Classifications

• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B21—MECHANICAL METAL-WORKING WITHOUT ESSENTIALLY REMOVING MATERIAL; PUNCHING METAL
  • B21D—WORKING OR PROCESSING OF SHEET METAL OR METAL TUBES, RODS OR PROFILES WITHOUT ESSENTIALLY REMOVING MATERIAL; PUNCHING METAL
  • B21D26/00—Shaping without cutting otherwise than using rigid devices or tools or yieldable or resilient pads, i.e. applying fluid pressure or magnetic forces
  • B21D26/02—Shaping without cutting otherwise than using rigid devices or tools or yieldable or resilient pads, i.e. applying fluid pressure or magnetic forces by applying fluid pressure
  • B21D26/033—Deforming tubular bodies
  • B21D26/039—Means for controlling the clamping or opening of the moulds
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B21—MECHANICAL METAL-WORKING WITHOUT ESSENTIALLY REMOVING MATERIAL; PUNCHING METAL
  • B21D—WORKING OR PROCESSING OF SHEET METAL OR METAL TUBES, RODS OR PROFILES WITHOUT ESSENTIALLY REMOVING MATERIAL; PUNCHING METAL
  • B21D26/00—Shaping without cutting otherwise than using rigid devices or tools or yieldable or resilient pads, i.e. applying fluid pressure or magnetic forces
  • B21D26/02—Shaping without cutting otherwise than using rigid devices or tools or yieldable or resilient pads, i.e. applying fluid pressure or magnetic forces by applying fluid pressure
  • B21D26/021—Deforming sheet bodies
  • B21D26/025—Means for controlling the clamping or opening of the moulds

Definitions

• the present invention relates generally to tool assemblies and in particular relates to improve- ments in methods and devices for closing tool assemblies and for maintaining them closed during tool operation.
• Hydroforming is a well known process for forming metal workpieces by means of pressurized fluid. It is performed using high fluid pressures that are applied internally - such as by internal hydroforming of tubes or pipes - or externally - such as by hydromechanical forming or flex- forming of sheet metal - to workpieces that are mostly relatively thin-walled and that are positioned in a tool.
• the conventional tools consist of upper and lower tool halves and/or tool holder halves that are vertically movable relative to each other.
• the tool halves carry upper and/or lower dies respectively, and are relatively movable between an open position for loading blanks and for unloading processed workpieces, and a closed position in which the fluid pressure is applied to the blank.
• the blank is formed by forcing it into contact with the wall or walls of a hollow space or cavity formed by the die or dies between the tool halves.
• the upper tool half/tool holder is replaced by a plate holder which through a flexible membrane closes the die cavity formed in the lower tool and which forms a pressure fluid space above the membrane and the blank.
• this type of plate holder for the flexforming process will likewise be generally referred to as an upper tool half.
• the very high fluid pressures applied to the workpiece for the forming operation generate extreme outwardly directed forces acting to push the dies and thereby the tools apart.
• the fluid pressure applied to the workpiece, and thus also to the tool halves, from within the hollow space formed by the dies, is often in the order of several thousand bars.
• the resulting tool separating forces are likewise extremely high, and will for most applications amount to several thousand kN.
• it is vital for the hydroforming process that the tool halves and specifically the dies are securely closed and maintained in their mutual position during the entire forming process.
• a powerful press provides the extreme closing forces. Normally the press ram carries the upper tool half and the lower tool half is stationary and supported on a machine base.
• the conventionally employed press may be required to produce a closing force of up to about 100 000 kN and is in any event, even for hydroforming processes for smaller workpieces, extremely expensive and requires a great amount of space.
• the very high cost of the press and the complexity of the hydroforming apparatus make the total investment cost unbearable to many small and middle size companies, and thereby limits the availability of the hydroforming processes.
• the conventional technique will therefore only be available to larger companies.
• the hydroforming techniques have exceptional advantages over many traditional forming techniques, and therefore there is a general need within this field for improvements that may reduce the complexity and cost of the equipment for hydroforming and that may simplify the process.
• U.S. Patent no. 5 927 120 discloses an apparatus for performing hydroforming of the general kind described above.
• the apparatus comprises upper and lower pressure vessels, each carrying a tool holder for receiving a corresponding tool or die section.
• the apparatus is provided with mechanical locking means for locking the upper and lower pressure vessels to each other during the forming process.
