Patent ID: 6637246
Filing Date: 2003-10-28
Classification: B21D,Y10T

Abstract:
Hydroforming apparatus including a seal unit, a part locator for locating and holding a tubular part in alignment with said seal unit, said part locator comprising a locator member having a concave surface and adjoining guide surfaces wherein said concave surface has a shape conforming to the outer surface of the part and a centerline line coincident with the centerline of said seal unit and wherein said guide surfaces are adapted to guide an end portion of the part onto said concave surface and thereby into alignment with the seal unit, a pair of pivot arms each having a concave surface conforming to the outer surface of the part and adapted on pivotal movement of said pivot arms in opposite directions to clamping positions to clamp the end portion of the part on the concave surface of said locator member, and a backup member adapted on movement of said backup member to a backup position to hold said pivot arms in their clamping position during hydroforming of the part.