Abstract: By the control of a controller, a gas is supplied into a metal pipe material from a gas supply part so as to expand a part of the metal pipe material in sub-cavity parts, and then a driving mechanism is driven such that expanded parts of the metal pipe material are pressed by an upper die and a lower die to form flange parts. In addition, by the control of the controller, a gas is supplied into the metal pipe material after the formation of the flange parts from the gas supply part so as to form a pipe part in a main cavity part. In this manner, the controller controls the gas supply part and the driving mechanism, and thus flange parts and a pipe part having a desired shape can be easily formed.

Abstract: A disclosed forming system is a forming system which expands and forms a metal pipe in a die. The forming system includes a preliminary forming apparatus which preliminarily forms a metal pipe material, a forming apparatus which includes a gas supply unit which supplies gas into the preliminary-formed and heated metal pipe material to expand the metal pipe material and a main body portion to which the die is attached, and a cutting device which cuts at least a portion of the formed metal pipe. The gas supply unit is provided so as not to be disposed on a first straight line which connects the preliminary forming apparatus and the main body portion in a plan view and a second straight line which connects the cutting device and the main body portion in a plan view.

Abstract: A forming device includes a gas supply part supplying a gas into a metal pipe material held and heated between a first die and a second die paired with each other. A driving mechanism moves at least one of the first die and the second die in a direction in which the dies are combined together. A first cavity part is formed between the first die and the second die to form the pipe part. A second cavity part communicates with the first cavity part to form the flange part. A flange forming member can be allowed to advance or retreat in the second cavity part, and forms the flange part. A controller controls the gas supply of the gas supply part, the driving of the driving mechanism, and the advance or retreat of the flange forming member.

Abstract: A molding apparatus for molding a metal pipe includes: a gas supply unit which supplies gas into a heated metal pipe material, thereby expanding the metal pipe material; a mold which molds the metal pipe by bringing the expanded metal pipe material into contact therewith; and a drive unit which generates a driving force for moving the mold, in which a replacement unit is replaceably provided with respect to a main body unit having at least the drive unit, and the replacement unit is configured of at least the gas supply unit and the mold.

Abstract: A forming system that forms a metal pipe by expansion in a die includes a heater that heats at least an end part of a metal pipe material, a fluid supply unit that supplies a fluid into the metal pipe material to expand the metal pipe material, and a controller that controls the heater and the fluid supply unit, the fluid supply unit has a nozzle that supplies the fluid from the end part of the metal pipe material into the metal pipe material, and the controller controls the heater so as to heat the end part of the metal pipe material at least before the supply of the fluid by the fluid supply unit, and controls the fluid supply unit so as to expand the end part of the metal pipe material.

Abstract: A forming apparatus that forms a metal pipe includes: a heating unit which heats a metal pipe material; a gas supply unit which supplies gas into a heated metal pipe material, thereby expanding the metal pipe material; a die which forms the metal pipe by bringing the expanded metal pipe material into contact with the die; a cooling unit which cools the metal pipe after the forming by a cooling medium; and a control unit which controls an operation of the die, the gas supply unit, and the cooling unit, wherein the control unit makes cooling of the metal pipe by the cooling medium be performed, by controlling an operation of the die such that the die is opened and controlling the cooling unit such that the cooling unit brings the cooling medium into contact with the metal pipe, subsequently to completion of forming by the die.

Abstract: A molding apparatus capable of improving the quality of a molded article is provided. A control section controls a blowing mechanism to expand and mold a metal pipe material by supplying gas into the metal pipe material held between an upper mold and a lower mold by a pipe holding mechanism. The control section controls a driving section to mold a flange portion by crushing a second molded portion of the expanded metal pipe material in a sub-cavity portion between the upper mold and the lower mold. In a molding apparatus, the control section changes movement speed of a slide during the molding of the flange portion by controlling a servomotor. Accordingly, it becomes possible to control an operation of pressing at an appropriate movement speed according to the shape or the like of the flange portion. Accordingly, it is possible to improve the quality of a molded article.

Abstract: A molding apparatus that molds a metal pipe with a flange is disclosed. The molding apparatus comprises a first mold and a second mold that are paired with each other, a slide that moves at least one of the first mold and the second mold, a drive unit that generates a driving force for moving the slid, a holding section that holds a metal pipe material between the first mold and the second mold, a gas supply section that supplies gas into the metal pipe material held by the holding section, and a control unit that controls the drive unit, the holding section, and the gas supply section. The first mold and the second mold are provided with a first cavity portion that molds a pipe portion of the metal pipe, and a second cavity portion that molds a flange portion.