Abstract: A sealing unit capable of sealing engagement with an end of a tube. The tube has an outer wall and a bore surrounded by an inner wall. The seal unit comprises a tapered element having a longitudinal axis. The tapered element is adapted for insertion into the bore in the end of the tube. A sealing ring co-axial with said longitudinal axis of the tapered element to provide an annular channel between the tapered element and the sealing ring. The annular channel has an open end and a closed end. The annular channel is capable of receiving the end of the tube through the open end of the annular channel. A base, co-axial with the longitudinal axis of said tapered element, contacts the sealing ring to hold the sealing ring in place and contacts the tapered element to terminate the annular channel at the closed end. When the sealing unit is in sealing engagement with the end of the tube, the tapered element sealably engages the inner wall of the tube and the sealing ring sealably engages the outer wall of the tube.

Abstract: Apparatus for superplastically forming large parts from titanium comprising: a furnace (10) having an interior, the inside surface of the furnace (10) being contoured and finished so as to form a mold for the part to be superplastically formed; means (70) for heating the interior of the furnace (10); and a supply (60) of an inert gas. The surface of the mold is adapted to receive a substantially unformed titanium blank (80). The heating means (70) is adapted to heat the titanium blank (80) to the required temperature for superplastic forming. The supply (60) of the inert gas is operable to exert a pressure onto the surface of the titanium blank (80) furthermost from the surface of the mold such that the inert gas causes the titanium blank (80) to deform and take up the shape of the mold, thereby forming the required part.

Abstract: A device and method for expansion forming of an article used in conjunction with an isostatic press comprising a pressure cell equipped with an elastomeric membrane. The expansion forming tool has at least one pressure intensifier and at least one molding cavity. A blank is arranged in the molding cavity and an elastomeric forming body is arranged inside the blank. The pressure intensifier is arranged such that it is acted upon by the elastomeric membrane and it exerts pressure on the elastomeric forming body inside the blank inside the molding cavity so that the blank is expanded into an article shaped according to the shape of the molding cavity.

Abstract: A system and method for hydroforming hose fittings (10) for use with hose assemblies (30).

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for manufacturing a hollow body made of metal whose cross sectional shape changes in longitudinal direction, a tubular slug being sealed at its end and being placed into a mold that corresponds to the desired shape and that is placed in a tool, said slug being then put under high pressure from the inside by means of a pressure means, whereas the two ends of the tube are pressed against each other in axial direction during the process of deformation, the slug being submitted during deformation to a higher temperature in the area of these great deformations than in the area of smaller deformations in order to produce areas with great deformations in its cross sectional shape.

Abstract: In a method of forming a hollow workpiece having open ends by inner pressure in a multi-part forming tool, the forming tool having a forming mold is heated and the workpiece is placed into the forming mold of the forming tool. Closing plugs are inserted into the open ends of the workpiece, wherein the closing plugs are components of closing cylinders, in order to seal off the open ends. The forming tool is closed. A heated pressure fluid is introduced into the hollow workpiece through at least one of the closing plugs, with the hollow workpiece having been heated and plasticized in the forming tool. The material of the hollow workpiece is pressed with the heated pressure fluid into the forming mold of the forming tool. The device for performing the method has a multi-part forming tool with a forming mold for the workpiece. Hydraulic closing cylinders with closing plugs are provided for sealing the open ends of the workpiece. The forming tool has a heating device for heating at least the forming mold.

Abstract: In the present invention, in a method of fabricating a metal vessel formed by expanding in hydraulic bulge formation a cylinder having a bottom, wherein a flat plate material is formed into a cylinder, the edges welded, and a bottom member welded to one open part of the cylindrical shell member, the stationary point of the expanded part of the shell member is made the expanding part side from the shell member—bottom member weld of the cylinder with a bottom, and thereby by expanding the shell part on the opening side, a metal vessel is formed, and thus the time of the processing itself of a plurality of expanding process of press-working and ironing and transiting of moving from one step to the next can be completed by one step, decreasing the time and reducing the cost.

