Caterpillar Inc.

Scott A Christianson

Murray R Mason

Mark Wayne Hammerton

A method of forming a hole in a hollow blank during a hydroforming process is provided. The method includes placing a blank in a cavity of a hydroforming die, the hydroforming die being configured to permit a punch to engage the blank. An interior of the blank is pressurized with a fluid. Further, a cutting end of a punch is applied through a wall portion of the blank and into the interior of the blank to form a hole. Furthermore, the cutting end of the punch is removed from the interior of the blank such that the cutting end of the punch is configured to allow material of the blank surrounding the formed hole to move away from the interior of the blank.

System and method of forming hole in blank during hydroforming process

A method for hydroforming a tubular blank comprising the steps of at least partially closing the die portions of a die about a tubular blank, introducing a hydraulic fluid into the tubular blank at a first pressure, substantially closing the die portions about the tubular blank, partially opening the die while at least initially maintaining the pressure of the hydraulic fluid, and substantially closing the die portions at least a second time.

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Edelstein, IL, United States of America

Scott A Christianson