• Said locking means consist of locking pins that may be inserted into and retracted from complementary holes in the pressure vessels, performing a pure latching function in their inserted position.
• the apparatus is deliberately designed so as to allow outward deflection of the pressure vessels under the influence of the force from the fluid pressure applied to the workpiece. In other words no closing force is applied to the pressure vessels. Instead, the die sections are forced into engagement with each other by pressurizing an inflatable bladder positioned underneath the lower die section.
• the invention overcomes the above problems in an efficient and satisfactory manner.
• a general object of the invention is to provide a solution to the problem of securely and accurately holding together the tool halves of a forming tool that during the forming process experiences a very high internal pressure.
• a tool closing force is applied to a forming tool by means of at least two closing force actuators.
• said closing force actuators apply a closing force to a lower tool section and an upper tool section through a pair of tool clamps.
• the tool clamps and the respective tool sections engage each other with inclined contact surfaces.
• the actuators apply the tool closing force during a forming process, whereby the clamps take up a portion of a tool separating force generated by internal forming pressure in the tool.
• the elasticity of the clamp material results in a certain widening of the clamp under the influence of the tool separating force, and this clamp widening is compensated for by the continuous readjustment of the clamp through the application of the closing force. Only a reduced portion of the full tool separating force has to be counteracted by the closing force actuators, the size of which will therefore be reduced.
• the actuators are linear actuators applying the closing force in a direction substantially parallel to a parting plane of the forming tool. This provides for an effective and yet simple and inexpensive design.
• the actuators are hydraulic cylinders being connected to at least one tool clamp of a pair by means of their piston rods.
• the hydraulic cylinders By connecting the hydraulic cylinders to a variable pressure fluid source it is furthermore possible to vary the applied closing force in dependence upon actual forming pressures.
• the tool clamps are made up of a base portion and jaws extended outwardly from said base portion, the actuators applying their closing force to the jaws, preferably to outer areas thereof. With such embodiments it is possible to positively counteract the tendency of the clamps being widened by tool separating forces.
• the contact surfaces are all inclined with the same angle that is preferably smaller than 45°, so that the clamp material takes up the major portion of the separating force, whereas only a smaller portion thereof has to be counteracted by the closing force actuators, so that the size thereof may be substantially reduced.
• said angle is between 6° and 12°, preferably 10°.
• Another object of the invention is to provide an improved and very effective closing force application unit for a forming tool, presenting a solution to the problem of providing a closing force that securely and reliably counteracts the tool separating forces.
• this object is achieved by means of a closing force application unit consisting of at least one pair of tool clamps and at least two closing force actuators connected to each pair of clamps, said actuators applying a closing force to the tool during a forming process therein, through the clamps and through inclined contact surfaces on the clamps and on the tool.
• Yet another object of the invention is to provide a method of closing upper and lower tool sections of a forming tool.
• a closing force is applied to the tool.
• the closing force is basically applied in a direction parallel to the parting plane of the tool sections.
• the closing force is applied to the tool through inclined contact areas on upper and lower, outer surfaces of the tool sections on the one hand, and on inner facing surfaces of closing force application units on the other hand. This essentially reduces the closing force requirement, since the material of the force application units takes up part of the separating forces produced by the forming pressure.
• the closing force is controlled in dependence upon the actual generated tool separating force.
• the present invention provides the following advantages over the state of the art:
• the tool will be easily accessible for positioning of blanks in the die and for removal of finished workpieces from the die, as well as for die changing and service work.
• Other advantages offered by the present invention will be readily appreciated upon reading the below detailed description of embodiments of the invention.
• Fig. 1A is a partial side view schematically illustrating a first embodiment of the tool assembly of the invention applied to a hydroforming apparatus, with closing force actuators in an extended position, engaging the forming tool;
• Fig. IB is a partial side view of the first embodiment of the tool assembly, with the closing force actuators in a retracted position;
• Fig. 1C is a partial plan view from above of the embodiment illustrated in figs. 1A and
• Fig. 2 is a perspective view of a practical configuration of a closing force application unit in accordance with the first embodiment of the invention illustrated in figs.
