1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to apparatuses and methods for forming workpieces, and particularly to apparatuses and methods that readily and accurately perform a variety of forming operations on metallic workpieces.
2. Related Art
With incessant development of modern manufacturing industries, more and more components having a myriad of different shapes are being required. Shapes commonly found on such components include, for example, inclined surfaces, arcuate surfaces, and steps. A variety of apparatuses and methods are available for forming such components.
Conventional apparatuses and methods for forming workpieces only allow the workpiece to be machined linearly. Arcuate surfaces are often formed using electrodischarge machines. However, electrodischarge machine is complicated and time-consuming. Furthermore, a special electrode is required for every different workpiece. This is unduly costly. Moreover, it is difficult to control the precision with which an electrodischarge machine forms a workpiece. Thus quality control of the workpieces is problematic.
An improved apparatus and method for forming workpieces which overcomes the above-mentioned problems and shortcomings is desired.
Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus which can readily and accurately form a surface having three dimensions on a metallic workpiece.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a method which can efficiently and accurately form a surface having three dimensions on a metallic workpiece.
To achieve the above-mentioned objects, a forming apparatus in accordance with the present invention comprises a workbench and a pivot device. The workbench comprises a magnetic base for holding a workpiece thereon. The pivot device comprises a pivot plate and a fixed plate. The pivot plate is fixedly attached below the base, and rotatably seated on the fixed plate. The fixed plate defines a pair of cutouts in two corners thereof respectively, to form an arched-shaped top portion. A pair of locking plates is attached on a first side wall of the pivot plate, and another locking plate is attached on a second side wall of the pivot plate. When the locking plates are oriented vertically, bottom extremities of the locking plates are located between a top extremity of the top portion and a bottom extremity of the top portion. The locking plates can therefore pass over the two corners corresponding to the cutouts, but cannot pass over other corners of the fixed plate. When the locking plates are oriented horizontally, the bottom extremities of the locking plates are higher than the top extremity of the top portion. The locking plates can therefore pass over every corner of the fixed plate. By adjusting orientations of the locking plates, the combined base and pivot plate can be rotated within a variety of predetermined different angles.
Other objects, advantages and novel features of the present invention will be drawn from the following detailed description of preferred embodiments of the present invention with attached drawings, in which: