# US 10,500,627 B2 · Forming system > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 10,500,627 B2 - Document ID: US10500627B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 15/381,681 - Filed: 2016-12-16 - Published: 2017-05-18 - Granted: 2019-12-10 - Earliest claimed: 2014-06-19 - Assignees: Sumitomo Heavy Industries, Ltd. - Applicants: Sumitomo Heavy Industries, Ltd. - Inventors: Masayuki Ishizuka; Masayuki Saika; Norieda Ueno; Takashi Komatsu - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10500627B2 ## CPC - B21D 26/033: Deforming tubular bodies (corrugating tubes by applying fluid pressure B21D15/03, B21D15/10) - B30B 15/30: Feeding material to presses - B21D 22/025: {for tubular articles} - B21D 43/04: by means in mechanical engagement with the work - B21D 43/28: Associations of cutting devices therewith - B21D 43/285: {Devices for handling elongated articles, e.g. bars, tubes or profiles (B21D43/282, B21D43/287 take precedence)} - B30B 5/00: Presses characterised by the use of pressing means other than those mentioned in the preceding groups - B30B 13/00: Methods of pressing not special to the use of presses of any one of the preceding main groups - B21D 19/08: by single or successive action of pressing tools, e.g. vice jaws - B21D: WORKING OR PROCESSING OF SHEET METAL OR METAL TUBES, RODS OR PROFILES WITHOUT ESSENTIALLY REMOVING MATERIAL; PUNCHING METAL (working or processing of wire B21F) - B30B: PRESSES IN GENERAL (producing ultra-high pressure or ultra-high pressure and high temperature to effect modifications of a substance, e.g. for making artificial diamonds B01J3/00 ){(compressing means for refuse receptacles B65F1/1405)} ## Abstract A disclosed forming system is a forming system which expands and forms a metal pipe in a die. The forming system includes a preliminary forming apparatus which preliminarily forms a metal pipe material, a forming apparatus which includes a gas supply unit which supplies gas into the preliminary-formed and heated metal pipe material to expand the metal pipe material and a main body portion to which the die is attached, and a cutting device which cuts at least a portion of the formed metal pipe. The gas supply unit is provided so as not to be disposed on a first straight line which connects the preliminary forming apparatus and the main body portion in a plan view and a second straight line which connects the cutting device and the main body portion in a plan view. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A forming system for forming a metal pipe by expanding a metal pipe material in a die, comprising: a preliminary forming apparatus configured to preliminarily form and heat the metal pipe material; a forming apparatus which includes: a first gas supply unit configured to supply gas into the preliminarily-formed metal pipe material to expand the metal pipe material; a second gas supply unit configured to supply gas into the preliminarily-formed metal pipe material; and a main body portion to which the die is attached; a cutting device configured to cut at least a portion of the formed metal pipe; and a path connected to the first gas supply unit and the second gas supply unit, wherein the first gas supply unit is provided so as not to be disposed on a first straight line which connects the preliminary forming apparatus and the main body portion in a plan view and a second straight line which connects the cutting device and the main body portion in the plan view, wherein directions orthogonal to each other with respect to a center of the forming apparatus are a first direction and a second direction, the preliminary forming apparatus and the entire cutting device are disposed on one side in the second direction from the forming apparatus, wherein the preliminary forming apparatus is disposed on one side in the first direction from the forming apparatus, wherein the entire cutting device is disposed on the other side in the first direction from the center of the forming apparatus, and wherein the first gas supply unit and the second gas supply unit are provided in the first direction in a state where the center of the forming apparatus is interposed between the first gas supply unit and the second gas supply unit. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The forming system according to claim 1, further comprising: a handling device configured to transport the metal pipe material from the preliminary forming apparatus to the forming apparatus, wherein the handling device is disposed on the one side in the first direction from the forming apparatus, and is disposed between the preliminary forming apparatus and the cutting device. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The forming system according to claim 1, wherein each of the first gas supply unit and the second gas supply unit is separated from the center of the forming apparatus and is provided in the first direction. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The forming system according to claim 1, further comprising: a wall which is provided on the other side in the second direction from the forming apparatus; and a gas supply source which is provided on the other side in the second direction from the forming apparatus and supplies the gas to the first gas supply unit through the path. ### Claim 5 A forming system for forming a metal pipe by expanding a metal pipe material in a die, comprising: a preliminary forming apparatus configured to preliminarily form and heat the metal pipe material; a forming apparatus which includes: a gas supply unit configured to supply gas into the preliminarily-formed metal pipe material to expand the metal pipe material; and a main body portion to which the die is attached; a cutting device configured to cut at least a portion of the formed metal pipe; a first handling device between the preliminary forming apparatus and the forming apparatus; a second handling device between the forming apparatus and the cutting device; and a path connected to the gas supply unit, wherein the gas supply unit is provided so as not to be disposed on a first straight line which connects the preliminary forming apparatus and the main body portion in a plan view and a second straight line which connects the cutting device and the main body portion in a plan view, wherein directions orthogonal to each other with respect to a center of the forming apparatus are the first direction and the second direction, the gas supply unit is separated from a center of the forming apparatus and is provided in the first direction, wherein the preliminary forming apparatus, the forming apparatus, and the cutting device are disposed in the second direction, wherein the first handling device is disposed on one side in the first direction from the forming apparatus, and wherein the second handling device is disposed on the other side in the first direction from the forming apparatus.