SOLUTION FOR PROVIDING END WALL ON METAL TRIM PROFILE
20230105884 · 2023-04-06
Assignee
Inventors
Cpc classification
B21D53/88
PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
B60R13/04
PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
B21D22/26
PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
International classification
Abstract
A method including providing a trim profile, the trim profile including a bend extending in the longitudinal direction of the trim profile, wherein the bend is arranged between side edges extending in the longitudinal direction, and wherein the bend shapes an interior surface and an exterior surface of the trim profile, fixating a first part of the trim profile including the bend in a first fixation arrangement, and arranging and fixating a second part of the trim profile in a second fixation arrangement. A deep drawing operation providing a relative displacement between a stamping tool and at least one of the fixation arrangements in a direction transverse to the longitudinal direction so that the stamping tool moves into a working space, wherein the deep drawing operation forces a wall material of the trim profile into the working space to provide an end wall part on the trim profile.
Claims
1. A method of providing an end wall part on an elongated vehicular metal trim profile, the method comprising: providing an elongated vehicular metal trim profile of a metal plate material, the elongated vehicular metal trim profile comprising one or more bends extending in a longitudinal direction of the elongated vehicular metal trim profile, wherein the one or more bends are arranged between side edges extending in the longitudinal direction of the elongated vehicular metal trim profile, and wherein the one or more bends shapes an interior surface and an exterior surface of the elongated vehicular metal trim profile, arranging and fixating a first part of the elongated vehicular metal trim profile comprising the one or more bends in a first fixation arrangement, and arranging and fixating a second part of the elongated vehicular metal trim profile in a second fixation arrangement, providing a deep drawing operation by providing a relative displacement between a stamping tool and at least one of the first fixation arrangement and the second fixation arrangement in a direction transverse to the longitudinal direction of the elongated vehicular metal trim profile so that the stamping tool moves into a working space, wherein the working space is provided between the first fixation arrangement and the second fixation arrangement, and wherein the working space extends in the longitudinal direction of the elongated vehicular metal trim profile, wherein the deep drawing operation forces a wall material of the elongated vehicular metal trim profile into the working space and thereby provides an end wall part on the elongated vehicular metal trim profile, and providing a cutting and/or grinding operation subsequent to the deep drawing operation in order to remove excess material from the deep drawing operation and separate the end wall part from the excess material.
2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the elongated vehicular metal trim profile comprises one or more bends extending in the longitudinal direction of the elongated vehicular metal trim profile, wherein the one or more of bends comprise a first bend providing an elongated crest on the exterior surface, and one or more second bends placed between the first bend and one of the side edges of the elongated vehicular metal trim profile.
3. (canceled)
4. (canceled)
5. (canceled)
6. (canceled)
7. The method according to claim 1, wherein the elongated vehicular metal trim profile is a decorative metal profile for vehicles, vessels or other purposes.
8. The method according to claim 2, wherein the method further comprises providing a cut out operation prior to the deep drawing operation, wherein the cut out operation comprises providing a cut out at the one or more second bends in an end wall area in order to remove at least a part of the elongated vehicular metal trim profile material at the one or more second bends.
9. (canceled)
10. The method according to claim 1, wherein the first fixation arrangement provides a firmer fixation of the metal plate material of the elongated vehicular metal trim profile held by the first fixation arrangement, compared to fixation of the elongated vehicular metal trim profile provided by the second fixation arrangement.
11. The method according to claim 1, wherein the first fixation arrangement strictly fixates the metal plate material of the elongated vehicular metal trim profile so as to substantially prevent the metal plate material of the elongated vehicular metal trim profile held by the first fixation arrangement from sliding into the working space during the deep drawing operation.
12. The method according to claim 1, wherein the second fixation arrangement is configured, so as to provide a supply of trim profile material at the second part of the elongated vehicular metal trim profile towards the first fixation arrangement during the deep drawing process.
13. The method according to claim 1, wherein a relative displacement during the deep drawing operation in order to bring the stamping tool into the working space and deform the elongated vehicular metal trim profile to provide the end wall part is provided by keeping the first fixation arrangement and the second fixation arrangement in a fixed position and moving the stamping tool into the working space.
14. The method according to claim 1, wherein the first fixation arrangement comprises a first set of support parts, wherein the set of support parts comprises: an interior support part arranged in an interior space of the elongated vehicular metal trim profile, wherein the interior support part comprises a first support surface shaped to follow and support the interior surface of the elongated vehicular metal trim profile; and an exterior support part at the exterior surface, wherein the exterior support part comprises a second support surface shaped to follow and support on the exterior surface of the elongated vehicular metal trim profile wherein the first part of the elongated vehicular metal trim profile is arranged and held between the interior support part and the exterior support part during the deep drawing operation.
15. The method according to claim 1, wherein the second fixation arrangement comprises a second set of support parts, wherein the second set of support parts comprises: an interior support part arranged in an interior space of the elongated vehicular metal trim profile, wherein the interior support part comprises a first support surface shaped to follow and support the interior surface of the elongated vehicular metal trim profile; and an exterior support part at the exterior surface, wherein the exterior support part comprises a second support surface shaped to follow and support on the exterior surface of the elongated vehicular metal trim profile, wherein the second part of the elongated vehicular metal trim profile is arranged and held between the interior support part and the exterior support part during the deep drawing operation.
16. (canceled)
17. (canceled)
18. The method according to claim 14, wherein the first interior support part comprises a corner support portion having a corner shape configured to define an interior bending radius at a corner at a transition between the elongated vehicular metal trim profile and the end wall part on the elongated vehicular metal trim profile when the deep drawing operation is provided.
19. (canceled)
20. (canceled)
21. (canceled)
22. (canceled)
23. The method according to claim 1, wherein wall parts are removed at a position of the elongated vehicular metal trim profile proximate the end wall on a part of the elongated vehicular metal trim profile that is used for a finalized trim profile, wherein the wall parts provide an entrance and/or exit area for an interior support part of the first fixation arrangement and/or the second fixation arrangement.
24. (canceled)
25. (canceled)
26. (canceled)
27. (canceled)
28. (canceled)
29. (canceled)
30. (canceled)
31. (canceled)
32. (canceled)
33. (canceled)
34. The method according to claim 1, wherein the method further comprises: providing a pre-cutting operation prior to the deep-drawing operation and/or a post-cutting operation after the deep-drawing operation, wherein the pre-cutting operation and/or the post-cutting operation is provided by one or more laser systems.
35. (canceled)
36. (canceled)
37. (canceled)
38. (canceled)
39. (canceled)
40. (canceled)
41. (canceled)
42. (canceled)
43. (canceled)
44. (canceled)
45. (canceled)
46. (canceled)
47. (canceled)
48. (canceled)
49. The method according to claim 12, wherein the second fixation arrangement is configured to allow the trim profile material at the second part of the elongated vehicular metal trim profile to slide towards the first fixation arrangement during the deep drawing process.
