Sanyo Machine Works, Ltd.

Juzo Saijo

Koji Ochiai

An apparatus is presented for hemming at least two panels together. An inner panel, having a rounded corner, is initially positioned onto an outer panel, also having a rounded corner, the rounded corners of the panels overlapping. The rounded corner of the inner panel is also preliminarily positioned against a rounded, corner hem flange of the outer panel. The apparatus includes a creasing blade, having a concave rounded corner, which is brought toward an external surface of the hem flange. Contact occurs between the outer surface of the hem flange and the concave rounded corner of the creasing blade. The hem flange is then pressured by the rounded corner of the creasing blade, thereby preliminarily folding the outer panel hem flange over the inner panel by an acute angle. The creasing blade is withdrawn form the hem flange. The acutely angled fold of the outer panel hem flange is subsequently pressed by the flat surface of a final folding blade, until the hem flange crimps the inner panel.

Apparatus for executing hemming process

A method for hemming at least two panels together begins with the step of positioning an inner panel, having a rounded corner, onto an outer panel, also having a rounded corner, the rounded corners of the panels overlapping. This is followed by a positioning the rounded corner of the inner panel against a rounded, corner hem flange of the outer panel. Next, there is the step of advancing a creasing blade, having a concave rounded corner, toward an external surface of the hem flange. Contact occurs between the outer surface of the hem flange and the concave rounded corner of the creasing blade. The hem flange is then pressured by the rounded corner of the creasing blade, thereby preliminarily folding the outer panel hem flange over the inner panel by an acute angle. The creasing blade is withdrawn from the hem flange. Finally, the acutely angled fold of the outer panel hem flange is subjected to a flat surface of a final folding blade, until the hem flange crimps the inner panel.

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Nagoya, Japan

Juzo Saijo