Shear-assisted extrusion processes for forming extrusions of a desired composition from a feedstock material are provided. The processes can include applying a rotational shearing force and an axial extrusion to the same location on the feedstock material. Devices for this can include a die tool defined by a die face extending from a rim of the die face inwardly at an angle greater than zero in relation to a sidewall of the die tool in at least one cross section; and/or a die tool defining an opening configured to receive feedstock material for extrusion and further defining a die face defining a recess within the die face and contiguous with the opening. Shear-assisted extrusion processes are also provided that can mix different portions of the feedstock material within a recess about the opening prior to feedstock material entering the opening; and extruding the mixed portions.

A structural component for a vehicle may include an extrusion that is extruded into a first state and then expanded into a second state. The extrusion in the first state has a reduced size relative to a desired final size. The extrusion in the first state is placed within a die that defines the desired final size. Pressurized water is distributed within internal cells of the extrusion in the first state such that the walls defining the internal cells are expanded into engagement with the surface of the die, thereby creating surface features or sealing interfaces with tight tolerances. The relative shape of the die and the extrusion in the first state defines an open space therebetween, into which the extrusion may expand to define the final shape. Some of the internal cells may be plugged such that they are not provided with pressurized water.

A method of drawing an axial tube made of an aluminum (Al) material for a cowl cross bar includes performing NaOH etching on an extruded pipe having a single diameter and made of an Al alloy and performing high frequency heat treatment on the extruded pipe to increase a tube reduction ratio of the extruded pipe. The cowl cross bar is manufactured having a large diameter section and a small diameter section have a difference in diameter, due to a tube reduction ratio, of 40% by a diameter reduction section. Therefore, even when an Al alloy is manufactured as the axial tube having different diameters, the occurrence of cracks is prevented.

A method is used to manufacture a drawn tube having a hollow low interior for housing an axle shaft. The method includes the steps of placing a billet into a first die assembly and pressing the billet into the first die to producing a pre-formed billet. The method also includes the steps of moving the pre-formed billet from the first die assembly to a second die assembly and pressing the pre-formed billet into the second die assembly to produce an extruded tube. The method further includes the steps of moving the extruded tube from the second die assembly to a third die assembly and pressing the extruded tube into the third die assembly to further elongate the extruded tube and decrease the thickness of the wall of the extruded tube to of from about 3 to about 18 millimeters to produce the drawn tube having the yield strength of at least 750 MPa.

In extrusion processing in which diameter reduction is performed by pressing a raw pipe having a core bar inserted therein into a die having a small inner diameter portion on its tip end side, a differential thickness pipe having a thick-walled portion at its tip end can be molded using a core bar having a small cross-section portion formed at its tip end. It is also possible to mold a differential thickness pipe having a thick-walled part at an intermediate axial position by using a raw pipe having a thin-walled portion at its tip end. For example, such a raw pipe can be molded by extrusion processing using a core bar having no small cross section portion at its tip end, prior to the above-described formation of the thick-walled portion. When higher dimensional accuracy is required, a so-called counter punch may be used in the formation of the thick-walled portion.

A method of operating a memory interface circuit involves selectively operating the memory interface in either a synchronous mode or an asynchronous mode, the synchronous mode controlled by a first clock signal; in asynchronous mode, controlling an address latch for latching an address of a memory location in a memory array, the address latch controlled by an asynchronous address control signal synchronized to a second clock signal that is faster than a third clock signal used to operate the memory array.

A system for performing shear-assisted extrusion can include a front fixed endstock and a rear fixed endstock. The system can include a front movable headstock and a rear movable headstock. The system can include a die tool connected to the front fixed endstock. The die tool can include a face configured to engage and plasticize a face of feedstock material. The die tool can define an opening to receive plasticized feedstock material therethrough. The system can include a front spindle supported by the front movable headstock. The front spindle can be rotatable to rotate the feedstock material with respect to the front movable headstock. The system can include a rear spindle connected to the rear movable headstock, the rear spindle rotatable with respect to the rear movable headstock and the die tool.

A drive axle shaft and method for making the same are provided. The drive axle shaft includes an elongate tubular body and a wheel flange. The elongate tubular body has a longitudinal axis and comprises a first end portion and a second end. The second end is configured to be coupled to a side gear in a differential. The wheel flange is disposed at the first end portion and is configured to support a vehicle wheel. The elongate tubular body and the wheel flange are formed as a unitary body without any weld therebetween.

An improved memory interface circuit is provided for accessing a storage array in one of two available modes, including a synchronous mode and an asynchronous mode. The improved memory interface circuit also includes logic, which enables the storage array to reside within substantially any clock domain.

A drive axle shaft and method for making the same are provided. A tubular blank is inserted in a first die including an orifice. The tubular blank is extruded through the orifice to form an elongate tubular body with a longitudinal axis. A first longitudinal end of the tubular body is heated. The tubular body is inserted into a bore in a support apparatus. The support apparatus defines a second die at one end surrounding the bore, and the first longitudinal end of the tubular body projects outwardly from the bore. A third die comprises a mandrel configured to be received within the tubular body. A wheel flange is formed by moving at least one of the support apparatus and the third die toward the other of the support apparatus and the third die to deform the first longitudinal end of the tubular body between the second and third dies.