• Fig. 3 is an enlarged cross-section, taken along line A-A in fig. 1C, through a closed hydroforming tool of the embodiment illustrated in figs. 1 A-C;
• Fig. 4 is an enlarged cross section taken along line A-A in fig. 1 C, through an opened hydroforming tool of the embodiment illustrated in figs. 1 A-C;
• Fig. 5A illustrates an enlarged and partially sectioned detail of an alternative embodiment of a tool and an associated tool clamp of a closing force application unit
• Fig. 5B illustrates a further enlarged detail of the tool clamp illustrated in fig 5A
• Fig. 6 illustrates an upper half of a tool clamp according to the alternative embodiment of fig. 5A, indicating different preferred areas of applying the closing force to the clamp;
• Fig. 7 illustrates an opening sequence for an embodiment of a hydroforming tool employing the principles of the present invention
• Fig. 8 illustrates a modular arrangement of a hydroforming apparatus employing the principles of the present invention, in a partial plan view from above;
• Fig. 9 is a side view of the modular arrangement according to fig. 8, with the tool clamp actuators removed for reasons of clarity;
• Fig. 10 illustrates, in cross section, a further alternative embodiment of a forming tool employing the principles of the present invention, intended for use in a flexforming process;
• Fig. 11 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the tool clamp.
• Fig. 12 is a partial side view corresponding to fig IB, of a modified closing force application unit according to the invention.
• the hydroforming apparatus comprises a tool assembly 1 consisting of a forming tool 2 having a lower tool section 4 and an upper tool section 3.
• the tool sections 3, 4 have mating inner surfaces 6 and 5, respectively, forming a parting plane P of the tool assembly.
• the lower tool section 4 is supported on a support surface 9 by a schematically illustrated base 10.
• the lower tool section 4 may be firmly attached to or movably supported (see further below) on the base 10.
• the base may be of any conventional type, such as a frame or a solid base.
• the upper tool section 3 is supported so as to be movable relative to the lower tool section 4.
• the upper tool section is movable in a generally vertical direction by means of lifting cylinders 1 1 (indicated in fig. 1 A) connected to an outer surface 7 thereof.
• Figs. IB and 1C indicate that in a modified variant the lower tool section 4 is movably supported on wheels 10a running on rails 10b attached to the base 10, so that it will be rolled out from underneath the upper tool section once the initial opening of the tool 2 has been performed.
• These functions may be performed using conventional supporting means and actuators, such as rails and hydraulic cylinders, since they will only have to carry the weight of the individual tool section.
• In the closed position during the hydroforming process no additional forces are applied to such supporting means, since the later described tool clamps or closing force application clamps 31 A, 3 IB and actuators 40 according to the invention take up all forces related to the hydroforming process.
• the loading and unloading of workpieces may be performed with full, unrestricted access to the lower tool section 4, and it is therefore well suited for a robot application.
• the upper tool section 3 will be supported in a frame and opening of the tool 2 is performed by lowering the lower tool section 4 slightly in a supporting carrier movable on the rails 10a.
• a further alternative embodiment of the movable support of the upper tool section 3 is illustrated in fig. 7, and will be described further below.
• the tool assembly 1 is designed for an internal hydroforming process, in which tubular workpieces are formed by means of pressurized fluid applied to an inner cavity of a blank B (see fig. 1C).
• a blank B see fig. 1C.
• the die sections 14, 15 in themselves as well as their connection to the tool sections 3, 4 do not form any part of the present invention, and are therefore only illustrated very schematically and will not be described in any detail. It should be obvious that the invention may be used together with and modified for any applicable type of conventional die.
• the die sections 14. 15 together form a die cavity C (see figs. 3 and 4) when the tool 2 is in its closed position.
• the die cavity C receives a blank B to be processed in the apparatus 1 , and in the conventional manner the blank B extends out of the tool 2 with both of its ends (see fig. 1 C).
• Fig. 1 C also schematically illustrates the conventionally used end feed cylinders 16, 17 through which the pressurized fluid is introduced into the inner cavity of the blank B, and by means of which blank material is fed into the die cavity to compensate for the expansion of the blank B against the cavity walls.
• the end feed cylinders 16, 17 cany a cone that is forcibly introduced into the inner cavity of the blank in order to expand the blank ends and to provide a seal against the introduced fluid, and in order to perform the above mentioned feeding of blank material, as is well known within this technique.
