A method of forming an assembly in which a metal extension element is connected with a metal stub element, by an intermediate element. The intermediate element extends between first and second ends. The intermediate element is positioned to locate its first end spaced apart from the stub element. An inner end of the extension element is spaced apart from the second end of the intermediate element. Heating elements are located between the elements, to heat the proximal portions of the elements to a hot working temperature, at which the heated portions are subject to plastic deformation. The heating elements are removed, and while the intermediate element is rotating, the first end is urged against the stub element to bond the intermediate element with the stub element. While the extension element is rotating, the inner end is urged against the second end to bond the extension element and the intermediate element.

A method of forming an assembly in which a metal extension element is connected with a metal stub element, by an intermediate element. The intermediate element extends between first and second ends. The intermediate element is positioned to locate its first end spaced apart from the stub element. An inner end of the extension element is spaced apart from the second end of the intermediate element. Heating elements are located between the elements, to heat the proximal portions of the elements to a hot working temperature, at which the heated portions are subject to plastic deformation. The heating elements are removed, and while the intermediate element is rotating, the first end is urged against the stub element to bond the intermediate element with the stub element. While the extension element is rotating, the inner end is urged against the second end to bond the extension element and the intermediate element.

A method and system for flanging a metal part is provided to improve the final dimensions of the part to a desired shape. Residual stresses from flanging operations can distort a final shape of the metal part. This disclosure provides an initial flanging step in which metal gainers are formed into the metal during a first flanging step. The metal gainers provide an increased amount of metal at select regions. Then, during a next flanging step, the metal gainers are smoothened or removed during that flanging step while the metal is additionally bent. The metal gainers help combat the residual stresses and allow the flange to better take the desired shape.

A method of forming a closed cross-sectional structure press-forming the plate-shaped workpiece into portions corresponding to bottom portion and left and right side wall portions; and providing bend-facilitating lines at the plurality of bend lines; bending the workpiece in a direction that the portions corresponding to the left and right side wall portions approach each other by pressing a punch into a space between a pair of dies while clamping the portion corresponding to the bottom portion between the punch and a pad in a plate thickness direction; and bending the corresponding portions along the bend-facilitating lines by pressing the corresponding portions against an outer periphery of a plug having an outer peripheral shape the same as a final shape of the closed cross-sectional structure while the plug is placed on the portion of the workpiece corresponding to the bottom portion.

A method of forming a closed cross-sectional structure press-forming the plate-shaped workpiece into portions corresponding to bottom portion and left and right side wall portions; and providing bend-facilitating lines at the plurality of bend lines; bending the workpiece in a direction that the portions corresponding to the left and right side wall portions approach each other by pressing a punch into a space between a pair of dies while clamping the portion corresponding to the bottom portion between the punch and a pad in a plate thickness direction; and bending the corresponding portions along the bend-facilitating lines by pressing the corresponding portions against an outer periphery of a plug having an outer peripheral shape the same as a final shape of the closed cross-sectional structure while the plug is placed on the portion of the workpiece corresponding to the bottom portion.

A method and an apparatus or pressing groove section with a bending angle smaller than or equal to 90 degrees are provided. The apparatus comprises an upper convex die and a lower concave die are used for processing. The convex die comprises an expansion sleeve and an expansion core which are nested with each other. At least one of a central hole of the sleeve body and the core body is a wedge with a larger top and a smaller bottom, and a relative locking mechanism is arranged between the core body and the core body. The concave die comprises a multi-petal-shaped inner concave die and an external outer concave die which are in elastic connection.

A method and an apparatus or pressing groove section with a bending angle smaller than or equal to 90 degrees are provided. The apparatus comprises an upper convex die and a lower concave die are used for processing. The convex die comprises an expansion sleeve and an expansion core which are nested with each other. At least one of a central hole of the sleeve body and the core body is a wedge with a larger top and a smaller bottom, and a relative locking mechanism is arranged between the core body and the core body. The concave die comprises a multi-petal-shaped inner concave die and an external outer concave die which are in elastic connection.

A method of forming a closed cross-sectional structure press-forming the plate-shaped workpiece into portions corresponding to bottom portion and left and right side wall portions; and providing bend-facilitating lines at the plurality of bend lines; bending the workpiece in a direction that the portions corresponding to the left and right side wall portions approach each other by pressing a punch into a space between a pair of dies while clamping the portion corresponding to the bottom portion between the punch and a pad in a plate thickness direction; and bending the corresponding portions along the bend-facilitating lines by pressing the corresponding portions against an outer periphery of a plug having an outer peripheral shape the same as a final shape of the closed cross-sectional structure while the plug is placed on the portion of the workpiece corresponding to the bottom portion.

A method of forming a closed cross-sectional structure press-forming the plate-shaped workpiece into portions corresponding to bottom portion and left and right side wall portions; and providing bend-facilitating lines at the plurality of bend lines; bending the workpiece in a direction that the portions corresponding to the left and right side wall portions approach each other by pressing a punch into a space between a pair of dies while clamping the portion corresponding to the bottom portion between the punch and a pad in a plate thickness direction; and bending the corresponding portions along the bend-facilitating lines by pressing the corresponding portions against an outer periphery of a plug having an outer peripheral shape the same as a final shape of the closed cross-sectional structure while the plug is placed on the portion of the workpiece corresponding to the bottom portion.

A workpiece is formed into a shape having curvatures in the longitudinal and width directions required for a final closed cross-sectional shape, and bend-facilitating lines are provided at positions corresponding to bent lines in the closed cross-sectional shape. The workpiece formed in the first step is bent in a direction that left and right side wall portions approach each other by clamping the bottom portions between a punch and pad in the plate thickness direction and by pressing a punch into a space between dies. A plug having an outer shape the same as the final closed cross-sectional shape is placed on the bottom portion of the workpiece formed in the second step, and the bottom portion and the left and right side wall portions are bent along the bend-facilitating lines by pressing the bottom portion and the left and right side wall portions against a periphery of the plug.