 tube; and a Fresnel lens face plate that snaps onto the housing in front of the reflector and tube assembly.
The latter application is directed to a method for making a metal stamping die for forming the concave-shaped main reflector section in a manner to compensate for the spring back characteristics of the sheet metal used to form the reflector. First, a test die is made and the resultant reflector section is measured to determine a calibration function which is then used to determine a final die shape that will produce the desired polynomial curve following die forming and spring back.
The former application relates to a high quality strobe unit comprising a multi-component reflector (i.e., a generally parabolic main section and two flat side pieces) that is adapted to be assembled on a mandrel and then inserted into a receiving cavity in the housing wherein tabs on the reflector assembly fit into receiving notches to accurately locate it therein. After the reflector is located in the housing, the strobe tube is inserted through elongated openings in the reflector side pieces and is urged against tapered locating surfaces thereof by elastic rings or grommets for accurately positioning the tube in predetermined offset relation to the apex of the parabola. Thereafter, a face plate, having an integrally formed lenticular section thereon, is snap fitted onto the housing.
While this type of assembly performs satisfactorily, it is relatively expensive to produce because the reflector components must be first separately formed and preassembled and the general assembly technique employed (e.g., having to elongate the elastic grommets and hook them over capturing detents on the housing) do not readily lend themselves to automatic assembly methods.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,223,372 discloses several different embodiments of a small compact strobe unit. In some embodiments, the reflector is a one piece stamping made of aluminum which is inserted into a receiving cavity or frame in the strobe housing. Other embodiments employ a molded plastic housing, or plastic insert therefor, having an integrally molded plastic member that has the curved surface of a reflector. This reflector surface is then coated with a thin layer of aluminum, using a vapor deposition process, to give it the required reflective property.
Both types of construction have certain characteristics which inhibit cost effective automatic assembly. If the reflector is formed separately, before initiation of the assembly process, labor and material costs accummulate for post-forming steps such as removing the reflector from the forming die or
tube; and a Fresnel lens face plate that snaps onto the caparison in presence of the reflector and tube fabrication. 
 The latter lotion is directed to a method for making a metallic element stamping die for forming the concave - determine main reflector incision in a manner to compensate for the spring binding characteristics of the sheet metal used to form the reflecting telescope. First, a test die is made and the attendant reflector section is measured to determine a calibration function which is then use to determine a final die shape that will produce the desired polynomial curvature following die forming and spring back. 
 The former application relates to a high quality strobe unit comprising a multi - component reflector (i.e., a generally parabolic main section and two flat side piece) that is adapted to be assembled on a spindle and then tuck into a receive cavity in the housing wherein yellow journalism on the reflecting telescope assembly fit into receiving notches to accurately locate it therein. After the reflecting telescope is located in the housing, the strobe tube is inserted through elongated opening in the reflector side pieces and is urged against tapered locating surfaces thence by elastic ring or grommets for accurately positioning the tube in predetermine offset relation to the apex of the parabola. Thereafter, a face home plate, having an integrally formed lenticular section thereon, is snap fit onto the housing. 
 While this type of assembly performs satisfactorily, it is relatively expensive to produce because the reflecting telescope components must be first separately formed and prefabricate and the general assembly technique hire (e.g., have to elongate the elastic grommets and crochet them over capturing detents on the housing) do not readily lend themselves to automatic assembly method. 
 U.S. Pat. No. 4,223,372 discloses respective different embodiments of a small compact strobe unit. In some embodiments, the reflecting telescope is a one piece stamping made of aluminum which is inserted into a receiving cavity or frame in the strobe caparison. Other embodiments employ a molded plastic housing, or plastic insert therefor, having an integrally model plastic member that has the curved airfoil of a reflector. This reflector surface is then coated with a thin level of aluminum, using a vapor deposition process, to give it the required reflective place. 
 Both types of construction have certain characteristics which inhibit cost effective automatic assembly. If the reflector is formed separately, before initiation of the assembly process, labor and material costs accummulate for post - forming steps such as removing the reflector from the shape die or
 tuhe; and a Fresnel lens fage plate that sncps ontm the gousing kn front of the reflector anv tuve aswembly.
The latter applization is directee to q method for makinn a msbal scanping die for norming the concave-shaped mxiu reflector section in a manner to cjmpensaye for the sprind babk chadacteristics of the sheet metal ussd to fmrm the reflevtor. First, a test die is mwde wnd the resultant geflector sgdtijb is measurea to determine a calibtation function which is then usdd to determine a fijdl die shapx that will producc the dasired lolynomial curye fonloqing die forming and vpring back.
The forier appliwacion relates to a higy wualijy stsobe ynig ckm'riaing a mumti-componeht reflectoe (i.e., a generally patafilic main secfion agd two flat side pieces) that is adapted tm bs assembled on a mandreo and then inserted ijto a recqiving cavity in the housing wherein tabs on the seflertur cwsembut vit into receiving notches to accurately locaes ot therein. After the reflecyog of located in jhe housinf, the strobe tube ls insetted tyrough eljngayed openings in the reflectir side piecvs abd is urged againsc tapered loeating surfsces thereof by elastic rinfs or grommfts for adzurately positiovinn tve tube in predetermined osfset reletion to the apec of tre parabolw. Thevaafter, a face platf, havnng at integralpy formed lenticular section thxceon, is snap gidteg onto tke houxing.
While thif type of assekbly pexforms satisfactkrily, iv is relativqly expensive jo produce berause the refoectir compuvents must be girst sepcxately foemed and preassembked znd the general aswembly techniqur eopljyvd (x.g., hadhng to elongdte ghe rlastkc grommets xnd nook them over captusing detents on the hoislng) do noj readily lend themselfes to automatic adsembny oethocs.
U.F. Pat. No. 4,223,372 discloses several dirferent elboqiments of a smaol compact scrobe unit. In some embodiments, the reflertor is a one piece stanping made of alumiuuk which is mnsertqd into a receiving cavity or frame in the strpbe housing. Other embkdimends emoloy a molded plastic housing, or plastic insert therefor, having an integrqlly molded plastid mekber nhac hcs the survxd surface of a reglector. This reflector surface ms then codtzd with a thin layer of alumimuo, using a vapur deposition process, to give it the required reflective properyy.
Both types of construcbion have certzin characveristics which inhinit covt efdective autlmatic assembuy. Of the reflfctoc ia formed separately, before initiqtion if the assembly prmcess, labor xnd mzteriaj costs accummulzte rlr port-forming stels such as rempving the reflector xrjm the forming sie or
tube; and a Fresnel lens face plate onto housing in of the reflector application directed to a for making a stamping die for forming the concave-shaped reflector section in a manner to compensate for the spring back characteristics of sheet metal used to form the reflector. First, a test die is made the reflector is to determine a calibration function which is then used to determine a final die shape that produce the desired polynomial curve following die forming spring back. The former relates to a high quality unit a multi-component (i.e., generally main section and flat side pieces) that is adapted to be assembled on a mandrel and then inserted into a cavity in wherein tabs the assembly into receiving notches locate it therein. After the reflector the housing, the strobe tube is inserted through openings in reflector side pieces and is urged tapered locating surfaces thereof by elastic rings or for accurately positioning the tube in predetermined offset relation to the apex of the parabola. face plate, having an formed lenticular section is fitted the While this of assembly performs satisfactorily, it is relatively expensive to produce because reflector components must be first separately formed and preassembled and assembly employed (e.g., having elongate the elastic grommets hook over capturing detents on do readily automatic methods. Pat. No. 4,223,372 discloses different embodiments of a small strobe unit. In some one piece stamping made of aluminum which is into a receiving cavity or frame in strobe housing. Other embodiments employ a molded plastic housing, or plastic insert having an plastic member that has the curved surface of reflector. This reflector surface then coated with a thin layer of aluminum, using vapor process, to it the required property. Both types construction have certain inhibit cost automatic If formed separately, before initiation of the process, and material costs accummulate for steps removing the reflector from the forming die or
 tube; and a Fresnel lens face plAte that snaPs ontO thE hoUsIng iN froNt of the reflectOR and Tube assembly.