Abstract: A method of forming an elongated tubular blank into a tubular structural component having a predetermined outer configuration, the method comprising: providing a shape imparting shell formed from a low permeability, rigid material which includes an inner surface defining the predetermined shape, plugging the open ends of the tubular blank, placing the plugged blank into the shell, and forming the tubular blank into the tubular component by inductively heating axial portions of the blank by axially spaced conductors adjacent the shell while or before forcing gas at a high pressure into the plugged blank until the blank conforms to at least a portion of the inner surface of the shell to form the structural component.

Abstract: A forming device having a fluid source for providing a pressurized fluid, a strongback having a die cavity, a tubular workpiece having a hollow interior, a die and a mandrel assembly. The die is formed from a plurality of mated die components and includes an internal cavity which is configured to correspond to a predetermined tube profile. The die is at least partially disposed in the die cavity and surrounds at least a portion of the tubular workpiece. The mandrel assembly is disposed at least partially within the hollow interior of the tubular workpiece in an area proximate the die and is in sealing engagement with the hollow interior of the tubular workpiece. The mandrel assembly includes at least one feed aperture that is in fluid connection with the fluid source. The feed aperture directs the pressurized fluid against the hollow interior of the tubular workpiece to cause the tubular workpiece to expand into the internal cavity.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process and an apparatus for the internal high-pressure forming of a workpiece in a closed internal high-pressure forming die. In the present invention, the workpiece is expanded by a fluidic internal high pressure exerted by a pressure generator and the workpiece is brought to bear against the cavity of the forming die. To improve the process reliability during the internal high-pressure forming of the workpiece, it is proposed to introduce the internal high pressure in the form of a pressure oscillation.

Abstract: A cold forging forming method for forming a three-dimensional hollow article without rough edges, wherein, an alloy of low melting point is used instead of mercury as a filler with plasticity. When the alloy of low melting point is heated and molten, it can be poured, discharged and recollected at normal temperatures but can have good stiffness after being solidified, thereby, the solidified alloy of low melting point can support a seamless die cavity against forging pressure, thereby, a stiff wall of the seamless die cavity is formed. A shaped work piece in the die cavity can be released when the solidified alloy is heated to melt, and an inner die for a different die cavity can be substituted for the old one, and an effect of recovery for reusing the filler can be achieved, and cost of forming can be reduced. All these meet the requirement of environment protection.

Abstract: In a device for hydraulic forming of a tubular component under high inner pressure compressive conditions in a lower die and an upper die of a forming tool, the upper die can be coupled for relative limited movement by at least one piston-cylinder unit containing a hydraulic fluid with the press plunger of a travel-limited mechanical press and the cylinder interior of the piston-cylinder unit can be coupled for providing fluid communication with the interior of the component. Alternatively, in the device for hydraulic forming of a blank under high pressure compressive conditions in a forming tool comprising a lower die and an upper die, the upper die can be coupled for relative limited movement by at least one piston-cylinder unit containing a hydraulic fluid with the press plunger of a travel-limited mechanical press and the cylinder chamber of the piston-cylinder unit can be coupled for establishing fluid communication with the forming space of the forming tool.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method of producing a hollow profile with flange. To produce a hollow profile with flange in a simple way and to the requirements of the process, on which profile great enlargements and/or dimensional changes in cross section have to be performed with respect to an initial form to achieve the desired final form, it is proposed first of all to roll-form an initial hollow profile with flange from a sheet bar, which flange is formed by ends of the sheet bar lying parallel against each other, the initial hollow profile having a smaller cross-sectional area and a longer flange than the final form of the hollow profile. After that, the initial hollow profile is shaped into the final form of the hollow profile by exerting a fluidic internal high pressure.

Abstract: A method and device for thermal creep-sizing an annular-shaped structure. The creep-sizing device includes a ring member with through-holes present between the inner and outer diametrical boundaries of the ring member, and with through-slots alternatingly extending from each through-hole to either the inner or outer diametrical boundary. In use, the ring member is placed within the annular-shaped structure, and pins are installed in the through-holes in the ring member to cause the outer diametrical boundary of the ring member to diametrically expand. The structure and creep-sizing device are then heated so that the mechanically expanded ring member causes the structure to undergo thermal creep-sizing.

Abstract: A tubular plate is formed for a wiper device as a support for at least one wiper bearing and a wiper drive, with tubular members for receiving a wiper bearing. The tubular plate is deformed without removal of a material, has tubular members for receiving the wiper drive, and the tubular members are formed on the tubular plate of one piece with it.

Abstract: A method and device for producing a y-fitting having a y-branch from a metal tube by hydroforming. The device includes a die defining a cavity having a cylindrical portion, in which the tube is placed, and a branch, opening into the cylindrical portion and having a shape corresponding to the y-branch; opposed pistons configured to move inside the die to exert thrust on each end of the tube; an injection mechanism configured to inject a fluid into the tube at high pressure so that metal flows into the branch; a counter-plunger arranged in the branch and in contact with that portion of the tube facing the branch; and a displacement mechanism configured to displace the counter-plunger between a first position parallel to the axis of the tube and a second position perpendicular to the axis of the branch.

Abstract: In the present invention, in a method of fabricating a metal vessel formed by expanding in hydraulic bulge formation a cylinder having a bottom, wherein a flat plate material is formed into a cylinder, the edges welded, and a bottom member welded to one open part of the cylindrical shell member, the stationary point of the expanded part of the shell member is made the expanding part side from the shell member—bottom member weld of the cylinder with a bottom, and thereby by expanding the shell part on the opening side, a metal vessel is formed, and thus the time of the processing itself of a plurality of expanding process of press-working and ironing and transiting of moving from one step to the next can be completed by one step, decreasing the time and reducing the cost.

Abstract: A tube member is placed in a die having a plurality of nodules formed in the cavity thereof. A chamber is formed between a mandrel and end piece within the tube. The mandrel is positioned adjacent a first of the nodules and the chamber is pressurized during a hydroforming cycle to form a node on the tube by simultaneously expanding a portion of the tube outward and feeding the tube linearly into the die cavity. A mechanism for feeding the tube linearly is external to the die cavity and has a member in abutment with one end of the tube. During a positioning cycle, the pressure in the chamber is reduced and the mandrel is moved longitudinally within the tube to a position adjacent the next sequential nodule to permit a repeat of the hydroforming cycle. In one embodiment of the hydroforming process, a mandrel is positioned into the tube from each tube end and a feed mechanism is disposed adjacent each tube end. This permits the sequential simultaneous hydroforming of pairs of nodes on the tube.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for forming a tubular fitting from a blank tube having an interior. The apparatus includes a right die plate, a left die plate, a lower die plate and an upper die plate. The right die plate has a first cavity capable of receiving the blank tube. The left die plate has a second cavity aligned with the first cavity. The right die plate has a first guide post and the left die plate has a second guide post. The first cavity is joined to the second cavity to form a forming cavity. The lower die plate is capable of supporting the right die plate and the left die plate. The lower die plate includes a port capable of receiving a fluid line. The upper die plate is capable of moving between a first position and a second position. The upper die plate has guide holes for receiving the first and second guide posts and aligning the upper die plate with the right die plate and the left die plate.

Abstract: A frame member of rectangular cross section with rounded corners is formed by expansion of a tubular blank within a die cavity having an inner portion of corresponding cross section and an outer transition portion which is of smoothly continuously curved cross sectional profile elongated substantially parallel to the larger dimension of the rectangular section. An outer portion of the tubular blank is deformed to correspond with the continuously curved cross sectional profile and is sealed by a resiliently compressible sealing element of corresponding profile through which fluid pressure is applied in order to expand the blank. By matching the profile of the transition portion to the rectangular inner portion, the transition portion can be made shorter and considerable savings of materials and resources can be achieved.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing a contoured design confirguration in the wall of an open ended container workpiece employs plural molds on a rotating turret an which a plurality of molds are provided with each mold having an inwardly facing wall having the desired configuration. The workpiece is delivered from a pneumatic conveyor and vacuum star wheel into an open mold which then closes and the interior of the workpiece is pressurized with air. A rotary wand moves into the workpiece and discharges high velocity rotating liquid jets against the inner wall surface of the workpiece to forcefully move the wall outwardly into conforming contact with the inner wall surface of the mold to effect permanent reshaping of the workpiece into the desired configuration.

Abstract: A process for hydroforming an elongate tubular structural member in a mould die, the structural member having portions spaced along its length which have different circumferential dimensions, a first of said portions having a first cross-sectional shape defining a minimum outer circumferential dimension C.sub.1 and a second of said portions having a second cross-sectional shape defining a maximum outer circumferential dimension C.sub.2, the process including the steps of: (i) selecting a precursor tube of constant cross-sectional shape and constant outer cross-sectional dimension along its length and having an outer circumferential dimension C.sub.0 which is greater than or equal to C.sub.1 and being of a cross-sectional shape which can be located within said first cross-sectional shape, and selecting the wall thickness S.sub.0 of the precursor tube so as to fall within the range S.sub.0 .ltoreq.S.sub.1 and S.sub.0 .gtoreq.S.sub.2 wherein S.sub.

Abstract: A bulging device and a bulging method for bulging a workpiece into an accurate shape, and preventing the generation of cracks therein. High pressure liquid is supplied to the interior space of a workpiece and from an external pressure supply mechanism to the outer space of the workpiece in cavity. An internal pressure detection sensor or an external pressure detection sensor is controlled according to the detected pressure, thereby controlling the pressure of the interior space of the workpiece or the pressure of the outer space of the workpiece in the cavity. Alternatively, position sensors for detecting displacement of pushing dies are provided such that the pressure of the interior space of the workpiece or the pressure of the outer space of the workpiece in the cavity is controlled according to the detected displacement.

Abstract: An extrusion arrangement is disclosed for manufacturing hollow-profile workpieces made of metal, including an extrusion die which is guided in an extrusion chamber and compresses material situated in the extrusion chamber. For forming an extruded hollow profile, the extrusion die presses the material through a bottom die arranged on a head-side end of the extrusion chamber, a forming of the extruded hollow profile taking place by means of internal high pressure during the emerging from the bottom die. Advantageously, a plurality of forming tools are provided which can be alternately arranged adjoining the outlet opening of the bottom die for receiving an extruded hollow profile and its forming, and, for cooling and releasing the formed extruded profile, the tools can be removed from the bottom die.

Abstract: Sliding plugs use o-ring seals against the internal walls of an isostatic bulge forming die to apply end load to tube stock blanks during isostatic bulge forming. The die is made from two or more mating segments that assemble together to define a central channel for holding the tube stock blank. The plugs move inwardly into the die when the blank elongates or expands into the die, because such expansion reduces the internal pressure within the blank. The plugs are drawn inwardly because of the pressure decline in the blank. The plugs compress the ends of the blank and force the ends inwardly closer together. Such motion effectively feeds more material to the die and permits greater elongation in the completed part with tighter corner radii. Motion limiting shoulders on the plugs assure that the feeding of material is even from both ends. Typical range of motion for a plug is about 0.5 inches.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a part in the shape of a hollow profile is disclosed, with a hollow profile made of light metal being expanded by high internal pressure deformation. In order to be able to manufacture parts in the shape of hollow profiles based on light metals, even with high degrees of deformation, in simple fashion in a safe process, a sleeve made of a material with a greater ductility than the light metal, especially a steel material, is slid onto the hollow profile. The sleeve is located on the hollow profile in such fashion that a predetermined area of the hollow profile is covered that is to be deformed during subsequent expansion with a high degree of deformation that exceeds the expandability of the light metal.

Abstract: A method and a device for manufacturing a tubular hollow body with increased diameter portions which are arranged at a distance from each other using the internal high pressure deformation process. Initially an internal portion of the hollow body is sealed off at one end thereof and is supported on the inside at the other end thereof and in this internal portion is formed an increased diameter portion by a hydraulic internal high pressure while axially advancing the hollow body, and subsequently, after axially reversing the hollow body within the shaping tool, another increased diameter portion is manufactured in the same manner.

Abstract: A method is provided for forming an elongated multi-lateral member from a round tube. A die is provided having a first die member and a second die member movable relative to the first die member between open and closed positions. The first and second die members define a first pair of opposed surfaces which each lie in a plane angled slightly with respect to an axis of movement of the second die member. The first and second die members further define a second pair of opposed surfaces which lie in a plane generally perpendicular to the first pair of opposed surfaces and which combine with the first pair of opposed surfaces to define a die cavity.

Abstract: A system for forming tubular metal products from tubular workpieces by hydroforming achieving single-step radial expansion of 70-150% with high dimensional accuracy. Enhanced single-step radial expansion is achieved by maintaining a predetermined functional relationship among the driving parameters of the hydroforming process and by increasing the plasticity of the workpiece by employing the fractional deformation effect and by applying ultrasound oscillations and alternating angular strains to the workpiece.

