A thermally responsive element in which the degree of freedom in setting a differential is high across a wide range of temperature zones and a relatively small differential is settable is provided. The element may be a plate-like member having a shape that changes in accordance with a temperature change. A cross-section of the thermally responsive element at room temperature may have a compound curved shape. A cross-section of the thermally responsive element after the shape change may have a compound curved shape. A border between the central portion and the outer peripheral portion is the same before and after the shape change of the thermally responsive element.

A stamp-forming system includes a lower die formed of elastomeric material and having lower die lateral sides. In addition, the stamp-forming system includes a die wall configured to encircle the lower die lateral sides, and move vertically relative to the lower die. Also included in the stamp-forming system is an upper die configured to move between an open position in which the upper die is separated from the die wall and the lower die, and a clamped position in which the upper die is in contact with the die wall and applying clamping pressure to a blank against the lower die, to thereby form the blank into a formed article. The die wall is sized and configured to prevent lateral expansion of the lower die when the lower die is vertically compressed by the clamping pressure applied by the upper die.

A stamp-forming system includes a lower die formed of elastomeric material and having lower die lateral sides. In addition, the stamp-forming system includes a die wall configured to encircle the lower die lateral sides, and move vertically relative to the lower die. Also included in the stamp-forming system is an upper die configured to move between an open position in which the upper die is separated from the die wall and the lower die, and a clamped position in which the upper die is in contact with the die wall and applying clamping pressure to a blank against the lower die, to thereby form the blank into a formed article. The die wall is sized and configured to prevent lateral expansion of the lower die when the lower die is vertically compressed by the clamping pressure applied by the upper die.

A stamping tool includes a lower pad, upper pad, forming steel, and sub-pad. The lower pad includes a lower forming surface recessed in a first direction between a first lower pad surface and the second lower pad surface. The upper pad is movable along a second direction. In an extended position, the upper pad holds a workpiece against the first lower pad surface. The forming steel includes a first forming surface and is movable along the first direction. In an extended position, the forming steel is received in the recess. The sub-pad is coupled to the forming steel such that the forming steel moves the sub-pad in the first direction as the forming steel moves from the retracted position to an intermediate position in which the sub-pad holds the workpiece against the second lower pad surface while the forming steel continues to move to the extended position.

A stamping tool includes a lower pad, upper pad, forming steel, and sub-pad. The lower pad includes a lower forming surface recessed in a first direction between a first lower pad surface and the second lower pad surface. The upper pad is movable along a second direction. In an extended position, the upper pad holds a workpiece against the first lower pad surface. The forming steel includes a first forming surface and is movable along the first direction. In an extended position, the forming steel is received in the recess. The sub-pad is coupled to the forming steel such that the forming steel moves the sub-pad in the first direction as the forming steel moves from the retracted position to an intermediate position in which the sub-pad holds the workpiece against the second lower pad surface while the forming steel continues to move to the extended position.

A method for press forming an automotive outer panel includes: providing an elastic body to a punch such that the elastic body abuts against a metal sheet away from a portion corresponding to a character line in the metal sheet; abutting a contact surface portion of the protruding elastic body against the metal sheet; and forming the character line with the ridgeline and the valley line by relatively moving the die toward the punch while abutting the contact surface portion against the metal sheet to deform the elastic body such that the elastic body becomes flush with the punch-side forming surface portion at a bottom dead center of forming. A protrusion amount of the elastic body from the punch-side forming surface portion is set such that the elastic body contacts the metal sheet before the ridgeline contacts the metal sheet to cause the metal sheet to become plastically deformed.

A method for press forming an automotive outer panel includes: providing an elastic body to a punch such that the elastic body abuts against a metal sheet away from a portion corresponding to a character line in the metal sheet; abutting a contact surface portion of the protruding elastic body against the metal sheet; and forming the character line with the ridgeline and the valley line by relatively moving the die toward the punch while abutting the contact surface portion against the metal sheet to deform the elastic body such that the elastic body becomes flush with the punch-side forming surface portion at a bottom dead center of forming. A protrusion amount of the elastic body from the punch-side forming surface portion is set such that the elastic body contacts the metal sheet before the ridgeline contacts the metal sheet to cause the metal sheet to become plastically deformed.

Provided is a plastic working method of steel including austenite, the method including: analyzing a strain ratio x of an estimated breaking point which is specified during plastic deformation of the steel; heating a steel such that a local temperature T.sub.local is within a temperature range indicated by the following expression 1, when T.sub.x represents a strain-induced-transformation-maximum-ductility-temperature in the unit of C. for the strain ratio x, L.sub.x represents the standard deviation of a fitted curve of critical equivalent strain which depends on the strain ratio x on a lower temperature side than T.sub.x, H.sub.x represents the standard deviation of a fitted curve of critical equivalent strain which depends on the strain ratio x on a higher temperature side than T.sub.x, and T.sub.local represents a local temperature in the unit of C. of the estimated breaking point; and plastically deforming the steel after heating:
T.sub.x2L.sub.xT.sub.localT.sub.x+1.25H.sub.x(Expression 1).

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 stamping tool and a method for deforming a part with the stamping tool are disclosed. The stamping tool may include an array of striking members (e.g., pins), each striking member capable of being actuated independently with respect to the other striking members. In some embodiments, the stamping tool is part of a system having a vision system and a computing device. The vision system is capable of scanning the part to determine a location or location in which the array of striking members will engage the part. The deforming operation can include a rework operation subsequent to another process, or alternatively, the deforming operation can include deforming the part such that the part includes a three-dimensional shape. Also, the part can be a two-dimensional or three-dimensional part made from metal (e.g., aluminum, steel) or plastic.