DIE ASSEMBLY FOR USE IN AN APPARATUS FOR FORMING A WORKPIECE
A die assembly for forming a workpiece includes a support clamp, a first clamp that is movable relative to the support clamp to engage a first portion of the workpiece, and a second clamp that is movable relative to the support clamp to engage a second portion of the workpiece. A forming punch is movable relative to the support clamp after the first clamp and the second clamp have been moved to form the workpiece.
1 . A die assembly for forming a single workpiece comprising:
a support clamp;
a first clamp that is movable relative to the support clamp to engage a first portion of a single workpiece;
a second clamp that is movable relative to the support clamp to engage a second portion of the single workpiece; and
a forming punch that is movable relative to the support clamp after the first clamp and the second clamp have been moved to form a flange on the end of the second portion of the single workpiece, the flange being folded inward of the single workpiece.
2 . The die assembly of claim 1 wherein the support clamp includes a recess that cooperates with the forming punch to form the single workpiece.
3 . The die assembly of claim 1 wherein the support clamp includes a pin slot disposed about a portion of a movable pin assembly, the support clamp being movable relative to the movable pin assembly.
4 . The die assembly of claim 1 wherein the support clamp includes a cam follower that is selectively engaged by a cam driver to move the support clamp from an opened position to a closed position.
5 . The die assembly of claim 1 wherein the support clamp includes a cam follower that is selectively engaged by a cam driver to move the support clamp from an opened position to a closed position and to support the support clamp against the movement of the forming punch.
6 . The die assembly of claim 3 wherein the movable pin assembly is supported on a resilient member for biased movement.
7 . The die assembly of claim 6 wherein the resilient member is a nitrogen charged spring.
8 . The die assembly of claim 3 wherein the movable pin assembly is located above the support clamp surface such that the single workpiece does not engage the support clamp.
9 . The die assembly of claim 1 wherein the first clamp assembly includes a resilient member that resiliently supports the floater clamp within the rigid clamp.
10 . The die assembly of claim 9 wherein the resilient member is a nitrogen charged spring.
11 . A die assembly for forming a feature onto a single component comprising:
a base having at least one movable pin assembly that is biased in an extended position;
a support clamp engaging the base for relative movement therewith;
a first clamp assembly that is movable relative to the support clamp and having a rigid clamp and a floater clamp, the first clamp assembly further having a pin recess adapted to engage a portion of the movable pin assembly;
a forming punch engaging the base for relative movement therewith and having a leading edge that cooperates with the support clamp to form a feature; and
a second clamp that is movable relative to the forming punch, the second clamp cooperating with the support clamp to engage a portion of a single component therebetween, wherein the feature is a flange on the end of the portion of the single component, the flange being folded inward of the single component.
12 . The die assembly of claim 11 wherein the support clamp includes a recess that cooperates with the forming punch to form the single component.
13 . The die assembly of claim 11 wherein the support clamp includes a pin slot disposed about a portion of the movable pin assembly, the support clamp being movable relative to the movable pin assembly.
14 . The die assembly of claim 11 wherein the support clamp includes a cam follower that is selectively engaged by a cam driver to move the support clamp from an opened position to a closed position.
15 . The die assembly of claim 11 wherein the support clamp includes a cam follower that is selectively engaged by a earn driver to move the support clamp from an opened position to a closed position and to support the support clamp against the movement of the forming punch.
16 . The die assembly of claim 11 wherein the movable pin assembly is supported on a resilient member for biased movement.
17 . The die assembly of claim 16 wherein the resilient member is a nitrogen charged spring.
18 . The die assembly of claim 11 wherein the movable pin assembly is located above the support clamp surface such that the single component does not engage the support clamp.
19 . The die assembly of claim 11 wherein the first clamp assembly includes a resilient member that resiliently supports the floater clamp within the rigid clamp.
20 . The die assembly of claim 19 wherein the resilient member is a nitrogen charged spring.
21 . A die assembly for forming a flange onto a single workpiece comprising:
a base having at least one movable pin assembly biased in an extended vertical position;
a support clamp engaging the base for relative horizontal movement therewith;
a first clamp assembly vertically movable relative to the support clamp and having a rigid clamp, a floater clamp, and a pin recess adapted to engage a pin nose of the vertically movable pin assembly;
a forming punch engaging the base for relative horizontal movement therewith and having a leading edge; and
a second clamp horizontally movable relative to the forming punch, the second clamp cooperating with the support clamp to engage a portion of a single workpiece therebetween and the leading edge cooperating with the support clamp to form a flange on the end of the single workpiece portion.
22 . The die assembly of claim 21 , wherein the flange is folded inward of the single workpiece.