Abstract: A vehicle wheel disc includes a flat plate-shaped hub-mounted part, a cylindrical rim-mounted part, and a hat-shaped part. The hat-shaped part includes a hat top portion, a hat inner peripheral portion, and a hat outer peripheral portion. At a border between the hub-mounted part and the hat inner peripheral portion, a first connecting portion is provided, and at a border between the hat top portion and the hat outer peripheral portion, a second connecting portion is provided. The plate thickness of the hat outer peripheral portion is smaller than the plate thickness of an intermediate portion that is a portion from a border between the first connecting portion and the hat inner peripheral portion to a border between the hat top portion and the second connecting portion in the disc radial direction.

Abstract: Metal components subject to wear or contact fatigue in a first area, and subject to bending, axial and/or torsional stress loading in a second area comprise a surface hardened, first surface layer in the first area; and a surface compressive-stress treated, second surface layer in the second area. The second surface layer has a material hardness different from, and typically lower than the first surface layer, and induced residual compressive stress to improve fatigue strength. Example components described include a gear, a cog, a pinion, a rack, a splined shaft, a splined coupling, a torquing tool and a nut driving tool. A hybrid manufacturing process is described, including area-selective surface hardening combined with a process to add compressive stress to fatigue failure prone areas.

Abstract: A method of forming a housing which includes roll forming a steel tube radially inwardly with a plurality of rollers each having a rolling axis parallel to the longitudinal axis of the tube, the rollers compressing the tube and forming reduced diameter portions and enlarged diameter portions. The method then includes cutting the tube perpendicular to the longitudinal axis generally midway through an enlarged diameter portion and a reduced diameter portion, forming a plurality of minor image preforms. Finally, the method includes cold working the preforms into the desired shape of the housing and increasing the strength of the steel at least 15% and forming a housing member having enlarged diameter open end and a reduced diameter open end.

Abstract: A method and tool for producing a flow formed part are disclosed, wherein the tool has an annular array of spline forming recesses for producing a flow formed part having splines and machining and production costs are minimized and efficiency is maximized.

Abstract: The invention describes a method of machining a toothing (7) on an outer circumference (6) or an inner circumference of a work piece (2) made of pressed and sintered powder metal, by means of a rolling process carried out on the toothing (7) with two rotating section rolling wheels (8) which section toothing (13) engaging in the toothing of work piece (2). The two section rolling wheels (8) are rotatably arranged in a common support frame (10) with an at least approximately constant distance between their section rolling wheel axles (9).

Abstract: An apparatus includes a mandrel having a first end and a second end, the mandrel including a cavity formed therein, a pilot disposed in the cavity formed in the mandrel, a portion of the pilot extending outwardly from the first end of the mandrel, and an insert disposed in a channel formed in the mandrel and through an exterior surface of the mandrel, wherein a portion of the pilot abuts the insert and radial outward movement of the insert is caused by an axial movement of the pilot.

Abstract: A spinning method for forming pipe bodies of varying diameter. In the spinning method, when a necked portion is formed at the end of the pipe material by the spinning method, working rollers are restricted so as to return immediately before the pipe end instead of being allowed to axially move beyond the end of the working object pipe. The amount of diameter reduction at the pipe end is set to be smaller than that of the most diameter reduced portion connecting to the pipe end. A protruding portion of a so-called bellmouth shape is formed at the working end, thereby preventing generation of fractures originating at the working end of the base portion or the welded portion and generation of wrinkles during the spinning process.

Abstract: A universal bell housing which may be adapted to a variety of automotive engine and transmission combinations and method of making the same is disclosed. The bell housing is made by spin forming a sheet of steel and welding a transmission plate onto the cone. The cone and transmission plate are indexed to mount to a specified engine-transmission combination.

Abstract: A method of producing a seamless, tubular product includes centrifugally casting a corrosion resistant alloy into a tubular workpiece having an inner diameter and an outer diameter. The method then removes material from the inner diameter of the workpiece and subjects the workpiece to at least about a 25% wall reduction at a temperature below a recrystallization temperature of the workpiece using a metal forming process. The metal forming process includes radial forging, rolling, pilgering, and/or flowforming.