Abstract: An apparatus for hydroforming a tubular metal blank comprises a die structure, a hydroforming fluid source, a hydraulically driven tube-end engaging structure, a hydraulically driven pressure intensifying structure, and a single hydraulic power source. The tube-end engaging structure seals opposite ends of the tubular metal blank in said die cavity and is movable to longitudinally compress the tubular metal blank. The tube-end engaging structure receives hydroforming fluid from said hydroforming fluid source and has a hydroforming fluid supplying outlet through which hydroforming fluid can be provided to the tubular metal blank. The hydraulically driven pressure intensifying structure is movable to pressurize the hydroforming fluid provided to the interior of the tubular metal blank and thereby expand a diameter of the blank.

Abstract: A apparatus and method for forming a complex-shaped frame member from a blank tube having opposed ends is provided. The blank tube is placed in a first cavity on a lower die. An upper die is lowered from an open position to a close proximity to the lower die. The upper die has a second cavity aligned with the first cavity. A pair of sealing units seal the opposing ends of the blank tube, and a fluid delivery means for communicates a fluid into the tube. A fluid control means pressurizes the fluid in the tube to a low pressure level. A position determining means determines a distance separating the upper die in the closed position from said lower die in the lowered position. A lower die lifting means raises the lower die from the lowered position the determined distance to the lifted position. The fluid control means then pressurizes the fluid in the tube to expand the tube to conform to the forming cavity.

Abstract: A forming device including discreet heating zones along the axial length and circumferential portion of a mold cavity. One zone can be heated to cause the heated tube portion to become more elastic than the non-heated tube portions. As a result, less axial force and radial pressures are required in order to provide the necessary metal deformation against the mold halves. Preferably, the heating zones are provided by way of a series of induction coils disposed along the axial length and circumferential portion of the tube. Each induction coil can be individually energized so that select portions of the tube are heated in a controlled manner.

Abstract: In a hydraulic method, tubes (3) of an heat exchanger are rolled in in tube plates (1), and rounded tube inlet pieces are formed from the same tube (3) by means of the same device in the same work operation. For this purpose, the tubes (3) are inserted into the bores (2) of a tube plate (1) and cut off with an excess length. The tube (3) is widened by means of a widening machine over the entire depth of the bore (2), so that the tube (3) adheres to the inner wall of the bore (2). At the same time, the projecting tube end (10) is pressed on the mandrel (4) of the widening machine in the direction of the tube plate (1) by means of a further hydraulic shaping device (11) with a swept-back shape (12) until the tube end (10) achieves a trumpet shape. The advantage of the method resides in shortening the operating time with a device which executes both widening and formation of the tube inlet piece hydraulically.

Abstract: A nozzle for welding gun having a torch body and a device for making the same are provided. The nozzle includes a generally cylindrical tube having an inner peripheral surface defining a passageway adapted for receiving a welding wire therethrough. The generally cylindrical tube includes a first end for receipt within a torch body of the welding gun, a second, opposite flared end and a body portion therebetween.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a metallic can body that is shaped distinctively in order to enhance its visual presentation to consumers includes, in one embodiment, steps of providing a can body blank that has a sidewall that is of a substantially constant diameter; providing a mold unit that has at least one mold wall that defines a mold cavity conforming a desired final shape of the can body; positioning the can body blank within the mold cavity; and supplying a pressurized fluid into the mold cavity so that the can body blank is forced by pressure against the mold wall, causing the can body blank to assume the desired final shape of the can body. Axial compression is preferably applied to the can body blank in order to reduce internal stresses during molding of the container.

Abstract: A method of hydroforming an angled tubular part comprising disposing an angled metal tubular blank within a generally correspondingly angled die cavity, the tubular blank having an exterior surface, wherein at an angled portion of the tubular blank, the exterior surface has a concave surface portion and a convex surface portion on generally opposite sides of the tubular blank, sealing opposite ends of the tubular blank, providing high pressure fluid to an interior of the tubular blank, expanding the blank into conformity with surfaces defining the die cavity as a result of said providing.

