Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for producing a hot-formed and quench-hardened tubular motor vehicle component (7) by way of internal high-pressure forming, a metallic starting material being at least partially heated to a heating temperature, in particular to a temperature above Ac3, being subjected to internal high-pressure forming in the hot state, and subsequently being quenched, preferably quench-hardened, wherein the internal high-pressure forming is performed as high-speed forming in a time of between 1 and 30 seconds, and the still-hot, formed motor vehicle component (7) is transferred into at least one separate quenching tool (5, 10) and is in particular quench-hardened, the motor vehicle component (7) being braced in a fixed position in the quenching tool (5, 10) and the cycle time of the quenching tool (5, 10) corresponding to the cycle time of the internal high-pressure forming.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for producing a hot-formed and quench-hardened tubular motor vehicle component (7) by way of internal high-pressure forming, a metallic starting material being at least partially heated to a heating temperature, in particular to a temperature above Ac3, being subjected to internal high-pressure forming in the hot state, and subsequently being quenched, preferably quench-hardened, wherein the internal high-pressure forming is performed as high-speed forming in a time of between 1 and 30 seconds, and the still-hot, formed motor vehicle component (7) is transferred into at least one separate quenching tool (5, 10) and is in particular quench-hardened, the motor vehicle component (7) being braced in a fixed position in the quenching tool (5, 10) and the cycle time of the quenching tool (5,10) corresponding to the cycle time of the internal high-pressure forming.

Abstract: In a method of making a tubular structural part for a motor vehicle, a metal plate is contoured and preformed in at least one shaping step into a tubular body. Subsequently, the tubular body is end-formed into the structural part by internal high-pressure application while free contact regions snugly bear upon one another. The structural part is at least partially heated and quenched in a holding tool acted upon with a coolant.

Abstract: A method for producing a tubular catalytic converter, which includes a monolith wrapped in a mat and is disposed in a housing, includes forming a stepped longitudinal fold on a longitudinal side of a housing blank, wherein the longitudinal side on both sides of the fold to be formed is clamped by electrodes of opposite polarity across the fold. Electrode pairs on one side of the fold to be formed are then offset with respect to electrodes on the other side of the fold and the electrodes of opposite polarity move closer together, while a current is flowing between the electrodes of opposite polarity, heating the material in the fold. Opposing longitudinal sides of the tubular housing are then materially joined along the stepped longitudinal fold with the overlap to produce the housing for the tubular catalytic converter.

Abstract: In a method of making a tubular structural part for a motor vehicle, a metal plate is contoured and preformed in at least one shaping step into a tubular body. Subsequently, the tubular body is end-formed into the structural part by internal high-pressure application while free contact regions snugly bear upon one another. The structural part is at least partially heated and quenched in a holding tool acted upon with a coolant.

Abstract: Apparatus for heat treatment of a long material of metal includes an induction unit having an inductor for heating a long material and a quenching spray associated to the inductor. The induction unit and the long material are moveable in relation to one another during a heat treatment. A holding device secures the long material and includes at least two clamping units which are spaced from one another at a distance in a longitudinal direction of the long material. The clamping units can be opened to allow passage of the induction unit during the heat treatment and closed again after passage of the induction unit.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for producing a catalytic converter, which includes a monolith wrapped in a mat and is disposed in a housing, wherein an average diameter of the monolith and a thickness of the mat are determined and the monolith is wrapped in the mat. A housing blank is formed into a housing and the wrapped monolith is enclosed in the housing. The average diameter of the monolith is determined by introducing the monolith in a measurement space having an interior volume, filling a gap between the measurement space and the monolith with a fluid, measuring a quantity of fluid which corresponds to a volume difference between the monolith and the interior volume of the measurement space, and calculating the average diameter of the monolith from the volume difference.

Abstract: A method for hydroforming hollow metal workpieces includes submerging the same in a reservoir of hydraulic fluid. A press is provided having a hydroforming station located within the reservoir and includes a forming cavity configured to receive the fluid filled workpiece and create a fluid cushion spaced between the outside of the workpiece and the inside of the forming cavity. Sealing mandrels supply high-pressure hydraulic fluid to the interior of the workpiece which hydroform the same to the shape of the final part. The outward flow of fluid from the fluid cushion space is controlled, along with the associated pressure, to maintain the fluid cushion at least until such time as the mandrel pushing step concludes, thereby alleviating friction and adhesion between the formed part and the forming cavity.

Abstract: Method for producing an open molded sheet metal part from a non-hardenable aluminum alloy that has the following steps: a) a sheet is prepared that is made of a non-hardenable aluminum alloy, the temper of which is H12, H14, H16, H18, H19, H22, H24, H26, H28, H32, H34, H36 or H38 according to European Standard EN 515:1993 and that in addition to aluminum includes at least magnesium and where necessary manganese; b) the aluminum is heated at least locally to a temperature between 200° C. and 350° C. within a period of 1 to 60 seconds; c) the heated sheet is placed in a cold forming die of a forming press and the sheet is formed, creating a molded sheet metal part.