• the tool sections 3, 4 are provided with inclined clamp contact surfaces or closing force application surfaces 20, 21. 22, 23, provided one along each of two opposite sides 24, 25, 26 and 27 respectively, of the tool sections 3, 4 (figs. 3 and 4). All of the closing force application surfaces 20, 21 , 22. 23 are inclined so as to slope outwardly towards the associated side of the respective tool section, and they are all inclined with the same acute angle ⁇ relative to the inner surface of the associated tool section, and thereby to the parting plane P.
• the described closing force application surfaces 20, 21, 22, 23 may each extend along the entire, associated tool section sides 24, 25, 26 and 27 respectively, as is illustrated in fig. 1C, but may likewise extend only along a portion or portions of said sides, corresponding to the extent of the associated, below described tool contact surfaces 32, 33 of a closing force application unit 30.
• the tool 2 is manufactured from a material suitable for withstanding the below discussed forces applied thereto during the hydroforming process, preferably from steel or cast iron.
• one or more reinforcements may be provided, as is exemplified in figs. 1A, IB and 1C where three steel strengthening bars 18 are provided on the upper surface 7 of the upper tool section 3.
• the illustrated tool 2 that is designed specifically for internal hydroforming is only used to exemplify the invention and the tool assembly 1 according to the invention may be employed in other applications for performing other forming processes operating with high internal pressures, such as injection molding, or for performing other hydroforming processes, such as flexforming.
• Fig. 10 illustrates a tool assembly designed for such an alternative hydroforming process, as will be described more closely below.
• the tool assembly 1 further comprises closing force application units 30 comprising actuators 40 for applying the closing force to the tool 2 through tool clamps 31 A, 3 IB.
• said actuators are schematically illustrated as hydraulic cylinders being connected to the tool clamps.
• other conventional, linear actuators could be employed within the scope of the invention, especially in applications employing relatively low fluid pressures for the forming process.
• the tool clamps 31 A, 3 IB are generally C-shaped having two fixed jaws 35 and 36 extending outwardly from a solid base portion 34, as is illustrated in fig. IB and in greater detail in fig. 6.
• the tool clamps 31A, 31B are positioned adjacent each of the two opposite sides 24, 25 (fig. 1C) of the tool 2, with the open C-shape facing the tool 2.
• the jaws 35 and 36 are appropriately spaced apart to allow the closed tool 2 to be introduced between said jaws when the actuators 40 are activated.
• the inner, generally facing tool contact surfaces 32, 33 of the jaws 35 and 36 respectively are inclined at an angle ⁇ relative to the working direction CF-RF of the actuator, i.e. the direction in which the actuator 40 applies the closing force CF to the tool 2 and the return force RF to retract the clamp 31 A, 3 IB from the tool 2.
• This direction CF-RF in which the actuator 40 applies its force is substantially parallel to the parting plane P of the tool 2 and the angle of inclination ⁇ of the clamp surfaces 32, 33 is equal to that of the closing force application surfaces 20, 21, 22, 23 on the tool sections 3, 4.
• the cooperating wedge shaped surfaces 20-23 and 32,33 on the tool sections 3, 4 and on the clamp jaws 35, 36 separation of the tool sections can be effectively counteracted by appropriate regulation of the closing force CF applied by the actuators 40, to secure that the applied closing force always exceeds the portion of the tool separating force that is not taken up by the clamp material.
• the actuators are activated to apply the closing force CF to the tool during the entire forming process.
• two pairs of tool clamps 31 A, 3 IB are provided for each tool 2, each such pair comprising two opposed clamps 31 A, 3 IB provided at the respective side 24, 26 and 25, 27 respectively of the tool 2.
• two actuators 40 operate each pair of tool clamps.
• the actuators 40 are connected to the clamps 31 A, 3 IB, and in particular so as to apply the closing force in the area of the outer free ends of the jaws 35, 36.
• the rod ends of the hydraulic cylinders 40 are attached to first clamp attachments 42 A, 43 A secured to the outwardly facing side of the respective clamp jaw 35, 36 of a first clamp 31 A.
• the piston rods 41 of the actuators 40 span the tool 2 and their free outer ends 41A are in turn connected to second clamp attachments 42B, 43B secured to the outwardly facing side of the respective clamp jaw 35, 36 of a second, opposite clamp 3 IB. Therefore, it will now be obvious that retraction of the piston rods 41 will cause the opposing clamps 31 A, 3 IB to move towards each other to thereby engage the tool 2 and apply the closing force. Likewise, extending the piston rods 41 will cause the clamps to move apart, disengaging the tool 2.
