Sheet metal trimming, flanging and forming using EMP

Abstract

A sheet metal trimming, flanging and forming apparatus using EMP includes a panel support having a support surface that generally conforms to a geometry of at least a portion of a metal panel. A securement device is disposed in proximity to the support surface and is moveable between a resting position and a working position relative to the support surface. An EMP coil is mounted around the securement device. The securement device secures the metal panel on the support surface, and in the working position the EMP coil is disposed in close proximity to the metal panel at a distance that promotes bending of the metal panel when an electromagnetic pulse is generated by the EMP coil.

1 . A sheet metal trimming, flanging and forming apparatus using EMP, said apparatus comprising:
 a panel support having a support surface that generally conforms to a geometry of at least a portion of a metal panel;   a securement device disposed in proximity to said support surface and moveable between a resting position and a working position relative to said support surface; and   an EMP coil mounted around the securement device;   wherein said securement device secures a metal panel on said support surface, and in said working position said EMP coil is disposed in close proximity to said metal panel at a distance that promotes bending of said metal panel when an electromagnetic pulse is generated by said EMP coil.   
   
   
       2 . The sheet metal trimming, flanging and forming apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said panel support is an anvil. 
   
   
       3 . The sheet metal trimming, flanging and forming apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said support surface supports at least a portion of a metal panel so as to resist forces of a pulsed electromagnetic field. 
   
   
       4 . The sheet metal trimming, flanging and forming apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said securement device is a clamp. 
   
   
       5 . The sheet metal trimming, flanging and forming apparatus of  claim 1 , including a trim steel spaced from an outer edge of said panel support. 
   
   
       6 . The sheet metal trimming, flanging and forming apparatus of  claim 5 , including a trim steel clamp disposed opposite said trim steel, said trim steel clamp being operatively connected to said securement device such that said trim steel clamp is moveable between a resting position and a working position relative to said trim steel simultaneously with said securement device. 
   
   
       7 . The sheet metal trimming, flanging and forming apparatus of  claim 6 , including an EMP coil mounted around said trim steel clamp for trimming of a panel workpiece, said EMP coil being disposed in close proximity to said metal panel in said working position at a distance that promotes bending of said metal panel when an electromagnetic pulse is generated by said EMP coil. 
   
   
       8 . The sheet metal trimming, flanging and forming apparatus of  claim 1 , including a second securement device disposed generally inward relative to said securement device and moveable between a resting position and a working position relative to said support surface; and
 an EMP coil mounted around said second securement device for forming or piercing of a metal panel;   wherein said second securement device secures a portion of a metal panel on said support surface, and in said working position said EMP coil mounted around said second securement device is disposed in close proximity to said metal panel at a distance that promotes bending of said metal panel when an electromagnetic pulse is generated by said EMP coil.   
   
   
       9 . The sheet metal trimming, flanging and forming apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein said support surface of said panel support includes a recessed portion disposed opposite said second securement device and mounted EMP coil, said recessed portion being shaped to form or pierce a metal panel in a desired geometry. 
   
   
       10 . The sheet metal trimming, flanging and forming apparatus of  claim 9 , wherein said recessed portion has a sharp outer edge for piercing a hole in said metal panel. 
   
   
       11 . A sheet metal trimming, flanging, and forming method comprising the steps of:
 supporting a metal panel on a support surface of a panel support, said support surface generally conforming to a geometry of at least a portion of said metal panel;   disposing a securement device in proximity to said support surface, said securement device being moveable between a resting position and a working position relative to said support surface;   mounting an EMP coil around said securement device;   moving said securement device from said resting position into said working position such that said securement device contacts and securely holds said metal panel against said support surface, and said EMP coil is in close proximity to said metal panel at a distance that promotes bending of said metal panel when an electromagnetic pulse is generated by said EMP coil; and   actuating said EMP coil by passing a brief, high intensity pulse of electrical current through said EMP coil, thereby generating an electromagnetic field around said EMP coil and causing a portion of said metal panel to move away from said EMP coil.   
   
   
       12 . The sheet metal trimming, flanging, and forming method of  claim 11 , including the steps of:
 moving said securement device from said working position to said resting position after actuating said EMP coil; and   removing said metal panel from said panel support.   
   
   
       13 . The sheet metal trimming, flanging, and forming method of  claim 11 , including the steps of:
 spacing a trim steel from an outer edge of said panel support;   disposing a trim steel clamp opposite said trim steel;   operatively connecting said trim steel clamp to said securement device such that said trim steel clamp is moveable between a resting position and a working position relative to said trim steel simultaneously with said securement device;   moving said trim steel clamp into said working position simultaneously with said securement device such that said trim steel clamp contacts an outer portion of said metal panel and holds said outer portion against said trim steel; and   actuating said EMP coil to force said outer portion of said metal panel against said trim steel, causing said outer portion of said metal panel to be trimmed from said metal panel.   
   
   
       14 . The sheet metal trimming, flanging, and forming method of  claim 13 , wherein said EMP coil is actuated more than one time while said securement device and said trim steel clamp are in said working position. 
   
   
       15 . The sheet metal trimming, flanging, and forming method of  claim 14 , wherein a first pulse of said EMP coil trims said metal panel, and a second pulse of said EMP coil flanges said metal panel. 
   
   
       16 . The sheet metal trimming, flanging, and forming method of  claim 13 , including the steps of:
 mounting an EMP coil around said trim steel clamp for trimming of said metal panel, wherein said EMP coil is disposed in close proximity to said metal panel when said trim steel clamp is in said working position; and   actuating said EMP coil mounted around said trim steel clamp to trim said metal panel prior to actuating said EMP coil mounted on said securement device to flange said metal panel.   
   
   
       17 . The sheet metal trimming, flanging, and forming method of  claim 11 , including the steps of:
 disposing a second securement device generally inward relative to said securement device, said second securement device being moveable between a resting position and a working position relative to said support surface;   mounting an EMP coil around said second securement device for forming or piercing of said metal panel;   moving said second securement device from said resting position to said working position to secure a portion of said metal panel on said support surface; and   actuating said EMP coil mounted around said second securement device by passing a brief, high intensity pulse of electrical current through said EMP coil, thereby generating an electromagnetic field around said EMP coil and causing said portion of said metal panel to move away from said EMP coil in order to form or pierce said portion of said metal panel.   
   
   
       18 . The sheet metal trimming, flanging, and forming method of  claim 17 , wherein:
 said support surface of said panel support includes a recessed portion disposed opposite said second securement device and mounted EMP coil, said recessed portion being shaped to form or pierce said metal panel in a desired geometry; and   the step of actuating said EMP coil includes forcing said portion of said metal panel against said recessed portion, causing said portion of said metal panel to be formed or pierced.