A system for automatically forming sheet metal tubes from blanks cut to size. The system having a mechanism for positioning a blank for processing. A lifting arrangement having a wrap strap and pressure pad to raise the blank to a forming station having a mandrel is positioned so that the wrap strap extends on either side of said mandrel and underneath the blank before a side wiper on each side of said mandrel forces the overlap of opposite edges of the blank along a length of the mandrel. The mandrel includes a clinching die bar along its length. A sealing mechanism with a vertically movable row of clinching prongs is lowered to attach the overlapping edges of the blank by clinching at multiple positions to form a tube around the mandrel before being removed by a gag bar and a stripper plate.

A duct making apparatus includes a first station configured to accept a formable sheet material and a second station configured to receive the formable sheet material from the first station. The first station includes a mechanism for forming one of a male lock bend and a female lock seam in a leading edge of the formable sheet material. The second station includes a retractable conveyor. Movement of the sheet material from the first station to the second station defines an axis of travel of the sheet material. The retractable conveyor is selectively movable from a first position in which the retractable conveyor is in close association with the first station, and a second position in which the retractable conveyor is spaced from the first station.

A duct making apparatus includes a first station configured to accept a formable sheet material and a second station configured to receive the formable sheet material from the first station. The first station includes a mechanism for forming one of a male lock bend and a female lock seam in a leading edge of the formable sheet material. The second station includes a retractable conveyor. Movement of the sheet material from the first station to the second station defines an axis of travel of the sheet material. The retractable conveyor is selectively movable from a first position in which the retractable conveyor is in close association with the first station, and a second position in which the retractable conveyor is spaced from the first station.

A method of forming a hollow metal member may include stamping a metal blank to form half shell pieces that are configured to be approximately a half of a hollow metal member and stamping a another metal blank to form a half shell piece that is configured to be approximately the other half of the hollow metal member. The half shell pieces may be aligned to place the edges of the first and second half shell pieces in abutting contact. The half shell pieces may be welded together along seams that are defined at the abutting edges of the first and second half shell pieces. The attached half shell pieces may then be compacted to form the hollow metal member with reduced residual deformation from stamping and welding the half shell pieces.

A retention ring for use with a recliner assembly is provided. The retention ring may be a metal member bent into an annular shape. The metal member may have a first end and a second end that are connected to one another to form a band that defines an inner diameter that may be configured to receive a recliner gear set.

Device (1) for calibrating and straightening hollow components, preferably welded pipes (2), the device (1) being substantially composed of a frame (5) having two side stands (6, 7), a lower cross member (8) and an upper cross member (9), a ram (10) being provided, said ram (10) being movable toward the lower cross member (8) and back by means of a pressure-operable cylinder assembly (12) supported on the upper cross member (9), and a calibrating and straightening tool (11a) being provided between the lower cross member (8) and the ram (10), wherein the calibrating and straightening tool (11a) is changeably disposed on the lower cross member (8) and on the ram (10) and can be replaced with a bending tool (11b) for bending the lateral ends (3) of sheets (4) to produce pipes (2).

Device (1) for calibrating and straightening hollow components, preferably welded pipes (2), the device (1) being substantially composed of a frame (5) having two side stands (6, 7), a lower cross member (8) and an upper cross member (9), a ram (10) being provided, said ram (10) being movable toward the lower cross member (8) and back by means of a pressure-operable cylinder assembly (12) supported on the upper cross member (9), and a calibrating and straightening tool (11a) being provided between the lower cross member (8) and the ram (10), wherein the calibrating and straightening tool (11a) is changeably disposed on the lower cross member (8) and on the ram (10) and can be replaced with a bending tool (11b) for bending the lateral ends (3) of sheets (4) to produce pipes (2).

A method includes providing first and second half-pipe sections. Each of the first and second half-pipe sections includes a first curved portion and defines a first outer edge length. Third and fourth half-pipe sections are provided. Each of the third and fourth half-pipe sections includes a second curved portion and defines a second outer edge length. The second outer edge length is longer than the first outer edge length. The first half-pipe section is welded to the third half-pipe section so as to form a first half-pipe subassembly. The second half-pipe section is welded to the fourth half-pipe section so as to form a second half-pipe subassembly. The first half-pipe subassembly is welded to the second half-pipe subassembly so as to form an exhaust tube section.

A method includes providing first and second half-pipe sections. Each of the first and second half-pipe sections includes a first curved portion and defines a first outer edge length. Third and fourth half-pipe sections are provided. Each of the third and fourth half-pipe sections includes a second curved portion and defines a second outer edge length. The second outer edge length is longer than the first outer edge length. The first half-pipe section is welded to the third half-pipe section so as to form a first half-pipe subassembly. The second half-pipe section is welded to the fourth half-pipe section so as to form a second half-pipe subassembly. The first half-pipe subassembly is welded to the second half-pipe subassembly so as to form an exhaust tube section.

The present invention provides a method for manufacturing a torsion beam, the method comprising: a planarization step, in which a protruding portion of an upper mold presses the opposite end portions in the width direction of the blank to be plastically deformed to be flat while the opposite end portions in the width direction of the blank are supported by a side cam to face each other; a welding and bonding step for bonding the planarized opposite end portions in the width direction of the blank via welding; and a quenching step for heating the welded and bonded blank within a range of 900 to 970? C. for a retaining time within a range of 1 to 20 minutes and for cooling down the blank in a treatment liquid including at least one of water and oil in a range of 20 to 90? C.