Provided are: a method for producing a molded material comprising tubular body and a flange formed at an end portion of the body; and a molded material produced thereby, which can prevent the flange of the molded material becoming unnecessarily thick, avoid the generation of wrinkles and buckling, and allow weight reduction of the molded material and size reduction of a base metal sheet. When producing the molded material by molding processes including at least one drawing-out process and at least one drawing process performed after the drawing-out process, a first drawing process is carried out on a region corresponding to the body while opening a die and a drawing sleeve, and an ironing process is carried out on a region corresponding to the flange while keeping a constant interval of a mold gap between the die and the drawing sleeve.

A cushion pin pressure equalizing device that can absorb a variation in height of a plurality of cushion pins and control a die cushion load highly accurately, a die cushion device, and a cushion pin pressure equalizing method are provided. An initial pressure in ascending-side pressurizing chambers of a pressure equalizing hydraulic cylinder group for absorbing a variation in height of cushion pins is controlled so as to be an appropriate pressure. The variation in height of the plurality of cushion pins can be absorbed within a shortest stroke of a slide after the slide comes into collision with a cushion pad so as to equalize die cushion loads that are applied individually to the cushion pins and a target die cushion load can be generated within the shortest stroke of the slide, whereby a response to application of the die cushion load can be stabilized without excessive delay.

A cushion pin pressure equalizing device that can absorb a variation in height of a plurality of cushion pins and control a die cushion load highly accurately, a die cushion device, and a cushion pin pressure equalizing method are provided. An initial pressure in ascending-side pressurizing chambers of a pressure equalizing hydraulic cylinder group for absorbing a variation in height of cushion pins is controlled so as to be an appropriate pressure. The variation in height of the plurality of cushion pins can be absorbed within a shortest stroke of a slide after the slide comes into collision with a cushion pad so as to equalize die cushion loads that are applied individually to the cushion pins and a target die cushion load can be generated within the shortest stroke of the slide, whereby a response to application of the die cushion load can be stabilized without excessive delay.

A manifold system that includes a cylinder assembly formed at least partially or fully of a manifold housing; a fluid reservoir; a gas cylinder assembly that is fluidly connected to the fluid reservoir by a fluid supply conduit fluidly; and wherein atomized non-solid lubricant that flows into a cylinder sleeve of the gas cylinder assembly is used to at least partially or fully lubricate an inner surface of an interior chamber of the cylinder sleeve during the operation of the gas cylinder assembly.

A press system providing excellent energy efficiency for a whole press system and capable of achieving low prices is provided. A die cushion apparatus constituting a press system supports a cushion pad, includes a hydraulic cylinder which generates a die cushion load on the cushion pad when a slide of a press machine descends, the press machine includes a hydraulic cylinder which generates part of a press load on the slide when the slide descends. The pressure generation chamber of the hydraulic cylinder for generating a die cushion load and the pressure generation chamber of the hydraulic cylinder for generating part of the press load can communicate with each other via pipes and a first logic valve for a period during which the die cushion load acts.

A press system providing excellent energy efficiency for a whole press system and capable of achieving low prices is provided. A die cushion apparatus constituting a press system supports a cushion pad, includes a hydraulic cylinder which generates a die cushion load on the cushion pad when a slide of a press machine descends, the press machine includes a hydraulic cylinder which generates part of a press load on the slide when the slide descends. The pressure generation chamber of the hydraulic cylinder for generating a die cushion load and the pressure generation chamber of the hydraulic cylinder for generating part of the press load can communicate with each other via pipes and a first logic valve for a period during which the die cushion load acts.

According to the die cushion apparatus of a press machine and the die cushion controlling method of the present invention, in holding the cushion pad on standby at a desired standby position, it is possible to hold the cushion pad on standby in parallel with the lower faces of the dies mounted to the slide, and if the lower faces of the dies are inclined, it is possible to hold the cushion pad on standby in the state of being inclined. Through this configuration, it is possible to easily allow the material to come into contact with the lower faces of the dies from the beginning of the die cushion force control (beginning of the collision), and also possible to smoothen the die cushion action in the plane, thereby enhancing the formability.

According to the die cushion apparatus of a press machine and the die cushion controlling method of the present invention, in holding the cushion pad on standby at a desired standby position, it is possible to hold the cushion pad on standby in parallel with the lower faces of the dies mounted to the slide, and if the lower faces of the dies are inclined, it is possible to hold the cushion pad on standby in the state of being inclined. Through this configuration, it is possible to easily allow the material to come into contact with the lower faces of the dies from the beginning of the die cushion force control (beginning of the collision), and also possible to smoothen the die cushion action in the plane, thereby enhancing the formability.

Provided is a press apparatus which ensures high production efficiency and has less chances of breakdown. Specifically, the press apparatus has a base placed on a floor, and a platform arranged over the base to face the base and move up and down. A lower die, on which a steel plate is to be placed, is fixed to the base. An upper die is fixed to the platform to press the plate against the lower die and turn it into an initially formed product through a downward movement of the platform, and to pressure-hold the initially formed product with the lower die. A machining die is supported on the platform to move up and down to machine the initially formed product and form a final product by moving down while pressure-holding the initially formed product.

Provided is a press apparatus which ensures high production efficiency and has less chances of breakdown. Specifically, the press apparatus has a base placed on a floor, and a platform arranged over the base to face the base and move up and down. A lower die, on which a steel plate is to be placed, is fixed to the base. An upper die is fixed to the platform to press the plate against the lower die and turn it into an initially formed product through a downward movement of the platform, and to pressure-hold the initially formed product with the lower die. A machining die is supported on the platform to move up and down to machine the initially formed product and form a final product by moving down while pressure-holding the initially formed product.