Method and tool for calibration of a hollow profile component produced by extrusion for automobile manufacturing
AssigneesAudi AG, Benteler Automobiltechnik GmbH
InventorsMatthias Gotthelf, Esref Ciklakarsli, Erik Povl Marcussen
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A method for the calibration or end sizing of a hollow profile component produced by extrusion for automobile manufacturing. The hollow profile component is inserted into the cavity of an opened press tool and closing the press tool. Expandable mandrels are introduced into the open profile ends of the hollow profile component. The hollow profile component is calibrated or end-sized by applying force simultaneously on the outside and on the inside. The expandable mandrels are retracted, opening of the press tool, and removing of the hollow profile component.
Claims10
A method for the calibration or end sizing of a hollow profile component produced by extrusion for automobile manufacturing, comprising the steps:
- inserting the hollow profile component into a bottom tool part of an opened press tool and closing the press tool by lowering a top tool part of the press tool;
- introducing expandable mandrels into the open profile ends of the hollow profile component;
- calibrating or end sizing of the hollow profile component by use of a press ram traversing a height direction of the hollow profile component to simultaneously apply force to both the top tool part and the expandable mandrels, such that the hollow profile component is plastically deformed as a result of:
- exertion of an external force upon the hollow profile component by the top tool part and the bottom tool part;
- and
- expansion of the expandable mandrels transversely to a longitudinal direction of the hollow profile component in response to the force applied by the press ram, the expansion exerting an internal force upon the hollow profile component, and
- retracting the expandable mandrels, opening the press tool by raising the top tool part, and removing the hollow profile component.
A press tool for the calibration or end sizing of an extruded hollow profile component for automobile manufacture, comprising:
- a bottom tool part and a top tool part, which are configured to move relatively to each other and which have a cavity for taking up the hollow profile component;
- two expandable mandrels, which are configured to be introduced into open profile ends of the hollow profile component taken up in the cavity;
- and
- a press ram, which is configured to traverse a height direction of the hollow profile component and which acts upon both the top tool part and the two expandable mandrels, simultaneously distributing force to both the top tool part and the two expandable mandrels,
- wherein the top tool part and the bottom tool part are further configured to exert an external force upon the hollow profile component in response to force applied by the press ram, and
- wherein the two expandable mandrels are further configured to expand transversely to a longitudinal direction of the hollow profile component in response to force applied by the press ram, thereby exerting an internal force upon the hollow profile component.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.