Patent ID: 6530252
Filing Date: 2003-03-11
Classification: B21D,Y10T

Abstract:
A hydroforming method using a press machine, comprising:providing a closing block movable between a first position and a second position; said first position being between a crown of said press machine and a slide of said press machine, providing a restriction in movement of said slide; said second position avoiding said slide, thereby removing said restriction, allowing said slide to move freely; providing a lower mold attached to a bolster of said press machine; providing an upper mold attached to said slide; said upper mold and said lower mold coming together to form a cavity having a shape of a molded product; providing a plurality of closing cylinder devices between a bed and said bolster; providing a material to be molded into said lower mold; lowering said slide so that said upper mold and said lower mold form said cavity; moving said closing block into said first position, thereby preventing raising of said slide; activating said closing cylinder devices to provide a closing force, maintaining said cavity during operation of said hydroforming method; and supplying a liquid to an interior side of said material to be molded, said interior side being opposite an exterior side which faces walls of said cavity, whereby said work inner pressure shapes said material to said shape of said cavity while said closing cylinder devices maintain said cavity.