Abstract: Data representing the axial distance of the center of each groove of a work roll from a first reference location on the work roll is determined and stored in the memory of a data processing system. The work rolls are then mounted in the roll stand and the grooves of a selected "setup" roll pass are brought into alignment with each other. Thereafter, the roll stand is placed on the rolling line, the setup pass is aligned with the mill passline in the case of vertical stands, or with the mill center line in the case of horizontal roll stands, and data representing the relative positions of the work rolls to the roll stand and of the roll stand to another reference location is obtained and stored in the memory of the data processing system. This data is then employed by the system to calculate and automatically effect adjustments to the roll stand and work rolls in order to precisely align other roll passes with the mill passline or center line.

Abstract: According to a hydraulic bulge forming method, a bend pipe is inserted in a cavity, and when the bend pipe is subjected to bulge forming, the bend pipe is elastically deformed by supplying a pressure medium to an interior of the bend pipe so that an inside of the bent portion is bulged along a bulging region formed at a portion of the cavity corresponding to an inside of a bent portion of the bend pipe. Whereby a reduction in a wall thickness of the outside portion of the bent portion is suppressed, so that a danger of causing breaking can be prevented.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for hydroforming a metallic tube including the steps of: preliminarily expanding the metallic tube over an axial section longer than the length of the expanded portion of a final product as measured in the axial direction of the metallic tube; and compressing the preliminarily expanded portion in the axial direction of the metallic tube so as to form the shape of the expanded portion of the final product. According to the method and apparatus of the invention, frictional resistance between the metallic tube and processing tools can be reduced, and moreover, the internal pressure within the metallic tube can be reduced during expansion processing.

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus for shaping/embossing thin-walled work pieces, and is particularly apt for realizing complex and non-uniform shapes/designs in cylindrical metal container bodies. In one application, at least one pressurized fluid stream is ejected directly against one side of container body sidewall with a configured surface provided on the other side of the container body sidewall to achieve the desired shaping/embossing. At least one of the pressurized fluid stream and configured surface may be disposed for rotational and/or longitudinal motion. Such driven motion can be utilized to achieve progressive helical working of a cylindrical metal container body, thereby yielding the desired shaping/embossing.

Abstract: An apparatus for expanding a tube includes a probe to be introduced into the tube. The probe includes an elastic expansion sleeve that can be acted upon by a pressure medium over at least a portion of its inner surface. The expansion sleeve is provided on its outer periphery with a support ring which is supported on a shoulder of the probe that surrounds the expansion sleeve. The support ring is formed by at least two partial segments that are movable relative to one another. This assures that the support ring can reversibly follow a change in diameter that takes place when the expansion sleeve is expanded, thereby preventing the expansion sleeve from being pinched and caught in a gap located between the tube and the probe.

Abstract: A high pressure mandrel for joining a metal tube to a wall of a metal sheet surrounding an annular bore of the metal sheet. The metal tube enters the bore of the metal sheet. The metal tube is joined to the metal sheet by high pressure fluid in an annular expansion gap by expanding radially the metal tube for forming a joint with the wall of the metal sheet surrounding the bore of the metal sheet. Toward this end, spaced O-rings are disposed on a shaft of a mandrel that is disposed axially in the metal tube. Outboard of the O-rings, backup rights are respectively disposed on the shaft. Outboard of the backup rings are disposed segmented ring assemblies which are also disposed on the shaft. Facing opposite ends of each segmented ring assemblies are cam rings. The cam rings are disposed on the shaft.

Abstract: A device for expandingly remodelling a hollow object consisting of a body with a mouth opening and a bottom, for instance a metal can, a blown plastic, for instance PET, bottle or the like, includes: a mould comprising two mould parts, which mould parts are relatively movable between a closed position, in which they bound a mould cavity having a form which corresponds with the desired final form of an object, and an open position in which an object for remodelling can be placed and a remodelled object can be removed; sealing means for sealing the mouth opening against the wall of the closed mould cavity; compression means for increasing the pressure in the object placed in the closed mould cavity such that the object is thereby expanded against the wall of the mould cavity; decompression means for subsequently decreasing this pressure such that the mould parts can be moved to their open position in which a remodelled object can be removed; and has the feature that the decompression means are adapted to tempor

