Molding system and molding method

Abstract

A molding system is provided with: a molding device for molding a heated metal material using a molding die; a first scale removal unit that removes scale from the molded article taken out from the molding die and cools the molded article; and a processing unit for processing the cooled molded article from which the oxide skin has been removed by the first oxide skin removal unit.

Description

[0001] This application is a divisional application of the Chinese invention patent application with the application date of March 5, 2021, application number 202180006517.X, and name “Molding System and Molding Method”. Technical Field

[0002] The invention relates to a molding system and a molding method. Background Art

[0003] Conventionally, as a molding system, there is known a molding system described in Patent Document 1. The molding system includes a heating unit for heating a metal material and a molding die for molding the heated metal material. The molding device brings the molding surface of the molding die into contact with the heated metal material, thereby forming the shape of the metal material into a shape corresponding to the molding surface.

[0004] Previous technical literature

[0005] Patent Literature

[0006] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2009-220141 Summary of the invention

[0007] Technical issues to be solved by the invention

[0008] Here, in the molding system described in the above-mentioned patent document 1, a heated metal material is molded using a molding die. Therefore, an oxide scale will be generated on the surface of the molded product. Therefore, it is required to remove the oxide scale on the surface of the molded product well. In addition, the molded product taken out of the molding die is in a high temperature state. If the processing is directly carried out in this high temperature state, the processing accuracy will be reduced due to the influence of cooling shrinkage when the temperature drops. Therefore, it is required to improve the cooling efficiency of the molded product before processing. In this regard, another device for removing the oxide scale and another device for cooling can be set to perform each treatment separately. However, there is a problem of an increase in the required devices and equipment.

[0009] The present invention has been made to solve such a problem, and its object is to provide a molding system and a molding method that can effectively remove oxide scale from a molded product while suppressing an increase in required devices and equipment and can improve the cooling efficiency of the molded product before processing.

[0010] Means for solving technical problems

[0011] The forming system involved in the present invention comprises: a forming device that forms a heated metal material using a forming die; a first scale removal unit that removes scale from a formed product taken out from the forming die and cools the formed product; and a processing unit that processes the formed product after the scale is removed by the first scale removal unit and cooled.

[0012] The molding system includes a molding device that molds a heated metal material using a molding die. Since a heated metal material is used, scale may be generated on the molded product molded by the molding device due to oxidation. In response to this, the molding system includes a first scale removal unit that removes scale from the molded product taken out of the molding die and cools the molded product. Therefore, the scale can be removed from the molded product by the first scale removal unit. Here, the processing unit processes the molded product after the scale is removed by the first scale removal unit and cooled. That is, the first scale removal unit removes scale from the molded product at a stage before the processing by the processing unit. The first scale removal unit can cool the molded product while removing the scale. Therefore, the first scale removal unit can improve the cooling efficiency of the molded product before processing. Moreover, in the molding system, the first scale removal unit can remove scale and cool at the same time, so the required devices and equipment can be reduced. As a result, the scale of the molded product can be well removed while suppressing the increase of the required devices and equipment, and the cooling efficiency of the molded product before processing can be improved.

[0013] The molding device may include a fluid supply unit for supplying a fluid to a metal tube material as a metal material and a molding die for making the expanded metal tube material contact a molding surface to mold a molded product. Such a molding device is a device for performing so-called STAF molding. The molded product immediately after the STAF molding becomes a high-temperature state and generates oxide scale, but the first oxide scale removal unit can well remove the oxide scale from the molded product and cool the molded product.

[0014] The molding system may further include a second scale removal unit that removes scale from the molded product after being processed by the processing unit. For example, if there is a portion of the molded product where the scale cannot be completely removed by the first scale removal unit, the scale at the portion can be removed by the second scale removal unit.

[0015] The first scale removal unit and the second scale removal unit may be formed by a common device. In this case, the number of devices in the molding system can be reduced.

[0016] The forming method involved in the present invention includes the following steps: a forming step, forming a heated metal material using a forming mold; a scale removal step, removing scale from a molded product taken out of the forming mold and cooling the molded product; and a processing step, processing the molded product after the scale is removed in the scale removal step and cooled.

[0017] According to this molding method, the same effects as those of the above-mentioned molding system can be obtained.

[0018] Effects of the Invention

[0019] According to the present invention, a molding system and a molding method are provided that can effectively remove oxide scale from a molded product and can cool the molded product before processing. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0020] Figure 1 It is a schematic structural diagram showing the structure of the molding system involved in the first embodiment.