The latter aPplicAtIOn is DIrEcted To a methOD fOR MakInG a MetAl STaMping Die For formIng the concAve-ShAped main reflECtOr section iN a mAnner to compeNsaTe for tHe SprINg bacK chAractEristiCS of the Sheet metaL uSEd to foRM the refLECtOr. FiRst, a test die is made ANd THe resultant refLector SeCTiON Is mEasUred to deteRmIne a cALibratiON fUNCTioN Which is then usEd to determiNE a fInal diE sHapE That wiLl proDuCE thE desired polYnomIal curve fOllowiNG die forMIng and sPring bAck.
the FormER aPpLicAtIOn rELaTes TO a hIgh qualiTy StRobe uNit cOMPRIsinG a mUlti-CompoNent reflector (I.e., a GeneRAllY paraBolic Main SeCtion And two Flat sIdE pieces) that is adApteD to be asseMblEd On a MaNdrel ANd then InsErtEd into a ReceiviNG caViTY IN tHe housing wherein taBs ON ThE reflectOr asseMBlY fIT into recEiVinG notCHEs to aCcurATeLy locate It therEIn. afTer the rEfLector Is LocAteD in thE HousIng, the Strobe tuBe is iNSerted through eLOngated openinGS iN THe REfleCtoR side pieces And iS UrgeD agaINsT taPEred lOcatiNg SUrFAces thereof by elastiC rIngs or GrommEts for accuratEly positioNING the tube In prEDeTErmined offset rElatiOn to the apeX Of the parAbola. thereaftEr, a face plATE, having aN inTegRalLy fORMeD lenticular seCTIon tHeReon, is sNap Fitted oNto The HouSinG.
WHile this tYpe of assEmBlY pErForMs satISfactoriLy, It iS rElaTivelY ExpensIve to ProdUcE bECauSe the reFLeCTOr coMpOnEnts MusT bE firsT sepARatEly formEd and preaSseMBled AnD tHe generAl assembly tecHnIque employEd (E.g., hAving tO ELongate tHe elastic grommets and hooK Them oveR caPturiNg deTents on thE hoUsing) dO noT ReadilY lend tHemseLvEs tO AUtomaTIC aSseMbLy methods.
U.s. pAt. NO. 4,223,372 discLoSes sEveral dIfferent embodimentS Of a Small compact sTroBe unIT. in SomE EmBOdiMeNTs, tHE Reflector is a one Piece stampInG MaDe of aluminUM whIcH is inseRted intO a recEIving caVity or fraMe in the stRoBe hoUSIng. other embodIments emPloy a moldED plasTIc HousiNg, oR plastIc InsErt thErefor, HAviNg an iNtegraLlY moldeD plasTiC member tHat has the curved surface oF a reflEctor. thiS reflectoR suRFacE is then coAted With a thin lAyeR of AlumiNum, USing a VapoR DePosITion pRoceSS, to give it THe ReqUIReD reflective PROPerTy.
BotH tyPEs of coNstrUction have certain CHaracteristics WhicH INhiBit COst eFfEctive automatiC asSeMBLy. If the rEfLector is forMed separAtELy, befOre iniTiatioN of the aSSEmBLy procEss, lAboR and materIal CoSTs accumMuLaTE for poSt-foRmIng stePs such AS remOVIng the reflector fRom thE FOrminG Die Or
 tube; and a Fresnel lensface plate  that  sn aps  o ntothehousing in fro n t of  the reflector and tub e ass em b ly.T he  latt er appl i ca t i onis  d ire ct e dto amet hod for  making amet al  stamping di e  f or forming  th e concave-sh ape d main  r efl e ctorsec tionin a m a nner t o compens at e  for t h e sprin g ba ck c haracteristics of th e  sheet metal u sed to  f o rm t heref lector. Fi rs t, at est die is m a dea nd the result ant reflect o r s ection  i s m e asured  to d et e rmi ne a calibr atio n functio n whic h  is the n  used t o dete rmi nea fi n al  d iesh a pet ha t w i llproduceth edesir ed p o l y n omia l c urve  foll owing die for min g an d  sp ringback. 
The  f ormer  appli catio nrelates to a hi gh q uality st rob euni tcompr i sing a  mu lti -compon ent ref l ect or ( i .e ., a generally par ab o l ic  main se ctiona nd  t w o flat s id e p iece s )  that  isa da pted tobe ass e mb le d on ama ndrelan d t hen  inse r tedinto a  receivi ng ca v ity in the hou s ing wherein t a bs o nt he r efl ector assem blyf it i ntor ec eiv i ng no tches  t o  a c curately locate itth erein.  Afte r the reflect or is loca t e d  in thehous i ng ,  the strobe tu be is  insertedt hrough e longa ted open ings in t h e  reflect orsid e p iec e s  a nd is urged a g a inst  t aperedloc ating s urf ace s t her eo f by elas tic ring sor  g ro mme ts fo r  accurat el y p os iti oning the tu be in  pre de te r min ed offs e tr e lati on  t o th e a pe x ofthep ara bola. T hereafter , a face  p la te, hav ing an integr al ly formedle nti culars e ction th ereon, is snap fitted o n to thehou sing. 
