Abstract: With the invention, a device for fluid feed for explosive forming, which has a valve and an activating mechanism to activate the valve, is to be improved, so that the device permits both good filling of a die with fluid and good sealing during the explosive forming process in a technically simple design. This task is solved by a device for fluid feed for explosive forming that has a valve and an activating mechanism to activate the valve, in which the activating mechanism is arranged separate from the valve in an inactivated valve state.

Abstract: The invention is intended to improve a tool arrangement and method for explosive forming of a workpiece by means of gas explosion, in which the workpiece is arranged in a intake area of a molding tool, wherein the intake area is at least partially filled with liquid and the explosion is triggered by means of ignition of an explosive gas mixture, to the effect that the tool arrangement and the method are suitable and simplified for mass production. This object is solved by means of a tool arrangement and a method for explosive forming of a workpiece by means of gas explosion, in which the workpiece is arranged in a intake area of a molding tool, wherein the intake area is at least partially filled with liquid and the explosion is triggered by means of ignition of an explosive gas mixture, in which the explosive gas mixture is provided at least partially above the surface of the liquid before the ignition.

Abstract: With the invention, a method and device for explosive forming of work pieces, in which at least one work piece is arranged in at least one die and deformed by means of an explosive to be ignited, is to be improved, in that an ignition mechanism that is technically simple to handle, is produced with the shortest possible setup time, which permits the most precise possible ignition of the explosive with time-repeatable accuracy. This task is solved by a method and device, in which at least one work piece is arranged in at least one die and deformed by means of an explosive to be ignited, in which the explosive is ignited by means of induction.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for explosive forming of workpieces, comprising an ignition chamber and an ignition mechanism, wherein an explosive agent can be ignited at an ignition location in the ignition chamber using the ignition mechanism, and an ignition chamber outlet is provided, to be improved such that the ignition mechanism has a longer service life. The aim is achieved by a device wherein an impact breaker is provided in the propagation path (37) of the detonation wave.

Abstract: With the invention, a method and device for explosive forming of work pieces, in which at least one work piece is arranged in at least one die and deformed by means of an explosive to be ignited, is to be improved, in that an ignition mechanism that is technically simple to handle, is produced with the shortest possible setup time, which permits the most precise possible ignition of the explosive with time-repeatable accuracy. This task is solved by a method and device, in which at least one work piece is arranged in at least one die and deformed by means of an explosive to be ignited, in which the explosive is ignited by means of induction.

Abstract: In one aspect, the invention is directed to a twist beam axle for a vehicle. The twist beam axle includes a twist beam and a reinforcement member. The twist beam has a longitudinal axis and has a generally concave cross-sectional shape. The reinforcement member extends longitudinally and is connected to the twist beam to form a longitudinally extending tubular form therewith. The twist beam has first and second side walls. At least one of the side walls extends outside of the tubular form. The tubular form has cross-sectional dimensions that are selected based on the vehicle on which the twist beam axle is to be used.

Abstract: In one aspect, the invention is directed to a crush can for a vehicle frame including a crush can body having a longitudinal axis and a cross-sectional shape that is at least approximately a 10-sided polygon. In another aspect, the invention is directed to a crush can for a vehicle frame including a crush can body having a longitudinal axis and a cross-sectional shape that includes a plurality of outwardly pointing apexes and a plurality of inwardly pointing apexes.

Abstract: A device for explosive forming of a tubular work piece includes a multipart explosive forming die, which defines a forming area having an inner surface corresponding to a final shape of the tubular work piece and a nozzle arrangement disposed adjacent to the forming area. The device also includes a plug for forming a seal by simultaneously deforming an end of the work piece and clamping the deformed end between the plug and a facing surface of the nozzle arrangement. In this way, the work piece itself contributes to the sealing of an internal explosion space. With insertion of new work piece blanks, and introduction of the plug during each individual forming process, new seals are produced in a convenient manner during subsequent forming processes. The device supports a simplified handling approach and integrates several functions into one working step, resulting in a shorter cycle times and cost-effective industrial production.

Abstract: An explosion forming apparatus (10) that preferably utilizes a shock wave (42) directed along a work piece (12) to progressively conform the work piece to a contour die cavity (44).

Abstract: It shall be achieved by the invention that a workpiece for an explosion forming process, which can be inserted into a forming tool and which can be deformed from an initial shape by means of explosion forming, and the explosion forming method are improved such that a satisfactory quality of the workpiece with the desired wall thickness is achieved in a simple manner. This object is achieved by a workpiece and a respective explosion forming method in which the initial shape of the workpiece has at least in some portions a supply of material for the explosion forming process, which is pre-formed compared to adjoining portions or which is provided therewith.

