Forming Tool and Method

Abstract

A method and a tool arrangement for deforming at least one section of a less precisely positioned body by such an amount that the section to be deformed lies in a more precisely defined position with respect to the body. A tool arrangement includes at least one retaining device and at least one forming die moveable in the direction of the retaining device. The section ( 28 ) to be deformed is arranged between the retaining device and the forming die. In order to improve the quality of the deformed body, the deforming movement of the forming die is controlled depending on the position of the forming die without fixed counterpart holder in a controlled manner such that the forming die is stopped in a defined final position. With the tool arrangement, a drive for the forming die is coupled to a control device such that the deforming movement of the forming die is controlled depending on the position of the forming die, without a fixed counterpart holder, in a controlled manner such that the forming die is stopped in a defined final position.

1 . A method for deforming at least one section on a non-precisely positioned body by an amount that the section to be deformed lies in a more precisely defined position with respect to the body, by a tool arrangement that has at least one retaining device and at least one forming die movable in the direction of the retaining device, the section to be deformed is arranged between the retaining device and the forming die, comprising: 
 positioning the retaining device at the section to be deformed;    deforming the section to be deformed by a movement of the forming die in a direction of the retaining device, the deforming movement of the forming die being controlled in a controlled manner depending on a position of the forming die, without a fixed counterpart holder, such that the forming die is stopped in a defined final position.    
   
   
       2 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein the forming die is driven depending on the position of the forming die.  
   
   
       3 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the position and the movement of the forming die is detected.  
   
   
       4 . A method according  claim 1 , further comprising detecting a correction value, which is an additional compensation movement of the forming die.  
   
   
       5 . A tool comprising: 
 at least one retaining device and at least one forming die moveable in a direction of the retaining device, wherein a section to be deformed being arranged between the retaining device and the forming die;    a drive for the forming die being coupled to a control device, the deforming movement of the forming die being controlled based on a position of the forming die, without a fixed counterpart holder, in a controlled manner such that the forming die is stopped in a defined final position.    
   
   
       6 . The tool arrangement according to  claim 5 , wherein the forming die is driven by an electromotive drive.  
   
   
       7 . The tool arrangement according to  claim 5 , wherein the forming die is driven by a hydraulic drive.  
   
   
       8 . The tool arrangement according  claim 5 , wherein the control device is coupled to a sensor device, which detects at least one of the position and movement of the forming die and/or of the retaining device.  
   
   
       9 . The tool arrangement according to  claim 8 , wherein the sensor device is integrated into the retaining device.  
   
   
       10 . The tool arrangement according to  claim 5 , wherein the retaining device comprises at least one moveable holding mechanism that is prestressed in a direction of the section to be deformed.  
   
   
       11 . The tool arrangement according to  claim 10 , wherein the sensor device is integrated into the holding mechanism.  
   
   
       12 . The tool arrangement according to  claim 8 , wherein the sensor device is integrated into a measuring device that is moveable relative to the retaining device and is prestressed in a direction of the section to be deformed.  
   
   
       13 . The tool arrangement according  claim 5 , further comprising a stamping tool moved through the retaining device.  
   
   
       14 . The tool arrangement according to  claim 5 , wherein the forming die is attached to a branch of an essentially L-shaped bracket, an other branch of which is mounted on a base structure of the tool arrangement.  
   
   
       15 . A method of deforming a section between a retaining device and a forming die, comprising: 
 positioning the retaining device at the section to be deformed; and    driving the forming die in a direction of the retaining device based on a position of the forming die.    
   
   
       16 . The method according to  claim 15 , wherein the driving is a hydraulic drive or electromotive drive.  
   
   
       17 . The method according to  claim 15 , wherein a position and/or movement of the forming die is detected relative to the section to be deformed.  
   
   
       18 . The method according to  claim 15 , further comprising determining a correction value which is taken into consideration in a form of an additional compensation movement by the forming die.  
   
   
       19 . The method according to  claim 15 , further comprising determining a distance between the retaining device and a section to be deformed.  
   
   
       20 . The method according to  claim 15 , further comprising reducing a movement of the retaining device as soon as or before a holding mechanism comes into contact for a first time with a body to be deformed.