CA3160318A1

CA3160318A1 - Forming system and forming method

Info

Publication number: CA3160318A1
Application number: CA3160318A
Authority: CA
Inventors: Masayuki SAIKA; Norieda UENO
Original assignee: Sumitomo Heavy Industries Ltd
Current assignee: Sumitomo Heavy Industries Ltd
Priority date: 2020-03-10
Filing date: 2021-03-05
Publication date: 2021-09-16
Also published as: WO2021182359A1; JPWO2021182359A1; KR20220149652A; CN114728385A

Abstract

A molding system according to the present invention is provided with: a molding device that molds a heated metal material by using a molding die; and a cutting part that cuts and trims an end section of a molded body section of a molded article. The cutting part implements trimming after the temperature of the molded article has reached a predetermined temperature or lower.

Description

DESCRIPTION
Title of Invention FORMING SYSTEM AND FORMING METHOD
Technical Field [0001]
The present invention relates to a forming system and a forming method.
Background Art

[0002]
In the related art, a forming system described in Patent Document 1 is known. The forming system has a heating unit that heats a metal material, and a forming die that forms the heated metal material. The forming device obtains a shape corresponding to a forming surface as the shape of the metal material by bringing the forming surface of the forming die into contact with the heated metal material.
Citation List

[0003]
Patent Literature [PTL 1] Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No.

Date Recue/Date Received 2022-05-03 Summary of Invention Technical Problem

[0004]
Here, in the forming system described in the above-described Patent Document 1, there is a case where a formed product is trimmed by cutting and removing an end portion of a formed body portion. Here, the forming device forms the formed product from the heated metal material. Therefore, the formed product may be taken out from the forming die in a high-temperature state. When the cutting unit trims the formed product in a high-temperature state, there is a problem in that the formed product is cooled and contracted after cutting, and the cutting accuracy of the formed product decreases.

[0005]
The present invention has been made to solve such a problem, and an object of the present invention is to provide a forming system and a forming method capable of improving the cutting accuracy of a formed product.
Solution to Problem

[0006]
A forming system according to the present invention includes a forming device that forms a heated metal material with a forming die; and a cutting unit that cuts and trims an end portion of a formed body portion of a formed product. The Date Recue/Date Received 2022-05-03 cutting unit performs the trimming when a temperature of the formed product is equal to or lower than a predetermined temperature.

[0007]
In the forming system, the cutting unit cuts and trims the end portion of the formed body portion of the formed product formed by the forming device. Accordingly, the formed product is cut to a desired length. Here, the cutting unit performs the trimming when the temperature of the formed product is equal to or lower than a predetermined temperature. For that reason, the cutting unit can perform the trimming in a state where the temperature of the formed product is lowered to reduce the influence of the cooling contraction. From the above, the cutting accuracy of the formed product can be improved.

[0008]
The predetermined temperature may be a temperature at which thermal expansion of the formed product is in a range of 0.5% or less. In this case, the influence of the cooling contraction of the formed product can be sufficiently reduced.

[0009]
The forming system may further include a cooling unit that actively cools the formed product in a stage before the trimming performed by the cutting unit. In this case, the cooling unit can quickly cool the formed product to a predetermined temperature or lower.
Date Recue/Date Received 2022-05-03

[0010]
A forming system according to the present invention includes a forming device including a fluid supply unit that supplies a fluid to a heated metal pipe material, and a forming die that forms a formed product by bringing an expanded metal pipe material into contact with a forming surface; and a cutting unit that cuts and trims an end portion of a formed body portion of the formed product. Additionally, a forming system according to the present invention includes a forming device that forms a heated metal material with a forming die; and a cutting unit that cuts and trims an end portion of a formed body portion of a formed product.

[0011]
In these forming systems, the cutting unit can obtain the formed product having a desired length by cutting and trimming the end portion of the formed body portion of the formed product.

[0012]
A forming method according to the present invention includes a forming process of forming a heated metal material with a forming die; and a cutting process of cutting and trimming an end portion of a formed body portion of a formed product.
In the cutting process, the trimming is performed when a temperature of the formed product is equal to or lower than a predetermined temperature.

