A method of making a metal reinforcing member that is to be mounted on a leading edge or a trailing edge of a composite blade of a turbine engine, the method including: shaping two metal sheets, positioning them on either side of a core including at least one recess that is to form a mold for a spacer for positioning the reinforcing member, assembling them together under a vacuum, conforming them against the core by hot isostatic compression, and cutting them to separate the reinforcing member and release the core.

A punch (2) and a pad (5) are opposed to each other such that a molded portion (3a) of a metal laminate film (3) to be processed is interposed between the punch (2) and the pad (5). An enclosed space (6, 7) is compressed to raise only the temperature of the molded portion (3a) while keeping the vicinity of the molded portion (3a) at a low temperature (S1, S2). After that, the enclosed space (6, 7) is moved with respect to the molded portion (3a) to perform first molding (S3) on the molded portion (3a), and then gas in the enclosed space (6) is released to perform second molding (S4) on the molded portion (3a) by means of the punch (2) and the pad (5).

A punch (2) and a pad (5) are opposed to each other such that a molded portion (3a) of a metal laminate film (3) to be processed is interposed between the punch (2) and the pad (5). An enclosed space (6, 7) is compressed to raise only the temperature of the molded portion (3a) while keeping the vicinity of the molded portion (3a) at a low temperature (S1, S2). After that, the enclosed space (6, 7) is moved with respect to the molded portion (3a) to perform first molding (S3) on the molded portion (3a), and then gas in the enclosed space (6) is released to perform second molding (S4) on the molded portion (3a) by means of the punch (2) and the pad (5).

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 forming apparatus that forms a metal pipe includes: a heating unit which heats a metal pipe material; a gas supply unit which supplies gas into a heated metal pipe material, thereby expanding the metal pipe material; a die which forms the metal pipe by bringing the expanded metal pipe material into contact with the die; a cooling unit which cools the metal pipe after the forming by a cooling medium; and a control unit which controls an operation of the die, the gas supply unit, and the cooling unit, wherein the control unit makes cooling of the metal pipe by the cooling medium be performed, by controlling an operation of the die such that the die is opened and controlling the cooling unit such that the cooling unit brings the cooling medium into contact with the metal pipe, subsequently to completion of forming by the die.

A forming apparatus that forms a metal pipe includes: a heating unit which heats a metal pipe material; a gas supply unit which supplies gas into a heated metal pipe material, thereby expanding the metal pipe material; a die which forms the metal pipe by bringing the expanded metal pipe material into contact with the die; a cooling unit which cools the metal pipe after the forming by a cooling medium; and a control unit which controls an operation of the die, the gas supply unit, and the cooling unit, wherein the control unit makes cooling of the metal pipe by the cooling medium be performed, by controlling an operation of the die such that the die is opened and controlling the cooling unit such that the cooling unit brings the cooling medium into contact with the metal pipe, subsequently to completion of forming by the die.

A preforming method for a high-strength steel variable-diameter tubular part is provided, which belongs to the technical field of metal forming process. The preforming method for a high-strength steel variable-diameter tubular part includes: selecting a tubular blank; and preparing a tubular blank forming mold, where the tubular blank forming mold includes a preforming mold and a final forming mold; sealing and pressurizing the tubular blank; heating the tubular blank by using electrodes; preforming the tubular part at a constant temperature; maintaining a temperature Tl and moving the preformed tubular part to the final forming mold; finally forming the tubular part. Through two steps of operation of preforming and final forming, and maintaining a temperature during moving the tubular blank between the two steps, so that the conversion of intrametallic structure between the two steps is improved, and the performance of the tubular part is improved.

A preforming method for a high-strength steel variable-diameter tubular part is provided, which belongs to the technical field of metal forming process. The preforming method for a high-strength steel variable-diameter tubular part includes: selecting a tubular blank; and preparing a tubular blank forming mold, where the tubular blank forming mold includes a preforming mold and a final forming mold; sealing and pressurizing the tubular blank; heating the tubular blank by using electrodes; preforming the tubular part at a constant temperature; maintaining a temperature Tl and moving the preformed tubular part to the final forming mold; finally forming the tubular part. Through two steps of operation of preforming and final forming, and maintaining a temperature during moving the tubular blank between the two steps, so that the conversion of intrametallic structure between the two steps is improved, and the performance of the tubular part is improved.

A method of hydroforming a vehicle rail from an extruded aluminum tube includes the steps of positioning the extruded aluminum tube into a hydroforming die and partially closing the hydroforming die. Next is the step of applying a liquid under a first level of pressure to the extruded aluminum tube in the hydroforming die. This is followed by engaging an inner radius of a bend in the extruded aluminum tube with the hydroforming die before completely closing the hydroforming die and increasing the level of liquid pressure in the workpiece to a second level to form and hydro-pierce a part from the extruded aluminum tube.

A method of hydroforming a vehicle rail from an extruded aluminum tube includes the steps of positioning the extruded aluminum tube into a hydroforming die and partially closing the hydroforming die. Next is the step of applying a liquid under a first level of pressure to the extruded aluminum tube in the hydroforming die. This is followed by engaging an inner radius of a bend in the extruded aluminum tube with the hydroforming die before completely closing the hydroforming die and increasing the level of liquid pressure in the workpiece to a second level to form and hydro-pierce a part from the extruded aluminum tube.