50. The method according to claim 14, wherein the interior support part of the set of support parts of the first fixation arrangement comprises a plurality of support elements, which are movable relative to each other such that a collective width of the interior support part is changeable between a narrow configuration and a wide configuration.
51. A method of providing an end wall part on an elongated vehicular metal trim profile being a decorative metal profile for arrangement around a window of a vehicle or vessel, the method comprising: providing an elongated vehicular metal trim profile of a metal plate material, the elongated vehicular metal trim profile comprising one or more bends extending in a longitudinal direction of the elongated vehicular metal trim profile, wherein the one or more bends are arranged between side edges extending in the longitudinal direction of the elongated vehicular metal trim profile, and wherein the one or more bends shapes an interior surface and an exterior surface of the elongated vehicular metal trim profile; arranging and fixating a first part of the elongated vehicular metal trim profile comprising the one or more bends in a first fixation arrangement, and arranging and fixating a second part of the elongated vehicular metal trim profile in a second fixation arrangement; providing a deep drawing operation by providing a relative displacement between a stamping tool and at least one of the first fixation arrangement and the second fixation arrangement in a direction transverse to the longitudinal direction of the elongated vehicular metal trim profile so that the stamping tool moves into a working space, wherein the working space is provided between the first fixation arrangement and the second fixation arrangement, and wherein the working space extends in the longitudinal direction of the elongated vehicular metal trim profile, wherein the first fixation arrangement provides a firmer fixation of the metal plate material of the elongated vehicular metal trim profile held by the first fixation arrangement, compared to fixation of the elongated vehicular metal trim profile provided by the second fixation arrangement, wherein the deep drawing operation forces a wall material of the elongated vehicular metal trim profile into the working space and thereby provides an end wall part on the elongated vehicular metal trim profile; and providing a cutting and/or grinding operation subsequent to the deep drawing operation in order to remove excess material from the deep drawing operation and separate the end wall part from the excess material.
52. An elongated trim profile of a metal sheet material, wherein the elongated trim profile comprises: a plurality of bends extending in a longitudinal direction of the elongated trim profile, wherein the plurality of bends are arranged between side edges extending in the longitudinal direction of the elongated trim profile, and wherein the plurality of bends shapes an interior surface and an exterior surface of the elongated trim profile; and an end wall shaped in the material sheet material of the elongated trim profile, wherein the end wall has been provided as a result of a deep drawing operation and consequently comprises an area at the end wall, which has a reduced wall thickness compared to a general wall material thickness of the elongated trim profile.
53. The elongated trim profile according to claim 52, wherein the reduced wall thickness of the area at the end wall is at least 10% lower than the general material thickness of the elongated trim profile.
54. The elongated trim profile according to claim 52, wherein the general material thickness of the elongated trim profile is between 0.2 mm and 1.0 mm.
55. The elongated trim profile according to claim 52, wherein an inner bending radius at the end wall, which is provided due to the deep drawing operation, is below 3 mm.
Description
FIGURES
[0164] Aspects of the present disclosure will be described in the following with reference to the figures in which:
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DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0185] In relation to the figures described below, where the present disclosure may be described with reference to various embodiments, without limiting the same, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely illustrative of the present disclosure that may be embodied in various and alternative forms. The figures may not be to scale; some features may be exaggerated or minimized to show details of particular components. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a representative basis for e.g. teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the present disclosure.
[0186]
[0187] In
[0188] The bends 10, 20a, 20b of the trim profile 1 provides elongated wall parts extending in the longitudinal direction LD of the trim profile. These elongated wall parts comprises a first wall part 6 extending between the first bend 10 and a second bend 20a, and furthermore a second wall part 7 arranged between the first bend 10 and a further second bend of the trim profile. Additionally, the trim profile 1 comprises a third wall 5 part extending between the second bend (20a) and a first side edge (2a), and a fourth wall part 8 extending between the other side edge 2b and the further second bend 20b, The second bends 20a, 20b hence extends between the first bend 10 and the respective side edges 2a, 2b of the trim profile 1.
[0189] In
[0190] At least one of the bends 10, 20a, 20b, such as the first bend 10 as illustrated in
[0191] In embodiments of the present disclosure, the width W of the trim profile 1 may be between 2 mm and 50 mm, such as between 3 mm and 20 mm, such as between 4 mm and 15 mm.
[0192] In embodiments of the present disclosure, the height H of the trim profile 1 may be between 2 mm and 50 mm, such as between 3 mm and 20 mm, such as between 4 mm and 15 mm.
[0193] In preferred embodiments of the present disclosure, the trim profile is made from a metal plate material in the form of a steel material such as a stainless steel material, for example a chromium-nickel stainless steel material. In embodiments of the present disclosure, the steel material comprises at least 12% by weight of chrome (Cr).
[0194] For example, the steel material of the profile 1 may in embodiments of the present disclosure be a SUS 304 (Japanese Industrial Standards (JIN)) grade steel or a SUS 304L grade steel. In certain embodiments of the present disclosure, the steel may be a 1.4301/AISI 304/X5CrNi18-10 stainless steel. Even though the trim profile may preferably be a steel, such as a stainless steel profile, the metal profile may also be made from a metal of another material than steel, e.g. aluminium, brass or copper or other metals or metal alloys, in other aspects of the present disclosure.
[0195] The material of the trim profile 1 has a wall thickness between 0.2 mm and 1.0 mm such as between 0.3 mm and 0.8 mm, preferably between 0.4 mm and 0.6 mm. For example, in some embodiments, the wall thickness of the trim profile material may be about 0.5 mm. This wall thickness is defined between the interior and exterior surfaces 11, 12.
[0196] The material of the trim profile 1 may in other embodiments of the present disclosure a wall thickness between 0.2 mm and 3 mm such as between 0.3 mm and 1.5 mm.
[0197] This may e.g. be relevant if the trim profile material is aluminium alloy material or another material softer than stainless steel, but it may also apply for stainless steel profiles.
[0198] The bends 10, 12a, 12 may preferably have been made by means of roll forming. Alternatively, the trim profile 1 may be a trim profile that has been extruded and/or pultruded in order to provide the shape with the bends 10, 20a, 20b.
[0199] In
[0200] It is generally understood that the trim profile after manufacturing according to embodiments of the present disclosure may be used for decorative metal trim profiles for vehicles, such as four wheeled vehicles, e.g. cars, trucks or the like, or vessels such as boats, or in any other suitable usage such as for example as decorative elongated trim profiles for building parts or furniture. The decorative trim profiles may be decorative in the sense that they are visually aesthetically appealing to the eye, that is, they may be substantially evenly smooth and shiny, and even reflective, as is e.g. commonly employed for window trims in the automotive industry, such as for a two- and/or four-wheeled automotive.
[0201]
[0202] The trim profile 1 comprises a first elongated part 40a that is to be used for the final trim profile, and a second part 40b that used for shaping and providing the end cap/end wall 30 (see figures described below) on the trim profile. The line 4 provides the border between the first and second parts 40a, 40b.
