Sign In to Follow Application
View All Documents & Correspondence

Method And System For Upsetting Hollow Members

Abstract: An apparatus and method for upsetting an end of a hollow workpiece to increase the wall thickness of that end is taught. A mandrel is inserted into the workpiece within a clamp which holds the workpiece. A die is urged into contact with the end of the workpiece to compress the end, decreasing its length and increasing the wall thickness of the end while the mandrel and clamp prevent deformation of the workpiece held in the clamp.

Get Free WhatsApp Updates!
Notices, Deadlines & Correspondence

Patent Information

Application #
Filing Date
15 January 2010
Publication Number
30/2010
Publication Type
INA
Invention Field
MECHANICAL ENGINEERING
Status
Email
Parent Application

Applicants

MAGNA INTERNATIONAL, INC
337 MAGNA DRIVE, AURORA, ONTARIO L4G 7K1

Inventors

1. COMER, WILLIAM, K
47 PARIS LINKS ROAD, PARIS, ONTARIO-N3L 3P3

Specification

METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR UPSETTING HOLLOW MEMBERS FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0001] The present invention relates to a system and method for upsetting hollow metal members. More specifically, the present invention relates to a system and method for upsetting hollow metal members without requiring the member to be heated for the upsetting operation. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] It is sometimes required to have a hollow metal member with a thicker gauge (wall thickness) at a relatively small portion of one end or both ends, of the member while the majority of the length of the member between the ends can be a second, thinner, gauge. For example, rear axles in front wheel drive passenger vehicles are typically manufactured from a hollow tubular metal member which is formed into the required configuration in a press. While the axle requires a given wall thickness, for example three millimeters, along most of its length, the end portions of the axle can require an increased wall thickness, for example four and a half millimeters, to allow them to be affixed, by welding, to the wheel hub structures. [0003] Rather than employ a feedstock member having the greater wall thickness (e.g. four and a half millimeters) along its entire length, (which would increase material costs and the weight of the member) it is known to employ a feedstock member having the smaller wall thickness (e.g. three millimeters) and to upset, or bulge, the ends of the feedstock member to obtain the necessary larger wall thickness required at the ends of the axle. [0004] Conventionally, upsetting involves heating the end portions of the hollow member to place the material in a malleable state and then longitudinally compressing the member to deform it, increasing the wall thickness (gauge) of the hollow member in the treated area while decreasing its length. [0005] While hot upsetting provides an advantage in that localized areas of increased gauge|can be created, it does suffer from some disadvantages. In particular, hot upsetting must be performed at a separate manufacturing station where the ends of the hollow member can be heated and compressed and this increases the manufacturing time for the finished part, as well as the increasing the capital costs associated with providing a separate upsetting station and increasing the operating costs associated with operating the heaters for the upsetting operation. [0006] Further, the heating required for hot upsetting requires a heating and cooling cycle for the upset portions of the hollow member and this heating and cooling cycle alters the properties of the hollow member in the upset areas. This typically necessitates that the upset areas be subsequently treated to harden the upset areas, adding a further process expense. [0007] It is desired to have a method and system for upsetting at least one end portion of a hollow member which does not require the heating of the hollow member. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0008] It is an object of the present invention to provide a novel system and method for upsetting a portion of a hollow member which obviates or mitigates at least one disadvantage of the prior art. [0009] According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of upsetting a hollow workplace, comprising the steps of: loading a workpiece into a clamp, the clamp having an inner shape complementary to the outer surface of the workpiece, and an end of the wori

Documents

Application Documents

# Name Date
1 296-chenp-2010 pct 15-01-2010.pdf 2010-01-15
2 296-chenp-2010 form-5 15-01-2010.pdf 2010-01-15
3 296-chenp-2010 form-3 15-01-2010.pdf 2010-01-15
4 296-chenp-2010 form-2 15-01-2010.pdf 2010-01-15
5 296-chenp-2010 form-1 15-01-2010.pdf 2010-01-15
6 296-chenp-2010 drawings 15-01-2010.pdf 2010-01-15
7 296-chenp-2010 description (complete) 15-01-2010.pdf 2010-01-15
8 296-chenp-2010 correspondence others 15-01-2010.pdf 2010-01-15
9 296-chenp-2010 claims 15-01-2010.pdf 2010-01-15
10 296-chenp-2010 abstract 15-01-2010.pdf 2010-01-15
11 296-CHENP-2010 POWER OF ATTORNEY 07-07-2010.pdf 2010-07-07
12 296-chenp-2010 form-3 07-07-2010.pdf 2010-07-07
13 296-CHENP-2010 FORM-18 19-07-2011.pdf 2011-07-19
14 296-CHENP-2010 CORRESPONDENCE OTHERS 19-07-2011.pdf 2011-07-19
15 296-CHENP-2010-FER.pdf 2017-03-31
16 296-CHENP-2010-AbandonedLetter.pdf 2017-10-06

Search Strategy

1 296chenp2010_14-02-2017.pdf