Metal blank with binder trim component and method
AssigneeShiloh Industries, Inc.
InventorsJohn R. Ewolski, James W. Walther, Stephen A. Fetsko
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A metal blank that includes a binder trim component having at least one cut edge with a non-linear section. The creation of the non-linear section simultaneously forms a corresponding section in a binder trim component of an adjacent metal blank so that binder material can be shared therebetween. This reduces the amount of scrap metal, as the binder trim component is subsequently cut off and discarded. Furthermore, the non-linear section can include one or more strategically placed formations, such as projections, recesses, flat sections, etc., that cause it to be non-uniform along its length and to be specifically tailored to the manufacturing requirements of the part being formed.
Claims20
A method for creating a metal blank, comprising the steps of:
- (a) receiving sheet metal material;
- (b) creating a metal blank with a binder trim component from the sheet metal material, wherein the binder trim component includes a non-linear section that shares binder material with an adjacent metal blank to reduce scrap metal and includes at least one strategically placed formation to control material flow during a subsequent metal forming operation, and the strategically placed formation causes the non-linear section to be non-uniform along at least a portion of its length;
- and
- (c) removing the metal blank from the remainder of the sheet metal material.
A method for forming a metal blank, comprising the steps of:
- (a) receiving a metal blank having a binder trim component and a part component located inboard of the binder trim component, the binder trim component includes at least one strategically placed formation that is located relative to a countered feature in the part component and influences material flow during a metal forming operation;
- (b) interposing the metal blank between an upper die and a lower die so the binder trim component can be clamped by the upper and lower die and the part component can be formed into a desired shape having a contoured feature;
- and
- (c) performing a metal forming operation while the binder trim component is clamped by the upper and lower die, wherein the the at least one strategically placed formation influences material flow between the formation and the contoured feature during the metal forming operation.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.