[0013]
Date Recue/Date Received 2022-05-03 According to the forming method, the same operation and effects as those of the above-described forming system can be obtained.
5 Advantageous Effects of Invention

[0014]
According to the present invention, it is possible to provide the forming system and the forming method capable of improving the cutting accuracy of the formed product.
Brief Description of Drawings

[0015]
Fig. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram showing a configuration of a forming system according to a first embodiment.
Fig. 2 is a schematic diagram of a forming device 1 used in the forming system according to the present embodiment.
Figs. 3A and 3B are enlarged cross-sectional views showing a state of a metal pipe material and a forming die during blow forming. Figs. 4A to 4C are perspective views showing an aspect of laser machining by a laser machining device.
Figs. 5A and 5B are conceptual diagrams showing an aspect of blasting by a blasting device.
Fig. 6 is a process diagram showing a forming method according to the first embodiment.
Date Recue/Date Received 2022-05-03 Fig. 7 is a schematic configuration diagram showing a configuration of a forming system according to a second embodiment.
Fig. 8 is a schematic diagram of a forming device according to a modification example.
Figs. 9A and 9B are views showing an example of a structure around a nozzle for supplying gas.
Description of Embodiments

[0016]
Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In addition, in the respective drawings, the same portions or corresponding portions are designated by the same reference numerals, and duplicate descriptions will be omitted.

[0017]
[First Embodiment]
Fig. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram showing the configuration of a forming system 100 according to a first embodiment. As shown in Fig. 1, the forming system 100 includes a forming device 1, a cooling unit 90, a laser machining device 70 (cutting unit) , and a blasting device 50.

[0018]
The forming device 1 is a device that forms a heated metal material with a forming die. In the present embodiment, a STAF
Date Recue/Date Received 2022-05-03 forming device, which performs the forming and hardening by supplying a fluid to a heated metal pipe material to bring the fluid into contact with a forming surface of the forming die, is adopted as the forming device 1. The detailed configuration of the forming device 1 will be described with reference to Fig.
2.

[0019]
Fig. 2 is a schematic diagram of the forming device 1 used in the forming system 100 according to the present embodiment.
As shown in Fig. 2, the forming device 1 is a device that forms a metal pipe (formed product) having a hollow shape by blow forming. In the present embodiment, the forming device 1 is installed on a horizontal plane. The forming device 1 includes a forming die 2, a drive mechanism 3, a holding unit 4, a heating unit 5, a fluid supply unit 6, a cooling unit 7, and a control unit 8. In addition, in the present specification, the metal pipe material 40 (metal material) refers to a hollow article before the completion of the forming by the forming device 1.
The metal pipe material 40 is a steel type pipe material that can be hardened. Additionally, in the horizontal direction, a direction in which the metal pipe material 40 extends during forming may be referred to as a "longitudinal direction", and a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction may be referred to as a "width direction".

[0020]
Date Recue/Date Received 2022-05-03 The forming die 2 is a die that forms a metal pipe 140 from the metal pipe material 40, and includes a lower die 11 and an upper die 12 that face each other in the vertical direction.
The lower die 11 and the upper die 12 are made of steel blocks.
Each of the lower die 11 and the upper die 12 is provided with a recessed part in which the metal pipe material 40 is accommodated. With the lower die 11 and the upper die 12 inclose contact with each other (die closed state) each other, respective recessed parts thereof form a space having a target shape in which the metal pipe material is to be formed. Therefore, the surfaces of the respective recessed parts become the forming surfaces of the forming die 2. The lower die 11 is fixed to a base stage 13 via a die holder or the like. The upper die 12 is fixed to a slide of the drive mechanism 3 via a die holder or the like.

[0021]
The drive mechanism 3 is a mechanism that moves at least one of the lower die 11 and the upper die 12. In Fig. 2, the drive mechanism 3 has a configuration in which only the upper die 12 is moved. The drive mechanism 3 includes a slide 21 that moves the upper die 12 such that the lower die 11 and the upper die 12 are joined together, and a pull-back cylinder 22 serving as an actuator that generates a force for pulling the slide 21 upward, a main cylinder 23 serving as a drive source that downward-pressurizes the slide 21, and a drive source 24 that Date Recue/Date Received 2022-05-03 applies a driving force to the main cylinder 23.

[0022]
The holding unit 4 is a mechanism that holds the metal pipe material 40 disposed between the lower die 11 and the upper die 12. The holding unit 4 includes a lower electrode 26 and an upper electrode 27 that hold the metal pipe material 40 on one end side in the longitudinal direction of the forming die 2, and a lower electrode 26 and an upper electrode 27 that holds the metal pipe material 40 on the other end side in the longitudinal direction of the forming die 2. The lower electrodes 26 and the upper electrodes 27 on both sides in the longitudinal direction hold the metal pipe material 40 by sandwiching the vicinity of an end portion of the metal pipe material 40 from the vertical direction. In addition, groove portions having a shape corresponding to an outer peripheral surface of the metal pipe material 40 are formed on an upper surface of the lower electrode 26 and a lower surface of the upper electrode 27. The lower electrode 26 and the upper electrode 27 are provided with drive mechanisms (not shown) and are movable independently in the vertical direction.