[0021] Figure 2 It is a schematic diagram of a molding device 1 used in the molding system according to the present embodiment.

[0022] Figure 3 This is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing the state of the metal tube material and the molding die during blow molding.

[0023] Figure 4 It is a perspective view showing a state where laser processing is performed by a laser processing device.

[0024] Figure 5 It is a schematic diagram showing a state where sandblasting is performed by a sandblasting device.

[0025] Figure 6 It is a process diagram showing the molding method involved in the first embodiment.

[0026] Figure 7 It is a schematic structural diagram showing the structure of a molding system according to a second embodiment.

[0027] Figure 8 It is a schematic diagram of a molding device according to a modified example.

[0028] Fig. 9 (a) and (b) are diagrams showing an example of the structure around the gas supply nozzle. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0029] Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In addition, in each of the drawings, the same or corresponding parts are denoted by the same reference numerals, and repeated descriptions are omitted.

[0030] [First embodiment]

[0031] Figure 1 1 is a schematic structural diagram showing the structure of the molding system 100 involved in the first embodiment. Figure 1 As shown, the molding system 100 includes a molding device 1, a sandblasting device 50 (a first scale removal unit), and a laser processing device 70 (a processing unit).

[0032] The forming device 1 is a device for forming a heated metal material using a forming die. In this embodiment, a STAF forming device is used as the forming device 1, which supplies a fluid to the heated metal tube material so that the heated metal tube material contacts the forming surface of the forming die, thereby forming and quenching the heated metal tube material. Figure 2 , the detailed structure of the molding device 1 is described.

[0033] Figure 2 FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a molding device 1 used in a molding system 100 according to the present embodiment. Figure 2 As shown, the molding device 1 is a device for molding a metal tube having a hollow shape by blow molding. In the present embodiment, the molding device 1 is arranged on a horizontal plane. The molding device 1 comprises a molding die 2, a drive mechanism 3, a holding portion 4, a heating portion 5, a fluid supply portion 6, a cooling portion 7 and a control portion 8. In addition, in the present specification, the metal tube material 40 (metal material) refers to a hollow object before the molding device 1 is completed. The metal tube material 40 is a tube material of hardenable steel. In addition, the extension direction of the metal tube material 40 during molding in the horizontal direction is sometimes referred to as the "length direction", and the direction orthogonal to the length direction is referred to as the "width direction".

[0034] The forming die 2 is a die for forming a metal tube material 40 into a metal tube 140, and includes a lower die 11 and an upper die 12 that are opposed to each other in the up-down direction. The lower die 11 and the upper die 12 are made of steel blocks. Concave portions for accommodating the metal tube material 40 are respectively provided on the lower die 11 and the upper die 12. When the lower die 11 and the upper die 12 are in close contact with each other (closed die state), each concave portion forms a space of a target shape for forming the metal tube material. Therefore, the surface of each concave portion becomes the forming surface of the forming die 2. The lower die 11 is fixed to a base 13 via a die seat, etc. The upper die 12 is fixed to a sliding member of the driving mechanism 3 via a die seat, etc.

[0035] The driving mechanism 3 is a mechanism for moving at least one of the lower mold 11 and the upper mold 12. Figure 2In the embodiment, the driving mechanism 3 has a structure that moves only the upper mold 12. The driving mechanism 3 includes: a slide 21 that moves the upper mold 12 in a direction in which the lower mold 11 and the upper mold 12 are closed together; a pull-back cylinder 22 as an actuator that generates a force to pull the slide 21 upward; a main cylinder 23 as a driving source that lowers and pressurizes the slide 21; and a driving source 24 that applies driving force to the main cylinder 23.

[0036] The holding part 4 is a mechanism for holding the metal tube material 40 disposed between the lower die 11 and the upper die 12. The holding part 4 includes: a lower electrode 26 and an upper electrode 27 for holding the metal tube material 40 at one end side in the longitudinal direction of the forming die 2; and a lower electrode 26 and an upper electrode 27 for holding the metal tube material 40 at the other end side in the longitudinal direction of the forming die 2. The lower electrode 26 and the upper electrode 27 on both sides in the longitudinal direction clamp the vicinity of the end of the metal tube material 40 from the upper and lower directions to hold the metal tube material 40. In addition, grooves having a shape corresponding to the shape of the outer peripheral surface of the metal tube material 40 are formed on the upper surface of the lower electrode 26 and the lower surface of the upper electrode 27. A driving mechanism (not shown) is provided on the lower electrode 26 and the upper electrode 27, so that the lower electrode 26 and the upper electrode 27 can be moved independently in the upper and lower directions.

