A tool for increased precision in bilateral augmentation

Abstract

To provide a tool for use during double-sided incremental forming of a workpiece and improve accuracy when forming is performed by disposing the tool to sandwich the plate-shaped workpiece from both sides thereof and moving the tool while coming into contact.SOLUTION: A tool 10 includes a sleeve 30 with a hollow interior space 33. A contact member 40 is positioned within the hollow interior space of the sleeve. The contact member is sized with a working tip 41 positioned outward beyond the sleeve to come into contact with a workpiece 100. A mount 20 is positioned on the opposing end of the sleeve and configured to connect to a tool holder. The tool is configured to provide translational and / or rotational movement of the contact member. The movement in the axial and rotational directions causes the working tip to remain in contact with the workpiece during a forming process.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE The present disclosure relates generally to the field of forming tools, and more particularly to forming tools that maintain a working tip of the tool against a workpiece during a forming process. [Background technology]

[0002] Double sided incremental forming is a process for forming relatively thin plates of material, such as sheet metal. The process involves two tools, one of which is a support tool and the other of which is a forming tool, each having a tip. The first tool contacts the workpiece on a first side and the second tool contacts the workpiece on an opposite second side. The two tools move together such that the two tips are aligned or offset on both sides of the sheet. The two tools move their respective tips along preprogrammed paths to shape the workpiece and produce the desired part. Without any further preparation, the roles of the two tools can be interchanged to form features on both sides of the sheet.

[0003] The accuracy of the forming process is improved when both tips are aligned (or offset in a controlled manner) and maintained in contact with both sides of the sheet. However, in conventional tools and methods for bilateral incremental forming, the coordinated movement of the two tools can often lead to a situation where the contact between the supporting tool and the workpiece is lost. This can be due to errors arising from assumptions made during simulation, variations in machine stiffness, slight deviations between the predicted and actual sheet thickness at a given point when undergoing deformation, etc. This affects the quality and accuracy of the finished part.

[0004] One approach to deforming a workpiece with a forming tool and a support tool is to deform the workpiece by essentially fixing the workpiece and moving it together under displacement control. This approach essentially squeezes and stretches the material in and out of the plane to achieve the desired shape. However, the resulting damage and lack of precision make the approach unfeasible. It is desirable to address these challenges of conventional tools and methods for bilateral incremental forming. Summary of the Invention

[0005] One aspect is directed to a tool for bilateral incremental forming of a workpiece. The tool includes a sleeve with a first end and a second end, the sleeve having a hollow interior space extending into the sleeve from the first end. A mount is disposed at the second end of the sleeve. A spring is disposed within the hollow interior space of the sleeve. A contact member includes a working tip and an opposite end. The opposite end of the contact member is disposed within the hollow space of the sleeve, and the working tip is disposed outwardly beyond the sleeve for contacting against the workpiece. The contact member is biased outwardly away from the sleeve by the spring. A bearing member acts on the contact member and provides rotation and translation of the contact member relative to the mount.

[0006] In another aspect, the bearing member includes a translation bearing attached to the sleeve and having an opening through which the contact member extends, the translation bearing including a plurality of rollers that contact the contact member and provide translation of the contact member relative to the sleeve.

[0007] In another aspect, the bearing member includes a ball bearing operatively coupled to the sleeve to provide rotation of the sleeve relative to the mount.

[0008] In another aspect, the mount, sleeve, spring, and contact member are each coaxially aligned along the longitudinal axis of the tool.

[0009] In another aspect, the spring is a coil spring having a helical shape that extends around the opposing ends of the contact members.

[0010] In another aspect, the working tip of the contact member has a spherical shape.

[0011] In another aspect, one of the bearing members is fixedly mounted within the interior space of the sleeve and remains fixed relative to the sleeve while the contact member translates within the sleeve.

[0012] In another aspect, a pin extends through the contact member and through the sleeve, the pin configured to move with the contact member relative to the sleeve during translational movement of the contact member to prevent the contact member from moving out of the internal space of the sleeve.

