IMPROVED METHOD OF FORMING A TUBULAR BLANK INTO A STRUCTURAL COMPONENT AND DIE THEREFOR

摘要

A method of forming an elongated metal blank (10) into a structural component having a predetermined outer configuratio (A). The method includes providing a shape imparting cavity or shell section (200a, b) formed of a rigid material which includes an inner surface defining the predetermined shape, placing the metal blank (10) into the cavity or shell section (200a, b), and forming the metal blank (10) into the component by heating axial portions of the metal blank (10) and forcing a fluid at a high pressure into the metal blank (10) until the metal blank at least partially conforms to at least a portion of the inner surface of the cavity or shell section (200a, b) to form the structural component.