Abstract: A method and tool for producing a flow formed part are disclosed, wherein the tool has an annular array of spline forming recesses for producing a flow formed part having splines and machining and production costs are minimized and efficiency is maximized.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for making a collar to the end of a pipe. The apparatus comprises an attachment clamp surrounding the pipe and a body part, connected by hinging to a pivoting cradle having a forming cone, which can enter the end of the pipe. In the method, the forming cone is moved axially and obliquely to the central axis of the pipe, inside the pipe until it contacts the inner surface of the pipe, the forming cone being loaded with the desired load pressure against the inner surface. The forming cone is then pivoted using a pivoting cradle outwards from the central axis of the pipe, around the inner edge of the attachment clamp, and the forming cone and pipe are simultaneously rotated with respect to each other around the central axis of the pipe until the desired collar has formed.

Abstract: A closing machine (1) for closing an open end of a work piece (9) by pressing a die (4) against the work piece (9) rotating about an axial center comprises a chuck spindle (20) that drives the work piece (9) to rotate, a chuck sliding support mechanism (62) that supports the work piece (9) so that the work piece (9) can move in a rotary axis direction relative to the chuck spindle (20), and a thrust stopper (6) that causes an end portion of the work piece (9), which is moved by a load applied from the die (4), to abut against the thrust stopper (6) such that the work piece (9) is supported in a predetermined closing position.

Abstract: A closing machine includes left and right chuck spindles (20) for driving a work piece (9) to rotate, a chuck spindle moving device (30) which moves the respective chuck spindles (20) in a horizontal direction orthogonal to a rotary axis O20 thereof, and left and right slide stoppers (34) for restricting the movement of the chuck spindles (20). The work piece (9) is introduced into each chuck spindle (20), and the chuck spindle moving device (30) moves the respective chuck spindles (20) until the movement of the respective chuck spindles (20) is stopped by the respective slide stoppers (34). During a closing operation, the rotary axis O20 of the chuck spindle (20) and a rotary axis O4 of a die (4) are offset in the horizontal direction by an offset S.

Abstract: A textured process shield and similar parts may be formed and textured in the same forming process using a mandrel. The mandrel may have movable portions that may be set into a forming die position to form and texture a workpiece into a process shield and collapsed to allow the process shield to be removed from the mandrel. The movable portions may include several textured shoes supported by movable jaws. The movable portions may also include a contact surface having angled indentations.

Abstract: A press-molding device (80) press molds a bottom portion of a work piece (9) having a closed-end shape between an, inner die (521) inserted into the work piece (9) and an outer die (551) disposed on an outside of the work piece (9). A chuck position switching mechanism (501) grips the work piece (9) so that the work piece (9) can move in an axial direction. An inner die moving mechanism (522) inserts the inner die (521) into the inside end of the work piece (9). A stopper mechanism (531) supports the inner die (521) in a processing position by restricting movement of the inner die (521). An outer die moving mechanism (552) press-molds the bottom portion of the work piece (9) between the outer die (551) and the inner die (521), thereby press-molding the workpiece (9) smoothly without damaging an inner peripheral surface of the workpiece (9).

Abstract: A cooling device (70) for cooling a work piece (9) that has reached a high temperature due to the implementation of a closing operation in which a bottom portion (9c) is formed by closing an end portion of the tubular work piece (9) comprises a tilting mechanism (151) which tilts the work piece (9) such that the bottom portion (9c) faces downwards and a cooling water tank (155) storing cooling water. The bottom portion (9c) of the work piece (9) tilted by the tilting mechanism (151) is submerged in cooling water stored in the cooling water tank (155).

Abstract: A sheet metal-made cup-shaped material including a circular base plate portion and a cylindrical portion extends from an outer peripheral edge portion of the base plate portion in one direction along the axis of the base plate portion. An annular groove is formed in an upper end portion of the cylindrical portion, whereby an annular projection that projects in a direction opposite to a direction along which the cylindrical portion extends is formed in the cylindrical portion. The annular projection and the cylindrical portion are clampingly pressed to a degree at which the annular groove at least disappears, whereby the outer circumferential face of the projection and the outer circumferential face of the cylindrical portion are flush with each other. Therefore, the axial length of a sheet metal-made back face pulley is increased, and the whole of the increased axial length can be used as the effective length.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for roughening the surface of a metal sheet used as electrode support in industrial electrochemical applications, and an electrode made by such method. Mechanical roughening is imparted by skin-passing the sheet between two rollers of a rolling mill, at least one of which is patterned according to a predetermined profile to be transferred by compression to the surface of the metal sheet.

