Tools and process for forming conical components

• Main Author: SMITH EMLYN J
• Format: Patent
• Language: English
• Published: 26.02.2004
• Edition: 7
• Subjects: AUXILIARY OPERATIONS USED IN CONNECTION WITH METAL-WORKINGWITHOUT ESSENTIALLY REMOVING MATERIAL; MANUFACTURE OF METAL SHEETS, WIRE, RODS, TUBES OR PROFILES,OTHERWISE THAN BY ROLLING; MECHANICAL METAL-WORKING WITHOUT ESSENTIALLY REMOVINGMATERIAL; PERFORMING OPERATIONS; PUNCHING METAL; TRANSPORTING; WORKING OR PROCESSING OF SHEET METAL OR METAL TUBES, RODS ORPROFILES WITHOUT ESSENTIALLY REMOVING MATERIAL

This invention relates to a press (20) for forming a conical component (58) from sheet metal or the like and to a method of forming a conical component (58) from a metal sheet (53) or the like. The press (20) comprises two spaced elongate arm members (39, 40) and an elongate tool member (23) movable between a clear position in which the tool member (23) is clear of a gap (41) between the arm members (39, 40) and an interposed position in which at least a portion of the tool member (23) penetrates the gap (41), wherein a member (23, 49, 50) is disposed out of parallel alignment with at least one of the other members (23, 49, 50). The required alignment may be achieved by arranging the press (20) such that, when in the interposed position, the penetration of the tool member (23) into the gap (41) is greater at one end (24) of the tool member (23) than the other (25). Alternatively or additionally, the arm members (49, 50) may diverge along their length.