Hydroforming machine

Abstract

A hydroforming machine is disclosed which includes a plurality of dies with each die having an upper die plate hingedly connectable to and lockable with a lower die plate. Each upper die plate and lower die plate include an opening therethrough which are substantially alignable with each other. The hydroforming machine also includes a spacing device. The spacing device is disposed in mechanical cooperation with each of the dies and maintains a desired distance between each of the dies. The spacing device includes a plurality of hinges which hingedly connect each die with an adjacent die.

1 . A hydroforming machine, comprising: 
 a plurality of dies, each die including an upper die plate hingedly connectable to a lower die plate via a hinge mechanism and lockable with the lower die plate via a locking mechanism, each upper die plate and each lower die plate including an opening therethrough which are substantially alignable with respect to each other; and    a spacing device disposed in mechanical cooperation with each of the dies for maintaining a desired distance therebetween, the spacing device including a plurality of hinges which hingedly connect each die with an adjacent die.    
   
   
       2 . The hydroforming machine according to  claim 1 , wherein the spacing device further includes a spacer bar.  
   
   
       3 . The hydroforming machine according to  claim 1 , wherein each of the plurality of hinges comprises an inner hinge pin, an outer hinge pin and a linkage including a first opening for receiving the inner hinge pin and a second opening for receiving the outer hinge pin.  
   
   
       4 . The hydroforming machine according to  claim 3 , wherein the inner hinge pin extends through at least a portion of a die.  
   
   
       5 . The hydroforming machine according to  claim 3 , further comprising a spacer bar being positionable between the inner hinge pin and the outer hinge pin.  
   
   
       6 . The hydroforming machine according to  claim 1 , further comprising another spacing device, one spacing device being positioned adjacent one edge of dies and another spacing device being positioned adjacent another edge of dies.  
   
   
       7 . The hydroforming machine according to  claim 2 , wherein the spacer bar has a substantially constant width along its length.  
   
   
       8 . The hydroforming machine according to  claim 2 , wherein the spacer bar has more than one size width along its length.  
   
   
       9 . The hydroforming machine according to  claim 2 , wherein the spacer bar is stepped.  
   
   
       10 . The hydroforming machine according to  claim 2 , wherein a cross section of the spacer bar at least one of circular and rectangular.  
   
   
       11 . The hydroforming machine according to  claim 3 , wherein the spacing device further includes a plurality of spacers, each spacer being positionable adjacent an outer hinge pin.  
   
   
       12 . The hydroforming machine according to  claim 3 , wherein the spacing device further includes a plurality of spacers, at least a portion of each spacer being positionable between an outer hinge pin and an inner hinge pin.  
   
   
       13 . The hydroforming machine according to  claim 11 , wherein the spacers are discs.  
   
   
       14 . The hydroforming machine according to  claim 1 , wherein the locking mechanism includes a lock shuttle being slidable between a first position where the lock shuttle engages an upper lock aperture disposed in at least an upper die plate or a lower lock aperture disposed in at least a lower die plate and a second position where the lock shuttle engages the upper lock aperture and the lower lock aperture.  
   
   
       15 . The hydroforming machine according to  claim 14 , wherein the upper lock aperture includes a lower surface which is titled downward towards the lower lock aperture at an angle α, wherein α is in the range of about 0.5 degrees to about 5 degrees.  
   
   
       16 . The hydroforming machine according to  claim 14 , wherein the lock shuttle is removable.  
   
   
       17 . A hydroforming machine, comprising: 
 a plurality of dies, each die including an upper die plate hingedly moveable with respect to a lower die plate between an open position where upper die plate is in a spaced relation with lower die plate and a closed position where upper die plate is approximated with lower die plate;    a spacing device disposed in mechanical cooperation with the plurality of dies for maintaining a desired distance between adjacent dies; and    wherein the distance between adjacent dies is adjustable while the upper die plates are in the open position, the closed position and any position therebetween.    
   
   
       18 . The hydroforming machine according to  claim 17 , wherein the spacing device includes a plurality of hinges which hingedly connect each die with an adjacent die  
   
   
       19 . The hydroforming machine according to  claim 18 , wherein each of the plurality of hinges comprises an inner hinge pin, an outer hinge pin and a linkage including a first opening for receiving the inner hinge pin and a second opening for receiving the outer hinge pin.  
   
   
       20 . The hydroforming machine according to  claim 19 , wherein the spacing device includes a spacer bar which is positionable between at least one inner hinge pin and at least one outer hinge pin.