[0203] Prior to shaping the end wall, a cut out operation may be provided where a cut out 3 is provided at the second bend(s) 20a, 20b in the end wall area 13 of the second part 40b in order to remove at least a part of the trim profile material at the one or more second bends 20a, 20b.
[0204] In embodiments of the present disclosure, cut out 3 may have a length LC that is between 0.2 and 3 times, such as between 0.5 and 1.5 times the height H of the trim profile 1. In embodiments of the present disclosure, cut out 3 may have a length LC which is larger than 0.2 times the height of the trim profile, such as larger than 0.5 and times the height H of the trim profile 1. In other embodiments, the cut out(s) 3 may possibly be omitted.
[0205] The cut outs 3 are provided in order to remove the walls 5, 8 in the area, and may also as illustrated extend at least partly into the walls 6, 7. However, in other embodiments, the cut outs 3 may be provided in order to remove the walls 5, 8 and the bends 20a, 20b alone.
[0206] As can be seen especially at
[0207]
[0208] The deep drawing arrangement comprises a first fixation arrangement 100 and a second fixation arrangement 200. The part 40a of the trim profile is arranged in the first fixation arrangement 100, and the part 40b of the trim profile is arranged in the second fixation arrangement 200.
[0209] A working space 310 is provided between the first and second fixation arrangements 100, 200, and a stamp 300 is configured to be displaced into the working space. The working space is arranged opposite to a surface 114 of an interior support part 110 of the first fixation arrangement 100, which will face the end wall part 30a during the deep drawing operation.
[0210]
[0211] The fixation arrangement 100 illustrated in
[0212] The first part 40a of the trim profile is arranged and held between the interior support part 110 and the exterior support part 120.
[0213] The support surface 111 of the interior support part 110 comprises a ridge 112 configured to extend into the concavely shaped recess/valley of the interior surface 11 of the trim profile which is shaped by the bend 10. This ridge 112 extends in the longitudinal direction LD of the trim profile 1 and comprises a surface curvature that substantially matches the internal surface curvature at the bend 10 at the interior surface 11. Hence, the trim profile material at the bend 10 supports on the ridge 112 of the interior support part. The remaining part of the interior support part 110 supports the walls 6, 7 of the trim profile.
[0214] The exterior support part 120 comprises a support/counter hold surface 121. This surface comprises a recessed portion 122 in the support surface 121 into which the bend 10 of the trim profile extends. Hence, the exterior surface 12 of the trim at the location of the ridge extends into the recessed portion 122, and the remaining part of the exterior support part 120 supports on the walls 6, 7 of the trim profile. Hence the trim profile remain the desired shape provided by the bends in the longitudinal direction of the trim profile, which substantially is the final shape of the trim profile, while it is supported between the support parts 120, 110.
[0215] A fixation arrangement control device 123 illustrated in
[0216] The second fixation arrangement 200 may be substantially similar in design to the first fixation arrangement 100 and may accordingly comprises support parts 220, 210 which are shaped and arranged in a similar way as the parts 110, 120 of the fixation arrangement. A further fixation arrangement control device (not illustrated) may be configured to control the second fixation arrangement.
[0217] As can be seen, the cut out 3 (if present) may be placed opposite to the working
[0218]
[0219]
[0220] The relative displacement during the deep drawing operation in order to bring the stamping tool into the working space 310 and deform the trim profile to provide the end wall part 30a is preferably provided by keeping the first and second fixation arrangements 100, 200 in a fixed position and moving the stamping tool 300 into the working space. However, in other embodiments, the first and second fixation arrangements 100, 200 may be moved while keeping the stamping tool fixed. In still further embodiments, the first and second fixation arrangements 100, 200 may be moved in a first direction transverse to the longitudinal direction LD while the stamping tool is also moved in the opposite direction opposite to the longitudinal direction.
[0221] In
[0222] The stamping tool 300 may, dependent on the shape of the contact surface of the stamping tool which is pressed towards the trim profile material to provide the deep drawing, start the deep drawing operation by abutting and deforming the upper ridge of the trim profile which is provided by the bend 10 extending in the longitudinal direction (LD) of the trim profile as e.g. described previously.
[0223] The deep drawing hence provide a drawing of the trim profile 1 metal sheet material and may hence make the end wall 30a part material thinner Th2 than the general/initial material thickness Th1 of the trim profile, while the remaining part of the trim profile such as the elongated walls 5-8 that are present on the trim profile at the part 40a remains the initial sheet thickness Th1. In return, the end wall part 30a is formed which extends in a direction different from the longitudinal direction LD of the trim profile, and which so to say closes off the end of the trim profile part 40a and covers the interior space 14 of the trim profile.
[0224] As can be seen in
[0225] In embodiments of the present disclosure, the inner radius r1 may, after the deep drawing operation and provided by the deep drawing operation may be below 1 mm, such as below 0.8 mm or below 0.6 mm.
[0226] Generally in embodiments of the present disclosure, the inner radius after the deep drawing operation and provided by the deep drawing operation may be between 0.2 mm and 5 mm, such as between 0.2 mm and 3 mm, for example between 0.3 mm and 2 mm.
[0227] The deep drawing operation stretches the metal wall of the trim profile at and/or near the end wall. This may as illustrated provide that the wall thickness of an area (34—see
[0228] The deep drawing operation provides a draw length DL by means of the stamping tool 300. This draw length DL is determined by the largest draw length provided at the trim profile 1 in order to deform the trim profile at the part 40b and thereby obtain the end cap part 30a. This draw length may be at least 5 mm, such as at least 9 mm, for example at least 13 mm. The draw length DL may in embodiments of the present disclosure be between 5 mm and 30 mm, such as between 9 mm and 20 mm, for example between 13 mm and 18 mm.
[0229] The bend angle a2 (referred to as “bend angle” even though it is obtained by the deep drawing) between the end wall part 30a and the walls 6, 7 and the recess in the interior surface 11 provided by the bend 10, which is provided by the deep drawing operation, may in embodiments of the present disclosure be between 60° and 120°, such as between 70° and 105°, for example between 85° and 95°, e.g. such as 90°±2°. This angle a2 may be defined by the movement direction and/or shape of the stamping tool 300.
[0230] In embodiments of the present disclosure, the first fixation arrangement 100 provides a tighter grip and hold on the first part 40a that is to be used for the final trim, than the second fixation arrangement 200 holds/fixates the second part 40b.
[0231] Hence, during the deep drawing process, the second fixation arrangement may allow a part of the trim profile material between the parts 220, 210 to slide/move into the working space due to the forced provided by the tool 300 on the trim profile material. However, less material may be allowed to slide between the parts 110, 120 of the first fixation arrangement during the deep drawing operation.
[0232] In certain embodiments of the present disclosure, the first fixation arrangement may provide a firm grip on the trim profile part 40a so that substantially no sliding of the trim profile part 40a material between the holding parts 110, 120 in the longitudinal direction LD of the trim profile is provided during the deep drawing operation.
