Electromagnetic hemming machine and method for joining sheet metal layers
AssigneeDaimlerChrysler AG
InventorsJohn L. McClure, Suresh C. Ramalingam, James P. Lezotte
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Abstract
A hemming machine for joining an inner sheet metal panel with an outer sheet metal panel comprising: a hemming tool containing an electromagnetic coil positioned to electromagnetically crimp and/or weld the outer sheet metal panel to the inner sheet metal panel, where a backing die positioned outside the inner metallic sheet and the outer metallic sheet opposite the electromagnetic coil.
Claims12
A hemming machine for joining an inner sheet metal panel with an outer sheet metal panel comprising:
- a hemming apparatus arranged to mechanically fold a portion of said outer sheet metal panel over a portion of the inner sheet metal panel;
- and
- an electromagnetic coil positioned relative to the hemming apparatus and arranged to selectively apply an additional force to the folded portion of the outer sheet metal panel, wherein the combination of mechanically folding and applying the additional force crimps, welds, or crimps and welds said outer sheet metal panel to said inner sheet metal panel.
A method of electromagnetically hemming and inner sheet of metallic material with an outer sheet of metallic material comprising the steps of:
- mechanically folding a portion of said outer sheet over a portion of said inner sheet;
- positioning an electromagnetic coil relative to said inner sheet and outer sheet;
- selectively applying an additional force to the folded portion of said outer sheet by pulsing current through said electromagnetic coil, wherein the combination of the mechanical folding and applying the additional force crimps, welds, or crimps and welds said inner sheet to said outer sheet.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.