Patent ID: 6383442
Filing Date: 2002-05-07
Classification: B22D,B29C

Abstract:
An apparatus for locking a forming tool for hydromechanical forming of sheet and tubular materials using a press force of at least some hundreds of tons, which forming tool is assembled from two or more tool pieces defining the shape of a formed product, comprising:(a) a frame, said frame comprising a wall member that defines an interior space extending from a first end of the frame to an opposed second end of the frame, said interior space opening through the first and second ends of the frame and being large enough to receive an assembled forming tool into the interior space of the frame, while not permitting removal of the tool pieces from the product within the interior space; (b) one or more presses disposed within the frame and acting in concert with the frame for applying pressure on a forming tool received within the interior space in the frame, said one or more presses delivering a press force of at least some hundreds of tons; and (c) a connection for supplying a pressure medium to the interior of one or more work pieces, wherein the connections comprise a displaceable part which enables the length of the connection to be altered to compensate for variations in length of the one or more work pieces.