Die hemming assembly and method

Abstract

A hemming assembly and method for joining the edges of a pair of panels together includes a main die supporting edges of the two panels. The main die-containing hemming fixture can be stationary with the pre-hem and final hem dies moving, or the main die can move and the pre-hem and final hem dies can remain stationary during hemming. A pre-hem slide supporting a pre-hem tool at an angle to the tool fixture supporting both the final die holder and the slide. For table top applications, the hemming fixture uses guide mechanisms to control travel of the pre-hem slide and tool fixture. The hemming fixture is also movable with respect to an assembly drive to facilitate different hemming operations.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . In a hemming apparatus adapted to join an upstanding edge of a first panel to an edge of a second panel, the improvement comprising a vertically driven main die supporting the first and second panels for hemming, a tool fixture supporting a pre-hem tool and a final hem tool, the pre-hem tool mounted for angled movement with respect to the tool fixture, a guide mechanism mounted to the main die, the guide mechanism directing the pre-hemming tool in a generally horizontal direction or at an angled upward direction via first and second guiding surfaces after pre-hemming to expose the pre-hemmed panels for final hemming.  
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the main die has a second guide mechanism mounted thereto that is in engagement with the tool fixture, the second guide mechanism moving the tool fixture in one direction to position the pre-hem and final hem tools for hemming, and a second position to expose a portion of the main die for removing hemmed panels and inserting other panels for hemming.  
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a hemming fixture supporting the tool fixture and the main die, the hemming fixture movable with respect to a power source vertically driving the main die.  
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the pre-hem tool is mounted on a pre-hem slide, the pre-hem slide being mounted at an angle to the tool fixture, the pre-hem slide having the first guiding surface, and the guide mechanism having the second guiding surface, contact between the first and second guiding surfaces moving the pre-hem slide either generally horizontally or at an upward angle for final hemming.  
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 4 , further comprising means for biasing the pre-hem slide in place during pre-hemming.  
     
     
         6 . In a method of pre-hemming and final hemming an upstanding edge of a first panel to an edge of a second panel, the improvement comprising at least partially pre-hemming the edges together by first directing a main die supporting the upstanding edge and the edge generally vertically against a pre-hemming tool, and then moving the pre-hemming tool away from the edges in either a generally horizontal direction or a direction upwardly angled to expose the pre-hemmed edges for final hemming.  
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein a final die hemming tool is stationary during pre-hemming and final hemming.  
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein a guide mechanism mounted to the main die travels vertically with the main die and the pre-hemming tool is slidably mounted at an angle to a tool fixture, upward movement of the main die after pre-hemming directs the pre-hemming tool horizontally away or at an upward angle away from pre-hemmed panels for final hemming.  
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the pre-hemming and final hemming tools move laterally in one direction to a pre-hemming position, and move laterally in an opposite direction after final hemming.  
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein a hemming fixture is supporting the pre-hemming tool and final hemming tool is moveable with respect to a power source that vertically drives the main die.  
     
     
         11 . In a hemming apparatus adapted to join an upstanding edge of a first panel to an edge of a second panel and employing a vertically driven final die holder, the improvement comprising a pre-hemming tool holder supporting a pre-hem tool and a mechanism to first guide the pre-hemming tool holder along a generally vertical travel path for at least a partial pre-hemming of the edges, and then to guide the pre-hemming tool along a generally horizontal path or a path having an upward angle by contact between a stationary guide surface and a surface on a pre-hem slide supporting the pre-hemming tool to expose the pre-hemmed edges for one of final hemming or completion of pre-hemming and final hemming.  
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein the pre-hemming tool holder is supported at an angle with respect to a tool fixture supporting a final hem holder and the pre-hemming tool holder.  
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 11 , further comprising means for biasing the pre-hemming tool in position during vertical travel of the pre-hem tool holder.  
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein the pre-hemming tool holder is supported at an angle with respect to a tool fixture supporting a final hem holder and the pre-hemming tool holder, and further comprising means for biasing the pre-hemming tool in position during vertical travel of the pre-hem tool holder.  
     
     
         15 . In a method of pre-hemming and final hemming an upstanding edge of a first panel to an edge of a second panel, the improvement comprising at least partially pre-hemming the edges together by first guiding a pre-hemming tool generally vertically against the upstanding edge, and then moving the pre-hemming tool either horizontally or at an upward angle away by contact between a guide surface on a pre-hem slide supporting the pre-hemming tool and a stationary guide surface to expose the pre-hemmed edges for one of final hemming or completion of pre-hemming and final hemming.  
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the pre-hem slide moves at an angle with respect to a tool fixture supporting the pre-hem slide.  
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the pre-hem slide is biased in place during the pre-hemming operation.  
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the pre-hem slide moves at an angle with respect to a tool fixture supporting the pre-hem slide, and the pre-hem slide is biased in place during the pre-hemming operation.