Patent ID: 9067252
Filing Date: 2015-06-30
Classification: B21D,B26F,Y10T

Abstract:
1. A method of forming holes in a hollow blank during a hydroforming process, the method comprising: placing a blank in a cavity of a hydroforming die, the hydroforming die being configured to permit a punch to engage the blank; maintaining a gap between the blank and a portion of the hydroforming die including the cavity; pressurizing an interior of the blank with fluid; deforming a portion of the blank into the gap and towards the cavity prior to an engagement of the punch with the blank, the portion of the blank corresponding to a path of the punch; applying a cutting end of the punch through a wall portion of the blank and into the interior of the blank to form a hole; and removing the cutting end of the punch from the interior of the blank, wherein the cutting end of the punch is configured to allow material of the blank surrounding the hole to move away from the interior of the blank.