[0023]
The heating unit 5 heats the metal pipe material 40. The heating unit 5 is a mechanism that heats the metal pipe material 40 by energizing the metal pipe material 40. The heating unit 5 heats the metal pipe material 40 in a state where the metal Date Recue/Date Received 2022-05-03 pipe material 40 is spaced apart from the lower die 11 and the upper die 12 between the lower die 11 and the upper die 12. The heating unit 5 includes the lower electrodes 26 and the upper electrodes 27 on both sides in the longitudinal direction 5 described above, and a power supply 28 that allows an electric current to flow to the metal pipe material 40 through the electrodes 26 and 27. In addition, the heating unit may be disposed in the previous process of the forming device 1 and performs heating externally.
10 [0024]
The fluid supply unit 6 is a mechanism that supplies a high-pressure fluid into the metal pipe material 40 held between the lower die 11 and the upper die 12. The fluid supply unit 6 supplies the high-pressure fluid to the metal pipe material 40 that has been brought into a high-temperature state by being heated by the heating unit 5, and expands the metal pipe material 40. The fluid supply unit 6 is provided on both end sides of the forming die 2 in the longitudinal direction. The fluid supply unit 6 includes a nozzle 31 that supplies fluid from an opening of an end portion of the metal pipe material 40 to the inside of the metal pipe material 40, and a drive mechanism 32 that moves the nozzle 31 forward and backward with respect to the opening of the metal pipe material 40, and a supply source 33 that supplies the high-pressure fluid into the metal pipe material 40 via the nozzle 31. In the drive mechanism 32, the Date Recue/Date Received 2022-05-03 nozzle 31 is brought into close contact with the end portion of the metal pipe material 40 in a state where the sealing performance is secured during fluid supply and exhaust, and at other times, the nozzle 31 is spaced apart from the end portion of the metal pipe material 40. In addition, the fluid supply unit 6 may supply a gas such as high-pressure air or an inert gas as the fluid. Additionally, the fluid supply unit 6 may be the same device including the heating unit 5 together with the holding unit 4 having a mechanism that moves the metal pipe material 40 in the vertical direction.
[0025]
The cooling unit 7 is a mechanism that cools the forming die 2. By cooling the forming die 2, the cooling unit 7 can rapidly cool the metal pipe material 40 when the expanded metal pipe material 40 has come into contact with a forming surface of the forming die 2. The cooling unit 7 includes a flow path 36 formed inside the lower die 11 and the upper die 12, and a water circulation mechanism 37 that supplies and circulates cooling water to the flow path 36.
[0026]
The control unit 8 is a device that controls the entire forming device 1. The control unit 8 controls the drive mechanism 3, the holding unit 4, the heating unit 5, the fluid supply unit 6, and the cooling unit 7. The control unit 8 repeatedly performs an operation of forming the metal pipe Date Recue/Date Received 2022-05-03 material 40 with the forming die 2.
[0027]
Specifically, the control unit 8 controls, for example, the transport timing from a transport device such as a robot arm to dispose the metal pipe material 40 between the lower die 11 and the upper die 12 in an open state. Alternatively, in the control unit 8, a worker may manually dispose the metal pipe material 40 between the lower die 11 and the upper die 12.
Additionally, the control unit 8 supports the metal pipe material 40 with the lower electrodes 26 on both sides in the longitudinal direction, and then controls the actuator of the holding unit 4 so as to lower the upper electrode 27 to sandwich the metal pipe material 40. Additionally, the control unit 8 controls the heating unit 5 to energize and heat the metal pipe material 40.
Accordingly, an axial electric current flows through the metal pipe material 40, and the electric resistance of the metal pipe material 40 itself causes the metal pipe material 40 itself to generate heat due to Joule heat.
[0028]
The control unit 8 controls the drive mechanism 3 to lower the upper die 12 and bring the upper die 12 closer to the lower die 11 to close the forming die 2. On the other hand, the control unit 8 controls the fluid supply unit 6 to seal the openings of both ends of the metal pipe material 40 with the nozzle 31 and supply the fluid. Accordingly, the metal pipe material 40 Date Recue/Date Received 2022-05-03 softened by heating expands and comes into contact with the forming surface of the forming die 2. Then, the metal pipe material 40 is formed so as to follow the shape of the forming surface of the forming die 2. In addition, in a case where a metal pipe with a flange is formed, a part of the metal pipe material 40 is made to enter a gap between the lower die 11 and the upper die 12, and then the die is further closed to crush the entering portion to form a flange portion. When the metal pipe material 40 comes into contact with the forming surface, hardening of the metal pipe material 40 is performed by being quenched with the forming die 2 cooled by the cooling unit 7.
In addition, the temperature of the formed product 41 at the end of the hardening is 200 to 250 C, which is the temperature at an end point of martensitic transformation.
[0029]
A forming procedure of the forming device 1 will be described with reference to Figs. 3A and 3B. As shown in Fig.
3A, the control unit 8 performs blow forming (primary blowing) by closing the forming die 2 and supplying the fluid to the metal pipe material 40 by the fluid supply unit 6. In the primary blowing, the control unit 8 forms a pipe portion 43 at a main cavity portion MC and causes a portion corresponding to a flange portion 44 to enter a sub-cavity portion SC. Then, as shown in Fig. 3B, the control unit 8 forms the flange portion 44 by further closing the forming die 2 and further crushing the portion that Date Recue/Date Received 2022-05-03 has entered the sub-cavity portion SC. Next, the control unit 8 performs die opening by raising the upper die 12 to space the upper die 21 apart from the metal pipe material 40. Accordingly, the formed product 41 is formed.
[0030]
The formed product 41 will be described with reference to Fig. 4A. The formed product 41 includes a formed body portion 45 having the pipe portion 43 and the flange portion 44, held portions 46 on both end sides in the longitudinal direction, and a gradual change portion 47 between the formed body portion 45 and the held portion 46. The formed body portion 45 is a portion that becomes a final product by being laser-machined.