[0013] One aspect is directed to a tool for bilateral incremental forming of a workpiece. The tool comprises a sleeve having a hollow interior space. A mount is coupled to the sleeve. A contact member is disposed within the interior space of the sleeve, the contact member comprising a working end configured to contact against the workpiece. A spring is disposed within the hollow space of the sleeve to bias the contact member in an outward direction from the interior space to maintain the working end of the contact member in contact with the workpiece. A first bearing member is operably coupled to the contact member and provides translational movement of the contact member relative to the mount. A second bearing member is operably coupled to the contact member and provides rotational movement of the contact member relative to the mount.

[0014] In another aspect, a first bearing member is mounted on the sleeve and positioned in contact with the contact member.

[0015] In another aspect, the first bearing member has a cylindrical shape coaxially aligned with the sleeve, and the first bearing member further includes a plurality of rollers extending outwardly from an inner surface of the first bearing member and contacting the contact member.

[0016] In another aspect, both the first bearing member and the second bearing member are disposed within the mount.

[0017] In another aspect, the mount comprises a shaft configured to be engaged by the tool holder, the mount further comprising a base extending from the shaft and supporting a second bearing member, the shaft having a width smaller than the base.

[0018] In another aspect, a slot extends along the axial section of the sleeve and a pin extends through the contact member and through the slot, the pin being sized to slide along the slot during translation of the contact member along the sleeve to prevent the contact member from moving out of the interior space of the sleeve.

[0019] In another aspect, the sleeve has a first end that is open and communicates with the hollow interior space, and the sleeve further has an opposite second end that is closed, where a spring is disposed within the hollow interior space at the closed second end.

[0020] In another aspect, the spring is a coil spring having a helical shape that extends around opposing ends of the contact members disposed within the interior space.

[0021] One aspect is directed to a method of using a tool during bilateral incremental forming of a workpiece, the method including biasing a working tip of the tool against a first side of the workpiece while the tool is mounted in a first tool holder, positioning a second tip of a second tool against an opposing second side of the workpiece while a second tool is mounted in a second tool holder, simultaneously moving the first tool holder and the second tool holder relative to the workpiece while the second tip and working tip remain directly aligned and in contact with both sides of the workpiece, and translating and rotating the working tip relative to the remainder of the tool while moving the working tip in unison with the second tip.

[0022] In another aspect, the method includes biasing the working tip against a remainder of the tool and maintaining the working tip in contact against a first side of the workpiece with the working tip biased outwardly away from the first tool holder.

[0023] In another aspect, the method further includes translating a contact member with a working tip along a sleeve extending around the contact member while moving the working tip along a first side of the workpiece.

[0024] In another aspect, the method further includes rotating the contact member relative to the sleeve while moving the working tip along the first side of the workpiece.

[0025] The above-described features, functions, and advantages can be realized alone in various aspects or combined in yet other aspects, details of which can be seen by reference to the following description and the accompanying drawings. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0026] [Figure 1]FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a tool for a double-sided titration according to an exemplary embodiment. [Diagram 2] 1 is a schematic cross-sectional side view of a tool for bilateral incremental formation, according to one illustrative embodiment; [Diagram 3] 1 is a schematic perspective cross-sectional view of a tool for bilateral incremental formation, according to one exemplary embodiment; [Figure 4] FIG. 13 is a partial perspective view of a pin extending through a contact member according to an illustrative embodiment. [Diagram 5] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a bearing member according to an exemplary embodiment; [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a side schematic view of a tool positioned relative to a workpiece. [Figure 7] FIG. 1 is a side schematic view of a forming system including a tool mounted in a tool holder. [Figure 8] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a controller for the forming system. [Figure 9] 1 is a side schematic view of a working tip of a tool contacting a first side of a workpiece and a tip of a second tool contacting an opposite side of the workpiece. [Figure 10] FIG. 13 is a flow diagram of a method of using a tool during double-sided incremental forming of a workpiece. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0027] FIG. 1 illustrates a tool 10 used during bilateral incremental forming of a workpiece 100. The tool 10 includes a sleeve 30 having a hollow interior space. A contact member 40 is disposed within the hollow interior space of the sleeve 30. The contact member 40 is sized such that a working tip 41 is disposed outwardly beyond the sleeve 30 for contacting the workpiece 100. A mount 20 is disposed at an opposite end of the sleeve 30 and configured to couple with a tool holder 90. One or more bearing members 50 are mounted within the tool 10. The tool 10 is configured to provide translational movement of the contact member 40 relative to the sleeve 30 along a longitudinal axis A of the tool 10. The contact member 40 is also capable of rotation about the longitudinal axis A relative to the mount 20 (and attached tool holder 90). Axial and rotational movement of the contact member 40 allows the working tip 41 to remain in contact with the workpiece 100 during the forming process. This configuration accommodates the axial and lateral tendencies of the tool 10 to become misaligned or lose contact with the workpiece 100 during the forming process.

