Method for adjusting component features
AssigneeVariform, Inc.
InventorsRex Baxter, Ade Adebo
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An apparatus and method to adjust the dimensions of thermoplastic components following passage of the component through final processing in a fixture. The invention particularly relates to an apparatus for maintaining product tolerances on thermoplastic components that have undergone post-form extrusion. In addition, the invention relates to a method for maintaining product tolerances on post-form extruded thermoplastic materials.
Claims16
A method for adjusting the dimensions of an extruded thermoplastic component exiting from a fixture, the method comprising:
- a) mounting an adjustment member to the fixture, the adjustment member being comprised of an inner member slidably disposed between two interconnected outer members wherein the inner and outer members are comprised of a substantially flat upper surface and disposed opposite the upper surfaces of the inner and outer members are outwardly extending fingers for urging a feature of the exiting thermoplastic component from a first position to a second position, the outermost extent of the outwardly extending fingers of the inner and outer members comprising a crown for contacting the thermoplastic component;
- b) performing a forming operation including:
- feeding a sheet of extruded thermoplastic material into and through the fixture;
- and,
- shaping the sheet into a profile in the fixture;
- and,
- c) performing a post forming operation including:
- passing a feature of the profile through the adjustment member;
- measuring a dimension of the feature of the profile;
- determining dimensional variation from specification of the feature of the profile;
- and
- adjusting the adjustment member to compensate for the dimensional variation from specification of the feature of the profile.
A method for adjusting the dimensions of an extruded thermoplastic component exiting from a fixture, the method comprising:
- mounting an adjustment member to the fixture, the adjustment member including, at least one inner member and at least two outer members, the at least one inner member between the at least two outer members, the at least one inner member and the at least two outer members comprised of a portion including an outwardly extending finger for urging the feature of the exiting thermoplastic component from a first position to a second position;
- feeding a sheet of extruded thermoplastic material into and through the fixture;
- shaping the sheet into a profile in the fixture;
- passing a feature of the profile through the adjustment member;
- measuring a dimension of the feature of the profile;
- determining dimensional variation from specification of the feature of the profile;
- and,
- adjusting the adjustment member by moving at least one of the inner or outer members to compensate for the dimensional variation from specification of the feature of the profile when a dimensional variation from specification of the feature of the profile occurs.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.