Abstract: A method for producing a superconducting acceleration cavity having a stabilized quality, by which production cost is reduced by reducing the number of welding points. A dumbbell-shaped dumbbell cell (3) is formed by forming a recessed iris portion (3b) around the central part of a cylindrical pipe made of a superconducting material, a cup-shaped half cell (2) is formed by enlarging one opening and reducing the other opening of the cylindrical pipe made of a superconducting material, a plurality of dumbbell cells (3) are coupled by welding, and the each half cell (2) is welded to the opposite ends of the plurality of dumbbell cell (3), thus producing a superconducting acceleration cavity (1).

Abstract: A closing device 100 which presses a die 2 against a rotating pipe body 1 such that an open end portion of the pipe body 1 is plastically closed by the die 2 includes a cored bar 3 inserted into the pipe body 1 to close the open end portion of the pipe body 1 on the opposite side of the die 2, and a reactive force applying mechanism 43, 60 which allows the cored bar 3 to retreat and applies a reactive force to the retreating cored bar 3 when the cored bar 3 receives a predetermined load or more during processing of the pipe body 1 by the die 2.

Abstract: There is provided a group III nitride crystal growth method capable of obtaining a material which is a GaN substrate of low defect density capable of being used as a power semiconductor substrate and in which characteristics of n-type and p-type requested for formation of transistor or the like. A growth method of group III nitride crystals includes: forming a mixed melt containing at least group III element and a flux formed of at least one selected from the group consisting of-alkaline metal and alkaline earth metal, in a reaction vessel; and growing group III nitride crystals from the mixed melt and a substance containing at least nitrogen, wherein after immersing a plurality of seed crystal substrates placed in an upper part of the reaction vessel in which the mixed melt is formed, into the mixed melt to cause crystal growth, the plurality of seed crystal substrates are pulled up above the mixed melt.

Abstract: A drawing apparatus is capable of releasing a material, the inner surface of which has been formed into a concavo-convex shape with drawing, from a mold with excellent release performance, even in the case where the concavo-convex part formed in the inner surface of the product is of a shape causing it to get caught in the direction of pulling out of the product against the mold. The mold is formed in a split structure having a concavo-convex surface shape and is contractible in diameter after the forming of the material.

Abstract: A method for making a differential housing having a ring gear integrally formed therein includes the steps of providing a differential housing having an annular rim integrally preformed therein; supporting the differential housing between upper and lower halves of a rotatable holding tool such that the annular rim extends radially outwardly from the holding tool for movement therewith; providing a thickening tool having a tool surface engagable with the annular rim during rotation of the holding tool to form a thickened lip; and providing a gear forming tool engagable with the thickened lip during rotation of the holding tool, whereby a plurality of teeth are formed along the lip to form the ring gear.

Abstract: A thin walled body is deformed in a process in which the body is gripped securely in a holding station and, whilst gripped in the holding station, tooling engages to deform the peripheral wall of the body at a predetermined wall zone. The tooling is provided at a tooling station which is adjacent the holding station during deformation. The predetermined wall zone is co-aligned with the tooling by rotation of the body about an axis prior to securing at the holding station.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a one-piece flexible tube connector includes obtaining a tube blank having an initial length, an initial outer diameter, and an initial wall thickness. The tube blank is secured in a fixture and fed longitudinally into a forming tool. During the forming process, one of the tube blank and the forming tool is spun increasing an initial wall thickness of a portion of the tube blank to a second wall thickness, while the initial outer diameter of the tube blank is controlled. The thickened portion of the tube blank extends along a second length of the tube blank that is less than the initial length. After the spinning process, an attachment feature, such as a barbed feature, is formed or machined into the thickened portion of the tube blank to produce the one-piece flexible tube connector.

Abstract: A method for processing a preform for a rim wherein a ring-shaped rudimentary metal rim edge (5) is clamped in a slit (13) moving along the circumferential edge of the rim edge (5) between a profiled outer surface (8) of a mandrel (7) and a profiled outer surface (11) of a profiling roller (9), wherein the slit (13) is wedge-shaped and wherein an angle (a) included by the centerlines (6, 10) of mandrel (7) and profiling roller (9) is reduced, propelling material of the rudimentarily formed rim edge (5) to a wider portion of the slit (13). The invention also relates to an apparatus for processing a preform for a rim, and a rim.

Abstract: A method for producing workpieces wherein a generally cylindrical preform (8) is formed by at least one pressure roller (7) into a finished workpiece (8.2). The method includes slidingly placing a portion of the preform (8) on at least a first mandrel (3, 4?) which is slidably mounted in parallel with the longitudinal axis (A) of the preform (8), aligning the mandrel (3, 4?) such that the surface (3b, 4b, 4b?) thereof disposed within the preform (8) substantially defines a negative profile of an inner surface to be formed in said preform (8), and performing a relative movement between the preform (8) and the pressure roller (7) in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis (A) while pressing the pressure roller (7) against the preform (8) such that material of the preform (8) is displaced by the pressure roller (7) in such a way that the mandrel (3, 4?) is moved by the displaced material.