The pipe portion 43 is a hollow portion. The flange portion 44 is a plate-shaped portion that protrudes from the pipe portion 43 by crushing a part of the metal pipe material 40. The held portion 46 is a cylindrical portion that is held by the electrodes 26 and 27. The nozzle 31 is inserted into the held portion 46.
The gradual change portion 47 is a transition portion that changes from the shape of the held portion 46 to the shape of the formed body portion 45.
[0031]
Returning to Fig. 1, the formed product 41 formed by the forming device 1 is supplied to the cooling unit 90. The formed product 41 may be sequentially supplied to the cooling unit 90 from the one formed by the forming device 1. Alternatively, Date Recue/Date Received 2022-05-03 after a certain amount of formed products 41 are accumulated in an accumulation place, the formed products maybe collectively supplied to the cooling unit 90. In a case where the formed product 41 is accumulated, the temperature of the formed product 5 41 can be lowered before the laser machining due to the cooling effect of natural heat dissipation.
[0032]
The cooling unit 90 is a device that actively cools the formed product 41 removed from the forming die 2. The cooling 10 unit 90 actively cools the formed product 41 in a stage before trimming by the laser machining device 70. The active cooling means that the formed product 41 is cooled with a higher cooling capacity than that of leaving the formed product 41 at room temperature by performing active treatment on the formed product 15 41. As such a cooling unit 90, a mechanism that supplies a cooling medium such as cold air, cold water, ice, and dry ice to the formed product 41 may be adopted. For example, in a case where there is a transport facility up to the laser machining device 70, the cooling unit 90 may blow cold air onto the formed product 41 on a conveyor. In addition, in a case where the transport facility is provided, even if a mechanism for blowing cold air or the like is not provided, the transport facility corresponds to the cooling unit 90 that cools actively in a case where transport speed or the like is set by adjusting cooling time such that the formed product 41 is cooled to a desired Date Recue/Date Received 2022-05-03 temperature by natural cooling. The cooling unit 90 may blast dry ice. Alternatively, a device such as a refrigerator that accommodates the formed product 41 in a low-temperature atmosphere may be adopted as the cooling unit 90. Additionally, even in a configuration in which a fan is rotated near the formed product 41, the active treatment is performed such that the cooling is promoted. Thus, this configuration corresponds to the active cooling performed by the cooling unit 90. In addition, to what temperature the cooling unit 90 cools the formed product 41 will be described below.
[0033]
The formed product 41 cooled by the cooling unit 90 is supplied to the laser machining device 70. The formed product 41 may be sequentially supplied to the laser machining device 70 from the one cooled by the cooling unit 90. Alternatively, after a certain amount of formed products 41 are accumulated in the accumulation place, the formed products may be collectively supplied to the laser machining device 70. In a case where the formed product 41 is accumulated, the temperature of the formed product 41 can be further lowered before the laser machining due to the cooling effect of natural heat dissipation.
[0034]
The laser machining device 70 is a device that machines the formed product 41 cooled by the cooling unit 90 with a laser beam. The laser machining device 70 irradiates the formed Date Recue/Date Received 2022-05-03 product 41 with a laser beam to perform machining such as cutting, drilling, and cutout formation.
[0035]
Figs. 4A to 4C are perspective views showing an aspect of the laser machining by the laser machining device 70. As shown in Fig. 4A, the laser machining device 70 includes an installation portion 71 and a laser head 72. The installation portion 71 is a portion where the formed product 41 is installed at a position facing the laser head 72. The installation portion 71 has a support portion (not shown) , and supports the formed product 41 with the support portion. Accordingly, the formed product 41 is installed in the installation portion 51 at a position and in a posture suitable for the laser machining. The laser head 72 is a portion that machines the formed product 41 by irradiating the formed product 41 with a laser beam.
[0036]
The laser head 72 removes the gradual change portion 47 and the held portion 46 from the formed body portion 45 by cutting the vicinities of both end portions of the formed body portion 45 as shown in Fig. 4B. Additionally, the laser head 72 forms a hole 49 at a predetermined position of the formed body portion 45.
[0037]
Here, the laser machining device 70 cuts and trims the end portion of the formed body portion 45 of the formed product 41.
Date Recue/Date Received 2022-05-03 The trimming will be described with reference to Fig. 4C. The trimming is cutting processing of cutting an end portion 45a of the formed body portion 45. Here, the "end portion of the formed body portion" is a region near a boundary portion BL
between the gradual change portion 47 and the formed body portion 45. A cutting line CL obtained by a laser beam is set at a position spaced apart from the boundary portion BL inward in the longitudinal direction by a predetermined dimension t. In addition, the predetermined dimension t is appropriately set in a range of 5 mm to 20 mm.
[0038]
The laser machining device 70 performs the trimming when the temperature of the formed product 41 is equal to or lower than a predetermined temperature. The predetermined temperature may be a temperature at which thermal expansion of the formed product 41 is in a range of 0.5% or less. In addition, in a case where a length dimension L2 of the formed product 41 during cutting is set with a length dimension L1 of the metal pipe material 40 at room temperature before heating as a reference, a value defined by "100 x (L2-L1)/L1" corresponds to the value of thermal expansion. In addition, the term "thermal expansion" here refers to a state of thermal expansion when viewed from the metal material at room temperature before the heating. That is, the metal material thermally expands by the heating and then cools and contracts by the cooling of the Date Recue/Date Received 2022-05-03 cooling unit 90. However, when viewed from the metal material before the heating, the metal material after the cooling is also in a state of thermal expansion. Therefore, the term "thermal expansion" is used. The predetermined temperature is at least lower than the temperature of 200 to 250 C, which is the temperature at the end point of the aforementioned martensitic transformation. The predetermined temperature may be, for example, 150 C. However, the predetermined temperature may not limited to the temperature. The predetermined temperature may be set in a range of, for example, room temperature (about 20 C) to 150 C. Accordingly, it is possible to prevent the formed product 41 from being cooled during cutting to cause a cutting error due to the influence of contraction caused by the cooling.
