Reconfigurable metal forming apparatus
AssigneeUniversity of Ulster
InventorAlan Leacock
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A reconfigurable stretch forming apparatus includes an array of pins adapted to be individually adjustable in height to define a reconfigurable forming surface, a pair of counter-rotating workpiece gripping devices being provided on opposite sides of the array of pins, each gripping device having an arcuate support surface for supporting a workpiece and a clamp member for clamping a work piece against the arcuate support surface, a driver being provided for rotating the counter-rotating gripping devices in opposing directions to stretch the work piece over the forming surface.
Claims29
A reconfigurable stretch forming apparatus comprising an array of pins adapted to be individually adjustable in height to define a reconfigurable forming surface, a pair of counter-rotating workpiece gripping devices being provided on opposite sides of the array of pins, each gripping device having an arcuate support surface for supporting a workpiece and a clamp member for clamping a work piece against the arcuate support surface, a driver being provided for rotating the counter-rotating gripping devices in opposing directions to stretch the work piece over the forming surface.
A reconfigurable support surface for supporting a blank or workpiece, the support surface being defined by an array of pins, each pin comprising an upper part and a base part, the upper and base parts being threadedly engaged with one another such the height of each pin can be adjusted by rotation of the upper part with respect to the base part thereof, an end cap being mounted on an upper end of each pin, wherein each end cap is articulated with respect to the pin upon which the end cap is mounted to permit tilting of the end cap with respect to the pin, wherein the underside of the end cap of each pin is adapted to engage a portion of the upper part of the respective pin to prevent rotation of the cap with respect to the pin when the cap is tilted to an adjustment position with respect to the pin, such that a turning torque can be applied to the pin via the cap by means of a tool adapted to engage the cap when in the adjustment position.
(canceled)
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.