Warm hydro-forming method and apparatus for aluminum alloys

Abstract

A hydro-forming method for an aluminum alloy is provided which comprises: loading a tube component made of an aluminum alloy on a die of a hydro-forming apparatus; bringing a first die and a second die together in a state in which the tube component is loaded, and sealing and axially compressing the tube component by operation of a hydraulic cylinder disposed on each side of the tube component; heating the tube component to a temperature within a predetermined temperature range; forming the tube component along forming surfaces formed on the first die and the second die by providing an axial compressing force of the hydraulic cylinders and supplying hydraulic pressure into the tube component, when the tube component is heated to the predetermined temperature; and taking the formed tube component out of the first and second dies, and cooling the tube component.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A warm hydro-forming method for forming a tube component of an aluminum alloy that is disposed in a hydro-forming apparatus along a forming surface of a first die and a second die, by a compressing force of hydraulic cylinders disposed at both ends of the tube component and hydraulic pressure supplied to the tube component, wherein hydro-forming of the tube component is performed while it is in a heated state by supplying forming hydraulic pressure into the tube component, after increasing a temperature of the tube component to a predetermined temperature within a predetermined temperature range in a state such that the tube component is charged by hydraulic pressure just before hydro-forming.  
     
     
         2 . The warm hydro-forming method of  claim 1 , wherein the predetermined temperature range is a range of between 50 and 300 degrees Celsius.  
     
     
         3 . The warm hydro-forming method of  claim 1 , wherein the hydraulic pressure is supplied into the tube component by one of water, a water-soluble liquid, and an oily liquid that can be used as a pressure-transmitting medium in the predetermined temperature range.  
     
     
         4 . The warm hydro-forming method of  claim 1 , wherein the tube component is made of an aluminum-based material.  
     
     
         5 . A hydro-forming method for an aluminum alloy, comprising: 
 loading a tube component made of an aluminum alloy on a die of a hydro-forming apparatus;    bringing a first die and a second die together in a state in which the tube component is loaded, and sealing and axially compressing the tube component by operation of a hydraulic cylinder disposed on each side of the tube component;    heating the tube component to a temperature within a predetermined temperature range;    forming the tube component along forming surfaces formed on the first die and the second die by providing an axial compressing force of the hydraulic cylinders and supplying hydraulic pressure into the tube component, when the tube component is heated to the predetermined temperature; and    taking the formed tube component out of the first and second dies, and cooling the tube component.    
     
     
         6 . The warm, hydro-forming method of  claim 5 , wherein in the step of heating the tube component, the tube component is heated by hydraulic fluid, which is supplied into the tube component through the hydraulic cylinder, at a high temperature within a predetermined temperature range, and by a heating unit.  
     
     
         7 . The warm hydro-forming method of  claim 5 , wherein the predetermined temperature is a temperature within a range of between 50 and 300 degrees Celsius.  
     
     
         8 . The warm hydro-forming method of  claim 5 , wherein the hydraulic pressure is supplied by one of water, a water-soluble liquid, and an oily liquid.  
     
     
         9 . A hydro-forming apparatus for an aluminum alloy, comprising: 
 a first die and a second die defining forming surfaces for a tube component, the tube component being compressed between the first and second dies; and    a pair of hydraulic cylinders configured to axially compress both sides of the tube component and to supply hydraulic pressure for tube forming, wherein a heating unit is disposed in at least one of the first and second dies at positions corresponding to the forming surfaces of the first and second dies, and the heating unit heats the tube component.    
     
     
         10 . The hydro-forming apparatus of  claim 9 , wherein the heating unit is a heating coil that is operated in response to an electrical signal of a control unit, and the heating coil heats the tube component to a predetermined temperature.