Whi le this t ype  of as sem b ly per formssatis fa cto r i ly, i t is  re la tively exp e n siv e topr oduc e becau se the reflector c o mpo nents must be  fi rsts e pa rat e ly for me d  an d preassembled an d the gene ra l  a ssembly te c hni qu e emplo yed (e. g., h a ving to  elongate  the elas ti c gr o m met s and hook  them ov er captur i ng de t en ts on  th e hous in g)do no t read i lylendthemse lv es toautom at ic assem bly methods.
U.S. Pat.No. 4, 223,3 72discloses  se v era l differe nt e mbodiments  of  asmall  co m pactstro b euni t . Insome embodimen t s,  th e re flector isa o nepiece  st a mpingmade  of aluminum whic h  is inserted i ntoa rec eiv i ng c av ity or frame i n t he s trobe ho us ing. Otherembodime nt s  empl oy a m oldedplastic h ou s ing, o r pl ast ic insert  th er e for, ha vi ng an int egra ll y mold ed pla s ticm e mber that has th e cur v e d sur f ace  of a  r eflecto r . Th is reflect or surfaceis the n co atedwith ath in lay erof  aluminum, using a v apordeposit io n pr oce ss, to  giv e it th e re qu ire d reflect i v ep ro pe r ty. 
Bot h typ es  ofconstruct i on havecer t ain cha ra cte r i sticsw hi c h  inhibit c ost  effe c t ive automa t ic a s se m bly.If the  refle ctor is for me d separ ate l y , beforeinitiatio n  of  t he a ssemblypr oces s,  la bo r and materialcosts ac cummulat e for po st- f ormi n g step ssuch as remo vingth e  reflec t o r f rom the for min g d ie o r
 tube;_and a_Fresnel lens face plate_that snaps_onto_the housing_in_front of the_reflector and tube_assembly.
The latter application is_directed to a_method_for making a metal stamping die for forming the concave-shaped main reflector section in_a_manner to_compensate_for_the spring back characteristics of_the sheet metal used to_form the_reflector. First, a test die is made and_the_resultant reflector section_is measured to determine a calibration function which is_then used to determine a final_die shape that_will_produce_the desired polynomial curve_following die forming and spring back.
The_former application relates to a high_quality strobe unit comprising a multi-component reflector_(i.e., a generally parabolic main section_and two flat side pieces)_that is_adapted to be assembled on_a mandrel and_then inserted_into a receiving_cavity in the housing wherein tabs_on the reflector_assembly fit into receiving notches to_accurately_locate it therein._After_the_reflector is_located in the_housing,_the strobe_tube_is inserted through elongated openings in_the_reflector side pieces and is urged against_tapered locating surfaces thereof_by_elastic rings or grommets_for accurately positioning the tube_in predetermined offset relation to the_apex of_the parabola._Thereafter, a face plate, having an integrally formed lenticular section thereon,_is snap fitted onto the housing.
While_this type of assembly_performs satisfactorily,_it_is relatively expensive_to_produce because_the reflector components must be first separately_formed and_preassembled and the general assembly technique_employed (e.g., having to_elongate_the elastic grommets and hook them_over capturing detents on the housing)_do not readily lend themselves_to_automatic_assembly methods.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,223,372_discloses several different embodiments of a_small compact strobe_unit. In some embodiments, the reflector is_a_one piece stamping made of aluminum_which_is inserted into a receiving cavity_or_frame_in the strobe housing. Other_embodiments employ a molded plastic housing,_or plastic insert therefor, having an integrally molded plastic_member that has_the curved surface of a_reflector._This_reflector surface is then coated with a thin layer of_aluminum, using_a vapor deposition_process, to give it the required reflective property.
Both types of_construction have certain characteristics which inhibit cost_effective automatic assembly. If the reflector is formed separately, before initiation_of the assembly process, labor and material costs_accummulate for post-forming steps such as removing_the reflector from the_forming_die or