Method of manufacturing a tube and a machine for use therein

A method of manufacturing a tube using an apparatus having a fixed base and a press structure movable toward the fixed base, a die assembly coupled to the fixed base, a container coupled to the fixed base spaced from the die assembly and configured to include a cooling fluid therein, and a mandrel assembly comprising a rotatable platform coupled to the press structure, a first platform mandrel coupled to and extending from the rotatable platform toward the fixed base and a second platform mandrel coupled to and extending from the rotatable platform toward the fixed base, said method comprising the steps of:

• placing a first pre-formed billet into a cavity of the die assembly;
• pressing the first pre-formed billet into the cavity of the die assembly with the first platform mandrel to elongate the first pre-formed billet to produce an extruded tube;
• moving the second platform mandrel into the container simultaneously with the step of pressing the first pre-formed billet with the first platform mandrel;
• removing the extruded tube from the die assembly;
• placing a second pre-formed billet into the cavity of the die assembly;
• rotating the rotatable platform to align the second platform mandrel with the die assembly and to align the first platform mandrel with the container;
• pressing the second pre-formed billet into the cavity of the die assembly with the second platform mandrel to elongate the second pre-formed billet to produce another extruded tube;
• and
• moving the first platform mandrel into the container simultaneously with the step of pressing the second billet with the second platform mandrel.

An apparatus for manufacturing a tube that has a hollow interior for housing an axle shaft, which transmits rotational motion from a prime mover to a wheel of a vehicle, with said apparatus comprising:

• a fixed base;
• a die assembly coupled to said fixed base and defining a cavity therein configured to receive a pre-formed billet;
• a single press structure moveable toward and then away from said fixed base;
• a mandrel assembly coupled to said single press structure with said mandrel assembly comprising;
• a rotatable platform coupled to said single press structure with said rotatable platform rotatable relative to said single press structure;
• a first platform mandrel coupled to and extending from said rotatable platform toward said fixed base with said first platform mandrel configured to enter said cavity of said die assembly;
• a second platform mandrel coupled to and extending from said rotatable platform toward said fixed base with said second platform mandrel configured to enter said cavity of said die assembly;
• wherein rotation of said rotatable platform aligns either said first platform mandrel or said second platform mandrel with said cavity of said die assembly;
• and
• a container coupled to said fixed base adjacent said die assembly and configured to include a cooling fluid therein, with said container configured to receive said second platform mandrel as said first platform mandrel enters said cavity of said die assembly for cooling said second platform mandrel when said single press structure moves toward said fixed base.