Patent ID: 7574889

Claim:
A mounting device for feeding a hydroforming press with a plurality of workpiece parts which are connected to one another in a hydroforming process using the hydroforming press, the mounting device comprising a lower part and an upper part, wherein mold nests are formed in the lower part and the upper part which are identical to mold nests in a lower die and an upper die of the hydroforming press for receiving the workpiece parts; the lower part and the upper part being connectable in an accurately fitting manner by means of first positioning elements arranged on the upper part and the lower part, said first positioning elements comprising locating pins arranged on one of said upper part and lower part that latch in bores arranged in the other of said lower part and upper part; passages connectable to a pressure reduction source for holding the parts in place, said passages being formed in at least one of the upper part and the lower part in communication with said mold nests at locations where it is necessary to secure the positions of the workpiece parts in said mold nests; and at least one of the upper part and the lower part with the workpiece parts securely positioned in the mold nests thereof being guidedly conveyed into the hydroforming press between the upper die and the lower die and connectable to the respective other of the lower die and the upper die in an accurately fitting manner by means of said first positioning elements and corresponding second positioning elements arranged on the lower and upper dies; the lower die and the upper die being connectable in an accurately fitting manner by means of said second positioning elements comprising locating pins arranged on one of the upper die and the lower die which latch in bores arranged in the other of the lower die and the upper die.