[0028] 2 and 3 show schematic cross-sectional views of tool 10. Tool 10 includes a mount 20, a sleeve 30, a contact member 40, one or more bearing members 50a, 50b, 50c, and a spring 60. In one embodiment, these components are coaxially aligned along a longitudinal axis A of tool 10. In another embodiment, one or more of these components are offset from the longitudinal axis A.

[0029] The mount 20 is configured to engage the tool holder 90. The mount 20 includes a first end 21 facing the sleeve 30 and an opposite second end 22. The first end 21 includes a base 23 and the second end 22 includes a shaft 24. The base 23 supports the sleeve 30, the shaft 22 having a smaller width measured transverse to the longitudinal axis A than the base 23. This larger size allows for contacting and supporting the sleeve 30 and / or for one or more bearing members 50 to be disposed thereon.

[0030] 2 and 3, in one embodiment, a cavity 25 extends into the base 23 from the first end 21. The cavity 25 includes a first section 26 at the first end 21 and an axially inner second section 27. In another embodiment, the first end 21 is flat and forms a contact surface for the sleeve 30. In another embodiment, the first end 21 includes a protrusion that extends axially outward and away from the shaft 24. The protrusion is sized to fit within the support of the base 23.

[0031] The sleeve 30 extends outwardly from the first end 21 of the mount 20. The sleeve 30 has an elongated length measured between the first end 31 and the opposite second end 32. An interior space 33 is formed within the sleeve 30. The first end 31 is open and communicates with the hollow interior space 33. In one embodiment, the interior space 33 extends the entire length of the sleeve 30 (i.e., the sleeve 30 is cylindrical). The second end 32 is closed and includes a base 35 to provide a support surface for the spring 60. The base 35 may be formed in a variety of different ways. In one embodiment, the base 35 is formed by a plug inserted into the interior space 33 at the second end 32. In another embodiment, the hollow interior space 33 extends a limited distance inwardly from the first end 31 of the sleeve 30.

[0032] Slots 36 extend through the hollow interior space 33 from opposite sides of the sleeve 30. The slots 36 are disposed axially inward from the ends 31, 32 of the sleeve 30. The slots 36 may have a variety of lengths measured between opposite ends 37, 38.

[0033] The sleeve 30 may have a rounded outer cross-sectional shape. In another embodiment, one or more axial cross sections are flat. As best shown in FIG. 3, in one particular embodiment, the axial section of the outer surface is flat along the slot 36.

[0034] The contact member 40 is movably disposed within the sleeve 30. The contact member 40 has an elongated shape having a working tip 41 and an opposing end 42. In one embodiment, the length of the contact member 40 is greater than the length of the sleeve 30. Due to this size difference, the working tip 41 extends outwardly beyond the sleeve 30 with the opposing end 42 disposed within the interior space 33 of the sleeve 30. The contact member 40 is offset within the sleeve 30 to position the working tip 41 outwardly beyond the first end 31 of the sleeve 30.

[0035] The working tip 41 contacts the workpiece 100 during the forming process. In one embodiment, the working tip 41 has a spherical shape, as shown in FIG. 2. In another embodiment, the working tip 41 has a tapered shape. The working tip 41 can have a variety of shapes, sizes, and configurations, including, but not limited to, rounded, pointed, and flat. The working tip 41 can have a variety of surface finishes, including, but not limited to, smooth and textured.

[0036] In one embodiment, the contact member 40 has a single, unitary structure. In another embodiment, the contact member 40 is constructed from two or more sections that are coupled together. As shown in FIG. 2, the contact member 40 includes a front section 44 and a rear section 45. The front section 44 includes a working tip 41 and the rear section 45 includes an opposing end 42. The front section 44 and the rear section 45 can be coupled together in a variety of ways, including, but not limited to, threaded coupling, mechanical fastening, and adhesives. In one particular embodiment, the rear section 45 is threaded into a cavity in the front section 44.

