Hydroforming machine
A hydroforming machine is disclosed which includes a plurality of dies with each die having an upper die plate hingedly connectable to and lockable with a lower die plate. Each upper die plate and lower die plate include an opening therethrough which are substantially alignable with each other. The hydroforming machine also includes a spacing device. The spacing device is disposed in mechanical cooperation with each of the dies and maintains a desired distance between each of the dies. The spacing device includes a plurality of hinges which hingedly connect each die with an adjacent die.
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This application claims the benefits of and priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/683,658 entitled “BELLOWS HYDROFORMING TOOLS,” which was filed on May 23, 2005, the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference herein.
BACKGROUNDThe present disclosure relates to a hydroforming machine for forming a bellows and, more particularly relates to a hydroforming machine including a spacing device which allows for rapid changing of the spacing between adjacent dies.
Hydroforming is one of several processes that may be used for forming pieces of metal into bellows. During hydroforming, a plurality of dies are positioned parallel and adjacent to one another. A hollow tube is inserted into openings of the dies and is held in position. Pressurized water is forced through the hollow tube and the water pressure that is forced against the tube expands the walls of the tube outwardly. The dies apply pressure against the walls of the tube at desired locations along the length of the tube so that the wall of the tube is only expanded between adjacent dies. The dies are compressed together for forcing the expanded sections of the wall into a corrugated pattern for forming bellows.
The spacing between the dies determines the sizing of the bellows, thus it is typically desirable to be able to accurately and repeatably control and alter this spacing. It may also be desirable to change this spacing relatively quickly.
The dies generally include an upper die plate and a lower die plate. Further, a locking mechanism is generally included to lock the upper die plate with the lower die plate while the pressurized water (or another liquid or gas) is forced through the tube.
SUMMARYThe present disclosure relates to a hydroforming machine. The hydroforming machine includes a plurality of dies with each die having an upper die plate hingedly connectable to and lockable with a lower die plate. Each upper die plate and lower die plate includes an opening therethrough which are substantially alignable with each other. The hydroforming machine also includes a spacing device. The spacing device is disposed in mechanical cooperation with each of the dies and maintains a desired distance between each of the dies. The spacing device includes a plurality of hinges which hingedly connect each die with an adjacent die.
The present disclosure also relates to a hydroforming machine including a plurality of dies and a spacing device. Each die has an upper die plate hingedly moveable with respect to a lower die plate between an open position and a closed position. The distance between adjacent dies is adjustable while the upper die plates are in the open position, the closed position and any position therebetween.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGSEmbodiments of the present disclosure are described hereinbelow with reference to the figures wherein:
Embodiments of the presently disclosed hydroforming machine are described in detail with reference to the drawings wherein like numerals designate identical or corresponding elements in each of the several views. As is common in the art, the term “proximal” refers to that part or component closer to the user or operator, while the term “distal” refers to that part or component farther away from the user.
Referring to
In use, a ram (not explicitly shown in this embodiment) retracts dies 110 as far as spacing device 200 allows. When upper die plates 120 are open (i.e., not approximated with lower dies plates 140), a hollow tube (not explicitly shown) is placed onto lower opening 130b of lower die plates 140. Upper die plates 120 are approximated towards lower die plates 120 via rotation about hinge mechanism 160. Once fully approximated, upper die plates 120 and lower die plates 140 are locked together via locking mechanism 180, thus locking hollow tube therebetween. The hollow tube, which may include a plug (not shown), is generally filled and pressurized with a liquid (e.g., water). Such pressurization causes the hollow tube to bulge into areas between dies 110. Dies 110 are then collapsed axially by compression exerted by the ram. Dies 110 are forced together so that each die 110 contacts an adjacent die 110. Locking mechanism 180 is then released, upper dies plates 120 are opened and the formed bellow or bellows can be removed. The ram is then retracted, causing dies 110 to be drawn apart from adjacent dies 110.
