Stretch-forming machine

A stretch-forming machine for forming a sheet about an elongated forming die, said machine comprising:

• a pair of jaws extending respectively longitudinally along opposite sides of said die for grasping a respective opposite edge of the sheet, said machine including a base having a fixed frame, drive means having one end connected to said fixed frame and a second end connected to each jaw for causing the end of the jaw proximate to said forming die to move substantially in a plane perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the jaw in its rest position and to move said jaw in any direction within said plane, said die being fixed to said base and connected to a table on said fixed frame, said table being situated at ground level, and said die being mounted on said table and having a longitudinal axis extending horizontally, and said machine further including vertical guide means on said fixed frame operatively coupled to the longitudinal center of the jaws for limiting movement of the jaws vertically and perpendicular to the axis of said die, and wherein said means for connecting said jaws to respective drive means comprises means for preventing rotation of said jaws relative to said drive means about a longitudinal axis parallel to the longitudinal axis of the forming die.