| Pre-hemming tool for robotic hemming -> Monitor Keywords |
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Pre-hemming tool for robotic hemmingPre-hemming tool for robotic hemming description/claimsThe Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20060179914, Pre-hemming tool for robotic hemming. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION [0001] This application claims the priority of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/652,358 filed Feb. 11, 2005. TECHNICAL FIELD [0002] This invention relates to robotic roller hemming and more particularly, to pre-hemming of closure panels such as vehicle door panels, hood panels, gate panels, and decklid panels. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0003] It is known in the art relating to robotic roller hemming to pre-hem sheet metal fabricated parts, such as vehicle closure panels, to a pre-hem condition prior to the hemming of the closure panels. A vehicle closure panel may consist of an outer panel and an inner panel, which are hemmed together in the hemming process to make a closure panel assembly. In the hemming process, it is known to pre-hem the outer corners of a closure panel, for example by bending the corners of the outer panel towards the inner panel, prior to hemming the outer panel completely to the inner panel. Known methods for pre-hemming closure panels utilize robotic roller hemmers to hem the corners of the outer panel over the inner panel. These methods, however, require several passes with the hem roller and therefore require a significant amount of time. Further, use of a robotic roller hemmer does not always lead to a quality corner pre-hem, as a roller hemming tool does not have the shape required to accurately make a corner pre-hem. Instead, the roller hemming tool is often ineffective for corner pre-hem operations. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0004] The present invention provides a pre-hemming tool for robotic hemming that is able to operate at faster speeds than prior devices, thereby decreasing the amount of time required to complete the pre-hem operation. Further, the present invention will assure a higher quality pre-hem, more consistent results, and lower costs. [0005] More particularly, a pre-hemming tool in accordance with the present invention includes a face and a plurality of sides extending from the face. The perimeter of the face defines an edge. The tool further includes at least one facet disposed on a side thereof for effecting pre-hemming. [0006] In a specific embodiment, a facet may be disposed on each side of the tool. Each facet may be a depression, and each depression may extend from the edge inwardly and have greater side penetration than face penetration. Each depression may have a generally triangular shape when viewed from the side. Each depression may include two triangularly shaped surfaces or alternatively may include a floor and a sidewall extending from the floor. [0007] The pre-hemming tool may have four sides and may be made of a flame hardenable tool steel. Alternatively, the tool may have six sides, though any other number of sides is also within the scope of the invention. [0008] Optionally, the pre-hemming tool may further include a support opposite the face. The support may be a plate and may either be integral with the tool or mounted to the tool. [0009] The pre-hemming tool may be adapted for releasable connection to a robot arm and may include an automatic change out tool operatively, releasably connected to the pre-hemming tool for mounting the pre-hemming tool to a robot arm. [0010] In an alternative embodiment, the pre-hemming tool may include guide members adjacent the sides of the tool. The guide members may be rails generally extending along the sides and may be adapted to engage receivers on a hemming die. [0011] These and other features and advantages of the invention will be more fully understood from the following detailed description of the invention taken together with the accompanying drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0012] In the drawings: [0013] FIG. 1A is an environmental perspective view of a pre-hemming tool for robotic hemming in accordance with the present invention performing a pre-hem operation via a robotic arm; [0014] FIG. 1B is a front view of the pre-hemming tool viewed from the direction 11 in FIG. 1A; [0015] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the pre-hemming tool of FIG. 1A; [0016] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of a pre-hemming tool in accordance with the present invention illustrating a six-sided working member; [0017] FIG. 4 is an environmental perspective view of the pre-hemming tool of FIG. 1A illustrating the pre-hemming tool in a retracted position relative to a corner of a panel; [0018] FIG. 5 is an environmental perspective view of the pre-hemming tool of FIG. 1A illustrating the pre-hemming tool in a working position relative to a corner of a panel; and [0019] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of another embodiment of a pre-hemming tool in accordance with the present invention illustrating guide members of the pre-hemming tool. 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