Abstract: An apparatus for rotating a container body that utilizes frictional forces rather than the engagement of gears to rotate the container body is provided. Such an apparatus may include a stationary housing and a turret rotating on a shaft proximate to the housing. The turret may have a plurality of pockets and a roller assembly disposed within each pocket. Each roller assembly may have a body portion and a drive roller portion. Each body portion may have a contact portion for contacting a container body received in a respective pocket. Each drive roller may be in contact with the housing such that as the turret rotates, friction between the drive rollers and the housing causes each roller assembly to rotate.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for a metal spinning operation capable of spinning a product having a non-circular cross section normal to an axis of rotation such as a polygonal/elliptic one. The actuators of a forming roller (5) are driven with feedback signals from a force sensor (8) fitted to the forming roller (5) to control the pushing force of the forming roller (5) so as to form a work (1) following the cross section shape of a mandrel (3), so that the product having the non-circular cross section normal to the axis of rotation can also be formed. The motion of the forming roller (5) in the forming operation is stored, the shape of the mandrel (3) near the point of the forming roller (5) contacting with the work (1) is estimated based on the motion of the forming roller (5) from a time point before one rotation of the mandrel (3), and according to the estimation, the rotational speed of a motor for rotating the mandrel (3) is controlled for the forming operation.

Abstract: A closing machine includes left and right chuck spindles (20) for driving a work piece (9) to rotate, a chuck spindle moving device (30) which moves the respective chuck spindles (20) in a horizontal direction orthogonal to a rotary axis O20 thereof, and left and right slide stoppers (34) for restricting the movement of the chuck spindles (20). The work piece (9) is introduced into each chuck spindle (20), and the chuck spindle moving device (30) moves the respective chuck spindles (20) until the movement of the respective chuck spindles (20) is stopped by the respective slide stoppers (34). During a closing operation, the rotary axis O20 of the chuck spindle (20) and a rotary axis O4 of a die (4) are offset in the horizontal direction by an offset S.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and a forming machine for deforming a workpiece, such as a metal cylinder or plate (3), by means of a tool, in particular one or more forming rollers (5), wherein the workpiece and/or the tool are rotated about an axis (4) relative to each other, the tool move; through one or more deforming curves and at least part of the workpiece is deformed. During the deforming process, values of one or more coordinates of the position of the extreme: edge of the workpiece are measured, and one or more parameters of the deforming process is/are changed on the basis of the measured values.

Abstract: A method of forming a tubular ring comprising spinning a flat blank having a bore, expanding the bore using a tubular shaft shaped spinning roller by initially engaging the tubular shaft shaped spinning roller with the flat blank bore at an angle (?) to the spinning axis, forming the flat blank into a tubular ring by rotating the tubular shaft shaped spinning roller about a center of rotation (B) such that the tubular shaft shaped spinning roller becomes substantially parallel to the spinning axis, and forming a contour on an outer surface of the tubular ring.

Abstract: A method of spinning multiple parts comprising attaching two blanks to an intermediate mandrel, loading the intermediate mandrel and blanks into the spinning machine by clamping the intermediate mandrel and the blanks between the spinning machine tailstock and the headstock, moving rollers simultaneously radially inward and outward to execute metal forming on each blank to form a part from each blank, ejecting the intermediate mandrel, and ejecting each part substantially simultaneously from the intermediate mandrel.

Abstract: A method of forming a gear comprising gripping a blank to be spun formed in a spin forming machine, spin forming a gear having helical teeth disposed on an inner surface, and ejecting the gear by simultaneous extension and rotation of an ejector member and thereby rotation of the gear being ejected.

