Molded material production method and molded material

A method for producing a molded material, the molded material comprising a tubular body and a flange formed at an end portion of the body, the method comprising:

• performing at least one drawing-out process on a base metal sheet to form a first intermediate body from the base metal sheet,
• wherein the at least one drawing-out process is carried out using a first mold that comprises a punch and a first die having a pushing hole;
• performing one or more drawing processes performed after the at least one drawing-out process, completion of the one or more drawing processes resulting in the molded material from the first intermediate body,
• wherein a first drawing process of the one or more drawing processes is carried out using a second mold comprising a second die and a drawing sleeve;
• wherein the first drawing process is carried out on a region that corresponds to the body of the molded material upon the completion of the one or more drawing processes, while a gap between the second die and the drawing sleeve is open so that an outer edge of the first intermediate body is not sandwiched therebetween;
• wherein the first drawing process further includes an ironing process performed on a region that corresponds to the flange of the molded material upon completion of the one or more drawing processes, while keeping a constant interval of the gap between the second die and the drawing sleeve, the second die and the drawing sleeve sandwiching the region that corresponds to the flange;
• and
• wherein the second mold comprises a stopper and a lifter plate, and the constant interval of the gap is determined by a position of the stopper along an axial direction of the drawing sleeve.