Pre-hemming tool for robotic hemming

Abstract

A pre-hemming tool for robotic hemming includes a face and a plurality of sides extending from the face. The perimeter of the face defines an edge. At least one facet is disposed on a side thereof for effecting pre-hemming. The pre-hemming tool is capable of quickly and accurately pre-hemming a variety of workpiece corner configurations.

1 . A pre-hemming tool for robotic hemming, the tool comprising: 
 a face and a plurality of sides extending from said face, the perimeter of said face defining an edge; and    at least one facet disposed on a side thereof for effecting pre-hemming.    
   
   
       2 . The pre-hemming tool of  claim 1 , wherein a facet is disposed on each side.  
   
   
       3 . The pre-hemming tool of  claim 1 , wherein each facet is a depression.  
   
   
       4 . The pre-hemming tool of  claim 3 , wherein each depression extends from said edge inwardly and has greater side penetration than face penetration.  
   
   
       5 . The pre-hemming tool of  claim 3 , wherein said depression has a generally triangular shape when viewed from the side.  
   
   
       6 . The pre-hemming tool of  claim 3 , wherein said depression includes two triangularly shaped surfaces.  
   
   
       7 . The pre-hemming tool of  claim 3 , wherein said depression includes a floor and a sidewall extending from said floor.  
   
   
       8 . The pre-hemming tool of  claim 1 , wherein said tool has four sides.  
   
   
       9 . The pre-hemming tool of  claim 1 , wherein said tool has six sides.  
   
   
       10 . The pre-hemming tool of  claim 1 , wherein said tool is made of a flame hardenable tool steel.  
   
   
       11 . The pre-hemming tool of  claim 1 , further including a support opposite said face.  
   
   
       12 . The pre-hemming tool of  claim 11 , wherein said support is a plate.  
   
   
       13 . The pre-hemming tool of  claim 1 , wherein said tool is adapted for releasable connection to a robot arm.  
   
   
       14 . The pre-hemming tool of  claim 13 , including an automatic change out tool operatively, releasably connected to said tool for mounting said tool to a robot arm.  
   
   
       15 . The pre-hemming tool of  claim 1 , including guide members adjacent said sides of said tool.  
   
   
       16 . The pre-hemming tool of  claim 14 , wherein said guide members are rails generally extending along said sides, said guide members being adapted to engage receivers on a hemming die.