Clamp assembly for hydroforming die

A clamping and hydroforming assembly comprising:

• a lower die half having a plurality of die forming cavities;
• an upper die half having a plurality of die forming cavities;
• a stationary lower bed to support said lower die half;
• a stationary upper bed spaced above said lower bed;
• at least one guide post extending between said lower bed and said upper bed;
• a movable slide disposed between said upper bed and said lower bed and movable along said at least one guide post to support said upper die half;
• at least one lifting cylinder operatively connected to said movable slide to move said movable slide and said upper die half toward and away relative to said lower die half;
• at least one link mechanism connected to said upper bed and said movable slide to equalize a force on said upper die half;
• and
• at least one linkage cylinder operatively connected to said at least one link mechanism to activate said at least one link mechanism to prevent said movable slide and said upper die half from moving away from said lower die half to keep said upper die half and said lower die half closed during a hydroforming process.

A clamping and hydroforming assembly comprising:

• a lower die half having a plurality of die forming cavities;
• an upper die half having a plurality of die forming cavities;
• a stationary lower bed to support said lower die half;
• a stationary upper bed spaced above said lower bed;
• a plurality of guide posts extending between said lower bed and said upper bed;
• a movable slide disposed between said upper bed and said lower bed and movable along said guide posts to support said upper die half;
• a lifting cylinder operatively connected to said movable slide to move said movable slide and said upper die half toward and away relative to said lower die half;
• a plurality of link mechanisms connected to said upper bed and said movable slide to equalize a force on said upper die half;
• and
• a plurality of linkage cylinders operatively connected to said link mechanisms to activate said link mechanisms to prevent said movable slide and said upper die half from moving away from said lower die half to keep said upper die half and said lower die half closed during a hydroforming process.