Recent content by howard j kopel

Haven't heard from you, are you still interested in continuing ? If not how about me fabricating those parts ? Howard

Dave, I think that I've got it. Have a look and let me know. The drawing shows punching the holes then cutting to length and then bending all in one stroke. The drawing is not finished but it shows the basics.

It looks like there will have to be two strokes of the press for each part. I'm game to look some more how about you ? Let me know and I'll start over on sumpton... Howard

I have convinced myself that it won't work. Let's say we took a short piece say 4" long and just bent it then measured the length again. It would be shorter as you can imagine. The material would have traveled from outside toward the center. Maybe what you are thinking is to hold the center and...

Good morning. I'm not too sure at this point. Over the weekend I worked on the idea that there might be a problem so I came up with the idea that we need a 2 stage operation. Have a look. The "Z" irons are shown as end view and on the first stoke the punches are free to move up. Then on the...

Here is another pic..

I looked into the bending and there is a problem as seen here. This can be solved I think by inserting rubber pads to keep the material from bending upward.

Almost there. Tomorrow I'll send various shots of the drawing. I wanted to see how the bending would go so I went out in the shop and bent one. We need the guide/stripper to hold down the piece when it is being bent. I have most of the design done. Howard

We will need strippers on both benders and the punches. Shall I continue with the drawing or will you be able to put it together without it ? Howard

Good morning. Will something like this help you in getting your project started ? I can finish the dimensions and add whatever you suggest. I also noticed that having two bend stations will probably keep the material from moving and not effect the punches.

What equipment are you going to use ? A standard punch press with die sets or say a hydraulic press with a fabricated tool holder. I used to make pickup bumpers and made my own equipment. I have a 250 ton press, 8' long X 12" wide. I also have a 12 ton press and other machine shop equipment...

OK it just seemed like a very tight bend. Let me rough out a design and I'll get back to you. Howard

At this time I don't have that figured out but the bend concerns me right now. Have you looked at it to scale ?

I would two stage the operation: make the bend first then punch the holes with the forming die bottomed out. Howard

OK I was looking at it from the wrong angle. Are you going to build the punch and die and want someone to design it or do you want someone else to built it ? I will look at it this afternoon. Howard