Patent ID: 6662611
Filing Date: 2003-12-16
Classification: B21D,Y10T

Abstract:
A hydroforming assembly, comprising:a plurality of die structures mountable on a press for reciprocating movement between open and closed conditions, said die structures having cooperating die surfaces defining a die cavity when in the closed condition, said die structures receiving a metallic tube blank when in the open condition; a hydroforming fluid supply system having tube-end engaging structures that are movable to selectively and sealingly engage opposite ends of said tube blank, said hydroforming fluid supply system providing pressurized fluid into an interior of said tube blank in order to expand the tube blank outwardly into conformity with said die cavity into an expanded condition, a punch extending within a passage of at least one of said die structures, said punch movable between retracted and extended positions; a punch driving assembly operably connected with said punch to drive said punch between said retracted and extended positions to punch a hole into said tube blank after said tube blank has been expanded into said expanded condition; and a flushing system communicating with said die cavity providing a flushing fluid flow through the interior of said tube blank.