Portable hemming apparatus and method

Abstract

A portable hemming apparatus includes a support structure, a plurality of modular self-contained hemmers disposed about the support structure and at least one pneumatic drive mounted on the support structure. Each modular hemmer includes a hem die holder, a hem die fixed to the hem die holder and a movable hem punch. A hem operator is operatively connected to each modular hemmer. Each hem operator is a lever arm assembly. Actuation of the drive moves the hem operators and causes the hem punches to close and open on the hem die, allowing for the hemming of a metal panel located within the modular hemmers. The support structure of die hemming apparatus can be adapted to be mounted on a robot arm, mounted on a pedestal stand, or hung from a tool balancer. These arrangements allow for various uses of the hemming apparatus. Further, the modular design of the hemmers allows the apparatus to be used for the hemming of various sizes and shapes of panels.

1 . A portable hemming apparatus for edge hemming nested metal panels, said hemming apparatus comprising: 
 a support structure;    a plurality of modular self-contained hemmers disposed about said support structure, each said hemmer being cooperatively operable to effect a hem in nested metal panels;    a corresponding plurality of hemmer operators operatively connected to said modular hemmers; and    at least one drive mounted on said support structure drivingly connected with said operators to move said operators whereby actuation of said drive causes each self-contained hemmer to hem an edge portion of said nested metal panels.    
   
   
       2 . The portable hemming apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein each self-contained hemmer includes a hem die, a hem die holder supporting said hem die and a hem punch.  
   
   
       3 . The portable hemming apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein each said operator comprises a lever arm assembly.  
   
   
       4 . The portable hemming apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said drive is pneumatic.  
   
   
       5 . The portable hemming apparatus of  claim 4 , wherein said pneumatic drive is an air spring.  
   
   
       6 . The portable hemming apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said support structure is adapted to be mounted to a robot arm.  
   
   
       7 . The portable hemming apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said support structure is adapted to be hung from a tool balancer.  
   
   
       8 . The portable hemming apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the support structure is adapted to be mounted on a pedestal stand.  
   
   
       9 . A portable hemming apparatus for edge hemming nested metal panels, said hemming apparatus comprising: 
 a support structure;    a plurality of modular hem die holders attached to said support structure;    a corresponding plurality of modular hem dies mounted to said modular hem die holders;    a corresponding plurality of hem punches;    a corresponding plurality of operators operatively connected to said hem punches;    said operators being generally elongated and having a first end connected to said hem punches and a second end having a moveable engagement member;    a roller plate having a flat outer portion supporting said moveable engagement members and a raised, cylindrical, hollow inner portion;    a roller plate cap mounted to the outer wall of the raised, cylindrical, hollow inner portion of the roller plate at a distance above the flat outer portion of the roller plate;    a first air spring drive attached to the support structure on its bottom end and to the roller plate on its top end;    a stop plate;    a second, smaller air spring drive located within the raised, cylindrical, hollow inner portion of the roller plate and attached on its outer end to the stop plate; and    the stop plate being attached to the top of the hem die holders;    whereby the hem punches are movable via the operators through actuation of the air springs.    
   
   
       10 . The portable hemming apparatus as in  claim 9 , wherein each operator comprises a lever arm and assembly.  
   
   
       11 . The portable hemming apparatus of  claim 9 , wherein the support structure is adapted to be mounted to a robot arm.  
   
   
       12 . The portable hemming apparatus of  claim 9 , wherein the support structure is adapted to be hung from a tool balancer.  
   
   
       13 . The portable hemming apparatus of  claim 9 , wherein the support structure is adapted to be mounted on a pedestal stand.  
   
   
       14 . A method of edge hemming a nested metal panel with a hemming apparatus comprising the steps of: 
 mounting the hemming apparatus to the end of a robot arm;    moving the robot arm so that the hemming apparatus approaches the metal panel;    rotating the hemming apparatus so that the pre-hem die set of the hemming apparatus is oriented towards the portion of the metal panel to be hemmed;    moving the robot arm so that the hemming apparatus is in a working position with respect to the portion of the metal panel to be hemmed;    cycling the hemming apparatus to complete the pre-hem operation;    moving the robot arm so that the hemming apparatus is in a clearance position with respect to the metal panel;    rotating the hemming apparatus so that the final hem die set is oriented towards the portion of the metal panel to be hemmed;    moving the robot arm so that the hemming apparatus is in a working position with respect to the portion of the metal panel to be hemmed;    cycling the hemming apparatus to complete the final hem operation; and    moving the robot arm away from the metal panel.    
   
   
       15 . A method of edge hemming a nested metal panel with a hemming apparatus comprising the steps of: 
 mounting the hemming apparatus on a pedestal stand;    securing the metal panel to a robot arm via a gripper;    moving the robot arm so that the portion of the metal panel to be hemmed is in a working position with respect to the pre-hem die set;    cycling the hemming apparatus to complete the pre-hem operation;    moving the robot arm so that the metal panel is in a clearance position with respect to the hemming apparatus;    moving the robot arm so that the portion of the metal panel to be hemmed is in a working position with respect to the final hem die set;    cycling the hemming apparatus to complete the final hem operation; and moving the robot arm away from the hemming apparatus.