Abstract: A closing device 100 which presses a die 2 against a rotating pipe body 1 such that an open end portion of the pipe body 1 is plastically closed by the die 2 includes a cored bar 3 inserted into the pipe body 1 to close the open end portion of the pipe body 1 on the opposite side of the die 2, and a reactive force applying mechanism 43, 60 which allows the cored bar 3 to retreat and applies a reactive force to the retreating cored bar 3 when the cored bar 3 receives a predetermined load or more during processing of the pipe body 1 by the die 2.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for a metal spinning operation capable of spinning a product having a non-circular cross section normal to an axis of rotation such as a polygonal/elliptic one. The actuators of a forming roller (5) are driven with feedback signals from a force sensor (8) fitted to the forming roller (5) to control the pushing force of the forming roller (5) so as to form a work (1) following the cross section shape of a mandrel (3), so that the product having the non-circular cross section normal to the axis of rotation can also be formed. The motion of the forming roller (5) in the forming operation is stored, the shape of the mandrel (3) near the point of the forming roller (5) contacting with the work (1) is estimated based on the motion of the forming roller (5) from a time point before one rotation of the mandrel (3), and according to the estimation, the rotational speed of a motor for rotating the mandrel (3) is controlled for the forming operation.

Abstract: The present metal spin forming head includes two sets of rollers, with each set having a series of individual metal working rollers therein. The rollers of each set are circumferentially spaced evenly about the head, with each of the rollers of the second set being evenly positioned between corresponding rollers of the first set. The second roller set may be in a non-coplanar relationship with the first roller set. The first roller set comprises rollers having relatively broad widths, for forming the general contours of the workpiece. The second roller set comprises rollers having relatively narrow rims for forming circumferential grooves in the workpiece, resulting in corresponding beads within the workpiece for securing an article therein. The rollers are controlled independently of one another by a programmable logic control capable of driving the rollers cyclically as the workpiece (or spin forming head) rotates to form non-cylindrical shapes.

Abstract: A metal spinning machine includes a mandrel kept in rotation, a roller tool with which a plate blank workpiece is pressed against the mandrel to form the workpiece, linear motors that generate thrust force in proportion to driving electrical current and drive the roller tool, an operating lever that gives an operator command to the linear motor and a control unit that includes a memory. Manual operation of the roller tool with the operating lever by an operator receiving a teaching of the operator command forms the workpiece in a prescribed shape. The memory of the control unit stores the operator command that is then given to the linear motor to enable a same shape to be subsequently formed relative to plate blank workpieces repeatedly.

Abstract: A preparatory molding roll 4 having a convex push surface 41 is pushed to an outer peripheral surface of a work 1A while the work 1A is chucked by a pair of molds 2 and 3 and is rotated by applying axial propelling force, to bend inward the outer peripheral surface of the work in a radial direction. The work is then chucked by the preparatory molding roll and the upper and lower molds. Next, the preparatory molding roll is moved back and the work is crushed in the axial direction to form a bent portion 1a. A molding roll 5 is pushed to mold the outer shape of the work. A grooved roll 6 is next pushed to the outer peripheral surface of the work and a groove 1b is formed on the outer peripheral surface.

Abstract: A forming device having a rotating frame (1) and a forming blade (2) movable in the axial and radial directions of the rotating frame. One side-edge portion of a tubular blank (B) is fixed to a predetermined position of the rotating frame (1), and the other side-edge portion is movably set on the rotating frame. While the rotating frame (1) is rotated, the forming blade (2) is pressed to the inner diameter side or the outer diameter side of a peripheral wall of the tubular blank (B). The forming blade is reciprocated from the fixed side-edge portion radially outward or inward and moved toward the movable side-edge portion. Thus, a tubular formed body in which at least a ridge portion or a recess portion continuing in circumferential direction is shaped in the peripheral wall is formed.

Abstract: The invention relates to a forming machine at least provided with a clamping device for clamping a hollow workpiece having at least one open end and a first forming tool which can be placed into contact with the outer surface of the workpiece and with which the workpiece can be deformed. The clamping device can be rotated about a first axis and moved with respect to this first axis. Thus, the forming machine can be of relatively straightforward design and operate at high rotational speeds, even when a tool head equipped with a relatively large number of rollers is being used. The invention further pertains to a method wherein the clamping device can be moved with respect to the said first axis.

Abstract: While a material pipe and a roller are revolved relative to each other with a predetermined radius, the material pipe and the roller are moved relative to each other in the direction of progress of forming by eccentrically moving the center axis of the material pipe and the revolution axis of the roller relative to each other and simultaneously moving the material pipe and the roller relative to each other in the directions of the axis. During movement in the direction of progress of the forming, an end portion of the material pipe is deflected by controlling the axis-direction moving portion so that the roller is moved relative to the material pipe in the direction of the axis when the circumferential position of the roller, with respect to a circumference of the material pipe, changes from an inner side of the direction of deflection toward an outer side of the direction of deflection.