The cooling unit 90 adjusts the cooling capacity such that the temperature of the formed product 41 when the cutting is performed satisfies the above conditions. In addition, the laser machining device 70 may perform the trimming after the formed product 41 has reached room temperature.
[0039]
Returning to Fig. 1, the formed product 41 machined by the laser machining device 70 is supplied to the blasting device 50. The formed product 41 may be sequentially supplied to the blasting device 50 in order from the one machined by the laser machining device 70. Alternatively, after a certain amount of formed products 41 are accumulated in the accumulation place, Date Recue/Date Received 2022-05-03 the formed products may be collectively supplied to the blasting device 50.
[0040]
The blasting device 50 is a device that removes scales from 5 the formed product 41 machined by the laser machining device 70. The scales are an oxide film formed on the surface of the metal pipe material 40 by heating the metal pipe material 40 in the forming device 1. The blasting device 50 jets particles onto the surface of the formed product 41. The blasting device 10 50 removes the scales from the surface of the formed product 41 by the impact caused by the collision of the particles.
[0041]
Fig. 5A is a schematic diagram showing the blasting device 50 of the present embodiment. The blasting device 50 according 15 to the present embodiment removes the scales on an outer peripheral surface of the formed product 41. On the other hand, the blasting device 50 does not jet particles onto the inner peripheral surface so as not to leave the particles inside the formed product 41. For example, as shown in Figs. 4A to 4C, the 20 formed product 41 has the flange portion 44 by crushing a part of the metal pipe material 40. In an internal space of the formed product 41, the particles tend to remain in such a flange portion 44. Therefore, the blasting device 50 jets the particles only onto the outer peripheral surface of the formed product 41.
[0042]
Date Recue/Date Received 2022-05-03 As shown in Fig. 5A, the blasting device 50 has the installation portion 51, a nozzle 52, and a blockade wall 53.
The installation portion 51 is a portion where the formed product 41 is installed at a position facing the nozzle 52. The installation portion 51 has a support portion (not shown) , and supports the formed product 41 with the support portion.
Accordingly, the formed product 41 is installed in the installation portion 51 at a position and in a posture suitable for the blasting. The installation portion 51 suspends the formed product 41 and installs the formed product in a posture that extends in the vertical direction. The nozzle 52 is a member that irradiates the formed product 41 with particles 55. As the particles, for example, materials such as sand, plastic, dry ice, and iron pieces are adopted. The nozzle 52 is disposed around the formed product 41 installed in the installation portion 51. The nozzle 52 is disposed such that a jetting port faces the outer peripheral surface of the formed product 41.
Accordingly, the nozzle 52 can jet the particles 55 onto the outer peripheral surface of the formed product 41.
[0043]
The blockade wall 53 is a wall body that shields the particles 55. The blockade wall 53 is disposed so as to surround the peripheries of the installation portion 51 and the nozzle 52. Accordingly, the blockade wall 53 can prevent the particles 55 from being scattered around the blasting device 50. That is, Date Recue/Date Received 2022-05-03 the blockade wall 53 can prevent the particles 55 from being scattered to the forming device 1 and the laser machining device 70. In addition, a wall portion that partitions a space between the blasting device 50 and the laser machining device 70 may be provided in addition to the blockade wall 53.
[0044]
Next, a forming method according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 6. Fig. 6 is a process diagram showing the forming method according to the present embodiment. As shown in Fig. 6, the forming method includes a forming process S10, a cooling process S20, a laser machining process S30 (cutting process) , and a blasting process S40. In the forming process S10, the fluid is supplied to the heated metal pipe material 40, and the expanded metal pipe material 40 is brought into contact with the forming surface of the forming die 2 to form the formed product 41. In the forming process S10, the formed product 41 is formed using the forming device 1 shown in Fig. 2. The cooling process S20 is a process of actively cooling the formed product 41 taken out from the forming die 2. In the cooling process S20, cooling is performed using the cooling unit 90 shown in Fig. 1. The laser machining process S30 is a process of machining the formed product 41 removed from the forming die 2. In the laser machining process S30, the laser machining device 70 shown in Figs. 4A to 4C performs machining of the formed product 41. The blasting process S40 is a process Date Recue/Date Received 2022-05-03 of removing scales from the formed product 41 machined in the laser machining process S30. In the blasting process S40, the blasting device 50 shown in Fig. 5A performs blasting processing to remove the scales from the formed product 41.
[0045]
Next, the operation and effects of the forming system 100 and the forming method according to the present embodiment will be described.
[0046]
In the STAF forming, in order to shorten the forming time, that is, the cycle time, it is desired to lower the temperature to a temperature at which the shape can be frozen in the forming die 2, take out the formed product 41 in the earliest possible state (high-temperature state), and pass the formed product 41 to the next process. For example, after the STAF forming, in a case where the temperature of the formed product 41 itself is 200 C or higher when holes are drilled by laser machining or non-product portions at both end portions are cut off, the formed product 41 itself is cooled during the cutting. The temperature error of the formed product 41 itself due to this cooling may cause a cutting error of drilling position and product length due to a change in length.
[0047]
In contrast, the forming system 100 according to the present embodiment includes the forming device 1 that forms the Date Recue/Date Received 2022-05-03

