US 8,020,419 B2Granted

Hydroforming die adjustable for springback correction

AssigneeGM Global Technology Operations LLC

InventorsMike M. Ghiran, Wei Ji, Mark P. Donoghue, Terry A. Kent

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Abstract

The invention provides a hydroforming apparatus for forming a length of tube. A hydroforming press includes an upper platen and a lower plate. A first die set is provided for forming a first lengthwise portion of the tube and a second die set provided adjacent the first die set which forms a second lengthwise portion of the tube. A first pivot acts between a first and second upper die so that the second upper die can be pivotally adjusted on the upper platen relative to the first upper die. A second pivot acts between a first and second lower die so that the second lower die can be pivotally adjusted on the lower platen relative to the first lower die. A die insert is provided having an upper die insert and a lower die insert that define upper and lower insert cavities that connect together the first and second cavity portions of the upper die set and the lower die set. This die insert is removably mounted as needed to accommodate the pivotal adjustment between the first and second die sets.

Claims15

Dependent claims

A hydroforming apparatus for forming a length of tube, comprising:

a press having an upper platen and lower platen;
a first die set for forming a first lengthwise portion of the tube and including a first upper die attached to the upper platen and a first lower die attached to the lower platen, said first die set defining a first cavity portion for receiving the first lengthwise portion of the tube;
a second die set for forming a second lengthwise portion of the tube and including a second upper die adjustably attached to the upper platen and a second lower die adjustably attached to the lower platen, said second die set defining a second cavity portion for receiving the second lengthwise portion of the tube;
a first pivot acting between the first upper die and the second upper die so that the second upper die can be pivotally adjusted on the upper platen relative to the first upper die;
a second pivot acting between the first lower die and the second lower die so that the second lower die can be pivotally adjusted on the lower platen relative to the first lower die;
and a die insert having an upper die insert and a lower die insert defining relatively upper and lower insert cavities that connect together the first and second cavity portions of the upper die set and the lower set, said die insert being removable and replaceable with an alternative die insert as needed to accommodate the pivotal adjustment between the first die set and the second die set.

3 more elements

A hydroforming apparatus for forming a length of tube, comprising:

a press having an upper platen and lower platen;
a first lower die and a second lower die, each having cavity portions, and a lower die insert removably mounted on the first lower die and the second lower die and having a cavity connecting the cavity portions of the first lower die and the second lower die;
a first upper die and a second upper die, each having cavity portions that overlie and cooperate with the cavity portions of the first lower die and second lower die, and an upper die insert removably mounted on the first upper die and the second upper die and having a cavity connecting the cavity portions of the first upper die and the second upper die;
a first pivot acting between the first upper die and the second upper die so that the second upper die can be pivotally adjusted on the upper platen relative to the first upper die when the upper die insert is removed for replacement by a replacement upper die insert, and a second pivot acting between the first lower die and the second lower die so that the second lower die can be pivotally adjusted on the lower platen relative to the first lower die when the lower die insert is removed for replacement by a replacement lower die insert.

1 more element

A hydroforming apparatus for forming a length of tube, comprising:

a press having an upper platen and lower platen;
a first lower die and a second lower die, each having cavity portions, and a lower die insert removably mounted within a pocket provided on the first lower die and a pocket provided on the second lower die, said upper die insert having a cavity connecting the cavity portions of the first lower die and the second lower die;
a first upper die and a second upper die, each having cavity portions that overlie and cooperate with the cavity portions of the first lower die and second lower die, and an upper die insert removably mounted within a pocket provided on the first upper die and the second upper die, said upper die having a cavity connecting the cavity portions of the first upper die and the second lower die;
a first pivot acting between the first upper die and the second upper die so that the second upper die can be pivotally adjusted on the upper platen relative to the first upper die when the upper die insert is removed from the pocket for replacement by a replacement upper die insert, and a second pivot acting between the first lower die and the second lower die so that the second lower die can be pivotally adjusted on the lower platen relative to the first lower die when the lower die insert is removed from the pocket for replacement by a replacement lower die insert,
said replacement upper die insert having a cavity shaped to connect the cavity portions of the first upper die and second upper die at the pivotally adjusted position of the second upper die, and said replacement lower die insert having a cavity shaped to connect the cavity portions of the first lower die and the second lower die at the pivotally adjusted positions of the second lower die.

2 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.