Abstract: A spinning method which makes it possible to control the pressing force of a roller tool with satisfactorily high responsiveness and have the roller tool press work following the contour of a forming die even if the die may have its radial length vary at a high speed relative to the angle of its rotation when making a product which is not circular in its cross section normal to the axis of rotation of the die, and an apparatus therefor. The roller tool is driven by at least two mutually crossing linear motors and the thrust to be generated by each linear motor is adjusted to control the feeding displacement of the roller tool and the pressing force of the roller tool against a piece of work.

Abstract: A method of making Circular and Oval Flanged Rings, for the connection of thin walled circular and oval ducting, including Circular and Oval Flanged Rings having a Sheet Metal and Air Conditioning Contractors National Association (SMACNA) standard T24 Profile. Thin gauge Lock Form Quality steel, from 10 to 20 gauge, is cut into strips with the strip ends butt welded forming Flanged Ring Band Stock which is inserted and clamped into a Spinning Die. The Spinning Die is rotated by a horizontally configured lathe output shaft presenting the extended portion of the Flanged Ring Band Stock for machine tool forming. Standard machine tools are used to form the Flanged Ring Band Stock into a Circular Flanged Ring including the SMACNA T24 Flanged Ring Profile. A Circular Flanged Ring is cut along a diameter into Semi-circular Flanged Ring Portions; straight segments including segments with SMACNA T24 Linear Segments are roll formed, assembled into a oval shape within a fixture and welded forming the Oval Flanged Ring.

Abstract: Method of a spin forming conical fittings for HVAC systems from 10 to 26-gauge steel material. A flat pattern is cut, stamped or otherwise formed from flat sheet stock or roll stock. The pattern is rolled or otherwise formed into a frustoconical shape. The workpiece is engaged with a die, and the end portions of the workpiece are formed as the workpiece is spun to press the workpiece against the die. In this manner, a small diameter collar portion is formed at the smaller end of the conical connector and/or a larger diameter collar portion is formed at the larger diameter end of the conical connector. Also, a flange connector can be formed at the larger and/or smaller end portions of the conical connector using spin forming or a combination of spin forming and roll forming techniques.

Abstract: The invention comprises a crankshaft damper having an integral pulse ring. The crankshaft damper comprises an inner hub and outer pulley with an elastomeric connecting member between each. The elastomeric ring dampens a crankshaft vibration. The integral pulse ring is manufactured as part of the inner hub by flow forming a sheet metal blank.

Abstract: The invention pertains to a method and forming machine for deforming a hollow workpiece having at least one open end, wherein the workpiece is clamped down in a clamping device, at least one forming tool is placed into contact with the surface of the workpiece, the workpiece and this forming tool are rotated relative to each other about an axis, and the workpiece is deformed by means of the forming tool. During at least part of the deforming, the forming tool is being moved back and forth at a frequency that is substantially equal to or a multiple of the frequency of the rotation of the deformed part or the part to be deformed of the workpiece.

Abstract: An apparatus and process is disclosed for spinning circumferential articles with constant length end surfaces. The article is first spun to define the circumferential surface, and a mandrel is then introduced, whereby the mandrel has a shoulder positionable adjacent to the end surfaces. The end surfaces, while supported by the mandrel, are further spun, and the material is flow formed into the shoulder, to define a constant and defined length to the article.

Abstract: There is provided a mandrel for spin forming that has a backing plate with removably attached mandrel portions and mandrel spacers, such that the mandrel is adaptable to numerous configurations. The various configurations of the mandrel are used to provide different spin forming contour surfaces upon which metal sheets or other spin formable materials can be spin formed. The adaptable mandrel also provides the ability to create a desired spin formed product from either a single metal sheet or multiple metal sheets joined by friction stir welding or other suitable processes. A spin formed welded metal sheet may also undergo a trimming process to remove the portions of the welded metal sheet having sufficiently different material properties resulting from the weld process, including the weld joint.

Abstract: A pulley is made by fixing an edge of an opening of a plate by using a first upper mandrel ring installed at a lower end of a first supporting pin of a first forming device. A supporting block is disposed around an upper end of a first spindle and is rotated with the first spindle. An inner nub is formed by inwardly pressing an upper surface of the plate against a first pressing roller to reduce the thickness of the plate while drawing the plate around a first upper mandrel ring. The plate is fixed to a second spindle of a second forming device, so the plate rotates with the second spindle. An outer hub is formed by pressing a convex bead toward the inner hub by using a fourth pressing roller and by drawing the outer hub.