Tool and method for cutting a hollow profile

Abstract

A tool for cutting a hollow profile is designed both for cutting a flange on the hollow profile and for forming the hollow profile using an internal high pressure forming process. The tool has at least one cutting device which extends parallel to the longitudinal extent of the hollow profile, has a cutting edge and is displaceable transversely to the hollow profile. A side of the cutting device that faces the hollow profile is designed as a shaping die wall, against which the hollow profile bears at least during the internal high pressure forming. In addition, the tool my have an integrated embossing punch and also a perorating punch formed coaxially thereto, thereby also enabling optional embossing and/or perforating of the hollow profile in addition to the cutting and the internal high pressure forming.

1 . A tool for cutting a flange on a hollow profile and for forming the hollow profile by an internal high pressure forming process, the tool having at least one cutting device which runs parallel to a longitudinal extent of the hollow profile, has a cutting edge and is displaceable transversely relative to the hollow profile; wherein: 
 a side of the cutting device which faces the hollow profile is provided as a shaping die wall, against which the hollow profile bears at least during the internal high pressure forming; and    a positioning device is provided which, before the cutting and forming operation, presses the hollow profile against that side of the cutting device which faces the hollow profile.    
     
     
         2 . The tool as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the tool has a bottom die and a top die which are displaceable relative to one another.  
     
     
         3 . The tool as claimed in  claim 2 , wherein the cutting device is one of: 
 integrated in one of the dies, with the cutting edge forming an integral part of the respective die;    a separate component, fastened to one of the dies in a fixed position; and    arranged movably on one of the dies in such a way as to be adjustable in stroke.    
     
     
         4 . The tool as claimed in  claim 3 , wherein: 
 at least one hold-down is provided in the region of the cutting edge; and    said at least one hold down fixes the flange of the hollow profile at least during the cutting operation.    
     
     
         5 . The tool as claimed in  claim 4 , further comprising an embossing punch; wherein: 
 the embossing punch is displaceable transversely to the longitudinal extent of the hollow profile; and    the embossing punch makes an embossment on the outside of the hollow profile after the forming operation.    
     
     
         6 . The tool as claimed in  claim 5 , wherein the embossing punch is arranged such that it crosses and passes through the cutting device in a corresponding opening during an embossing operation.  
     
     
         7 . The tool as claimed in  claim 6 , further comprising at least one perforating punch arranged coaxially in the embossing punch, wherein the this perforating punch perforates the hollow profile after the embossing operation has been completed.  
     
     
         8 . A method of cutting a hollow profile, in which a flange on the hollow profile is cut by a cutting device which runs parallel to a longitudinal extent of the hollow profile and has a cutting edge that is displaced transversely to the longitudinal extent of the hollow profile; wherein: 
 before cutting and forming operation, a positioning device presses the hollow profile against a side of the cutting device which faces the hollow profile;    after the cutting operation and during a subsequent internal high pressure forming of the hollowing profile, the hollow profile bears against the side of the cutting device which faces the hollow profile and which is designed as a shaping die wall.    
     
     
         9 . The method as claimed in  claim 8 , wherein at least one hold-down arranged in the region of the cutting edge fixes the flange of the hollow profile at least during the cutting operation.  
     
     
         10 . The method as claimed in  claim 9 , wherein the flange is cut by closing the tool.  
     
     
         11 . The method as claimed in  claim 10 , wherein an embossing punch which is displaceable transversely to the longitudinal extent of the hollow profile makes an embossment on the outside of the hollow profile after the forming operation.  
     
     
         12 . The method as claimed in  claim 11 , wherein the embossing punch crosses and passes through the cutting device during the embossing operation.  
     
     
         13 . The method as claimed in  claim 12 , wherein: 
 at least one perforating punch is arranged in the embossing punch coaxially thereto; and    the perforating punch perforates the hollow profile before or after the embossing operation.