Abstract: A method of forming a hollow metal member may include stamping a metal blank to form half shell pieces that are configured to be approximately a half of a hollow metal member and stamping a another metal blank to form a half shell piece that is configured to be approximately the other half of the hollow metal member. The half shell pieces may be aligned to place the edges of the first and second half shell pieces in abutting contact. The half shell pieces may be welded together along seams that are defined at the abutting edges of the first and second half shell pieces. The attached half shell pieces may then be compacted to form the hollow metal member with reduced residual deformation from stamping and welding the half shell pieces.

Abstract: The provided process creates a fully flanged interlocked bushing by feeding a metal strip into a stamping assembly having a plurality of tool stations. The stations blank a workpiece from the metal strip, and trim the workpiece's two opposing ends forming a triangular shaped tab and a puzzle locking feature on either end. The workpiece is then formed into an annular shape, wherein the triangular shaped tabs are overlapped as the opposing ends are abutted and interlocked. A flange is then imparted into the side wall of the workpiece relieving the tab's overlapping condition, causing the tabs to abut one another and become co-planar with the flange. This creating a fully flanged part with a tightly fitted parting line. This invention also includes products formed by the aforementioned process.

Abstract: The provided process creates a stamped tubular form with integral bracket by feeding a metal strip with a first thickness into a stamping tool containing a plurality of stations. Material is removed from the metal strip, leaving behind a tubular blank with an integral bracket. The tubular blank is formed by a forming station into a U-shaped form containing walls. The walls are closed in a closure station into a tubular shape wherein the edges of the walls are abutted and compressed, forming a tubular form which increases the metal thickness. This invention includes products formed by this process.

Abstract: The provided process creates a fully flanged interlocked bushing by feeding a metal strip into a stamping assembly having a plurality of tool stations. The stations blank a workpiece from the metal strip, and trim the workpiece's two opposing ends forming a triangular shaped tab and a puzzle locking feature on either end. The workpiece is then formed into an annular shape, wherein the triangular shaped tabs are overlapped as the opposing ends are abutted and interlocked. A flange is then imparted into the side wall of the workpiece relieving the tab's overlapping condition, causing the tabs to abut one another and become co-planar with the flange. This creating a fully flanged part with a tightly fitted parting line. This invention also includes products formed by the aforementioned process.

Abstract: The invention includes a method, and a component made according to the method having at least one thread pattern formed thereon from a stamping method. The invention includes a tubular member comprising a body having a wall formed from a wrapped sheet of stock to define an interior wall and an exterior wall, a seam in the wall defining a first and second end of the wrapped sheet of stock, and a thread pattern stamped on the exterior wall. The method comprises the steps of forming a blank from sheet of stock having a first surface. A thread pattern is formed onto the first surface while in a substantially sheet-like form. A bending operation then forms the sheet stock into a tubular member such that the thread pattern, located on the tube's external surface, is substantially aligned about its circumference.

Abstract: A unique tubular work piece is disclosed along with a novel method and apparatus for manufacturing tubular work pieces from sheet metal stock lighter and stronger structures with less waste and less cost than prior methods.

Abstract: The invention includes a method, and a component made according to the method having at least one thread pattern formed thereon from a stamping method. The invention includes a tubular member comprising a body having a wall formed from a wrapped sheet of stock to define an interior wall and an exterior wall, a seam in the wall defining a first and second end of the wrapped sheet of stock, and a thread pattern stamped on one of the interior and exterior wall. The method comprises the steps of forming a blank from sheet of stock having first and second opposing surfaces and at least a first and second edge. A thread pattern is formed onto at least one of the first and second opposing surfaces extending between the first and second edge while in a substantially sheet-like form. Following the formation of the thread pattern, the method includes bending the sheet stock into a tubular member such that the thread pattern on one of the first and second surfaces is substantially aligned about a circumference.