• Figs. 1A and IB illustrate that the clamp attachments 42A-B and 43A-B are secured to the outer sides of the free ends of the clamp jaws 35 and 36 respectively.
• This configuration is favorable to eliminate outward flexing of the jaws caused by the internal pressure in the tool during a forming process, and is essential in applications with very high internal tool pressures, as will be described further in connection with fig. 6.
• Figs. 1A and IB illustrate schematically that each pair of clamps 31 A, 3 IB of the closing force application units 30 are individually movable, by being supported on one or several guide rods 45.
• the guide rods 45 extend through the lower part of the second clamp attachments 43 A, 43B of each clamp pair, being slidably received therein by means of appropriate slide bearings (not illustrated).
• the ends of the slide rods 45 are secured in stands 44 A, 44B fixed to the support surface 9.
• each closing force application unit 30 comprises two pairs of mutually opposite clamps 31 A, 3 IB with their respective actuators 40. Said pairs are positioned at a distance from each other along the tool 2. It should be emphasized that the number of clamp pairs for each closing force application unit 30 and/or the size of the actual clamps and actuators depends upon the actual application, such as the magnitude of the forming pressure, the size of the workpiece and of the tool 2. This will be evident when regarding the modular arrangement illustrated in figs. 8 and 9.
• Fig. 2 illustrates an example of a practical configuration of a closing force application unit 30' of the embodiment illustrated in figs. lA-C.
• the corresponding parts have been given the same reference designations as in figs. 1A-C, but with the addition of a prim index.
• Figs. 5 A and 5B illustrate a further developed embodiment of the tool sections 3. 4 and a clamp 31 A. where measures have been taken to reduce the friction between their inclined surfaces 20-
• a hardened steel plate 19 is illustrated, recessed in the upper tool section surface 21 so that its upper surface is at a level with the surface 21. Similar steel plates are recessed in all of the inclined surfaces of the tool sections, although not illustrated.
• a similar plate 50 consisting of a synthetic composite material is recessed in each of the inner, generally facing tool contact surfaces 32, 33 of the clamp 31 A, although only illustrated for the upper contact surface 32 in figs. 5 A and 5B. In this case the surface of the composite plate 50 is slightly raised, in the order of a few millimeters, above the inner surface 32.
• figs. 5 A and 5B illustrate a recess 39 provided at the inner corner of the clamp 31 A, where the jaw 35 meets the base portion 34. This is a preferred manner of providing an improved stress distribution in this critical area of the clamp material, with regard to the forces applied thereto during its clamping action.
• the upper tool section 3 is lifted by means of the lifting cylinders 11. With the lower tool section exposed a blank B is positioned in the die cavity C of the lower die section 15, or alternatively, in the case that a new workpiece is to be formed, the upper and lower die sections 14, 15 are exchanged.
• the upper tool section 3 is lowered down onto the lower tool section 4 with the blank received in the cavity C.
• the closing force application units 30, that is their actuators 40 are then simultaneously activated to retract the rods 41 until the tool clamps 31 A, 3 IB engage the inclined clamp contact surfaces 20-23 on the tool sections 3, 4 with their inclined tool contact surfaces 32, 33.
• the closing force CF applied by the actuators 40 is adjusted by regulating the hydraulic working fluid supplied thereto, said regulation being performed in any conventional manner.
• the required closing force is determined primarily by the magnitude of the hydroforming fluid pressure applied inside the blank B, the size of the blank and of the tool 2 and by the value of the angle of inclination ⁇ of the surfaces 20-23 and 32, 33.
• the forming fluid pressure generates, through the blank B being pressed against the walls of the dies 14, 15, an outwardly directed normal force F t00 ⁇ in each of the inclined tool surfaces 20-23, counteracted by a force in the clamp surfaces 32, 33 generated by the force CF supplied by the actuators 40. Since the angle ⁇ is acute, i.e.
• the material of the clamp 31 A, 3 IB, through the tool contact surfaces 32, 33 takes up a portion or component of this normal force and only a remaining portion or component thereof has to be counteracted by the closing force CF applied by means of the actuators 40.