Abstract: A pipe testing apparatus includes a rupture device for testing a rupture strength of a pipe. The rupture device has two clamping heads respectively accepting associated ends of the pipe which extends between the clamping heads, and a pressure-application system having a feed channel for imposing a fluid upon the pipe. The rupture device includes a tie rod which connects the clamping heads and extends through the pipe in coaxial relationship thereto such that an annular space is formed between the tie rod and the pipe, with the feed channel feeding into the annular space.

Abstract: A high-pressure system for hydroshaping a hollow workpiece has a lower die and an upper die vertically shiftable above the lower die and forming therewith a cavity shaped to hold the workpiece. An upper actuating element bears downward via a vertically compressible hydraulic operating cylinder on the upper die. A spring-loaded pressure-storing cylinder is connected by a hydraulic line to the operating cylinder and to the workpiece. Downward shifting of the actuating element first closes the dies together, then internally pressurizes the workpiece via the line from the operating cylinder such that the workpiece deforms and shapes itself to the cavity, and then fills the spring-loaded pressure-storing cylinder. Subsequent upward shifting of the actuating element at first allows the pressure-storing cylinder to empty, and then entrains the upper die upward off the workpiece by the actuating element.

Abstract: A pipe testing apparatus includes a rupture device for testing a rupture strength of a pipe. The rupture device has two clamping heads respectively accepting associated ends of the pipe which extends between the clamping heads, and a pressure-application system having a feed channel for imposing a fluid upon the pipe. The rupture device includes a tie rod which connects the clamping heads and extends through the pipe in coaxial relationship thereto such that an annular space is formed between the tie rod and the pipe, with the feed channel feeding into the annular space.

Abstract: An apparatus for hydraulic high-pressure forming of a sheet, the apparatus having a top tool and a bottom tool as well as at least one pressure generating unit arranged between the press ram of a mechanical press and the top tool and uses a pressurized medium from the pressure generating unit as a working fluid for hydraulic preforming of the sheet. Contact faces of the tools directly engage with the sheet surface along the clamping area thereof and act to seal off the forming area that are subjected to the working fluid solely by contact sealing.

Abstract: A metallic component is made by heating with subsequent hardening by rapid cooling. In the component unhardened regions remain, in that the component is electrically resistant heated and defined regions, either by partial resistance heating of the other regions, by overbridging or by cooling are excluded from heating above the austenitization temperature so that after a subsequent hardening process, they will remain with a ductile structure.

Abstract: An electrode pattern is used to apply preheating and final heating electric current to a workpiece whose smaller regions are bridged, or otherwise controlled as to the temperature so that for the final heating, all parts of the workpiece have substantially the same temperature and hence substantially the same electrical conductivity.

Abstract: Apparatus for sealing an end portion of a tubular workpiece in a mold for internal high-pressure forming of the workpiece, includes a housing having a pressure compartment in fluid communication with an interior space of the workpiece. Hydraulic high-pressure fluid is supplied from a pressure source to the pressure compartment by a pressure application unit which further includes a pressure piston received in the pressure compartment and defined in the pressure compartment by an effective piston area which is greater than a cross sectional area in the interior space of an end portion of the workpiece. At least indirectly connected to the pressure piston is a sealing mandrel which interacts with the end portion of the tubular workpiece. A check valve is disposed in a passageway between the pressure compartment and the interior space of the workpiece for blocking in a direction to the pressure compartment.

Abstract: An electrode pattern is used to apply preheating and final heating electric current to a workpiece whose smaller regions are bridged, or otherwise controlled as to the temperature so that for the final heating, all parts of the workpiece have substantially the same temperature and hence substantially the same electrical conductivity.

Abstract: A metallic component is made by heating with subsequent hardening by rapid cooling. In the component unhardened regions remain, in that the component is electrically resistant heated and defined regions, either by partial resistance heating of the other regions, by overbridging or by cooling are excluded from heating above the austenitization temperature so that after a subsequent hardening process, they will remain with a ductile structure.

Abstract: Apparatus for sealing an end portion of a tubular workpiece in a mold for internal high-pressure forming of the workpiece, includes a housing having a pressure compartment in fluid communication with an interior space of the workpiece. Hydraulic high-pressure fluid is supplied from a pressure source to the pressure compartment by a pressure application unit which further includes a pressure piston received in the pressure compartment and defined in the pressure compartment by an effective piston area which is greater than a cross sectional area in the interior space of an end portion of the workpiece. At least indirectly connected to the pressure piston is a sealing mandrel which interacts with the end portion of the tubular workpiece. A check valve is disposed in a passageway between the pressure compartment and the interior space of the workpiece for blocking in a direction to the pressure compartment.