A die apparatus including a first die element and a second die element is provided. The first die element is arranged with the second die element for disposal of a blank therebetween and includes a coolant channel and a trim groove for alignment with a trim line of the blank. A groove insert is disposed within the trim groove arranged to support a portion of the blank extending thereover and to reduce a cooling rate of the blank. The groove insert may be of a material including reflective radiation characteristics to reduce heat transfer from portions of the blank adjacent the trim line. The first die element may include a cavity aligned with a pierce region of the blank so that the pierce region does not contact an adjacent die element surface.

A single action draw press and a draw die set for the single action draw are disclosed. The single action draw press and die include a bolster and a stationary punch. A cushion is assembled to the bolster to support a binder ring that is adapted to be engaged by a die attached to a press ram. The die is reciprocated by the press ram relative to the bolster while a mechanical lock engages the die and the binder ring. The die contacts the binder ring and a mechanical lock secures the die and binder ring together while the die draws a panel over the stationary punch.

A single action draw press and a draw die set for the single action draw are disclosed. The single action draw press and die include a bolster and a stationary punch. A cushion is assembled to the bolster to support a binder ring that is adapted to be engaged by a die attached to a press ram. The die is reciprocated by the press ram relative to the bolster while a mechanical lock engages the die and the binder ring. The die contacts the binder ring and a mechanical lock secures the die and binder ring together while the die draws a panel over the stationary punch.

A press forming method includes a forming step of pressing an intermediate formed body including an intermediate ridge line portion with a large edge radius, into a target formed body. An upper die includes an upper die step portion at a boundary portion between a product portion and a discarded portion. The discarded portion of the intermediate formed body includes a separation portion which is spaced apart from the upper die at an initial stage of the forming step, to provide an elongation allowance for the discarded portion, and a first contact portion and a second contact portion which are brought into contact with the upper die at the initial stage of the forming step, to prevent occurrence of wrinkles.

A press forming method includes a forming step of pressing an intermediate formed body including an intermediate ridge line portion with a large edge radius, into a target formed body. An upper die includes an upper die step portion at a boundary portion between a product portion and a discarded portion. The discarded portion of the intermediate formed body includes a separation portion which is spaced apart from the upper die at an initial stage of the forming step, to provide an elongation allowance for the discarded portion, and a first contact portion and a second contact portion which are brought into contact with the upper die at the initial stage of the forming step, to prevent occurrence of wrinkles.

Disclosed is a method to manufacture a pressed component from an intermediate stock, which includes two bent portions with a spacing thereof narrower than a width of a top plate of the pressed component, by employing a press including a die having a die pad and a punch having an inner pad, the method including: gripping a portion between the bent portions with the inner pad and the die pad in a state in which the inner pad projects from the punch and the die pad projects from the die; moving the die toward the punch side to form vertical walls of the pressed component with the die and the punch; and integrating the die and the die pad and then moving the die, the die pad and the inner pad toward the punch side to form the top plate.

A method of making a motor vehicle component by hot-forming, hot-cutting, and press-hardening a plate made of a hardenable steel sheet alloy, heating to a temperature greater than Ac1, inserting in a combined forming and cutting tool, fixing the inserted plate in the forming and cutting tool using a stamp which is arranged in the inner region of the tool, at least partially circumferential edge cutting before beginning the forming operation or during a time period of up to 50% of the forming progression and/or at least 20% of the press stroke prior to the bottom dead center position, and hot-forming in a press stroke with the edge cut and optional press-hardening.

The present invention makes it possible to obtain a fine finish along a trim line in a plate material while preventing scoring between a floating cutter and a main trimming press upper. A floating cutter unit is provided with: a floating cutter for cutting scrap from a plate-shaped material, said floating cutter being attached to and used in a trimming press processing device that cuts scrap from a plate material along a trim line Tr and that additionally cuts scrap along a scrap cut line Sc; a holder set for holding the floating cutter so as to be movable in the direction of an axial center O; a spring that is brought into contact with the tail end surface of the floating cutter and that applies reaction force to the floating cutter; and a pair of cutters that are attached to the holder set and positioned on both sides of the floating cutter along the trim line Tr.

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.