Apparatus and method for hydroforming sheet metal
US5372026A · kind A · utility
Assignees
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Mar 23, 1992 |
| Grant date | Dec 13, 1994 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Mar 23, 2012 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10T29/49805
- WIPO fieldMachine tools
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A self-contained apparatus for forming metal sheet is adapted for operation within a standard double action press having a base and outer and inner vertically reciprocating slides and includes a basic die mountable to the press and specific tooling replaceably mountable to the basic die. The basic die includes an upper shoe mountable to the outer slide, a reservoir pan mounted atop the base, and hydraulic cylinder assemblies mounted with the pan and mechanically actuatable by the inner slide for providing pressurized fluid to the specific tooling. The specific tooling includes mating upper and lower dies connected to the upper shoe and base, respectively, and movable between open and closed positions. A sheet metal blank positioned upon the lower die is wrapped around the lower die as the upper die is moved down to a closed position by the outer slide, the blank being clamped between the upper and lower dies whereby the periphery of the blank is securely gripped by gripper steels mounted all around a part print cavity in the upper die. The outer slide then dwells while the inner slide moves down, engaging and actuating the cylinder assemblies, causing hydraulic fluid to be forced i…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.