Abstract: An exemplary punch die (30) includes a lower die (40) and an upper die (50). The lower die includes a die core (45), a blank holder (417), and a cylinder (413) disposed in the lower die. The blank holder is disposed on a periphery of the die core. The cylinder is connected to the blank holder and provides a constant force to the blank holder. The upper die includes a punch core corresponding to the die core. A punch machine using the present punch die is also provided.

Abstract: Machine for binding elongate objects together by at least one wire, in particular for lashing reinforcing bars, electric cables or the like. The machine includes two claws which can be guided down over the objects to be bound together. Feed rollers are arranged for feeding the wire along a guide surface of one claw and across to a guide surface of the other claw, so that it is shaped into a wire loop surrounding the objects on three sides, the legs of which loop can be twisted together on the fourth side of the objects. The twisting-together device includes an arrangement, which is rotatable relative to the claws, and which guide the wire when it is fed to and from the claws. The twisting-together arrangement allows the wire length necessary for twisting-together of the legs of the wire loop to be drawn out while a resistance is overcome.

Abstract: With the invention, a method and a device for explosive forming of a tubular work piece, which comprises a multipart forming die almost fully enclosing the work piece in the closed state, and in which a plug is provided in the area of at least one end of the forming die, is to be improved, in that forming of a tubular work piece is possible in a simple method that promotes fewer individual work steps and is therefore cost-effective. This task is solved by a method and a device for explosive forming, in which a seal between the forming die and the plug is formed when the plug is inserted, in which the work piece end is mounted between the forming die and deformed.

Abstract: A forging method and forging apparatus able to improve a dimensional precision of a forged article and able to reduce the machining processes to a minimum and thereby reduce costs are provided. That is, a forging method placing a workpiece inside of a die, pressing the workpiece by a top part of the die in the axial direction toward the bottom part side of the die, and making the material of the end face of the workpiece flow to form the end face of the workpiece into a recessed/projecting shape, which forging method characterized by using independent pressing and holding means for pressing and holding the workpiece in the axial direction independent for the top part and the bottom part at the time of the press forming.

Abstract: A stretch-forming apparatus includes a main frame which carries a die enclosure between jaw assemblies. An insulated die is mounted in the enclosure. A method of forming a component includes placing a workpiece in the enclosure, heating the workpiece to a working temperature using electrical resistance heating, and then stretching the workpiece against the die. The method is particularly useful for titanium workpieces.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods and apparatus for manufacturing intravascular stents wherein the intravascular stent has its inner surface treated to promote the migration of endothelial cells onto the inner surface of the intravascular stent. In particular, the inner surface of the intravascular stent has at least one groove formed therein.

Abstract: A hole 30 is formed in the center of the rear end face 20 of a round billet 10. The hole 30 has a predetermined depth from the rear end face 20 and a plurality of grooves 31 are provided in the side surface thereof. Each groove 31 extends in the depth direction of the hole 30. Piercing and rolling of the round billet 10 having the hole 30 is performed using a piercing mill having a plug. During piercing and rolling, the bottom surface of the hole 30 is broken through by the plug and a protrusion which is to be the starting point of burrs is formed, and the protrusion is absorbed by the groove 31 as the plug advances. Consequently, formation of burrs at the rear end of a hollow shell after piercing-rolling thereof can be suppressed.

Abstract: A die apparatus and method for performing a flashless forging operation to manufacture the toothed portion of a steering rack. The die apparatus includes first and second die members and at least one punch member, each having a forming surface shaped substantially as an obverse of a portion of the toothed portion. At least a portion of the forming surface of the first die member is shaped substantially as the obverse of the teeth of the rack. The first and second die members are moveable towards each other to a closed position, thereby partially forging the toothed portion from a blank placed in the die apparatus, and forming a substantially closed cavity defined by the forming surfaces. The punch member is adapted to move into the cavity once the die members are in the closed position, thereby completing the forging operation.

Abstract: A roller hemming system for edge hemming vehicle closures from nested metal panels includes an anvil robot moveably supporting a hemming anvil having a working surface, a clamping spider cooperable with the anvil robot for clamping the nested metal panels on the working surface, an anvil register including a base and a registration feature for matingly positioning the hemming anvil thereto, a hemming robot including a multi-axis controllable arm, a roller hemming apparatus mounted on a distal end of the multi-axis arm, the roller hemming apparatus being moveable along edges of the nested metal panels on the anvil to hem the panels together.

Abstract: In a method for cold-working a piping component (10) with a pipe branch (16), particularly a valve housing of stainless steel, the pipe branch (16) is provided its length and final bore by forcing at least one ball or a drawing tool with partially spherical surface in direction from an inner cavity in the component and outwards. The inventive feature of the method is that before the drawing of an opening, there is performed clamping of the component (10) in a matrix tool composed of several parts (2, 4, 6, 8), the parts of the matrix tool fitting closely to the greater part of the external surfaces of the component, so that surfaces at the parts of the component to be cold-worked are fixed during the drawing operation. Thereby, the drawing action will not distort the external or adjacent parts of the component or change the dimensions of the component, and control of the form and dimensions of the component is provided during the drawing action.

Abstract: A mechanism for forming thin metallic skin enclosures from blanks. The apparatus includes a forming assembly including a plurality of die stations. The stations are stepped farther away from an axis in a direction of which blanks being processed are positioned at a plurality of die stations. Grippers spaced along the axis and away from the axis at distances substantially the same as are die stations are carried by the transfer assembly. An actuator is used to move the transfer assembly reciprocally in directions generally parallel to the axis between first and second axial positions. A ram is provided to move the transfer assembly between first and second stepped positions relative to the axis.

Abstract: A device for crimping an implantable device or a part thereof between a radially expanded condition and a radially contracted condition, includes first and second annular bodies arranged about a common axis, and a ring-like array of linear crimping elements having respective opposite ends linked to the first and second annular bodies, respectively. These annular bodies are relatively rotatable around the common axis between a first position, wherein the annular array of crimping elements define a wider orifice for receiving a device to be crimped, and a second position, wherein the annular array of crimping elements define a narrower orifice.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for manufacturing a metal strip (1), in which the metal strip (1) is guided over a number of rolls (2, 3, 4, 5) under such a strip stress (S), and is moved in a conveying direction (F), that it is largely flat at least between two rolls (2, 3). In order for it to be possible to inspect the strip in a simple and space-saving way, the invention provides for the inner tensile stresses which act in the metal strip (1) which is largely flat under tensile stress between the at least two rolls (2, 3), to be made optically visible and for the tensile stresses or tensile stress differences which are determined in this way to be utilized during the manufacture of the metal strip (1). Furthermore, the invention relates to an apparatus for manufacturing a metal strip.