[0037] The spring 60 biases the contact member 40 along the longitudinal axis A in the direction of arrow F in FIG. 3. The spring 60 is disposed at the bottom 35 of the interior space 33 and is configured to engage the contact member 40. In one embodiment, the spring 60 is a coil spring including a helical shape with a coil sized to be wrapped around a lower portion of the contact member 40 at the opposite end 42. The lower portion of the contact member 40 may include threads to facilitate engagement. In another embodiment, the spring 60 is positioned to contact only the opposite end 42 and spaced apart from the remainder of the contact member 40.

[0038] As shown in Figure 4, an opening 46 extends through the width of the contact member 40. A pin 65 extends through the opening 46. The pin 65 is larger than the width of the contact member 40 and extends outward from both sides. As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the pin 65 also extends through the slot 36 in the sleeve 30. The pin 65 maintains the contact member 40 within the sleeve 30 when the contact member 40 is biased outward in the direction of arrow F in Figure 3.

[0039] The tool 10 includes one or more bearing members 50 that provide one or more of rotation and translation of the contact member 40. The one or more bearing members 50 enable the working tip 41 of the contact member 40 to remain in contact with the workpiece during the forming process.

[0040] In one embodiment, a bearing member 50a is coupled to the sleeve 30 and disposed within the interior space 33. As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the bearing member 50a may be disposed at the first end 31 of the sleeve 30. The bearing member 50a provides rotation and translation for the contact member 40. As shown in Figure 5, the bearing member 50a includes a cylindrical body 53 having a hollow interior space 51 extending the length thereof. The bearing member 50a has an outer diameter sized to fit within the interior space 33 of the sleeve 30. The bearing member 50a has an inner diameter sized to receive the contact member 40. In one embodiment, the diameter of the interior space 51 is substantially the same as the outer diameter of the contact member 40. This similar size supports the contact member 40 and limits the amount of lateral movement of the contact member 40. Rollers 52 are mounted along the inner surface of the interior space 51. The rollers 52 extend outward beyond the inner edge of the cylindrical body 53. Rollers 52 are rotatable relative to cylindrical body 53 causing contact member 40 to have a rotational movement indicated by arrow C and an axial movement indicated by arrow D. Rollers 52 can have a variety of shapes including, but not limited to, spherical and cylindrical shapes.

[0041] One or more bearing members 50 may be disposed within the mount 20. As shown in Figures 2 and 3, bearing members 50b and 50c are disposed within the mount 20 and support the sleeve 30. Bearing member 50c is mounted within the first section 26 of the cavity 25, and bearing member 50b is mounted within the second section 27 of the cavity 25. The bearing members 50b, 50c support the sleeve 30 and allow rotational movement of the sleeve 30 relative to the mount 20. As shown in Figures 2 and 3, in one embodiment, the bearing member 50c contacts the second end 32 of the sleeve 30. The bearing member 50b contacts the bearing member 50c. In one embodiment, one of the bearing members 50b, 50c is a thrust bearing and the other is a ball bearing. The thrust bearing allows translational movement between the sleeve 30 (and contact member 40) and the mount 20. The ball bearing provides rotational movement between the sleeve 30 (and contact member 40) and the mount 20. In one particular embodiment, bearing member 50b is a thrust bearing and bearing member 50c is a ball bearing. In one embodiment, bearing member 50a is mounted within sleeve 30 and provides rotational and translational movement of contact member 40. Bearing member 50a may include a roller bearing 52 that contacts contact member 40 and provides the movement.

[0042] FIG. 6 shows a schematic of the tool 10 including a longitudinal axis A. The mount 20, sleeve 30, and contact member 40 are coaxially aligned along the longitudinal axis A. The mount 20 of the tool 10 engages a tool holder 90. The tool holder 90 provides movement of the tool 10 relative to the workpiece 100 and exerts a force on the contact member 40 to deform the workpiece 100. The tool 10 is configured to keep the contact member 40 in contact with the workpiece 100 during movement of the tool holder 90. As the contact member 40 slides along the workpiece 100, the tool 10 provides rotational movement (arrow M) about the longitudinal axis A relative to the tool holder 90. The rotational movement is provided by the contact member 40 rotating within the bearing member 50a and / or sleeve 30, and the coupled contact member 40 rotating in one or both of the bearing members 50b, 50c. The tool 10 also provides translational movement (arrow N) of the contact member 40 along the longitudinal axis A. The translational movement of the contact member 40 within the sleeve 30 is provided via a spring 60 disposed within the interior space 33 of the sleeve 30.