With reference to
Now referring to
To unlock die plates 120 and 140, lock shuttle 184 is returned to its first position. It is envisioned that a lower surface 183 of upper lock aperture 182a is titled downward at an angle α towards lower lock aperture 182b (see
With continued reference to
Using spacing device 200 of
With reference to
Now referring to
With reference to
While several embodiments of the disclosure have been shown in the figures, it is not intended that the disclosure be limited thereto, as it is intended that the disclosure be as broad in scope as the art will allow and that the specification be read likewise. Therefore, the above description should not be construed as limiting, but merely as exemplifications of various embodiments. For example, it is envisioned that objects other than bellows may be created from such a hydroforming machine. Those skilled in the art will envision other modifications within the scope and spirit the claims appended hereto.
Claims
1. A hydroforming machine, comprising:
- a plurality of dies, each die including an upper die plate hingedly connectable to a lower die plate via a hinge mechanism and lockable with the lower die plate via a locking mechanism, each upper die plate and each lower die plate including an opening therethrough which are substantially alignable with respect to each other; and
- a spacing device disposed in mechanical cooperation with each of the dies for maintaining a desired distance therebetween, the spacing device including a plurality of hinges which hingedly connect each die with an adjacent die.
2. The hydroforming machine according to claim 1, wherein the spacing device further includes a spacer bar.
3. The hydroforming machine according to claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of hinges comprises an inner hinge pin, an outer hinge pin and a linkage including a first opening for receiving the inner hinge pin and a second opening for receiving the outer hinge pin.
4. The hydroforming machine according to claim 3, wherein the inner hinge pin extends through at least a portion of a die.
5. The hydroforming machine according to claim 3, further comprising a spacer bar being positionable between the inner hinge pin and the outer hinge pin.
6. The hydroforming machine according to claim 1, further comprising another spacing device, one spacing device being positioned adjacent one edge of dies and another spacing device being positioned adjacent another edge of dies.
7. The hydroforming machine according to claim 2, wherein the spacer bar has a substantially constant width along its length.
8. The hydroforming machine according to claim 2, wherein the spacer bar has more than one size width along its length.
9. The hydroforming machine according to claim 2, wherein the spacer bar is stepped.
10. The hydroforming machine according to claim 2, wherein a cross section of the spacer bar at least one of circular and rectangular.
11. The hydroforming machine according to claim 3, wherein the spacing device further includes a plurality of spacers, each spacer being positionable adjacent an outer hinge pin.
12. The hydroforming machine according to claim 3, wherein the spacing device further includes a plurality of spacers, at least a portion of each spacer being positionable between an outer hinge pin and an inner hinge pin.
13. The hydroforming machine according to claim 11, wherein the spacers are discs.
14. The hydroforming machine according to claim 1, wherein the locking mechanism includes a lock shuttle being slidable between a first position where the lock shuttle engages an upper lock aperture disposed in at least an upper die plate or a lower lock aperture disposed in at least a lower die plate and a second position where the lock shuttle engages the upper lock aperture and the lower lock aperture.
15. The hydroforming machine according to claim 14, wherein the upper lock aperture includes a lower surface which is titled downward towards the lower lock aperture at an angle α, wherein α is in the range of about 0.5 degrees to about 5 degrees.
16. The hydroforming machine according to claim 14, wherein the lock shuttle is removable.
17. A hydroforming machine, comprising:
- a plurality of dies, each die including an upper die plate hingedly moveable with respect to a lower die plate between an open position where upper die plate is in a spaced relation with lower die plate and a closed position where upper die plate is approximated with lower die plate;
- a spacing device disposed in mechanical cooperation with the plurality of dies for maintaining a desired distance between adjacent dies; and
- wherein the distance between adjacent dies is adjustable while the upper die plates are in the open position, the closed position and any position therebetween.
18. The hydroforming machine according to claim 17, wherein the spacing device includes a plurality of hinges which hingedly connect each die with an adjacent die
19. The hydroforming machine according to claim 18, wherein each of the plurality of hinges comprises an inner hinge pin, an outer hinge pin and a linkage including a first opening for receiving the inner hinge pin and a second opening for receiving the outer hinge pin.
20. The hydroforming machine according to claim 19, wherein the spacing device includes a spacer bar which is positionable between at least one inner hinge pin and at least one outer hinge pin.
Type: Application
Filed: May 23, 2006
Publication Date: Nov 23, 2006
Applicant:
Inventors: Gregory Lyon (Mamaroneck, NY), Richard Wachter (Woodstock, IL)
Application Number: 11/438,888
International Classification: B21D 26/00 (20060101);