24 heated metal pipe material 40 with the forming die 2 and the laser machining device 70 that cuts and trims the end portion 45a of the formed body portion 45 of the formed product 41, and the laser machining device 70 performs the trimming when the temperature of the formed product 41 is equal to or lower than a predetermined temperature.
[0048]
In the forming system 100, the laser machining device 70 cuts and trims the end portion 45a of the formed body portion 45 of the formed product 41 formed by the forming device 1.
Accordingly, the formed product 41 is cut to a desired length.
Here, the laser machining device 70 performs the trimming when the temperature of the formed product 41 is equal to or lower than a predetermined temperature. For that reason, the laser machining device 70 can perform the trimming in a state where the temperature of the formed product 41 is lowered to reduce the influence of the cooling contraction. From the above, the cutting accuracy of the formed product 41 can be improved.
[0049]
The predetermined temperature maybe 150 C. In this case, the influence of the cooling contraction of the formed product 41 can be sufficiently reduced.
[0050]
The forming system 100 may further include the cooling unit 90 that actively cools the formed product 41 in the stage before Date Recue/Date Received 2022-05-03 the trimming performed by the laser machining device 70. In this case, the cooling unit 90 can quickly cool the formed product 41 to a predetermined temperature or lower.
[0051]
5 The forming system 100 according to the present embodiment includes the forming device 1 including the fluid supply unit 6 that supplies the fluid to the heated metal pipe material 40 and the forming die 2 that forms the formed product 41 by bringing the expanded metal pipe material 40 into contact with the forming 10 surface, and the laser machining device 70 that cuts and trims the end portion 45a of the formed body portion 45 of the formed product 41. Additionally, the forming system 100 according to the present embodiment includes the forming device 1 that forms the heated metal pipe material 40 with the forming die 2, and 15 the laser machining device 70 that cuts and trims the end portion 45a of the formed body portion 45 of the formed product 41.
[0052]
In these forming systems 100, the laser machining device 70 can obtain the formed product 41 having a desired length by 20 cutting and trimming the end portion 45a of the formed body portion 45 of the formed product 41.
[0053]
The forming method according to the present embodiment includes the forming process S10 of forming the heated metal

