider arm assembly, a plurality of support arms for supporting the spider arm assembly, and a plurality of repositionable unit tools. The anvil is 3-D printed of a polymer composite material and may be replaced with similarly manufactured anvils having different form factors for receiving various shaped and dimensioned workpiece assemblies. The plurality of support arms are repositionable on the base assembly, the spider arm assembly is reconfigurable, and the plurality of unit tools are moveable to accommodate various anvils having different form factors. The support arms includes an upper segment that is detachable from the lower segment to facilitate the changeover of anvils.