[0233] The stamping tool 300 has a length TL extending in the longitudinal direction LD of the trim profile 1 between the tool ends 300a, 300b. The length TL may in embodiments of the present disclosure be between 5 mm and 40 mm, such as between 10 mm and 30 mm, for example between 20 mm and 30 mm. The lower the length TL, the less of the material 40b may become excess material and thus subsequently scrapped after the deep drawing operation, and hence utilization of the trim profile 1 may be increased.
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[0237] The height DLx may be larger than (e.g. at least 3% such as at least 5% larger) than the height H (see
[0238] As can be seen from
[0239]
[0240] The trim profile illustrated in
[0241]
[0242]
[0243] The end wall processing device 60 may in preferred embodiments be moved relative to the trim profile 1 from the bended corner 31 of the end wall 30 and towards the edge of the end wall opposite the corner 31. Preferably, the device 60 may be moved from the ridge provided by the bend 10 and toward the lower edge 32 of the end wall 30 in the processing direction PRD where the surface of the end wall is processed by the end wall processing device 60. Even though the end wall processing device is illustrated as being a rotating wheel in
[0244]
[0245] The displacement speed DSP of the tool 300 is in
[0246] Varying the displacement speed DSP of the tool 300 may help to ensure a successful deep drawing operation in order to obtain an end wall part of sufficient quality, also in thinner material such as steel material, e.g. stainless steel material, having a wall thickness between 0.2 mm and 1.0 mm such as between 0.3 mm and 0.8 mm, preferably between 0.4 mm and 0.6 mm.
[0247] The displacement speed DSP speed may in embodiments of the present disclosure be changed by e.g. reducing the speed of the tool 300 during the deep drawing process by e.g. providing a gradual reduction of the draw speed DSP1 from the initial position IPOS to the end position EPOS.
[0248] A control system 300 comprising control circuitry including a computer processor 331 and a data storage 332 provides the control by control signals 333 of the driver device 320 such as a servo motor, e.g. an electrical servo motor, for example a stepper motor or any other type of motor. The control system 330 operates according to a program code stored in the data storage 332 in order to provide a desired displacement speed profile of the tool 300 during the deep drawing operation. The driver device 320 or another sensor device may in embodiments of the present disclosure provide position feedback (not illustrated) to the control system, e.g. from one or more position sensors (not illustrated), in order for the control system to control the displacement of the tool 300. Though, such position feedback may also be omitted in other embodiments of the present disclosure, and the displacement speed may alone be controlled by a predetermined displacement profile program code stored in the data storage 332.
[0249] The acceleration of the displacement device from the initial position IPOS to the end position EPOS may in further embodiments of the present disclosure also be a control parameter that is regulated and changed by the control system 330 from the initial position IPOS to the end position EPOS based on a software program in the data storage.
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[0251] This speed change may in embodiments of the present disclosure be provided based a predetermined speed profile that is dependent on the (present or predicted) position of the tool 300 during the deep drawing operation. This may be determined based on position information/data from an encoder of the like on the driver 320, or by counting steps if the driver 320 is a stepper motor. Additionally or alternatively, the displacement speed of the tool 300 may be controlled and varied based on input from one or more sensors (not illustrated) such as one or more force sensors arranged to determine directly or indirectly a force applied to the trim profile during the deep drawing operation to provide the end wall part 30a. The force sensor(s) may be a strain gauge sensor, or it may be a current monitor/sensor configured to detect/monitor the electrical current provided to the driver device 320, and the controller 330 may control the speed of the displacement of the tool 300 accordingly during the deep drawing process based on the input from the force sensor(s). As the electrical current consumed by the driver 320 will increase when increased force is applied, this current may indirectly be representative of the force applied. It is understood that any other suitable means for determining tool 300 position and/or force applied may be provided in further embodiments of the present disclosure.
[0252] In
[0253] In
[0254]
[0255]
of the displacement hence changes from the initial position IPOS to the end position EPOS. This may be controlled to be provided gradually or stepwise from the initial position IPOS to the end position EPOS.
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[0257] For several of the embodiments disclosed in
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[0260] In
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[0264]
[0265] The end wall 30 here comprises lower edges 32 which was previously connected to the excess material. The trim profile depicted at
[0266] Instead of a chrome plated surface, the surface 12 may be painted with a paint or in other ways coated with a thin layer of material for decorative and/or protective purpose. The surface may naturally also be kept substantially uncoated, though this may increase the risk of the surface obtaining undesired scratches visible to the human eye.
[0267] In one or more examples of the present disclosure, the cut out 3 and/or the further cut out 15 may be provided in order to modify the material behaviour of the trim profile 1 during the deep drawing process and thus the quality of the final product. The material of the trim profile may undergo a more desirable structural and/or visual change by the present method, if the cut out(s) are provided proximate to the desired location of the corner 31 of the end wall 30.
[0268] Removing parts of one or more walls 5, 6, 7, 8 near the second bend(s) 20a, 20b, can allow for larger control of the behaviour of the material of the trim profile 1 during the deep drawing operation as less material will be present beneath and/or adjacent the desired location of corner 31 of the bend, thereby reducing the risk of material bulging, ridges and other disadvantageous effects in the final appearance of end wall 30 and the trim profile 1. Removing parts of one or more walls 5, 6, 7, 9 have shown to provide the effect of increased flow of material during the deep drawing process. Thus by careful selection of the shape, size and/or position of the cut-out(s) 3, 15 the direction and/or amount material flow can be controlled to provide the desired appearance of the final product. E.g. by having less material in the walls 5, 8 of the trim profile a larger flow of material along the longitudinal extent of the trim profile can be obtained. As a further example, the location of the cut out(s) 3, 15 can aid in determining from which side of the end wall area 13, and to what extent, material may flow into the working space 310 during the deep drawing process, which in turn provides an easy way of controlling the behaviour of the material and in turn the final product, such as the final material thickness of the end wall (30).
[0269]
[0270] The collective support surface 411 of the interior support part 110, 210 comprises three discrete support elements 420, 430, 440 arranged to be movable relative to each other. A first discrete support element 420 comprises a ridge 412, which is arranged to be moved in and out of abutment with the trim profile 1 at the concavely shaped recess/valley of the interior surface 11 of the trim profile, which is shaped by the bend 10. This ridge 412 extends in the longitudinal direction LD of the trim profile 1 and comprises a surface curvature that substantially matches the internal surface curvature at the bend 10 at the interior surface 11. Hence, the trim profile material at the bend 10 supports on the ridge 412 of the interior support part.
[0271] A second support element 430 and third support element 440 are arranged on opposite sides of the first support element 420 and each comprises a protrusion 422, which is arranged to be movable in and out of abutment with the trim profile at the concavely shaped recess/valley of the interior surface 11 of the trim profile provided by a second bend 20a, 20b. The walls 6, 7 may be supported by the first, second and/or third discrete support element 420, 430, 440 preferably such that substantially entire interior surface 11 extending between the second bends 20a, 20b are supported by the interior support part 110, 210. Also the walls 5, 8 may be supported by the interior support part 110, 210 e.g. by the second and third support element 430, 440.
