Apparatus and method for forming curvature in sheet metal

A method of deforming a deformable material strip having a width between two edges, the method comprising:

• (a) positioning a first portion of the deformable material strip in a deforming position between two deforming members, the two deforming members being movable relatively towards each other to a first relative position to deform the deformable material strip and being movable relatively away from each other to a second relative position;
• (b) deforming the portion of the deformable material strip at said deforming position along a first direction across the width of the deformable material strip by moving the two deforming members to the first relative position;
• (c) moving the two deforming members to the second relative position and forwarding the portion of the deformable material strip out from the deforming position in a second direction after;
• and
• repeating the series of deforming and forwarding a plurality of times;
• wherein during the deforming, one of the two edges of the deformable material strip is compressed more than the other of the two edges of the deformable material strip such that the deformable material strip is curved in a first plane defined by the first and second directions and without curving the deformable material strip in a second plane orthogonal to the first plane and parallel to the second direction.

Deforming apparatus for forming a curve in deformable material strip, the apparatus comprising:

• a first member comprising a first member body and a first deforming portion, the first deforming portion extending in a first direction and having a first deforming end and a second deforming end;
• and
• a second member comprising a second member body and a second deforming portion;
• wherein
• the first and second members are arranged to receive a deformable material strip between them in a second direction along the length of the deformable material strip and transverse to the first direction;
• the first and second members are movable relatively towards each other to a first relative position to deform the deformable material strip, in the first direction, with the first and second deforming portions;
• the first and second members are movable relatively away from each other to a second relative position;
• and when the first and second members are in the first relative position, the first deforming end of the first deforming portion is closer to the second deforming portion than the second deforming end of the fist deforming portion is to the second deforming portion such that the deformable material strip is curved in a plane substantially perpendicular to the first direction and such that a cross-sectional shape of the deformable material strip is substantially maintained;
• wherein
• the first member further comprises a first clamping portion;
• the second member further comprises a second clamping portion;
• the first and second members are movable relatively towards each other to the first relative position for clamping the deformable material strip between the first and second clamping portions;
• and
• the first and second members are movable relatively away from each other to the second relative position for releasing the deformable material.

Deforming apparatus for forming a curve in deformable material strip, the apparatus comprising:

• a first member comprising a first member body and a first deforming portion, the first deforming portion extending in a first direction and having a first deforming end and a second deforming end;
• and
• a second member comprising a second member body and a second deforming portion;
• wherein
• the first and second members are arranged to receive a deformable material strip between them in a second direction along the length of the deformable material strip and transverse to the first direction;
• the first and second members are movable relatively towards each other to a first relative position to deform the deformable material strip, in the first direction, with the first and second deforming portions;
• the first and second members are movable relatively away from each other to a second relative position;
• and when the first and second members are in the first relative position, the first deforming end of the first deforming portion is closer to the second deforming portion than the second deforming end of the first deforming portion is to the second deforming portion such that the deformable material strip is curved in a plane substantially perpendicular to the first direction and such that a cross-sectional shape of the deformable material strip is substantially maintained;
• and
• further comprising a forwarding device for forwarding a deformable material strip into between the first and second members, in a stepwise manner.

Deforming apparatus for forming a curve in deformable material strip, the apparatus comprising:

• a first member comprising a first member body and a first deforming portion, the first deforming portion extending in a first direction and having a first deforming end and a second deforming end;
• and
• a second member comprising a second member body and a second deforming portion;
• wherein
• the first and second members are arranged to receive a deformable material strip between them in a second direction along the length of the deformable material strip and transverse to the first direction;
• the first and second members are movable relatively towards each other to a first relative position to deform the deformable material strip, in the first direction, with the first and second deforming portions;
• the first and second members are movable relatively away horn each other to a second relative position;
• and when the first and second members are in the first relative position, the first deforming end of the first deforming portion is closer to the second deforming portion than the second deforming end of the first deforming portion is to the second deforming portion such that the deformable material strip is curved in a plane substantially perpendicular to the first direction and such that a cross-sectional shape of the deformable material strip is substantially maintained;
• and
• further comprising:
• a third member comprising a third member body and a third deforming portion, the third deforming portion extending in a third direction and having a first deforming end and a second deforming end;
• and
• a fourth member comprising a fourth member body and a fourth deforming portion;
• wherein
• the third and fourth members are arranged to receive portions of the deformable material strip between them in a fourth direction, transverse to the third direction, after the portions of the deformable material strip have been deformed by the first and second deforming portions;
• the third and fourth members are movable relatively towards each other to a third relative position to deform the deformable material strip further, in the third direction, with the third and fourth deforming portions;
• the third and fourth members are movable relatively away from each other to a fourth relative position;
• and
• when the third and Fourth members are in the third relative position, the first deforming end of the third deforming portion is closer to the fourth deforming portion than the second deforming end of the third deforming portion is to the fourth deforming portion.

A method of deforming a deformable material strip having a width between two edges, the method comprising:

• (a) positioning a first portion of the deformable material strip in a deforming position between two deforming members, the two deforming members being movable relative towards each other to first relative position to deform a deformable material strip and being movable relatively away from each other to a second relative position;
• (b) deforming the portion of the deformable material strip at said deforming position along a first direction across the width of the deformable material strip;
• (c) moving the two deforming members to the second relative position and forwarding the portion of the deformable material strip from the deforming position;
• and
• (d) repeating the series of deforming and forwarding a plurality of times;
• wherein during the deforming, one of the two edges of the deformable material strip is compressed more than the other of the two edges of the deformable material strip such that the deformable material strip is curved in a plane substantially parallel to the first direction;
• wherein the difference in compression between the two edges of the deformable material strip is non-linear across its width.

A method of deforming a deformable material strip having a width between two edges, the method comprising:

• (a) positioning a first portion of the deformable material strip in a deforming position between two deforming members;
• (b) deforming the portion of the deformable material strip at said deforming position along a first direction across the width of the deformable material strip;
• (c) forwarding the portion of the deformable material strip at said deforming position out from the deforming position, after the deforming;
• and repeating the series of deforming and forwarding a plurality of times;
• wherein during the deforming, one of the two edges of the deformable material strip is compressed more than the other of the two edges of the deformable material strip such that the deformable material strip is curved in a plane substantially perpendicular to the first direction and such that a cross-sectional shape of the deformable material strip is substantially maintained
• the method further comprising:
• positioning the deformed first portion of the deformable material strip in a second deforming position between two further deforming members after the first portion has been forwarded from the first deforming position;
• further deforming the first portion of the deformable material strip at said second deforming position across the width of the deformable material strip;
• forwarding the further deformed first portion of the deformable material strip at said second deforming position out from the second deforming position, after the further deforming;
• and
• repeating the series of further deforming and forwarding the further deformed first portion a plurality of times;
• wherein during the further deforming, one of the two edges of the deformable material strip is compressed more than the other of the two edges of the deformable material strip.