Patent ID: 8099989
Filing Date: 2012-01-24
Classification: B21D,Y10T

Abstract:
1. A method of forming a metal tube workpiece into a shaped article, the metal tube workpiece having two tube ends where at least one tube end requires shaping to obtain the shaped article, the method comprising: placing a mandrel inside the tube end, the mandrel comprising a rigid outer layer enclosing an electromagnetic forming coil; mechanically reshaping the at least one tube end by pressing the one tube end against the mandrel, the mechanical reshaping comprising decreasing a dimension of the cross section of the one tube end to an intermediate cross section; retracting the rigid outer layer to expose the coil; and using an electromagnetic force by discharging an electrical current through the coil to expand the one mechanically reshaped tube end against a forming surface to obtain the desired tube end shape of the shaped article.