[0272] The first support element 420 may be arranged to be movable towards and away from the first bend 10, preferably along a first direction LD, and the first support element 420 is preferably of a wedge shape, having a tip end directed towards the bend, such that when moving the wedge shaped support element away from the bend 10, a space is provided between the second and third support elements 430, 440.
[0273] The second and third support elements 430, 440 may thereby be moved away from the walls 6, 7 and the second bend by displacing the elements 430, 440 into the acquired space provided by the movement of the first element 420, such as a long a second direction SD. Thus transferring the interior support part 410 to an unlocked state of decreased collective width of the interior support part 410 compared to the locked state. In the unlocked state, the walls 5, 8 may no longer be prevented from passing the protrusions 422 of the second and third support elements 430, 440 and may thereby lifted/slided from the interior support part 110, 210. A locked state is shown in
[0274] The release of the engagement with the trim profile by transferring the interior support part 110, 210 to an unlocked state makes it easier to displace the trim profile 1 relative to the interior support part 110, 210.
[0275] In one or more examples, the first part 40a of the trim profile is arranged and held between an interior support part 110 according to
[0276]
[0277] The manufacturing system comprises a conveyor system 700 having two or more conveyor belts 710 for transferring the trim profiles 1 horizontally along a second direction SD as indicated in the figure. The conveyor system 700 is provided with holding means 720 for holding a trim profile 1 in place, such that the trim profile 1 is not displaced during transfer along the second direction SD. In one or more embodiments, the holding means may comprise an interior support part 110, 210 according to the present disclosure, for holding the trim profile 1. Optionally further fixing means, such as clamps, may be provided at an exterior surface of the trim profile, e.g. such as near wall parts 5, 8, the second bends 20a, 20b and/or the wall parts 6,7 to further fixate the trim profile 1. The trim profile 1 may be transferred in a stepwise manner, such that the trim profile 1 is stationary at each work station 501, 502, 503, while a method step is executed on the trim profile 1.
[0278] The manufacturing system is seen comprising at least three work stations 501, 502, 503, a first work station 501 for providing a pre-cutting operation, wherein a cut-out 3 and/or a further cut-out 15 is provided. A second work station 502 where the trim profile 1 is arranged in the first and second fixation arrangements 100, 200 and where the deep drawing operation is undertaken by the stomping tool 300 and a third work station 503 where a post-cutting operation is taking place and where a third fixation arrangement 800 is located for holding excess material to be separated from the trim profile end wall part 30a.
[0279] The conveyor system 700 may comprise longitudinal displacement means for displacing the trim profile 1 along a longitudinal extent thereof in and out of the work stations 510, 520, 530, e.g. an end of the trim profile 1 may be displaced in and out of the fixing arrangements 100, 200 and the work space 310 provided in the second work station 520 along a third direction, e.g. being perpendicular to the first direction LD and second direction SD. In one or more embodiments, the conveyor system may comprise vertical displacement means for lifting and lowering the trim profile 1 along the first direction LD, preferably such that the trim profile may be lowering into an interior support part 110, 120.
[0280] The pre-cutting operation and the post-cutting operation in
[0281] The method may be executed as follows; a trim profile 1 to be provided with an end wall part 30a is placed in the holding means of the conveyor system 720 and at a first work station 501, either transferred there by the conveyor system 700 or as a part of step of placing the trim profile on the conveyor belts 710. The industrial robot 610 and the laser system 620 is provided at the first work station 501 and the pre-cutting operation, providing a cut-out 3 and/or a further cut out 15 in the trim profile, is provided by means of the laser system 620. The trim profile 1 is thereafter transferred by the conveyor belts 710 to the second work station 502, where a first end 40a is fixed by a first fixation arrangement 100 and the second end 40b is fixed by the second fixation arrangement 200. Preferably, the second end 40b is fixed more loosely than the first end 40b, such that trim profile material may be displaced relative to the second fixation arrangement 200 during the deep drawing operation. The deep drawing operation is then executed and the bend trim profile 1 is transferred by the conveyor system 700 to the third work station 503, where the second end 40b of the trim profile 1 is fixed by a third fixation arrangement 800 and the industrial robot 610 with the laser system 620 is provided at the third work station 503 by means of the rail system 600. The laser system 620 is then utilized to cut off excess material from the second end of the profile 40b, thereby providing and end wall 30 on the trim profile 1.
[0282] While the present disclosure has been described in detail in connection with only a limited number of embodiments or aspects, it should be readily understood that the present disclosure is not limited to such disclosed embodiments or aspects. Rather, the present disclosure can be modified to incorporate any number of variations, alterations, substitutions or equivalent arrangements not heretofore described, but which are commensurate in scope with the present disclosure. Additionally, while various embodiments or aspects of the present disclosure have been described, it is to be understood that aspects of the present disclosure may include only some of the described embodiments or aspects or combinations of the various embodiments or aspects. Accordingly, the present disclosure is not to be seen as limited by the foregoing description.
[0283] The invention is further described in the following items.
Items
[0284] 1. A method of providing an end wall part (30a) on an elongated metal trim profile (1), the method comprising
[0285] providing an elongated trim profile (1) of a metal plate material, the trim profile comprising one or more bends (10, 20a, 20b) extending in the longitudinal direction
[0286] (LD) of the trim profile (1), wherein said one or more bends (10, 20a, 20b) are arranged between side edges (2a, 2b) extending in the longitudinal direction (LD) of the trim profile, and wherein the one or more bends (10, 20a, 20b) shapes an interior surface (11) and an exterior surface (12) of the trim profile (1),
[0287] arranging and fixating a first part (40a) of the trim profile comprising said one or more bends (10, 20a, 20b) in a first fixation arrangement (100), and
[0288] arranging and fixating a second part (40b) of the trim profile in a second fixation arrangement (200),
[0289] providing a deep drawing operation by providing a relative displacement between a stamping tool (300) and at least one of the fixation arrangements (100, 200) in a direction transverse to the longitudinal direction (LD) of the trim profile (1) so that the stamping tool (300) moves into a working space (310), wherein the deep drawing operation forces a wall material of the trim profile into the working space (310) and thereby provides an end wall part (30a) on the trim profile (1).
[0290] 2. A method according to item 1, wherein said working space (310) is provided between the first and second fixation arrangements (100, 200), and wherein the working space (310) extends in the longitudinal direction (LD) of the trim profile.
[0291] 3. A method according to item 1 or 2, wherein the trim profile (1) comprises a plurality of bends (10, 20a, 20b) extending in the longitudinal direction (LD) of the trim profile (1), wherein the plurality of bends comprises a first bend (10) providing an elongated crest (16) on the exterior surface (12), and one or more second bends (20) placed between the first bend (10) and one of the side edges (2a, 2b) of the trim profile.
