Process for laser machining continuous metal stamped strip
First Claim
1. A process for making parts from strip metal comprising:
- providing a strip of metal from which parts are to be made;
partially mechanically forming a plurality of parts in a portion of the metal strip;
laser machining the partially mechanically formed parts while in said metal strip;
further mechanically forming the laser machined, partially mechanically formed parts while in said metal strip; and
separating the further mechanically formed, laser machined parts from remaining portions of said metal strip.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A process for laser machining continuously metal stamped strip feeds a strip of metal into an otherwise conventional press and partially, mechanically forms a part in the strip, without removing the part from the strip. The partially formed part, as still attached to the strip, is then fed continuously into a laser machining station where a laser then performs the desired machining, e.g., hole cutting, etching (e.g., partial cutting through a thickness) or other conventional laser machining processes, to the part while attached to the strip. The laser machining may also precede the mechanical forming. The partially formed, laser machined part, again as it is still attached to the strip, is then fed into another press and the mechanical part formation is finished and/or the part is cut out and separated from the strip.
33 Citations
24 Claims
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1. A process for making parts from strip metal comprising:
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providing a strip of metal from which parts are to be made;
partially mechanically forming a plurality of parts in a portion of the metal strip;
laser machining the partially mechanically formed parts while in said metal strip;
further mechanically forming the laser machined, partially mechanically formed parts while in said metal strip; and
separating the further mechanically formed, laser machined parts from remaining portions of said metal strip. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A process for making parts from strip metal comprising:
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providing a strip of metal from which parts are to be made;
providing a first press to partially mechanically form parts in the metal strip;
providing a laser machining station to laser machine parts in the metal strip;
providing a second press to further mechanically form parts in the metal strip;
feeding the metal strip into said first press and partially mechanically forming a plurality of parts in a portion of the metal strip;
thereafter feeding the metal strip into said laser machining station and laser machining the partially mechanically formed parts while in said metal strip;
feeding the metal strip into said second press and further mechanically forming the laser machined, partially mechanically formed parts while in said metal strip; and
separating the further mechanically formed, laser machined parts from remaining portions of said metal strip. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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22. An apparatus for making parts from strip metal comprising:
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an uncoiler adapted to uncoil a strip of metal from which parts are to be made;
a first press adapted to partially mechanically form a plurality of parts in a portion of the metal strip;
a laser machining station adapted to laser machine the partially mechanically formed parts while in said metal strip; and
a second press adapted to further mechanically form the laser machined, partially mechanically formed parts while in said metal strip. - View Dependent Claims (23, 24)
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Specification