[0043] 7 shows a system 110 for using the tool 10 for double sided incremental forming of a workpiece 100. The workpiece 100 is rigidly attached to a frame 111 using one or more clamps 112. The clamps 112 prevent movement of the workpiece 100 during the forming process. The clamps 112 are also positioned to space away from areas of the workpiece 100 that will be contacted during the forming process.

[0044] First and second tool holders 90, 114 are mounted to a frame 111. The first tool holder 90 is disposed on a first side 101 of the workpiece 100 and the second tool holder 114 is disposed on an opposite second side 102 of the workpiece 100. A tool 10 is mounted to the first tool holder 90. In one embodiment, the mounting includes a mount 20 of the tool 10 engaged within a spindle of the tool holder 90. A second tool 115 is mounted to the second tool holder 114. In one embodiment, the second tool holder 114 is the same as the first tool holder 90 to provide similar rotational and axial movement of the second tool 115. In another embodiment, the second tool holder 114 includes a different structure than the tool holder 90.

[0045] The first and second tool holders 90, 114 are movable relative to the workpiece 100. In one embodiment, the first and second tool holders 90, 114 provide multiple degrees of freedom of movement including three translations and one rotation. The first and second tool holders 90, 114 may include heating elements that provide heating of the workpiece 100 through contact with the tool 10, 115. One or both of the first and second tool holders 90, 114 may also provide rotation of the tool 10, 115, respectively.

[0046] A control unit 70 controls the forming process and operation of the tool holder 90, 114. As shown in FIG. 8, the control unit 70 includes a control circuit 71 and a memory circuit 72. The control circuit 71 controls the overall operation of the forming process according to program instructions stored in the memory circuit 72. The control circuit 71 may include one or more circuits, microcontrollers, microprocessors, hardware, or combinations thereof. The memory circuit 72 includes a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium having stored thereon program instructions, such as a computer program product, that configures the control circuit 71 to implement one or more of the techniques described herein. The memory circuit 72 may include various memory devices, such as, for example, a read-only memory or a flash memory. The memory circuit 72 may be a separate component as shown in FIG. 7 or may be incorporated into the control circuit 71. Alternatively, the control circuit 71 may omit the memory circuit 72, for example, according to at least some embodiments in which the control circuit 71 is dedicated and non-programmable.

[0047] The user interface 74 allows a user to control one or more aspects of the forming process. The user interface 74 may include one or more input devices 75, such as, but not limited to, a keyboard, a touch pad, a roller ball, and a joystick. The one or more input devices 75 allow a user to input commands into the control circuitry 71. The user interface 74 may also include one or more displays 76 for displaying information to the user. One or more sensors 73 detect one or more aspects of the tool holder 90, 114 and / or the workpiece 100.

[0048] The system 110 provides bilateral incremental forming of the workpiece 100. This process involves the workpiece 100 being formed into a desired geometric shape by a series of small incremental deformations. The forming process involves the working tip 41 of the tool 10 and the tip 116 of the second tool 115 contacting both sides of the workpiece 100. As shown in FIG. 9, the working tip 41 of the contact member 40 of the tool 10 contacts the workpiece 100 on a first side and the tip 116 of the second tool 115 contacts the workpiece 100 on the opposite side.

[0049] Prior to forming, a lubricant may be applied to the surface of the workpiece 100 to reduce friction with the tips 41, 116. Once the tips 41, 116 are aligned, the tool holder 90, 114 moves around the workpiece 100. During forming, the tips 41, 116 move in unison and remain aligned or offset depending on the local geometric characteristics of the feature being formed.

[0050] During the forming process, the working tip 41 is maintained in contact with the first side of the workpiece 100. During the movement, friction between the working tip 41 and the workpiece 100 is reduced by the functional aspects of the tool 10. The axial and lateral tendency of the working tip 41 to misalign or lose contact with the workpiece 100 can be adjusted since the contact member 40 can rotate and translate about the longitudinal axis A relative to the tool holder 90. The tool 10 also reduces and / or prevents the working tip 41 from losing contact during the movement of the tool 10 and the tool holder 90. The tool 10 also ensures a proper level of stiffness by incorporating a spring 60 with a desired stiffness without throttling the workpiece 100. This feature accounts for misalignment and errors resulting from inaccurate predictions (algorithm software machine characteristics) as well as variability regarding machine and workpiece compliance, size of the test piece, tool length, wear and tear, drift in machine performance, etc.

