A method of press forming includes: forming a trench-shaped portion into a product shape with a die and a punch until reaching a first bottom dead center, and forms at least one of: a flange portion subject to shrink flange deformation such that a linear length of the flange portion subject to the shrink flange deformation in a longitudinal direction is shorter than a linear length of a flange portion in the product shape; and a flange portion subject to stretch flange deformation such that a linear length of the flange portion subject to the stretch flange deformation in the longitudinal direction is longer than the linear length of the flange portion in the product shape; and forming the formed flange portion into the product shape with the die and a flange forming die until reaching a second bottom dead center.

A guided keeper assembly for metal forming dies includes a base having a mounting face and a fastener aperture to mount the base to an associated die shoe, as well as a central guide aperture. A guide pin having a central portion is closely received in the central guide aperture for precisely guiding reciprocal motion between the die pad and the die shoe. The guide pin has an enlarged head at one end which abuts the base to positively limit travel between the die shoe and the die pad, and a shoulder at an opposite end with an alignment mechanism that precisely locates the guide pin on the die pad. A fastener extends through the fastener aperture in the base to securely connect the same with the die shoe. Another fastener securely connects the second end of the guide pin with the die pad.

A guided keeper assembly for metal forming dies includes a base having a mounting face and a fastener aperture to mount the base to an associated die shoe, as well as a central guide aperture. A guide pin having a central portion is closely received in the central guide aperture for precisely guiding reciprocal motion between the die pad and the die shoe. The guide pin has an enlarged head at one end which abuts the base to positively limit travel between the die shoe and the die pad, and a shoulder at an opposite end with an alignment mechanism that precisely locates the guide pin on the die pad. A fastener extends through the fastener aperture in the base to securely connect the same with the die shoe. Another fastener securely connects the second end of the guide pin with the die pad.

A method for forming a workpiece by stamping that allows spring back to be eliminated, wherein tooling (20) is used, at least one of the forming parts (21, 23) of which includes a cavity (26) filled with a liquid (27) and provided with electrodes (28) capable of generating at least one shock wave in the cavity and through the wall (25) of the forming part, a blank material (18) is deformed between the two forming parts under the action of a deformation pressure and, without releasing the deformation pressure, at least one shock wave is generated in the cavity so that the shock wave passes through the blank material orthogonal to its surface. The tooling (20) and a press (10) adapted to implement the method are also described.

A method for forming a workpiece by stamping that allows spring back to be eliminated, wherein tooling (20) is used, at least one of the forming parts (21, 23) of which includes a cavity (26) filled with a liquid (27) and provided with electrodes (28) capable of generating at least one shock wave in the cavity and through the wall (25) of the forming part, a blank material (18) is deformed between the two forming parts under the action of a deformation pressure and, without releasing the deformation pressure, at least one shock wave is generated in the cavity so that the shock wave passes through the blank material orthogonal to its surface. The tooling (20) and a press (10) adapted to implement the method are also described.

A method of forming a part includes: inserting a blank into a die, the die comprising a mold mounted above a sealing counterpart; clamping the blank between the mold and the sealing counterpart; applying first pressure on the blank from the sealing counterpart so the blank is pressed upward to form a shaped part corresponding to the mold; applying a vacuum to the shaped part to hold it against the mold also after separating the mold and the sealing counterpart, the vacuum applied through at least one opening in the mold located in a corner of the mold that the blank does not reach when the first pressure is applied; and discontinuing the vacuum to allow the shaped part to be released from the mold.

A method of forming a part includes: inserting a blank into a die, the die comprising a mold mounted above a sealing counterpart; clamping the blank between the mold and the sealing counterpart; applying first pressure on the blank from the sealing counterpart so the blank is pressed upward to form a shaped part corresponding to the mold; applying a vacuum to the shaped part to hold it against the mold also after separating the mold and the sealing counterpart, the vacuum applied through at least one opening in the mold located in a corner of the mold that the blank does not reach when the first pressure is applied; and discontinuing the vacuum to allow the shaped part to be released from the mold.

A method for forming a conduit with a radial flange for forming part of a beaded coupling by: positioning a conduit blank in a forming die, wherein the forming die defines a radially extending recess; inserting a forming post in the conduit blank to define an annular space therebetween; inserting a flexible material in the annular space between the post and the conduit; placing a sleeve in a bearing relationship with the flexible material; compressing the flexible material between the post and the sleeve to force the flexible material against the conduit to expand the conduit outward into engagement with the radially extending recess in the forming die to form an annular flange; and releasing compression on the flexible material.

A press mechanism includes a driving mechanism, a connecting plate connected to the driving mechanism, an installation plate, and a press assembly. The press assembly includes a base defining at least one first resisting groove, at least one first press block and at least one second press block positioned on the base. The first press block includes at least one first elastic member and a first connecting block defining at least one second resisting groove. A predetermined distance is defined between the first connecting block and the base, and the first elastic member is received in the first resisting groove and the second resisting groove.

According to the present invention, a conveyor pulley for use in a belt conveyor is provided, comprising: a roller tube (1); wherein the roller tube (1) is formed by plastically deforming a central portion of a substantially cylindrical metal tube (2) radially outwardly so as to form a crowned portion (4) having an enlarged outer diameter (OD.sub.ENL) with respect to remaining portions (6) of the metal tube (2).