Apparatus and associated methodology contemplating a portable sheet metal folding apparatus that folds a sheet metal panel profile into a different predetermined shape, the profile having straight elements joined together by arcs. The apparatus has consecutive roller die sets configured to perform a series of folds on a first element of the profile toward a second element of the profile. Each roller die set has opposing roller dies operably contacting only the first and second elements, not contacting any arc. The opposing roller dies are arranged to define a minimal gap between them equal to or more than the radius of the arc joining the first and second elements together. The gap provides a material relief space that is sized to clearingly permit the arc to positionally shift during folding to relieve stress and strain.

A tool includes an upper tool having a clamping shaft and an upper main body that lie on a common positioning axis, a processing tool opposite the clamping shaft that has at least one processing edge that extends at least partially along a holding-down surface of the main upper body, a lower tool having a lower main body with a rest surface for the workpiece and a lower positioning axis oriented perpendicular to the rest surface, a counter tool body on the lower main body, the counter tool body having a counter roller with at least one counter edge opposite the at least one processing edge of the processing tool, and a processing device adjacent to the at least one counter edge that has at least one curved counter surface oriented in the longitudinal direction of the processing edge of the processing tool.

A sheet metal bending machine includes a sheet metal presser defining a first support surface supporting a first sheet metal portion, a bending punch movable with respect to the first support surface between a passive position, in which it is raised with respect to the first support surface, and an active position, in which it is pressed against the first support surface to lock the first sheet metal portion on the sheet metal presser with a punch edge, and a bending die defining a second support surface. The presser and the die are movable with respect to one another substantially in parallel with a direction transverse to the first and second bending edges to switch from the partial to a complete sheet metal bending configuration, in which the distance is reduced to press partially curved section towards said punch edge, thereby deforming it further and increasing the curvature of sheet.

A hemming path planning method and a hemming system are provided. The hemming path planning method includes the following steps. An initial contour data of a target is scanned to obtain. A first segment of the hemming path is planned according to the initial contour data. The first segment corresponds to a first bending angle. A second segment of the hemming path is planned according to the initial contour data and an expected springback amount related to the first bending angle. The second segment corresponds to a second bending angle. The first segment and the second segment are combined to obtain a continuous hemming path.

A method of forming a vehicle panel includes deforming a sheet metal workpiece between stamping tools to form a first and second edges that converge at a corner of the workpiece's main surface. The first edge is defined by a junction of the main surface and a first flange. The second edge is defined the main surface and a second flange. Forming the first and second edges includes deforming the workpiece so that the second flange has a first region bent to a first angle relative to the main surface and an unwinding region bent to an angle that unwinds from the first region as the second flange approaches the corner. The method includes deforming the workpiece between a second set of stamping tools that deform the first flange and the unwinding region of the second flange until the first and second flanges are bent greater than 90°.

A sheet metal hemming device is provided. The sheet metal hemming device includes a frame and a rolling wheel, a bearing wheel, a first rotating shaft, a second rotating shaft, a sliding block, an arc-shaped guide rail and a driver which are disposed on the frame. The rolling wheel is disposed on the first rotating shaft, the bearing wheel is disposed on the second rotating shaft, and an angle is formed between the rolling wheel and the bearing wheel. The sliding block is slidable relative to the arc-shaped guide rail and is connected to the rolling wheel via the first rotating shaft. The driver is connected to the sliding block for driving the sliding block to slide along the arc-shaped guide rail to adjust the angle between the rolling wheel and the bearing wheel.

A gas-charging and flanging machine (10) includes a sealed chamber (13a). The gas-charging and flanging machine is used for carrying out, inside the sealed chamber, charging of a gas into a workpiece (20) and flanging of the workpiece (20) by spinning and pressing. The gas-charging and flanging machine charges a gas into a workpiece and flanges the workpiece on the same machine such that production efficiency can be improved.

Apparatus, systems, methods, and articles of manufacture are disclosed herein that flexibly form variable component geometries in a roll-forming process. An example roll-forming apparatus includes a forming unit to move along a stationary component to form a cross-section in the component, a first roll operatively coupled to the forming unit to engage the component, and a second roll operatively coupled to the forming unit to set a forming angle for movement along the component, the component formed between the first roll and the second roll.

A method of forming a vehicle panel includes deforming a sheet metal workpiece between stamping tools to form a first and second edges that converge at a corner of the workpiece's main surface. The first edge is defined by a junction of the main surface and a first flange. The second edge is defined the main surface and a second flange. Forming the first and second edges includes deforming the workpiece so that the second flange has a first region bent to a first angle relative to the main surface and an unwinding region bent to an angle that unwinds from the first region as the second flange approaches the corner. The method includes deforming the workpiece between a second set of stamping tools that deform the first flange and the unwinding region of the second flange until the first and second flanges are bent greater than 90°.

A sheet metal hemming device is provided. The sheet metal hemming device includes a frame and a rolling wheel, a bearing wheel, a first rotating shaft, a second rotating shaft, a sliding block, an arc-shaped guide rail and a driver which are disposed on the frame. The rolling wheel is disposed on the first rotating shaft, the bearing wheel is disposed on the second rotating shaft, and an angle is formed between the rolling wheel and the bearing wheel. The sliding block is slidable relative to the arc-shaped guide rail and is connected to the rolling wheel via the first rotating shaft. The driver is connected to the sliding block for driving the sliding block to slide along the arc-shaped guide rail to adjust the angle between the rolling wheel and the bearing wheel.