• the size and complexity of the actuators 40 can be reduced. Any expansion, i.e. widening of the clamp jaws 35, 36 is automatically compensated for by a further retraction of the actuator rods 41, so that a firm contact is always maintained between the inclined surfaces 20-23 and 32, 33. This will secure that no separation of the tool sections 3, 4 will be possible.
• the actual required closing force CF is partly determined by choosing the value of the angle ⁇ .
• the angle ⁇ should be chosen so as to be at least 3°, preferably at least 7°.
• the angle ⁇ should be chosen less than 45°, so that the major portion of the separating force will be taken up by the clamp material and only a smaller portion has to be counteracted by the closing force.
• said angle it is believed that the best overall results will be obtained by choosing said angle to be between 12° and 6°, preferably 10°.
• the required closing force CF will be less than approximately 20% of the closing force required in a conventional vertically operating press.
• the hydroforming pressurized fluid is introduced into the blank B in the conventional manner, through the end feed cylinders 17.
• the blank B is normally preformed at a relatively low pressure, before the full fluid pressure is applied to expand the blank B so that it receives the shape of the inner die walls.
• Fig 6 illustrates an upper half of a clamp 31 A with its base 34 and upper jaw 35. It will be seen therefrom that for the purposes of this description the base portion 34 of the clamp 31A only comprises the central portion between the jaws 35, 36. Thus, the jaws (only the upper one illustrated in fig. 6) make out the complete outer part of the clamp, including all of the areas Fl- F4 of fig. 6.
• Such a moment M will effectively counteract any outward deflection of the jaw 35 caused by the force F t0 oi from the tool 2.
• the desired size of this counteracting moment M can be chosen, depending upon the internal pressure of the tool and the dimensions as well as the material of the tool and of the clamp, by applying the closing force CF to different areas F1-F4 of the jaws. This is illustrated very schematically in fig. 6 by means of the areas Fl- F4, where the largest moment M is provided with the closing force applied approximately in the area F3. The produced moment then gradually decreases as the point of application is moved to the area F2, then to F4 and will be smallest in the area FI. Naturally the areas F1-F4 are only chosen in order to illustrate the general principle. In reality the applied moment varies gradually from point to point in the jaw 35.
• Fig. 7 illustrates an alternative structure for providing the relative movement between the tool sections 103. 104 of a tool 102.
• fig. 7 illustrates an opening sequence for the tool, after a performed workpiece W forming process.
• the lower tool section 104 is supported on a support surface 9 by a supporting base 10.
• a frame 172 carrying three hydraulic cylinders 161, 162, 163 employed to open and close the tool 102.
• a first lifting cylinder 161 is firmly connected to the frame 172 at its rear end, as is indicated at 164.
• the rod end of the first cylinder 161 is pivotally connected to a first side of the upper tool section 103 through a conventional joint, as indicated at 165.
• a second lifting cylinder 162 is likewise firmly connected to the frame 172 at its rear end, as is indicated at 166.
• the rod end of the second lifting cylinder 162 carries a lifting plate 167 at its rod end.
• This lifting plate 167 contacts a lifting support 168 on the opposite, second side of the upper tool section 103 during the initial phase of the lifting movement but is not connected thereto.
• a third cylinder 163 is pivotally supported in a cylinder mount 170 on the frame 172, as is indicated at 169.
• the third cylinder 163 is pivotally connected to the upper tool section 103, likewise through a conventional joint 171, and at a position spaced apart upwardly from the pivotal joint 165 of the first cylinder 161.
• the tool is illustrated in a position with the upper tool section 103 resting on the lower tool section 104 in the parting plane P, such as after a forming cycle.
• the first and second lifting cylinders 161, 162 are activated to raise the upper tool section 103 straight upwardly from the lower tool section 104, as is indicated in the middle drawing of fig. 7.
• the third cylinder 163 is totally relieved so that its rod will be extended due to the raising of the upper tool section 103.
• the rod of the third cylinder 163 is retracted. This will swing the upper tool section 103 in a counter clockwise direction around a pivot formed by the pivotal joint 165, to the fully open position illustrated to the right in fig. 7.
• the lifting arrangement illustrated in fig. 7 provides excellent access to the tool 102, since it leaves the space above the tool totally free for loading, unloading and service work in the open tool condition, even more so if it is combined with the wheels 10a and rails 10b (illustrated in the middle of fig. 7) according to the modified alternative of the first embodiment, so that the lower tool section 104 may be rolled out from the closing position for the loading and unloading.