Abstract: In the method and the apparatus for shaping a hollow article without rough edges, a die protecting member, an inner die, a polyurethane strip, two half die cavities and a freezing medium together form the apparatus; wherein, the inner die having a shape to be given to the article to be forged and having a seamless die cavity is hung in the die protecting member; when in processing, the freezing medium is filled in the die protecting member, so that the inner die is embedded in the freezing medium, fast freeze the die protecting member, the seamless die cavity becomes stiff then, then the metallic blank is put in the cavity, and the polyurethane strip is inserted in the blank, then put the dib protecting member in the half die cavities, a forging press exerts a pressure forwardly on the polyurethane strip which creates thereby an expanding force in the blank, so that the blank can have the shape as that of the seamless die cavity, and the process for shaping the hollow article without rough edges is completed,

Abstract: Hollow bodies such as construction elements for vehicle manufacture can be produced by forming a preform in the form of a longitudinal body or sheets of aluminum or its alloys by means of a high internal pressure process or by superplastic forming in a tool. In this process the preform is heat treated locally before forming, on places of high elongation during the forming process and/or the tool for the forming process is equipped with local surface characteristics of different friction such as roughness patterns or with smoothed surfaces.

Abstract: An apparatus for forming a frame member for an automobile from a tube blank applies internal hydraulic pressure to the blank, tangent bends and preforms the internally pressurized blank into a preformed tube having a desired horizontal profile configuration, then forms the preformed tube into a finally formed frame member having a desired vertical profile configuration and a desired, varying cross-sectional configuration by placing the preformed tube in a stuffing ledge apparatus having a lower die with an upwardly facing ledge and vertically extending, punch engaging surfaces and a punch having a downwardly facing ledge and vertically extending, die engaging surfaces, internally pressurizing the tube, and then ramming the punch downwardly to form the tube into the finally formed frame member, the ledges and vertically extending surfaces substantially completely enclosing a portion of the tube before and while the punch and die come together to form the tube into the finally formed frame member.

Abstract: A method which is directed to the fabricating or forming of tubular members of the torque tube type which may be utilized as torque joints for the drive shafts or steering connections of motor vehicles or in connection with articulating linkages for high-lift aircraft systems, marine systems or for other various military or non-military commercial physical application where it is intended to react to torsional and axial loads which are ordinarily encountered in torque joints, steering linkages, drive shafts and the like.

Abstract: A method for the fabricating or forming of tubular members of the torque tube type which may be utilized as torque joints for the drive shafts or steering connections of motor vehicles or in connection with articulating linkages for high-lift aircraft systems or for other various physical application where it is intended to react to torsional and axial loads which are ordinarily encountered in torque joints, steering linkages, drive shafts and the like. Provision is also made for a device which is in the form of a novel external die arrangement for electromagnetically concurrently forming longitudinal and circumferential or radial grooves in tubular members and interposed end fittings, particularly of the type which are adapted to react to torsional and axial loads encountered by torque joints and the like.

Abstract: Hydroforming double wall tubular stock into an air gap tubular element comprising providing a plural wall tubular workpiece having at least an inner wall liner and an outer wall jacket having adjacent open axial ends, causing at least one of the jacket ends to extend axially beyond the adjacent liner end and to be flared outwardly, placing the workpiece into a first mold cavity of a size and configuration to result in the desired size and configuration of the liner, sealing the open ends of said liner, injecting hydroforming fluid into said liner to fill it and applying pressure thereto to expand the liner and jacket in the first mold cavity, releasing the pressure, placing the workpiece in a second mold cavity of a size and configuration desired for the jacket on a resulting air gap tubular element, providing hydroforming end closures to seal off the jacket ends, at least one of the end closures having an annular shoulder aligned with the flared extended jacket end radially outwardly offset from the adjacent

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a metallic can body that is shaped distinctively in order to enhance its visual presentation to consumers includes, in one embodiment, steps of providing a can body blank that has a sidewall that is of a substantially constant diameter; providing a mold unit that has at least one mold wall that defines a mold cavity conforming a desired final shape of the can body; positioning the can body blank within the mold cavity; and supplying a pressurized fluid into the mold cavity so that the can body blank is forced by pressure against the mold wall, causing the can body blank to assume the desired final shape of the can body. Axial compression is preferably applied to the can body blank in order to reduce internal stresses during molding of the container.