Hydroforming die assembly for pinch-free tube forming

摘要

A die assembly having die structures that are cooperable to define a die cavity into which a metallic tubular blank can be disposed. A first die structure is moveable to seal the die cavity, and after the die cavity is sealed, the first and second die structures are moveable to reduce the cross-sectional area of the die cavity and thereby deform the metallic tubular blank within the die cavity.