Claims
- 1. An apparatus for performing a hydroforming operation comprising:
a lower platen; a lower die section carried on said lower platen; an upper platen supported relative to said lower platen; an upper die section carried on said upper platen by a suspension arm; a lift cylinder for selectively elevating said lower die section upwardly into engagement with said upper die section; a bolster that is movable between a first position, wherein said bolster is disposed between said lower die section and said lower platen, and a second position, wherein said bolster is not disposed between said lower die section and said lower platen.
- 2. The apparatus defined in claim 1 wherein said upper platen is supported on said lower platen by a member that extends between said upper platen and said lower platen.
- 3. The apparatus defined in claim 1 wherein said member is a tube having a tie rod extending therethrough, said tie rod causing said tube to be normally maintained in compression.
- 4. The apparatus defined in claim 1 wherein said hydroforming die includes an upper die section that is supported for relative movement on an upper die clamping assembly connected to said upper platen.
- 5. The apparatus defined in claim 4 wherein said upper die clamping assembly further includes a passageway for receiving pressurized fluid and for exerting forces on said upper die section during the hydroforming operation.
- 6. The apparatus defined in claim 4 wherein said upper die clamping assembly further includes a cylinder array for receiving pressurized fluid and for exerting forces on said upper die section during the hydroforming operation.
- 7. The apparatus defined in claim 1 wherein a pair of lift cylinders are provided on the lateral ends of said lower platen for selectively elevating said lower die section upwardly into engagement with said upper die section.
- 8. The apparatus defined in claim 1 further including a first hydraulic cylinder supported on said upper platen, said first hydraulic cylinder engaging said suspension arm to carry said upper die section on said upper platen.
- 9. The apparatus defined in claim 8 a further including a second hydraulic cylinder supported on said upper platen, said second hydraulic cylinder engaging said upper die section to carry said upper die section on said upper platen.
- 10. The apparatus defined in claim 1 wherein said suspension arm is generally C-shaped.
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/301,929, filed Jun. 29, 2001, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.
Provisional Applications (1)
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Number |
Date |
Country |
|
60301929 |
Jun 2001 |
US |