[0051] 10 includes a method of using the tool 10 during bilateral incremental forming of a workpiece 100. The method includes biasing a working tip 41 of the tool 10 against a first side of the workpiece 100 while the tool 10 is mounted in a first tool holder 90 (block 150). A second tip 116 of a second tool 115 is positioned against an opposing second side of the workpiece 100 (block 152). The second tool 115 is mounted in a second tool holder 114. At any moment, the working tip 41 and the second tip 116 can be aligned or offset depending on local geometric characteristics. The first tool holder 90 and the second tool holder 114 move in a coordinated manner relative to the workpiece 100 (block 154) while the second tip 116 and the working tip 41 are in contact with both sides of the workpiece 100 while remaining aligned / offset according to the local geometric characteristics of the feature being formed. In one embodiment, the first tool holder 90 and the second tool holder 114 move simultaneously relative to the workpiece 100 while the second tip 116 and the working tip 41 are in contact with both sides 101, 102 of the workpiece 100 while remaining directly aligned. During the movement of the tool 10, the working tip 41 translates and rotates relative to the rest of the tool 10 (block 156). During this movement, the second tip 116 moves in a predefined path without translation during forming, since the second tip 116 is functioning as a forming tool. This movement of the working tip 41 occurs while moving the working tip 41 in unison with the second tip 116. The tools 41, 116 exchange their roles based on the local geometric characteristics of the feature being formed.

[0052] In one embodiment, tool 10 is used as a forming tool during the forming process and a second tool 115 follows to support workpiece 100 during the process. In another embodiment, tool 10 is used for supporting and tool 115 is used for forming. In another embodiment, tools 10, 115 are used as both forming and supporting tools.

[0053] In one embodiment during formation, the working tip 41 is biased against the remainder of the tool 10 such that the working tip 41 remains in contact with the first side 101 of the workpiece 100 with the working tip 41 biased outwardly away from the first tool holder 90.

[0054] In one embodiment, the method includes translating a contact member 40 including a working tip 41 along a sleeve 30 extending around the contact member 40 while moving the working tip 41 along the first side 101 of the workpiece 100. This may further include rotating the contact member 40 relative to the sleeve 30 while moving the working tip 41 along the first side 101 of the workpiece 100.

[0055] The workpiece 100 may be constructed from a variety of materials. Examples include, but are not limited to, metals, metal alloys, polymeric materials, and combinations thereof.

[0056] The term "substantially" referring to a quantity or measurement does not mean that the recited characteristic, parameter, or value need not be exactly achieved, but rather that deviations or variations, including, for example, tolerances, measurement errors, measurement accuracy limits, and factors known to those skilled in the art, may occur to an extent that cannot eliminate the effect of the characteristic.