[0292] 4. A method according to any of the preceding items, wherein the metal plate material of the trim profile (1) is a steel material such as a stainless steel material, for example a chromium-nickel stainless steel material.
[0293] 5. A method according to item 4, wherein the steel material comprises at least 12% by weight of chrome (Cr).
[0294] 6. A method according to any of the preceding items, wherein the material of the trim profile (1) has a wall thickness between 0.2 mm and 1.0 mm such as between 0.3 mm and 0.8 mm, preferably between 0.4 mm and 0.6 mm.
[0295] 7. A method according to any of the preceding items, wherein the stamping tool (300) initiates the deep drawing operation by abutting and deforming a crest (16) of the trim profile, wherein the crest (16) is provided by the one or more bends (10, 20a, 20b) extending in the longitudinal direction (LD) of the trim profile (1).
[0296] 8. A method according to any of the preceding items, wherein at least one (10) of said one or more bends (10, 20a, 20b) provides a first wall part (6) and a second wall part (7), wherein the bend angle (a1) between the first and second wall parts (6, 7) is between 45° and 150°, such as between 85° and 130°, for example between 100° and 120°.
[0297] 9. A method according to any of items 3-8, wherein said method further comprises providing a cut out (3) operation prior to the deep drawing operation, wherein the cut out operation comprises providing a cut out (3) at the one or more second bends (20a, 20b) in an end wall area (13) in order to remove at least a part of the trim profile material at the one or more second bends (20a, 20b).
[0298] 10. A method according to item 9, wherein the cut out (3) extends into the first and/or second wall part (6, 7).
[0299] 11. A method according any of the preceding items, wherein the first fixation arrangement (100) provides a more firm fixation of the material of the trim profile (1) held by the first fixation arrangement (100), compared to the fixation of the trim profile provided by the second fixation arrangement (200).
[0300] 12. A method according any of the preceding items, wherein the first fixation arrangement (100) strictly fixates the material of the trim profile (1) so as to substantially prevent the material of the trim profile held by the first fixation arrangement (200) from sliding into the working space during the deep drawing operation.
[0301] 13. A method according to any of the preceding items, wherein the second fixation arrangement (200) is configured, such as controlled, adjusted and/or displaced, so as to provide a supply of trim profile material at the second part (40b) of the trim profile (1) towards the first fixation arrangement (100) during the deep drawing process.
[0302] 14. A method according to any of the preceding items, wherein the first fixation arrangement (100) comprises a first set of support parts (110, 120), wherein the first set of support parts comprises [0303] an interior support part (110) arranged in an interior space (14) of the trim profile (1), wherein the interior support part comprises a support surface (111) shaped to follow and support the interior surface (11) of the trim profile (1), and [0304] an exterior support part (120) at the exterior surface (12), wherein the exterior support part comprises a support surface (121) shaped to follow and support on the exterior surface of the trim profile,
wherein the first part (40a) of the trim profile is arranged and held between the interior support part (110) and the exterior support part (120) during the deep drawing operation.
[0305] 15. A method according to any of the preceding items, wherein the second fixation arrangement (200) comprises a second set of support parts, wherein the second set of support parts comprises [0306] an interior support part (210) arranged in an interior space (14) of the trim profile, wherein the interior support part comprises a support surface (211) shaped to follow and support the interior surface (11) of the trim profile (1), and [0307] an exterior support part (220) at the exterior surface (12), wherein the exterior support part comprises a support surface (221) shaped to follow and support on the exterior surface of the trim profile, wherein the second part (40b) of the trim profile is arranged and held between the interior support part (110) and the exterior support part (120) during the deep drawing operation.
[0308] 16. A method according to item 14 or 15, wherein said interior support part (110, 210) comprises one or more ridges (112) extending into a recess of the interior surface (11) of the trim profile which is shaped by one or more of said bends (10, 20a, 20b) extending in the longitudinal direction (LD) of the trim profile, and wherein the trim profile material at the one or more bends (10, 20a, 20b) supports on the one or more ridges (112) of the interior support part (110, 210) during the deep drawing operation.
[0309] 17. A method according to item 14, 15 or 16 wherein said exterior support part (120, 220) comprises one or more recesses (122) in the support surface (121) into which a crest (16) of the trim profile extends during the deep drawing operation, wherein the crest (16) is a crest provided by one or more of said bends (10, 20a, 20b).
[0310] 18. A method according to any of items 14-17, wherein said first interior support part (110, 210) comprises a corner support portion (113) having a corner shape configured to define the interior bending radius (r1) at the corner (31) at the transition between the trim profile (10) and the end wall part (30a) on the trim profile when the deep drawing operation is provided.
[0311] 19. A method according to any of items 3-18, wherein the bends (10, 20a, 20b) of the trim profile (1) provides elongated wall parts extending in the longitudinal direction (LD) of the trim profile, said elongated wall parts comprising a first wall part (6) extending between a first bend (10) and a second bend (20a), a second wall part (7) arranged between said first bend (10) and the other side edge (2b) of the trim profile, and a third wall (5) part extending between the second bend (20a) and a first side edge (2a).
[0312] 20. A method according to item 19, wherein a fourth wall part (8) extends between said other side edge (2b) and a further second bend (20b), wherein the further second bend (20b) is arranged between the first bend (10) and said other side edge (2b).
[0313] 21. A method according to any of items 9-20, wherein the cut out (3) provides that the third wall part (5) and/or fourth wall part (8) is removed, such as substantially entirely removed, in the area of the cut out (3).
[0314] 22. A method according to any of the preceding items, wherein the trim profile (1) has a width (W) and a height (H) wherein the width (W) and/or the height (H) is between 2 mm and 50 mm, such as between 3 mm and 20 mm, such as between 4 mm and 15 mm.
[0315] 23. A method according to any of the preceding items, wherein the trim profile has a C-shape in cross section, where the C-shape is provided by a first bend (10) and further bends (20a, 20b) extending in the longitudinal direction (LD) of the trim profile.
[0316] 24. A method according to any of the preceding items, wherein wall parts (5, 8) are removed at a position (15) of the trim profile proximate the end wall on the part of the trim profile that is used for the finalized trim profile, wherein said wall parts provides an entrance and/or exit area for an interior support part (110, 210) of the first and/or second fixation arrangement (100, 200).
[0317] 25. A method according to any of the preceding items, wherein the inner bending radius (r1) at the end wall (3) which is provided due to the deep drawing operation is below 2 mm, such as below 1 mm, for example below 0.8 mm.
[0318] 26. A method according to any of the preceding items, wherein a control system (330) controls a driver device (320), such as a servo motor or a stepper motor, and wherein the driver device displaces the stamping tool (300) into said working space (310) from an initial position (IPOS) to an end position (EPOS) in order to provide the deep drawing operation.
[0319] 27. A method according to any of the preceding items, wherein the displacement speed (DSP) of the stamping tool (300) is varied during the deep drawing operation between an initial position (IPOS) where the deep drawing operation is initiated and the end position (EPOS) where the deep drawing operation is ended.
