# US 7,608,210 B2 · Method for adjusting component features > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 7,608,210 B2 - Document ID: US7608210B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 11/227,309 - Filed: 2005-09-15 - Published: 2006-01-12 - Granted: 2009-10-27 - Earliest claimed: 2003-07-16 - Assignees: Variform, Inc. - Inventors: Rex Baxter; Ade Adebo - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US7608210B2 ## CPC - B29C 53/04: of plates or sheets {(B29C63/04 takes precedence; bending or folding paper B31F1/0003; folding films B65H45/00)} - B29C 48/07: Flat, e.g. panels - B29C 48/12: Articles with an irregular circumference when viewed in cross-section, e.g. window profiles - B29C 48/2566: {Die parts} - B29C 48/90: with calibration or sizing, i.e. combined with fixing or setting of the final dimensions of the extruded article - B29C 48/92: Measuring, controlling or regulating - B29C 48/885: External treatment, e.g. by using air rings for cooling tubular films - B29C 48/904: {using dry calibration, i.e. no quenching tank, e.g. with water spray for cooling or lubrication} - B29C 48/908: {characterised by calibrator surface, e.g. structure or holes for lubrication, cooling or venting} - B29C 48/912: {of tubular films} - B29C 48/9135: {of flat articles, e.g. using specially adapted supporting means} - B29C 48/914: {Cooling drums} - B29C 2791/006: Using vacuum - B29C 2948/92114: Dimensions - B29C 2948/92428: Calibration, after-treatment, or cooling zone - B29C 2948/92609: Dimensions - B29C 2948/92923: Calibration, after-treatment or cooling zone - B29C: SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING (making preforms B29B11/00; making laminated products by combining previously unconnected layers which become one product whose layers will remain together B32B37/00 - B32B41/00) ## 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. ## Claims ### Claim 1 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. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the mounting step comprises aligning the member with the fixture with dowel pins inserted into the member and the fixture. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the adjusting the adjustment member to compensate for dimensional variation from specification step comprises a means for displacing the position of the inner member relative to the outer members. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The method of claim 3, wherein the means for displacing the position of the inner member relative to the outer member comprises a screw. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the adjustment member is stainless steel. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the determining dimensional variation from specification of the feature step comprises computing the difference between the specified dimension of a feature and the dimension of a feature following adjustment by the adjustment member. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the post forming operation occurs before the thermoplastic of the extruded thermoplastic component sets in a final form. ### Claim 8 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. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The method of claim 8, wherein the mounting step comprises aligning the member with the fixture with dowel pins inserted into the member and the fixture. ### Claim 10 (depends on 8) The method of claim 8, wherein the at least one inner member includes an inner member slidably disposed between two interconnected outer members. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The method of claim 10, wherein the outermost extent of the outwardly extending fingers of the inner and outer members comprise a crown for contacting the thermoplastic component. ### Claim 12 (depends on 8) The method of claim 8, wherein the adjusting the adjustment member to compensate for dimensional variation from specification step comprises a means for displacing the position of the inner member relative to the outer members. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The method of claim 12, wherein the means for displacing the position of the inner member relative to the outer member comprises a screw. ### Claim 14 (depends on 8) The method of claim 8, wherein the adjustment member is stainless steel. ### Claim 15 (depends on 8) The method of claim 8, wherein the determining dimensional variation from specification of the feature step comprises computing the difference between the specified dimension of a feature and the dimension of a feature following adjustment by the adjustment member. ### Claim 16 (depends on 8) The method of claim 8, wherein the passing occurs prior to the thermoplastic of the thermoplastic resin setting in a final form.