Abstract: A high-pressure bulge-forming apparatus has a multipart die having a cavity adapted to receive a hollow workpiece and having ends oppositely open along an axis. Respective actuators aligned with the cavity ends have stems extending axially toward the cavity. Respective heads on the ends are engageable in the cavity with ends of the workpiece. One of the stems and the respective head is formed with a passage opening axially into the workpiece engaged by the respective head. Fasteners releasable secure the heads on the stems. Each head comprises an end part with an inwardly tapered outer surface and a base part fixed to the respective stem and carrying the respective head. In addition each head has a normally annular mounting plate between the respective base part and end part.

Abstract: A high-pressure bulge-forming apparatus has a multipart die having a cavity adapted to receive a hollow workpiece and having ends oppositely open along an axis. Respective actuators aligned with the cavity ends have stems extending axially toward the cavity. Respective heads on the ends are engageable in the cavity with ends of the workpiece. One of the stems and the respective head is formed with a passage opening axially into the workpiece engaged by the respective head. Fasteners releasable secure the heads on the stems. Each head comprises an end part with an inwardly tapered outer surface and a base part fixed to the respective stem and carrying the respective head. In addition each head has a normally annular mounting plate between the respective base part and end part.

Abstract: An apparatus for forming two plates into a hollow workpiece has a pair of dies having edge regions adapted to be pressed together against outer peripheries of the plates. An outer element in the edge region of one of the dies is adapted to rotate therein about an axis generally parallel to the direction and an inner element set in the outer element is rotatable therein about an axis generally parallel to and offset from the outer-element axis. The inner element is formed offset from its axis with an axially throughgoing feed passage aligned with a feed hole in the plate engaging the one die. A fluid forced under pressure through the passage and hole into a space between the plates deforms the plates away from each other in the direction while displacing the hole perpendicular to the direction with movement of the passage perpendicular to the direction.

Abstract: A high-pressure shaping system has a tool defining a cavity and having a bore extending along an axis and opening into the cavity which is adapted to receive a workpiece which can be internally pressurized to expand and engage against inner surfaces of the cavity. A punch extending along the axis has an axially inwardly directed inner end displaceable between an inner position generally flush with the cavity inner surface and an outer position spaced axially outward of the cavity inner surface. A spring unit braced axially inward against the punch and axially outward against the tool has a spring characteristic with a high force/displacement ratio up to a break point and a low force/displacement ratio after the break point for urging the punch inward into the inner position.

Abstract: An apparatus for forming two plates into a hollow workpiece has a pair of dies having edge regions adapted to be pressed together against outer peripheries of the plates. An outer element in the edge region of one of the dies is adapted to rotate therein about an axis generally parallel to the direction and an inner element set in the outer element is rotatable therein about an axis generally parallel to and offset from the outer-element axis. The inner element is formed offset from its axis with an axially throughgoing feed passage aligned with a feed hole in the plate engaging the one die. A fluid forced under pressure through the passage and hole into a space between the plates deforms the plates away from each other in the direction while displacing the hole perpendicular to the direction with movement of the passage perpendicular to the direction.

Abstract: A high-pressure shaping system has a tool defining a cavity and having a bore extending along an axis and opening into the cavity which is adapted to receive a workpiece which can be internally pressurized to expand and engage against inner surfaces of the cavity. A punch extending along the axis has an axially inwardly directed inner end displaceable between an inner position generally flush with the cavity inner surface and an outer position spaced axially outward of the cavity inner surface. A spring unit braced axially inward against the punch and axially outward against the tool has a spring characteristic with a high force/displacement ratio up to a break point and a low force/displacement ratio after the break point for urging the punch inward into the inner position.

Abstract: A punch assembly for a high-pressure shaping tool having a seat opening into the tool has a guide sleeve fitted in the seat, centered on an axis, and having a radially outwardly directed outer surface radially confronting an inner surface of the seat. A punch is axially displaceable in the sleeve. A clamping element engaged radially between the inner seat surface and the outer sleeve surface retains the sleeve in the seat. The seat is formed with a radially inwardly open groove and the element is a ring engaged in the seat. A screw can serve for pressing the ring radially against the punch. Alternately the ring is pressed radially against the punch by fluid pressure applied radially outside the ring. The ring is elastomeric and is normally of C-section.