Collapsible spacer and spacing method for forming
AssigneeFord Motor Company
InventorsLiang Huang, Evangelos Liasi
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An exemplary die assembly includes a die member, a blankholder, and a collapsible spacer moveable back-and-forth between an extended position and a collapsed position. The collapsible spacer establishing a first gap between the die member and the blankholder in the extended position. The collapsible spacer establishing a second, smaller gap between the die member and blankholder in the collapsed position. An exemplary forming method includes maintaining a distance between a die member and a blankholder with a collapsible spacer when forming a workpiece into a desired shape, and collapsing the collapsible spacer to permit the die member and the blankholder to move closer together.
Claims19
A die assembly, comprising:
- a die member;
- a blankholder;
- and
- a collapsible spacer moveable back-and-forth between an extended position and a collapsed position, the collapsible spacer establishing a first gap between the die member and the blankholder in the extended position, the collapsible spacer establishing a second, smaller gap between the die member and blankholder in the collapsed position.
A forming method, comprising:
- maintaining a distance between a die member and a blankholder with a collapsible spacer when forming a workpiece into a desired shape;
- and
- collapsing the collapsible spacer to permit the die member and the blankholder to move closer together.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.