[0320] 28. A method according to any of the preceding items, wherein the displacement speed (DSP) of the stamping tool (300) is reduced, such as gradually reduced, during the deep drawing operation.
[0321] 29. A method according to any of the preceding items, wherein the displacement speed (DSP) of the stamping tool (300) is controlled by a control system (330) according to a displacement speed profile stored in a data storage (332).
[0322] 30. A method according to any of the preceding items, wherein a further calibration of the end wall part (30a) is provided subsequent to the deep drawing operation, such as by means of a processing device (60) such as a roller rotating and supporting on the end wall part, in order to process the exterior surface of the end wall part (30).
[0323] 31. A method according to any of the preceding items, wherein the one or more bends (10, 20a, 20b) extending in the longitudinal direction (LD) provides an interior space (14) in the elongated profile, wherein at least two, such as at least three, for example at least four walls (5, 6, 7, 8) of the trim profile extending in the longitudinal direction encloses the interior space (14), such as wherein the cross sectional area of the interior space (14) determined between said walls and enclosed by an envisaged bottom line (BL) drawn between the side edges (2a, 2b) of the profile extending in the longitudinal direction is between 0.5 cm.sup.2 and 5 cm.sup.2, such as between 1 cm.sup.2 and 4 cm.sup.2.
[0324] 32. A method according to any of the preceding items, wherein the deep drawing operation provides a draw length (DL) by means of the stamping tool (300), wherein the draw length is at least 5 mm, such as at least 9 mm, for example at least 13 mm.
[0325] 33. A method according to any of the preceding items, wherein the deep drawing operation provides that the end wall thickness of an area (34) of the end wall (30) is reduced by at least 10%, such as at least 20%, for example at least 30% when compared to the general material thickness of the trim profile.
[0326] 34. A method according to any of the preceding items, wherein the corner radius (r2) at the transition between the stamping surface (301) of the stamping tool (300) and the end surface (300b) of the stamping tool (300) is larger than 5 mm such as larger than 10 mm, or even larger such as larger than 15 mm.
[0327] 35. A method of providing an intermediate product of an end wall part (30a) on an elongated vehicular metal trim profile (1), such as a decorative trim profile, the method comprising providing an elongated trim profile (1) of a metal plate material, the trim profile comprising one or more bends (10, 20a, 20b) extending in the longitudinal direction (LD) of the trim profile (1), wherein said one or more bends (10, 20a, 20b) are arranged between side edges (2a, 2b) extending in the longitudinal direction (LD) of the trim profile, and wherein the one or more bends (10, 20a, 20b) shapes an interior surface (11) and an exterior surface (12) of the trim profile (1), arranging and fixating a first part (40a) of the trim profile comprising said one or more bends (10, 20a, 20b) in a first fixation arrangement (100), and arranging and fixating a second part (40b) of the trim profile in a second fixation arrangement (200), providing a deep drawing operation by providing a relative displacement between a stamping tool (300) and at least one of the fixation arrangements (100, 200) in a direction transverse to the longitudinal direction (LD) of the trim profile (1) so that the stamping tool (300) moves into a working space (310), wherein the deep drawing operation forces a wall material of the trim profile into the working space (310) and thereby provides an end wall part (30a) on the trim profile (1).
[0328] 36. The method according to any of the preceding items, wherein the method further comprises the step of: [0329] providing a pre-cutting operation prior to the deep-drawing operation and/or a post-cutting operation after the deep-drawing operation, wherein the pre-cutting operation and/or the post-cutting operation is provided by means of one or more laser systems (620).
[0330] 37. A method of providing an end wall part on an elongated metal trim profile, the method comprising:
[0331] providing an elongated trim profile of a metal plate material, the trim profile comprising one or more bends extending in the longitudinal direction of the trim profile, wherein said one or more bends are arranged between side edges extending in the longitudinal direction of the trim profile, and wherein the one or more bends shapes an interior surface and an exterior surface of the trim profile, [0332] arranging and fixating a first part of the trim profile comprising said one or more bends in a first fixation arrangement, and arranging and fixating a second part of the trim profile in a second fixation arrangement, and [0333] providing an end wall forming operation, such as by bending and/or deep drawing the trim profile in a direction transverse to the longitudinal direction of the trim profile so that a wall material of the trim profile provides an end wall part on the trim profile, and [0334] providing a pre-cutting operation prior to the end wall forming operation and/or a post-cutting operation after the end wall forming operation, wherein the pre-cutting operation and/or the post-cutting operation is provided by means of one or more laser systems (620).
[0335] 38. The method according to any of the items 36-37, wherein the post-cutting operation comprises a cutting and/or grinding operation provided at the end wall part (30a).
[0336] 39. The method according to any of the items 36-38, wherein the pre-cutting operation comprises the method step of providing a cut out (3).
[0337] 40. The method according to any of the items 36-39, wherein the pre-cutting operation comprises the method step of providing the further cut out (15) according to item 24.
[0338] 41. The method according to any of the items 24-40, wherein the further cut out (15) do not extend into the first and/or second wall part (6, 7).
[0339] 42. The method according to items 24-40, wherein the further cut out (15) is extending to a line (4) providing the border between the first and second parts (40a, 40b).
[0340] 43. The method according to any of the items 36-42, wherein the one or more laser systems (620) each comprises a laser source providing a laser beam (625) for cutting in said trim profile (1), wherein the laser source may be provided by a fiber laser, such as fiber laser utilizing nitrogen or argon as assist gas.
[0341] 44. The method according to items 36-43, wherein at least one of the laser systems (620) is mounted on an industrial robot (610), and wherein the industrial robot (610) is arranged to automatically provide the pre- and/or post-cutting operation provided by the laser system (620) according to pre-determined settings, such as according to a predefined program code stored in a data storage.
[0342] 45. The method according to item 44, wherein the industrial robot (610) is arranged to provide movement about a plurality of axes, preferably about six axes.
[0343] 46. The method according to any of the items 44-45, wherein the industrial robot (610) is arranged to provide a pose repeatability down to 0.020 mm, such as down to 0.025 mm.
[0344] 47. The method according to any of the items 36-46, wherein the method comprises the following sequence of steps: [0345] providing a pre-cutting operation by means of the laser system (620) in order to provide a cut-out (3) and/or a further cut-out (15), [0346] arranging and fixating the first part (40a) and the second part (40b), [0347] providing the end wall forming operation, such as a deep-drawing operation, and subsequently [0348] providing a post-cutting operation by means of the laser system (620) in order to remove excess material from the end wall part (30a).
[0349] 48. The method according to any of the items 36-47, wherein in the step of providing a post-cutting operation by means of the laser system (620), excess material of the second end (40b) is fixed in position by means of a third fixation arrangement (800).