25 pipe material 40 with the forming die 2 and the cutting process Date Recue/Date Received 2022-05-03

26 S20 of cutting and trimming the end portion 45a of the formed body portion 45 of the formed product 41. In the cutting process S20, the trimming is performed when the temperature of the formed product 41 is equal to or lower than a predetermined temperature.
[0054]
According to the forming method, the same operation and effects as those of the above-described forming system 100 can be obtained.
[0055]
[Second Embodiment]
Next, a forming system 200 according to a second embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 7. As shown in Fig.
7, the forming system 200 includes a first blasting device 50 disposed in a stage before the laser machining device 70 and a second blasting device 80 that removes scales from the formed product 41 machined by the laser machining device 70. In addition, here, the first blasting device 50 corresponding to the "cooling unit" in the claims may jet the dry ice as the particles 55. Even if the first blasting device 50 jets the particles 55 other than the dry ice, a cooling effect can be obtained due to the influence of blowing air, but a high cooling effect can be obtained by jetting the dry ice.
[0056]
As shown in Fig. 5B, the second blasting device 80 jets the particles 55 from a blast hose 56 onto the inner peripheral Date Recue/Date Received 2022-05-03

27 surface of the formed product 41. The blast hose 56 is inserted inside the formed product 41 and ejects the particles toward an inner peripheral surface inside the formed product 41. In this case, the blast hose 56 may jet the dry ice as the particles 55. Although the dry ice collides against the inner peripheral surface of the formed product 41 as a solid matter to remove the scales, the dry ice turns into gas and disappears with the elapse of time. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the particles 55 from remaining on the flange portion 44.
[0057]
In addition, the first blasting device 50 and the second blasting device 80 may be constituted by a common device. For example, the blast hose 56 of Fig. 5B may be added to the blasting device 50 of Fig. 5A. In such a blasting device, in a first blasting process, the nozzle 52 performs blasting on the outer peripheral surface of the formed product 41, and in a second blasting process, the blast hose 56 performs blasting the inner peripheral surface of the formed product 41. From the above, the number of devices of the forming system 200 can be reduced.
[0058]
The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment.
[0059]
In the above-described embodiment, the blasting device has been exemplified as a scale removing unit. However, any device Date Recue/Date Received 2022-05-03

