Metal Forming Head, A Machine With Such A Head And A Metal Forming Method

Abstract

A metal forming head ( 113 ) is disclosed which includes a die ( 124 ) with a stamping portion ( 130 ), and a die holder ( 126 ) with a hole ( 136 ) therethrough. At least part of the stamping portion ( 130 ) of the die ( 124 ) is receivable through the hole ( 136 ) of the die holder ( 126 ). A bottom surface ( 144 ) of the die holder ( 126 ) which faces away from the die ( 124 ) is being adapted to abut a major surface ( 38 a) of a sheet of metal ( 36 ). The die ( 124 ) is movable relative to an abutment part ( 138 ) of the die holder ( 126 ) to form the sheet of metal ( 36 ).

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A metal forming head comprising:
 a die with a forming portion, and   a die holder with a hole there-through and an abutment surface,   wherein at least part of said forming portion of said die is receivable through said hole of said die holder,   wherein said die holder is movable relative to a workpiece between a first position in which said abutment surface of said die holder abuts and applies a force on a major surface of said workpiece and a second position in which said abutment surface of said die holder is out of abutment with said major surface of said workpiece, and   wherein, when said abutment surface of said die holder abuts said major surface of said workpiece, said die is movable relative to said abutment surface of said die holder to form said workpiece.   
     
     
         2 . The metal forming head according to  claim 1  wherein said die is movable relative to said abutment surface of said die holder between a lower position in which said forming portion of said die extends through a plane containing said abutment surface of said die holder and an upper position in which said forming portion of said die does not extend through said plane. 
     
     
         3 . The metal forming head according to  claim 2  wherein said die is biased towards said upper position. 
     
     
         4 . The metal forming head according to  claim 2  wherein at least a first part of an engaging element is engaged with said die for simultaneous movement and at least a second part of said engagement element is received within a hole of said die holder for movement relative to at least part of said die holder. 
     
     
         5 . The metal forming head according to  claim 1  wherein said metal forming head is a stamping head. 
     
     
         6 . The metal forming machine including at least one metal forming head according to  claim 1 . 
     
     
         7 . The metal forming machine according to  claim 6  wherein said metal forming machine is a stamping machine. 
     
     
         8 . A metal forming method, comprising:
 (a) positioning a sheet of metal in a working position;   (b) applying a first force on said sheet of metal in a direction substantially perpendicular to a major surface of said sheet of metal, and   (c) forming said sheet of metal by applying a second force on said sheet of metal in said direction.   
     
     
         9 . The method according to  claim 8  wherein said step (c) is carried out while carrying out said step (b). 
     
     
         10 . The method according to  claim 8  wherein said first force is applied along the periphery of a working area of said sheet of metal. 
     
     
         11 . The method according to  claim 10  wherein said second force is applied on said working area of said sheet of metal. 
     
     
         12 . The method according to  claim 8  wherein said first force is smaller than said second force.