• the closing force application unit has been excluded in the illustration of fig. 7.
• this embodiment of the tool 102 requires a modified variant of said closing force application unit, since the swinging movement of the upper tool section 103 would interfere with the actuator rods in the first embodiment of the closing force application unit 30 illustrated in figs. 1A-C and 2.
• fig. 12 illustrates such a modified closing force application unit, as will be described further below.
• Figs. 8 and 9 illustrate a further application of the principles of the invention to a hydroforming apparatus in a specific modular arrangement suitable for forming long workpieces W that have a shape with several, relatively large bends in two planes.
• This embodiment illustrates the versatility that may be accomplished for a hydroforming apparatus employing tool assemblies 201 according to the invention.
• Tools 202A-C of different length are provided in an end-to-end relationship.
• the individual tools 202A-C are identical to the one illustrated in figs. 1A, IB and 1C, only shorter, tools 202B-C, and/or provided with end faces inclined to accommodate said bends of the workpiece W, in one or both of the two planes.
• closing force application units 230A, 230B having at least one pair of clamps 231 A, 23 IB and at least two actuators 240 A, 240B are provided for each tool assembly 202A-C of the line.
• Said closing force application units, clamps and actuators are only schematically illustrated, but in this case each clamp is carried by only one actuator connected to the base portion of the clamp.
• Such a configuration is only appropriate for applications with moderate internal tool pressures, as described above.
• the closing force application units and actuators may preferably correspond to those of the first embodiment, with the exception that smaller sized closing force application units 23 OB and actuators 240B are provided for the shorter tool assemblies 202B-C.
• Fig 8 is a schematical top plan view of the hydroforming apparatus, whereas fig. 9 is a corresponding side view, but with the actuators removed, to illustrate the bends in the second plane.
• Fig 10 illustrates a further embodiment of a tool 302 for use with the invention, designed as a flexforming tool.
• the lower tool section 304 receives a die 315 having its inner wall matching the shape of the finished workpiece and forming the die cavity C.
• the upper tool section 303 has a pressure fluid cavity 314 closed downwardly by a rubber membrane 300 lying substantially in the parting plane P of the closed tool 302.
• a blank B in the form of a metal plate is placed on the lower tool section 304, the upper tool section 303 with the membrane 300 is lowered down onto the lower tool section 304, and actuators (not shown) are activated to move their associated closing clamps 31A to the closing position.
• the tool clamp surfaces 32 and 33 are brought into engagement with the corresponding surfaces 321 and 323 on the upper and lower tool sections 303, 304.
• pressurized fluid is introduced into the pressure fluid cavity 314 in a manner that is not specifically illustrated, but that is well known in the art.
• the pressurized fluid through the rubber membrane 300, forces the blank B into the die 315 to receive its final shape, as is conventional.
• Fig. 11 illustrates a further developed embodiment of an actuator tool clamp 531 A.
• the tool clamp is made up of a number of, in the illustrated embodiment five, parallel plates 551 attached to each other in an arrangement side-by-side. This results in a very strong and wear resistant clamp 531 A, specifically so in combination with the inserts illustrated in figs. 5 and 6.
• the clamp attachments 542A, 543 A are secured to the actual clamp 531 A.
• Two recesses 537 are formed in each of the upper and lower, outer surfaces of the clamp, and are spaced apart so as to leave a raised portion 538 therebetween.
• fig. 12 illustrates a further embodiment of a tool assembly 401 of the invention, specifically suited for applications where a free space must be provided above and below the tool 2, such as with the tool lifting equipment illustrated in fig. 7.
• the closing force application unit 430 comprises four actuators 440 for the pair of clamps 431 A, 43 IB.
• the closing force CF is applied separately to each clamp 431 A or 43 IB of a pair by means of two actuators 440.
• the actuators 440 are supported separate from the clamps and carry the clamps at the free ends of their piston rods 441 through the clamp attachments 442 A-B, 443 A-B.

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• Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
• Fluid Mechanics (AREA)
• Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
• Shaping Metal By Deep-Drawing, Or The Like (AREA)
• Cutting Tools, Boring Holders, And Turrets (AREA)
• Gripping On Spindles (AREA)
• Processing Of Terminals (AREA)
• Bending Of Plates, Rods, And Pipes (AREA)
• Clamps And Clips (AREA)

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