28 may be adopted as the scale removing unit as long as the device can remove the scales. For example, a method of jetting the fluid onto the formed product or removing the scales by ultrasonic cleaning may be adopted. Such a scale removing unit also has a cooling effect.
[0060]
The cutting unit is not limited to the laser machining device, and a device using another cutting method may be adopted.
[0061]
For example, the forming device that performs the STAF
forming has been exemplified, but the forming device is not particularly limited as long as a forming method using a heated metal material is provided. For example, a forming method using hot stamping may be adopted. Therefore, the metal material is not necessarily the metal pipe material and may be a plate material or a pillar material.
[0062]
The forming device 1 is not limited to the configuration shown in Fig. 2, and for example, a configuration shown in Fig.
8 may be adopted as the forming device 1. In the forming device 1 shown in Fig. 8, a heating and expanding unit 150 as shown in Figs. 9A and 9B may be adopted. Fig. 9A is a schematic side view showing the heating and expanding unit 150 in which the components of the holding unit 4, the heating unit 5, and the fluid supply unit 6 are unitized. Fig. 9B is a cross-sectional Date Recue/Date Received 2022-05-03

29 view showing an aspect when the nozzle 31 has sealed the metal pipe material 40.
[0063]
As shown in Fig. 9A, the heating and expanding unit 150 includes the above-described lower electrode 26 and upper electrode 27, an electrode mounting unit 151 on which the electrodes 26 and 27 are mounted, the above-described nozzle 31 and drive mechanism 32, an elevating unit 152, and a unit base 153. The electrode mounting unit 151 includes an elevating frame 154 and electrode frames 156 and 157. The electrode frames 156 and 157 function as a part of a drive mechanism 60 that supports and moves the electrodes 26 and 27, respectively. The drive mechanism 32 drives the nozzle 31 and lifts and lowers together with the electrode mounting unit 151. The drive mechanism 32 includes a piston 61 that holds the nozzle 31, and a cylinder 62 that drives the piston. The elevating unit 152 includes elevating frame bases 64 attached to an upper surface of the unit base 153, and an elevating actuator 66 that applies an elevating operation to the elevating frame 154 of the electrode mounting unit 151 by the elevating frame bases 64.
Each elevating frame base 64 has guide portions 64a and 64b that guide the elevating operation of the elevating frame 154 with respect to the unit base 153. The elevating unit 152 functions as a part of the drive mechanism 60 of the holding unit 4. The heating and expanding unit 150 has a plurality of unit bases Date Recue/Date Received 2022-05-03 153 having different inclination angles of the upper surface, and is allowed to collectively change and adjust the inclination angles of the lower electrode 26 and the upper electrode 27, the nozzle 31, the electrode mounting unit 151, the drive 5 mechanism 32, and the elevating unit 152 by replacing the unit bases 153.
[0064]
The nozzle 31 is a cylindrical member into which the end portion of the metal pipe material 40 is insertable. The nozzle 10 31 is supported by the drive mechanism 32 such that a center line of the nozzle 31 coincides with a reference line SL1. The inner diameter of a feed port 31a of an end portion of the nozzle 31 on the metal pipe material 40 side substantially coincides with the outer diameter of the metal pipe material 40 after 15 expansion forming. In this state, the nozzle 31 supplies the high-pressure fluid from an internal flow path 63 to the metal pipe material 40. In addition, an example of the high-pressure fluid is gas or the like.
20 Reference Signs List [0065]
1 forming device 2 forming die metal pipe material 25 41 formed product Date Recue/Date Received 2022-05-03 70 laser machining device (cutting unit) 90 cooling unit 100 forming system.
Date Recue/Date Received 2022-05-03

Claims

32

1. A forming system comprising:
a forming device that forms a heated metal material with a forming die; and a cutting unit that cuts and trims an end portion of a formed body portion of a formed product, wherein the cutting unit performs the trimming when a temperature of the formed product is equal to or lower than a predetermined temperature.

2. The forming system according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined temperature is a temperature at which thermal expansion of the formed product is in a range of 0.5% or less.

3. The forming system according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising:
a cooling unit that actively cools the formed product in a stage before the trimming performed by the cutting unit.

4. A forming system comprising:
a forming device including a fluid supply unit that supplies a fluid to a heated metal pipe material, and a forming die that forms a formed product by bringing an expanded metal pipe material into contact with a forming surface; and a cutting unit that cuts and trims an end portion of a formed body portion of the formed product .

5. A forming system comprising:
a forming device that forms a heated metal material with a forming die; and a cutting unit that cuts and trims an end portion of a formed body portion of a formed product.

6. A forming method comprising:
a forming process of forming a heated metal material with a forming die;
a cutting process of cutting and trimming an end portion of a formed body portion of a formed product, wherein in the cutting process, the trimming is performed when a temperature of the formed product is equal to or lower than a predetermined temperature.