Abstract: A method of making at least a component for a rim base of a multi-piece wheel for a vehicle, comprising providing a workpiece of tubular configuration and hot upset forging the workpiece in press tooling to form a part thereof to a required configuration, wherein the part of the workpiece is heated to a forging temperature in situ in the press tooling, preferably by induction heating.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for clinching metal sheets is disclosed. The apparatus includes a punch assembly for stamping indentations into stacked metal sheets and a die assembly for assisting in supporting the sheets during stamping of the indentations and for assisting in forming the indentations. The punch assembly, the die assembly or both in combination provide energy to at least a portion of the metal sheets prior to stamping. In turn, the energy elevates the temperature of the portion of the sheets such that the indentations can be more effectively formed in the portion and such that the sheets are fastened to each other with greater strength.

Abstract: An apparatus for hot forming a polygonal head on an end of a tie rod includes a split electrode for gripping a tie rod and a reciprocating electrode for deforming the tie rod end. One of the electrodes defines a die cavity having walls forming a polygonal contour and a depth greater than a predetermined thickness of the tie rod head to be formed, and the other electrode includes a boss positioned in registry with the die cavity such that the boss may enter the cavity upon movement of the reciprocating electrode into abutment with the split electrode, thereby forcing the heated end of a tie rod into the polygonal contour of the cavity. The preferred method includes intermediate steps of lightly gripping the rod by the split electrodes and lightly contacting the rod tip by the reciprocating electrode to locate the rod accurately with respect to the die cavity.

Abstract: Stretch-wrap forming of titanium parts or the like by resistance heating the part and a steel forming element which is cast into a fused silica die insert. Heating is accomplished by an electrical circuit in which both the part and the element are connected in parallel. The part is stretch wrapped over the element while a low voltage, high amperage current is allowed to flow through both the part and the element.