Abstract: Through the invention, a closure device for explosive forming with a connection unit movable relative to the explosive forming die between a working position on the die and a rest position is to be configured, so that the explosive forming die can be closed in simple and reliable fashion and, at the same time, the explosion forces supported. This task is solved by a closure device, in which a wedge structure is guided to move on a static holding structure and is motion-coupled to the connection unit, the resulting movement of the connection unit being directed across the movement of the wedge structure.

Abstract: With the invention, a method and a device for explosive forming of work pieces, in which at least one work piece is arranged in at least one die and there deformed by means of an explosive to be ignited, is to be improved, in that an ignition mechanism that is technically easy to handle is produced with the shortest possible setup times, which permits the most precise possible ignition of the explosive with time-repeatable accuracy. This task is solved by a method and device, in which at least one work piece is arranged in at least one die and deformed there by means of an explosive being ignited, in which the explosive is ignited by means of at least one energy beam.

Abstract: In one aspect, the invention is directed to a twist beam axle for a vehicle. The twist beam axle includes a twist beam and a reinforcement member. The twist beam has a longitudinal axis and has a generally concave cross-sectional shape. The reinforcement member extends longitudinally and is connected to the twist beam to form a longitudinally extending tubular form therewith. The twist beam has first and second side walls. At least one of the side walls extends outside of the tubular form. The tubular form has cross-sectional dimensions that are selected based on the vehicle on which the twist beam axle is to be used.

Abstract: A device for explosive forming of a tubular work piece includes a multipart explosive forming die, which defines a forming area having an inner surface corresponding to a final shape of the tubular work piece and a nozzle arrangement disposed adjacent to the forming area. The device also includes a plug for forming a seal by simultaneously deforming an end of the work piece and clamping the deformed end between the plug and a facing surface of the nozzle arrangement. In this way, the work piece itself contributes to the sealing of an internal explosion space. With insertion of new work piece blanks, and introduction of the plug during each individual forming process, new seals are produced in a convenient manner during subsequent forming processes. The device supports a simplified handling approach and integrates several functions into one working step, resulting in a shorter cycle times and cost-effective industrial production.

Abstract: A method of forming a product from an initial blank comprises subjecting the initial blank to a hot forming and press hardening operation to form the product with substantially a uniform first tensile strength. Subsequently, the product is subjected to post hot-forming processing in which a first region of the product is heated selectively to above a known temperature, using one of conduction heating, resistance heating, and induction heating. The first region is then cooled, such that the first region attains a second tensile strength that is substantially less than the first tensile strength.

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: With the invention, a device for fluid feed for explosive forming, which has a valve and an activating mechanism to activate the valve, is to be improved, so that the device permits both good filling of a die with fluid and good sealing during the explosive forming process in a technically simple design. This task is solved by a device for fluid feed for explosive forming that has a valve and an activating mechanism to activate the valve, in which the activating mechanism is arranged separate from the valve in an inactivated valve state.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for explosive forming of workpieces, comprising an ignition chamber and an ignition mechanism, wherein an explosive agent can be ignited at an ignition location in the ignition chamber using the ignition mechanism, and an ignition chamber outlet is provided, to be improved such that the ignition mechanism has a longer service life. The aim is achieved by a device wherein an impact breaker is provided in the propagation path (37) of the detonation wave.

Abstract: With the invention, a method and a device for explosive forming of work pieces, in which at least one work piece is arranged in at least one die and there deformed by means of an explosive to be ignited, is to be improved, in that an ignition mechanism that is technically easy to handle is produced with the shortest possible setup times, which permits the most precise possible ignition of the explosive with time-repeatable accuracy. This task is solved by a method and device, in which at least one work piece is arranged in at least one die and deformed there by means of an explosive being ignited, in which the explosive is ignited by means of at least one energy beam.

Abstract: The invention is intended to improve a tool arrangement and method for explosive forming of a workpiece by means of gas explosion, in which the workpiece is arranged in a intake area of a moulding tool, wherein the intake area is at least partially filled with liquid and the explosion is triggered by means of ignition of an explosive gas mixture, to the effect that the tool arrangement and the method are suitable and simplified for mass production. This object is solved by means of a tool arrangement and a method for explosive forming of a workpiece by means of gas explosion, in which the workpiece is arranged in a intake area of a moulding tool, wherein the intake area is at least partially filled with liquid and the explosion is triggered by means of ignition of an explosive gas mixture, in which the explosive gas mixture is provided at least partially above the surface of the liquid before the ignition.