Brad L Kinsey

US Patent:

59411104, Aug 24, 1999

Filed:

May 12, 1997

Appl. No.:

8/854480

Inventors:

Jian Cao - Wilmette IL
Brad L. Kinsey - Clio MI

Assignee:

Northern University - Evanston IL

International Classification:

B21B 3700

US Classification:

72 214

Abstract:

Method and apparatus for TWB forming with adaptive control of movable punch and/or die segments in a manner to maintain a holding force at the weld line by the punch and die segments during at least initial forming of the blank in a manner to control and limit movement of the weld line. A tailor welded metal blank having a weld line is positioned between a punch and a die with the weld line spanning a cavity defined between the punch and the die. One or more individual segments of the punch and of the die are moved in a manner to engage opposite side regions of the weld line to apply a holding force to the weld line. Relative movement of the punch and/or die segments is adaptively controlled during at least initial deformation of the blank by the punch in a manner to maintain the holding force applied to weld line at a selected holding force value to retain the weld line in a plane defined by the punch and die segments, thereby reducing weld line movement. After initial deformation of the blank by movement of the punch to a preset punch location, the punch and die segments can be retracted away from the weld line during subsequent deformation of the blank.