[0057] Additionally, the present disclosure includes embodiments according to the following clauses: Article 1. A tool (10) for bilateral incremental forming of a workpiece (100), comprising: a sleeve (30) having a first end (31) and a second end (32), the sleeve (30) having a hollow interior space (33) extending into the sleeve (30) from the first end (31); a mount (20) disposed at the second end (32) of the sleeve (30); A spring (60) disposed within the hollow interior space (33) of the sleeve (30); a contact member (40) having a working tip (41) and an opposite end (42), the opposite end (42) of the contact member (40) being disposed within the interior space (33) of the sleeve (30), the working tip (41) being disposed outwardly beyond the sleeve (30) for contact against the workpiece (100), and the contact member (40) being biased outwardly away from the sleeve (30) by the spring (60); A tool comprising a bearing member (50) that acts on the contact member (40) and provides rotational and translational movement of the contact member (40) relative to the mount (20). Article 2. The tool described in clause 1, wherein the bearing member (50) includes a translation bearing (50a) attached to the sleeve (30) and having an opening (51) through which the contact member (40) extends, the translation bearing (50a) comprising a plurality of rollers (52) that contact against the contact member (40) and provide the translation of the contact member (40) relative to the sleeve (30). Article 3. The tool of claim 2, wherein the bearing member (50) includes a ball bearing operably coupled to the sleeve (30) to provide for rotation of the sleeve (30) relative to the mount (20). Article 4. The tool of any one of clauses 1 to 3, wherein each of the mount (20), the sleeve (30), the spring (60), and the contact member (40) are coaxially aligned along a longitudinal axis of the tool (10). Article 5. 5. The tool of any one of clauses 1 to 4, wherein the spring (60) is a coil spring having a helical shape extending around the opposite end (42) of the contact member (40). Article 6. 6. The tool according to any one of clauses 1 to 5, wherein the working tip (41) of the contact member (40) has a spherical shape. Article 7. A tool as described in any one of clauses 1 to 6, wherein one of the bearing members (50) is fixedly mounted within the internal space (33) of the sleeve (30) and remains fixed relative to the sleeve (30) during the translational movement of the contact member (40) within the sleeve (30). Article 8. The tool of any one of clauses 1 to 7, further comprising a pin (65) extending through the contact member (40) and through the sleeve (30), the pin (65) configured to move together with the contact member (40) relative to the sleeve (30) during the translational movement of the contact member (40) and to prevent the contact member (40) from moving out of the internal space (33) of the sleeve (30). Article 9. A tool (10) for bilateral incremental forming of a workpiece (100), comprising: A sleeve (30) having a hollow interior space (33); A mount (20) connected to the sleeve (30); a contact member (40) disposed within the interior space (33) of the sleeve (30), the contact member (40) having a working end (41) configured to contact the workpiece (100); a spring (60) disposed within the interior space (33) of the sleeve (30) for biasing the contact member (40) in an outward direction from the hollow interior space (33) such that the working end (41) of the contact member (40) remains in contact with the workpiece (100); a first bearing member (50) operably coupled to the contact member (40) to provide translational movement of the contact member (40) relative to the mount (20); and A tool comprising a second bearing member (50) operably coupled to the contact member (40) to provide rotational movement of the contact member (40) relative to the mount (20). Article 10. 10. The tool of clause 9, wherein the first bearing member (50) is mounted on the sleeve (30) and arranged in contact against the contact member (40). Article 11. The tool described in clause 10, wherein the first bearing member (50) has a cylindrical shape coaxially aligned with the sleeve (30), and the first bearing member (50) further comprises a plurality of rollers (52) extending outward from an inner surface of the first bearing member (50) and contacting the contact member (40). Article 12. 10. The tool of claim 9, wherein both the first bearing member (50) and the second bearing member (50) are disposed within the mount (20). Article 13. The tool of any one of clauses 9 to 12, wherein the mount (20) comprises a shaft (24) configured to be engaged by a tool holder (90), and the mount (20) further comprises a base (23) extending from the shaft (24) and supporting the second bearing member (50) with the shaft (24) having a width smaller than the base (23). Article 14. a slot (36) extending along an axial section of the sleeve (30); and The tool of any one of clauses 9 to 13, further comprising a pin (65) extending through the contact member (40) and through the slot (36), the pin (65) being sized to slide along the slot (36) during the translational movement of the contact member (40) along the sleeve (30) and to prevent the contact member (40) from moving out of the internal space (33) of the sleeve (30). Article 15. the sleeve (30) having a first end (31) that is open and communicates with the hollow interior space; The tool of any one of clauses 9 to 14, wherein the sleeve (30) further comprises an opposite closed second end (32), at which the spring (60) is disposed within the hollow interior space (33). Article 16. 16. The tool of any one of clauses 9 to 15, wherein the spring (60) is a coil spring having a helical shape extending around the opposite end (42) of the contact member (40) disposed within the internal space (33). Article 17. A method of using a tool (10) during double-sided incremental forming of a workpiece (100), comprising the steps of: urging a working tip (41) of the tool (10) against a first side of the workpiece (100) while the tool (10) is mounted in a first tool holder (90); positioning a second tip (116) of the second tool (115) against an opposing second side of the workpiece (100) while the second tool (115) is mounted in a second tool holder (114); moving the first tool holder (90) and the second tool holder (114) simultaneously relative to the workpiece (100) while the second tip (116) and the working tip (41) remain in direct alignment and in contact with opposite sides of the workpiece (100); and translating and rotating the working tip (41) relative to a remainder of the tool (10) while moving the working tip (41) in unison with the second tip (116). Article 18. 18. The method of claim 17, further comprising biasing the working tip (41) against the remainder of the tool (10) and maintaining the working tip (41) in contact against the first side of the workpiece (100), wherein the working tip (41) is biased outwardly away from the first tool holder (90). Article 19. 19. The method of claim 17 or 18, further comprising translating the contact member (40) with the working tip (41) along a sleeve (30) extending around the contact member (40) while moving the working tip (41) along the first side of the workpiece (100). Article 20. 20. The method of claim 19, further comprising rotating the contact member (40) relative to the sleeve (30) while moving the working tip (41) along the first side of the workpiece (100).