[0350] 49. The method according to any of the items 1-48, wherein the method is provided at one or more work stations (501, 502, 503), wherein each work station (501, 502, 503) is arranged to perform at least one operation according to the method, such as a pre-cutting operation, a post-cutting operation, e.g. a cutting and/or grinding operation, an end wall forming operation, such as a deep-drawing operation and/or a calibration operation.
[0351] 50. The method according to any of the items 36-49, wherein the pre-cutting operation and the post-cutting operation is provided at two separate work stations (501, 502, 503).
[0352] 51. The method according to any of the items 36-50, wherein the pre-cutting operation is performed at a first working station (501), the fixating and deep drawing operation is performed at a second work station (502) and the post-cutting operation is performed at a third work station (503).
[0353] 52. The method according to any of the items 44-51, wherein the industrial robot (610) is movably mounted on a displacement system, such as a rail system (600), so that the industrial robot (610) may be moved to one or more work stations (501, 502, 503) and provide said pre-cutting and post-cutting operation, such as at the first work station (501) and third work station (503).
[0354] 52. The method according to any of the items 36-51, wherein the trim profile (1) is movably mounted on a conveyor system (700) providing the trim profile (1) to be moved to one or more work stations (501, 502, 503).
[0355] 53. The method according to any of the items 1-52, wherein the method further comprises providing pre-determined settings including control commands for executing one or more method steps of the method, and wherein the method is automatically executed according to the pre-determined settings.
[0356] 54. The method according to item 52 and 53, wherein the pre-determined setting further provides control commands to the rail system (600) and/or the conveyor system (700), so as to automatically transfer the trim profile (1) between work stations (501, 502, 503).
[0357] 55. The method according to any of the items 14-18, wherein the interior support part (110) of the first set of support parts of the first fixation arrangement (100) and/or interior support part (210) of the second set of support parts of the second fixation arrangement (200) comprise a plurality of support elements (420, 430), which are movable relative to each other such that a collective width of the interior support part (110, 210) is changeable between a narrow and wide configuration.
[0358] 56. The method according to any of the preceding items, wherein the elongated metal trim profile (1) is a elongated vehicular trim profile, preferably a decorative metal profile for vehicles, vessels or other purposes, such as a decorative metal profile for arrangement around a window of a vehicle or vessel.
[0359] 57. An elongated trim profile (1) of a metal sheet material, wherein the trim profile comprising a plurality of bends (10, 20a, 20b) extending in the longitudinal direction (LD) of the trim profile (1), wherein said plurality of bends (10, 20a, 20b) are arranged between side edges (2a, 2b) extending in the longitudinal direction (LD) of the trim profile, and wherein the one or more bends (10, 20a, 20b) shapes an interior surface (11) and an exterior surface (12) of the trim profile (1), wherein the elongated trim profile (1) comprises an end wall (30) shaped in the material of the elongated trim profile (1), wherein the end wall (30) has been provided as a result of a deep drawing operation and consequently comprises an area (34) at the end wall which has a reduced wall thickness (Th2) compared to the general wall material thickness (Th1) of the trim profile (1).
[0360] 58. The elongated trim profile (1) according to item 57, wherein the wall thickness of said area (34) of the end wall (30) with the reduced wall thickness is at least 10%, such as at least 20%, for example at least 30% lower than the general material thickness of the trim profile.
[0361] 59. The elongated trim profile (1) according to any of items 57-58, wherein the general material thickness of the trim profile is between 0.2 mm and 1.0 mm such as between 0.3 mm and 0.8 mm, preferably between 0.4 mm and 0.6 mm.
[0362] 60. The elongated trim profile (1) according to any of items 57-59, wherein the trim profile comprises a plurality of bends (10, 20a, 20b) extending in the longitudinal direction (LD) of the trim profile (1), wherein the plurality of bends comprises a first bend (10) providing an elongated crest, and one or more second bends (20) placed between the first bend (10) and one of the side edges (2a, 2b) of the trim profile.
[0363] 61. The elongated trim profile (1) according to any of items 57-60, wherein the metal plate material of the trim profile (1) is a steel material such as a stainless steel material, for example a chromium-nickel stainless steel material.
[0364] 62. The elongated trim profile (1) according to any of items 57-61, wherein the steel material comprises at least 12% by weight of chrome (Cr).
[0365] 63. The elongated trim profile (1) according to any of items 57-62, wherein the trim profile has a width (W) and a height (H) wherein the width (W) and/or the height (H) is between 2 mm and 50 mm, such as between 3 mm and 20 mm, such as between 4 mm and 15 mm.
[0366] 64. The elongated trim profile (1) according to any of items 57-63, wherein the trim profile has a C-shape in cross section, where the C-shape is provided by a first bend (10) and further second bends (20a, 20b) extending in the longitudinal direction (LD) of the trim profile.
[0367] 65. The elongated trim profile (1) according to any of items 57-64, wherein the inner bending radius (r1) at the end wall (3) which is provided due to the deep drawing operation is below 3 mm, such as below 2 mm, for example below 1.5 mm.
[0368] 66. The elongated trim profile (1) according to any of items 57-65, wherein at least one (10) of said bends (10, 20a, 20b) provides a first wall part (6) and a second wall part (7), wherein the bend angle (a1) between the first and second wall parts (6, 7) is between 45° and 150°, such as between 85° and 130°, for example between 100° and 120°.
[0369] 67. The elongated trim profile (1) according to any of items 57-66, wherein the bends (10, 20a, 20b) extending in the longitudinal direction (LD) provides an interior space (14) in the elongated profile (1), wherein at least two, such as at least three, for example at least four walls (5, 6, 7, 8) of the trim profile extending in the longitudinal direction (LD) encloses the interior space (14), such as wherein the cross sectional area of the interior space (14) determined between said walls and enclosed by an envisaged bottom line (BL) drawn between the side edges (2a, 2b) of the trim profile, which side edges extends in the longitudinal direction (LD) is between 0.5 cm2 and 5 cm2, such as between 1 cm2 and 4 cm2.
[0370] 68. The elongated trim profile (1) according to any of items 57-67, wherein the area (34) with reduced thickness on the end wall is located at a centre portion of the end wall located between an edge (32) of the end wall (30) and the bend providing the transition between the end wall and the part of the trim profile extending in the longitudinal direction (LD).
[0371] 69. The elongated trim profile (1) according to any of the items 57-68, wherein the elongated trim profile is a vehicular elongated metal trim profile (1), preferably configured as a decorative metal profile for vehicles, vessels or other purposes, such as a decorative metal profile for arrangement around a window of a vehicle or vessel.
[0372] 70. The elongated trim profile (1) according to any of items 57-69, wherein the end wall (30) is provided by means of a method according to any of items 1-56.
[0373] 71. An elongated metal trim profile (1) with an end wall (30) provided by means of a method according to any of items 1-56.
[0374] 72. The method according to any of the items 1-56, wherein the elongated trim profile is a vehicular elongated metal trim profile (1), preferably configured as a decorative metal profile for vehicles, vessels or other purposes, such as a decorative metal profile for arrangement around a window of a vehicle or vessel.