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 die adjustment mechanism, includes a base, the base is provided with a die that can apply pressure on the workpiece. The die includes multiple modules arranged sequentially and capable of sliding laterally relative to the base. The base is further provided with a slide rest/slide rests capable of sliding laterally relative to the base. Each slide rest is provided with a shifting fork which can be clamped with a module or can be clamped between two adjacent modules. Each slide rest is provided with a drive component capable of driving the shifting fork to be clamped with the module or be clamped between the two adjacent modules. Using this mechanism, bending and pressing of multiple sides of the metal plate can be completed by the same machine and the production efficiency is greatly improved.

An actuating device for actuating a contractible element for a bending element of an industrial machine for bending metal elements comprises a lower component and an upper component apt to move relative to each other from a first position to a second position, the actuation device including a connecting plate configured to be connected to the lower component of the contractible element. A rack and pinion gear unit is also set out and includes a pinion having an axis, at least a first rack and a second rack actuated simultaneously by the pinion. The first rack is configured to be fixed to the upper component and the second rack is configured to be coupled to the connecting plate. The pinion is operable in a first direction of rotation to move the first rack and the second rack transverse to the axis in opposite directions. The pinion is operable in a second direction of rotation, contrary to the first one, to move the racks in opposite directions towards a second position.

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 production installation for producing workpieces from sheet metal by forming in a bending operation includes a bending machine and a clamping tool having at least one lower clamping jaw and an upper clamping jaw set including first upper clamping jaws and a second upper clamping jaw. The second upper clamping jaw has a clamping jaw part at each of the two second upper clamping jaw end sections, the clamping jaw parts being movable from a working to a pull-out position. At least one first upper clamping jaw is arranged on both sides of the second upper clamping jaw. The first upper clamping jaws have a first horn at each of the first end regions of the first upper clamping jaws facing away from the second upper clamping jaw. A method adapts a total length of a bending edge of a clamping jaw set of this production installation.

A tool-changing unit for a production plant for forming sheet metal using a bending operation. The tool-changing unit includes a tool-holding device having a carrier body and a number n of tool-holding modules arranged directly next to one another and held on the carrier body. Each one of the tool-holding modules includes a first coupler and a first actuating device cooperating therewith as a component of a coupling device, wherein the first coupler can be brought into coupling engagement and out of coupling engagement with an individual clamping jaw of a clamping jaw set. Moreover, a production plant has the tool-changing unit and the clamping jaw a method changes tools.

An actuating device is disclosed for actuating a contractible element for a bending element of an industrial machine for bending metal elements provided with a lower component and an upper component apt to move relative to each other from a first position to a second position, the actuation device including a connecting plate configured to be connected to the lower component of the contractible element. A rack and pinion gear unit is also set out and includes a pinion having an axis, at least a first rack and a second rack actuated simultaneously by the pinion. The first rack is configured to be fixed to the upper component and the second rack is configured to be coupled to the connecting plate. The pinion is operable in a first direction of rotation to move the first rack and the second rack transverse to the axis in opposite directions. The pinion is operable in a second direction of rotation, contrary to the first one, to move the racks in opposite directions towards a second position.

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 production installation for producing workpieces from sheet metal by forming in a bending operation includes a bending machine and a clamping tool having at least one lower clamping jaw and an upper clamping jaw set including first upper clamping jaws and a second upper clamping jaw. The second upper clamping jaw has a clamping jaw part at each of the two second upper clamping jaw end sections, the clamping jaw parts being movable from a working to a pull-out position. At least one first upper clamping jaw is arranged on both sides of the second upper clamping jaw. The first upper clamping jaws have a first horn at each of the first end regions of the first upper clamping jaws facing away from the second upper clamping jaw. A method adapts a total length of a bending edge of a clamping jaw set of this production installation.

A die adjustment mechanism, includes a base, the base is provided with a die that can apply pressure on the workpiece. The die includes multiple modules arranged sequentially and capable of sliding laterally relative to the base. The base is further provided with a slide rest/slide rests capable of sliding laterally relative to the base. Each slide rest is provided with a shifting fork which can be clamped with a module or can be clamped between two adjacent modules. Each slide rest is provided with a drive component capable of driving the shifting fork to be clamped with the module or be clamped between the two adjacent modules. Using this mechanism, bending and pressing of multiple sides of the metal plate can be completed by the same machine and the production efficiency is greatly improved.