| 摘要 |
A method of manufacturing a hollow vehicle frame component having at least one relatively sharp bend may include the initial step of pre-forming a generall y linear, hollow member into a desired configuration. The hollow member may be expansion shaped by a hydroforming process. Next, a section of the hollow pre-formed memb er is removed at a location where it is desired to provide a relatively sharp bend. The section is removed along a portion of the pre-formed member so as to divide it i nto two sections, thereby forming a hinge-like structure therebetween. The two sect ions are then bent toward one another such that the edges adjacent the removed sectio n are moved toward one another. Finally, the adjacent edges are secured together to f orm the vehicle frame component. Portions of the edges may abut one another or over lap one another for securement. A plurality of such bends may be formed in the holl ow member. The ends of the hollow member may extend within a single plane or withi n different planes. The magnitude of the angle formed in the member is dependent upon the sized of the section which is removed therefrom.
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