Patent ID: 6561065
Filing Date: 2003-05-13
Classification: B21D,Y10T

Abstract:
An internal expandable die for use with an external punch press having at least one punch to perforate a wall of a hollow elongate body in which said internal expandable die is situated, said internal expandable die comprising:a) a die member having an upper surface and at least one die cavity for receiving the at least one punch of the external punch press; b) a base member having a lower surface; c) at least one lateral positioning powered cylinder for moving said internal expandable die in a direction that is perpendicular to both the axial direction of any of said at least one die cavity and to the longitudinal axis of the hollow elongate body to align said at least one die cavity with the at least one punch along a lateral axis of the hollow elongate body; d) at least one expansion controlling powered cylinder for reversibly moving said die member and said base member apart to bring the upper surface of said die member and the lower surface of said base member, wherein said upper and lower surfaces, when expanded, form outermost surfaces of the expandable die such that said upper and lower surfaces can be moved into and out of supporting contact with the interior surface of the hollow elongate body; and e) a positioning bar for aligning said at least one die cavity with the at least one punch along the longitudinal axis of the hollow elongate body, said positioning bar having a proximal end connected with at least one of said base member and said die member and a distal end for spatially fixing the positioning bar in relation to the at least one punch.