[0058] The invention may, of course, be practiced otherwise than as specifically set forth herein without departing from the essential characteristics thereof. The present embodiments are to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive, and all changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are intended to be embraced therein.

Claims

1. A tool (10) for bilateral incremental forming of a workpiece (100), comprising: a sleeve (30) having a first end (31) and a second end (32), the sleeve (30) having a hollow interior space (33) extending into the sleeve (30) from the first end (31); a mount (20) disposed at the second end (32) of the sleeve (30); a spring (60) disposed within the hollow interior space (33) of the sleeve (30); a contact member (40) having a working tip (41) and an opposite end (42), the opposite end (42) of the contact member (40) being disposed within the interior space (33) of the sleeve (30), the working tip (41) being disposed outwardly beyond the sleeve (30) for contact against the workpiece (100), and the contact member (40) being biased outwardly away from the sleeve (30) by the spring (60); and A tool comprising a bearing member (50) acting on said contact member (40) to provide rotational and translational movement of said contact member (40) relative to said mount (20).

2. 2. The tool of claim 1, wherein the bearing member (50) includes a translation bearing (50a) attached to the sleeve (30) and having an opening (51) through which the contact member (40) extends, the translation bearing (50a) comprising a plurality of rollers (52) that contact against the contact member (40) and provide the translation of the contact member (40) relative to the sleeve (30).

3. The tool of claim 2 , wherein the bearing member (50) comprises a ball bearing operatively coupled to the sleeve (30) to provide rotation of the sleeve (30) relative to the mount (20).

4. The tool of any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein each of the mount (20), the sleeve (30), the spring (60), and the contact member (40) are coaxially aligned along a longitudinal axis of the tool (10).

5. 5. The tool of claim 1, wherein one of the bearing members (50) is fixedly mounted within the internal space (33) of the sleeve (30) and remains fixed relative to the sleeve (30) during the translational movement of the contact member (40) within the sleeve (30).

6. 6. The tool of claim 1, further comprising a pin (65) extending through the contact member (40) and through the sleeve (30), the pin (65) configured to move with the contact member (40) relative to the sleeve (30) during the translational movement of the contact member (40) and to prevent the contact member (40) from moving out of the internal space (33) of the sleeve (30).

7. A method of using a tool (10) during double-sided incremental forming of a workpiece (100), comprising the steps of: urging a working tip (41) of the tool (10) against a first side of the workpiece (100) while the tool (10) is mounted in a first tool holder (90); positioning a second tip (116) of the second tool (115) against an opposing second side of the workpiece (100) while the second tool (115) is mounted in a second tool holder (114); moving the first tool holder (90) and the second tool holder (114) simultaneously relative to the workpiece (100) while the second tip (116) and the working tip (41) remain in direct alignment and in contact with opposite sides of the workpiece (100); and translating and rotating the working tip (41) relative to the remainder of the tool (10) while moving the working tip (41) in unison with the second tip (116).

8. 8. The method of claim 7, further comprising biasing the working tip (41) against the remainder of the tool (10) and keeping the working tip (41) in contact against the first side of the workpiece (100), wherein the working tip (41) is biased outwardly away from the first tool holder (90).

9. 9. The method according to claim 7 or 8, further comprising translating the contact member (40) with the working tip (41) along a sleeve (30) extending around the contact member (40) while moving the working tip (41) along the first side of the workpiece (100).

10. 10. The method of claim 9, further comprising rotating the contact member (40) relative to the sleeve (30) while moving the working tip (41) along the first side of the workpiece (100).

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