Sheet metal forming machine

Abstract

A metal structural panel being suitable, for use in point of display assemblies or other cladding in retail outlets, comprised of a length of metal sheet deformed uniformly and repetitively across the width of the sheet. The panel is manufactured in a machine of two main parts, top and bottom tooling. Firstly the top tooling is moved down onto the sheet metal, pushing it into a gap in the bottom tooling forming a channel in the sheet, at this point two opposed elements in the bottom tooling are forced towards each other forming an overcast channel in the sheet all of these movements are performed and controlled hydraulically and bear no likeness to previous all mechanical tools, also no likeness is given to the finished panel other than its similar use.

1 . For identification purposes the ramp bar is shown on drawing number  5  as components number  2 . 
 The object of this hydraulically actuated ramp bar is to produce considerable force at right angles to the applied hydraulic force, and to do so over a considerable length while at the same tine producing accurate parallel movement over the entire length of its use.  
 
     
     
         2 . For identification purposes these formers shown on drawing number  3  as components number  12 . 
 These formers are unique to this machine because they pivot about the same point allowing ‘in the case of this machine’ the ability to remove them selves from within the closed channel forms which have been formed around them, with the pivoting centres in one place this machine can reproduce ‘dimensionally’ the slats produced in an MDF product called slat wall accessories i.e. display arms, hooks, shelves etc can be used directly on the finished product, so it can replace MDF Double-sided slat wall.  
 
     
     
         3 . For identification purposes these guide pins are shown on drawing number  2  as components number  5 . 
 These solid through hardened pillars are essential in this machine, being mechanically fixed into position in the anvil bar they serve two purposes firstly they assist in converting the right angle movement from the ramp bar, secondly They guide the sliding formers components  4   a  and  4   b.    
 
     
     
         4 . This machine is unique in that it is a whole machine in like any forming tools for the use of forming sheet metal into display panes (slat wall panels). 
 It is a self-contained machine and only requires an electricity supply to be used, whereas until now all similar mechanisms required a large beam press or break press into which they were fitted.    The forming process is entirely ‘oil’ hydraulically powered and controlled, drawing number  6  shows the front aspect (finished form exit) and the view showing the two hydraulic cylinders that actuate the ramp bars ‘components numbered  2 ’, the front aspect shows two more hydraulic cylinders extreme left and right at the top of the machine, these produce the downward movement normally associated with the beam movement on a break press.    
     
     
         5 . This machine is unique in its field in that it can accommodate variations in thickness' of materials used to be formed, also it is capable of being adjusted to suit variations in types of materials being used for forming. 
 Prior to this machine, many tools used for forming similar shapes in materials were restricted to a material thickness of 1 mm or thinner and this was in mild steel, and 0.6 mm in stainless steel ( 316 ).    This machine can form up to 1.6 mm in mild steel and 1 mm in  316  stainless steel if required, it also can form aluminium up to 1.6 mm without jamming.    
     
     
         6 . This machine has an ejector system built into the anvil bar, which is shown on a cross-section view on drawing number  1 , this is a view from the end of the machine. 
 Along the length of the anvil bar (component number  14  ) are a series of small pistons built into the anvil bar as an integral part of the same, these pistons (component number  15  ) are actuated using the low pressure return flow side of the hydraulic power pack, this low pressure is used to lift the finished sheet metal form, out of the gap produced by components  4   a  and  4   b , this is to enable free movement of the sheet metal when feeding in more of it for forming.    When the top portion of the machine once again comes down, the pistons shall be returned back down under the pressure of the top portion.    
     
     
         7 . This machine is portable, a similar tool when a complete ‘machine’ as comprising a break press and forming tool to go into it, would normally weigh at 15,000-20,000 pounds. This self contained machine weighs less than 2,000 pounds and can be transported by car on a trailer.