Abstract: A sheet hydroforming method is disclosed wherein two stacked metallic sheets are clamped between a pair of upper and lower dies 10, 11 and a fluid is introduced and pressurized between mating surfaces of the metallic sheets, causing the metallic sheets to bulge into a space defined by die cavities 10b and 11b. A thru-hole 11d for introducing the fluid is formed in one of the dies so as to lead to a holding surface of the die, while a pierced hole for introducing the fluid is formed in one of the metallic sheets in a portion of the one metallic sheet which portion is in contact with a holding surface 10a (10b) of one of the dies, the pierced hole being positioned with the thru-hole 11d, then the fluid is introduced in a pressurized state between mating surfaces of the metallic sheets from the thru-hole through the pierced hole, thereby causing the metallic sheets to bulge. According to this method, a pressurized fluid can be introduced between the mating surfaces of blanks easily without leakage of the fluid.

Abstract: A sheet hydroforming method is disclosed wherein two stacked metallic sheets are clamped between a pair of upper and lower dies 10, 11 and a fluid is introduced and pressurized between mating surfaces of the metallic sheets, causing the metallic sheets to bulge into a space defined by die cavities 10b and 11b. A thru-hole 11d for introducing the fluid is formed in one of the dies so as to lead to a holding surface of the die, while a pierced hole for introducing the fluid is formed in one of the metallic sheets in a portion of the one metallic sheet which portion is in contact with a holding surface 10a (10b) of one of the dies, the pierced hole being positioned with the thru-hole 11d, then the fluid is introduced in a pressurized state between mating surfaces of the metallic sheets from the thru-hole through the pierced hole, thereby causing the metallic sheets to bulge. According to this method, a pressurized fluid can be introduced between the mating surfaces of blanks easily without leakage of the fluid.

Abstract: A method for hydroforming a metallic tube comprising primary hydroforming and secondary hydroforming, wherein in the primary hydroforming step, the metallic tube is formed such that a circumferential length of an expanded portion of the primary-hydroformed tube as measured at a wall center region of the expanded portion becomes substantially equal to or slightly shorter than a circumferential length of an expanded portion of a product as measured at a wall center region of the expanded portion, and in the secondary hydroforming step, movable forming plates incorporated in the dies press the expanded portion formed through primary hydroforming so as to finish the cross-sectional profile of the expanded portion into that of the expanded portion of the product, and said primary hydroforming and secondary hydroforming are continuously performed within the dies. Also disclosed is an apparatus for performing the hydroformation method.

Abstract: A method for hydroforming a metallic tube comprising primary hydroforming and secondary hydroforming, wherein in the primary hydroforming step, the metallic tube is formed such that a circumferential length of an expanded portion of the primary-hydroformed tube as measured at a wall center region of the expanded portion becomes substantially equal to or slightly shorter than a circumferential length of an expanded portion of a product as measured at a wall center region of the expanded portion, and in the secondary hydroforming step, movable pads incorporated in the dies press the expanded portion formed through primary hydroforming so as to finish the cross-sectional profile of the expanded portion into that of the expanded portion of the product, and said primary hydroforming and secondary hydroforming are continuously performed within the dies. Also disclosed is an apparatus for performing the hydroformation method.

Abstract: A lubricant surface-treated steel pipe for hydroforming use in which at least its outer surface is coated with a lubricating organic resin to a thickness of 0.5 .mu.m to 100 .mu.m. The surface-treated steel pipe provides excellent prevention of galling and excellent lubrication in hydroforming. Also, hydroforming can be started immediately after the surface-treated steel pipe is cut into short pieces.

Abstract: A cDNA coding for a rat derived CNP (rCNP: C-type natriuretic pepteide), and a rat derived CNP precursor protein and derivatives thereof are disclosed.The rat derived CNP precursor is represented by the following amino acid sequence.Met His Leu Ser Gln Leu Ile Ala Cys Ala Leu Leu Leu Ala Leu Leu Ser Leu Arg Pro Ser Glu Ala Lys Pro Gly Thr Pro Pro Lys Val Pro Arg Thr Pro Pro Gly Glu Glu Leu Ala Glu Pro Gln Ala Ala Gly Gly Asn Gln Lys Lys Gly Asp Lys Thr Pro Gly Gly Gly Gly Ala Asn Leu Lys Gly Asp Arg Ser Arg Leu Leu Arg Asp Leu Arg Val Asp Thr Lys Ser Arg Ala Ala Trp Ala Arg Leu Leu His Glu His Pro Asn Ala Arg Lys Tyr Lys Gly Gly Asn Lys Lys Gly Leu Ser Lys Gly Cys Phe Gly Leu Lys Leu Asp Arg Ile Gly Ser Met Ser Gly Leu Gly CysThe rCNP precursor and its derivatives are novel and have natriuretic and hypotensive activities.

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: A heat sink fin assembly of the corrugated type for cooling an LSI package comprises a flat base plate and a heat dissipating member made of a thin metal sheet having convex and concave portions which are comprised of a repeated series of side wall portions, top portions, and bottom portions. The base plate and the heat dissipating member are integrated with each other by bonding.

Abstract: A fin assembly for use as a heat sink and production thereof are disclosed. The fin assembly comprises a plurality of heat dissipating plates formed by means of a multi-wire saw, and the heat dissipating plates each has a thickness of no more than 1 mm and being spaced apart by a gap of no more than 1.5 mm.

Abstract: A fin assembly for use as a heat sink and production thereof are disclosed. The fin assembly comprises a plurality of heat dissipating plates formed by means of a multi-wire saw, and the heat dissipating plates each has a thickness t of no more than 1 mm and being spaced apart by a gap g of no more than 1.5 mm the heat dissipating plates or pins having a height h, wherein the ratio h/t is not less than 20 and the ratio h/g is not less than 15 in one embodiment and 19 in another embodiment of the invention.

Abstract: The invention relates to a C-terminal .alpha.-amidating enzyme of porcine origin having the following properties: (1) the action is on a peptide or protein represented by the formula:X-R-Gly,wherein Gly represents a C-terminal glycine residue, R represents an amino acid residue to be .alpha.-amidated, and X represents a remaining portion of the peptide or protein to convert it to a peptide or protein represented by the formula:X-R-NH.sub.2,wherein R-NH.sub.2 represents a C-terminal .alpha.-amidated amino acid residue and X represents a remaining portion of the peptide or protein; (2) the optimal pH is 6.5 to 8.5; (3) the molecular weight is about 92,000 as determined by SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis; and (4) it contains the following peptide fragment:. . . Glu-Ala-Pro-Leu-Leu-Ile-Leu-Gly . . . .Further, the invention relates to a process for the production of the C-terminal .alpha.

Abstract: A method of producing a laminated metal belt with a space corresponding to the thickness of resin between respective ring belts by a step for forming a laminated sheet by bonding the number of metal sheets corresponding to the number of ring belts constituting the laminated metal belts of one unit with resin, a step for forming a seamless cylindrical body having predetermined inside and outside diameters from the laminated sheet, a step for cutting the cylindrical body radially into sections to obtain laminated rings and a step for removing resin from the laminated ring.

Abstract: A metal case for housing electronic parts including an IC and a manufacturing method therefor are disclosed. The case comprises a shallow vessel having a wall on its periphery which is formed from metal sheet having the same thickness as the bottom of said depression and a rectangular metal ring which has a contour such that it can fit into the wall of said shallow vessel, said rectangular metal ring being fit into said shallow vessel and connected thereto so as to form a single body.