To provide techniques for designing and precision folding of a sheet material, and the structures formed therefrom.
A process for designing and manufacturing precision-folded, high strength, fatigue-resistant structures and a sheet therefore. The techniques include methods for precision bending of the sheet of material (41, 241, 341, 441, 541) along a bend line (45, 245, 345, 445, 543) and a sheet of material formed with bending strap-defining structures, such as slits or grooves (43, 243, 343, 443, 542), are disclosed. The methods include steps of designing and then separately forming longitudinally extending slits or grooves (43, 243, 343, 443, 542) through the sheet of material in axially spaced relation to produce precise bending of the sheet (41, 241, 341, 441, 541) when bent along the bend line (45, 245, 345, 445, 543). The bending straps have a configuration and orientation which increases their strength and fatigue resistance.
PENDLEY ALAN D
RAPPAPORT IRVING S
Fumiaki Otsuka
Disciple Maru Ken
Ino Sato