A metal pipe forming method includes: disposing a metal pipe material having a hollow shape between a pair of dies; and forming a metal pipe including a pipe portion and a flange portion by expanding the metal pipe material by supplying a fluid and bringing the metal pipe material into contact with the pair of dies. In the forming of the metal pipe, a gap which is positioned between a pair of inner surfaces of the flange portion and communicates with an internal space of the pipe portion is formed, and the flange portion is provided with a through-hole connected to the gap.

The invention relates to a method and device for shaping an object such as a tube on an insert by means of compression generated by a shock wave, e.g. in a liquid or in another medium.

The invention relates to a method and device for shaping an object such as a tube on an insert by means of compression generated by a shock wave, e.g. in a liquid or in another medium.

A first method is disclosed for forming a tubular reinforcement that comprises the steps of: providing a 7xxx aluminum tube, heating tube to at least 450 C. and water quenching the tube in less than or equal to 20 seconds after heating. All of the forming processes on the tube are then completed from within 1 to 8 hours of quenching. A second method for forming a tubular reinforcement is disclosed that comprises the steps of providing a 7xxx-O temper aluminum tube and forming the tube into a predetermined shape. The tube in then heated the tube to at least 450 C. and quenched the tube with water or air in a hydroforming die just prior to or while hydroforming the tube.

A first method is disclosed for forming a tubular reinforcement that comprises the steps of: providing a 7xxx aluminum tube, heating tube to at least 450 C. and water quenching the tube in less than or equal to 20 seconds after heating. All of the forming processes on the tube are then completed from within 1 to 8 hours of quenching. A second method for forming a tubular reinforcement is disclosed that comprises the steps of providing a 7xxx-O temper aluminum tube and forming the tube into a predetermined shape. The tube in then heated the tube to at least 450 C. and quenched the tube with water or air in a hydroforming die just prior to or while hydroforming the tube.

According to the manufacturing method of the invention the line component, in particular an additively fabricated line component, comprises a line element for conducting a fluid from a first opening to a second opening, and a line branching connected with the line element for conducting the fluid to a third opening, wherein an outer region of the line component is designed load-compliant by means of a numerical optimization program and thereby includes a multitude of irregular topological structures in its outer region. In the manufacturing method of the line component a notch is incorporated on the inside of the line element, which serves to relieve a tension in a highly loaded state of the line component or the line element, a particle-filled gas stream is guided through the interior of the line component, in order to smooth the inside of the line component and/or the line component is subjected to a pressurization, in order to produce a plastic deformation on an inner surface of the line component.

According to the manufacturing method of the invention the line component, in particular an additively fabricated line component, comprises a line element for conducting a fluid from a first opening to a second opening, and a line branching connected with the line element for conducting the fluid to a third opening, wherein an outer region of the line component is designed load-compliant by means of a numerical optimization program and thereby includes a multitude of irregular topological structures in its outer region. In the manufacturing method of the line component a notch is incorporated on the inside of the line element, which serves to relieve a tension in a highly loaded state of the line component or the line element, a particle-filled gas stream is guided through the interior of the line component, in order to smooth the inside of the line component and/or the line component is subjected to a pressurization, in order to produce a plastic deformation on an inner surface of the line component.

Rather than using a conventional stamping forming process with steels having high ultimate tensile strength and relatively low initial yield, tubular hydroforming techniques are introduced to synergize with BIW part forming, or forming of other load bearing parts. Such steels can have ultimate tensile strengths of greater than 1000 MPa and initial yields of less than 360 MPa In some embodiments, the steels have elongation of at least 40%. Such steels can include retained austenite.

Rather than using a conventional stamping forming process with steels having high ultimate tensile strength and relatively low initial yield, tubular hydroforming techniques are introduced to synergize with BIW part forming, or forming of other load bearing parts. Such steels can have ultimate tensile strengths of greater than 1000 MPa and initial yields of less than 360 MPa In some embodiments, the steels have elongation of at least 40%. Such steels can include retained austenite.

A molding apparatus that molds a metal pipe with a flange is disclosed. The molding apparatus includes a first mold and a second mold that are paired with each other, a slide that moves at least one of the first mold and the second mold, a drive unit that generates a driving force for moving the slid, a holding section that holds a metal pipe material between the first mold and the second mold, a gas supply section that supplies gas into the metal pipe material held by the holding section, and a control unit that controls the drive unit, the holding section, and the gas supply section. The first mold and the second mold are provided with a first cavity portion that molds a pipe portion of the metal pipe, and a second cavity portion that molds a flange portion.