[0037] The heating unit 5 heats the metal tube material 40. The heating unit 5 is a mechanism for heating the metal tube material 40 by energizing the metal tube material 40. The heating unit 5 heats the metal tube material 40 when the metal tube material 40 is between the lower die 11 and the upper die 12 and the metal tube material 40 is separated from the lower die 11 and the upper die 12. The heating unit 5 includes the lower electrode 26 and the upper electrode 27 on both sides in the longitudinal direction, and a power source 28 for passing current to the metal tube material 40 via these electrodes 26 and 27. In addition, the heating unit may be arranged in the previous process of the molding device 1 so as to perform heating externally.

[0038] The fluid supply unit 6 is a mechanism for supplying a high-pressure fluid into the metal tube material 40 held between the lower mold 11 and the upper mold 12. The fluid supply unit 6 supplies the high-pressure fluid to the metal tube material 40 heated by the heating unit 5 to a high-temperature state, thereby expanding the metal tube material 40. The fluid supply unit 6 is provided at both ends of the molding die 2 in the longitudinal direction. The fluid supply unit 6 includes: a nozzle 31 for supplying a fluid into the metal tube material 40 from an opening at the end of the metal tube material 40; a driving mechanism 32 for moving the nozzle 31 forward and backward relative to the opening of the metal tube material 40; and a supply source 33 for supplying a high-pressure fluid into the metal tube material 40 via the nozzle 31. The driving mechanism 32 makes the nozzle 31 close to the end of the metal tube material 40 in a state of ensuring sealing when supplying and exhausting the fluid, and separates the nozzle 31 from the end of the metal tube material 40 at other times. In addition, the fluid supply unit 6 may also supply a gas such as high-pressure air or an inert gas as the fluid. Furthermore, the fluid supply unit 6, the holding unit 4 having a mechanism for moving the metal tube material 40 in the vertical direction, and the heating unit 5 may be provided as the same device.

[0039] The cooling unit 7 is a mechanism for cooling the forming die 2. The cooling unit 7 cools the forming die 2, and thus, when the expanded metal tube material 40 contacts the forming surface of the forming die 2, the metal tube material 40 can be quickly cooled. The cooling unit 7 includes a flow path 36 formed inside the lower die 11 and the upper die 12, and a water circulation mechanism 37 that supplies cooling water to the flow path 36 and circulates the cooling water.

[0040] The control unit 8 is a device that controls the entire molding device 1. The control unit 8 controls the drive mechanism 3, the holding unit 4, the heating unit 5, the fluid supply unit 6, and the cooling unit 7. The control unit 8 repeatedly performs the operation of molding the metal tube material 40 by the molding die 2.

[0041] Specifically, the control unit 8 controls the conveying timing of a conveying device such as a robot arm, so as to arrange the metal tube material 40 between the lower die 11 and the upper die 12 in the open state. Alternatively, the control unit 8 may wait for the operator to manually arrange the metal tube material 40 between the lower die 11 and the upper die 12. Furthermore, the control unit 8 controls the actuator of the holding unit 4 so that the metal tube material 40 is supported by the lower electrodes 26 on both sides in the longitudinal direction, and then the upper electrode 27 is lowered to clamp the metal tube material 40. Furthermore, the control unit 8 controls the heating unit 5 to conduct electric heating to the metal tube material 40. As a result, a current flows in the axial direction of the metal tube material 40, and the metal tube material 40 itself generates heat based on Joule heat due to the resistance of the metal tube material 40 itself.

[0042] The control unit 8 controls the driving mechanism 3 so that the upper mold 12 descends and approaches the lower mold 11, thereby closing the molding die 2. On the other hand, the control unit 8 controls the fluid supply unit 6 to seal the openings at both ends of the metal tube material 40 using the nozzle 31 and supply fluid. As a result, the metal tube material 40 softened by heating expands and contacts the molding surface of the molding die 2. Moreover, the metal tube material 40 is formed into a shape identical to the shape of the molding surface of the molding die 2. In addition, when forming a metal tube with a flange, a portion of the metal tube material 40 is allowed to enter the gap between the lower mold 11 and the upper mold 12, and then the mold is closed continuously, thereby flattening the entered portion to form a flange portion. If the metal tube material 40 contacts the molding surface, the molding die 2 cooled by the cooling unit 7 quickly cools the metal tube material 40, thereby quenching the metal tube material 40.

[0043] refer to Figure 3 , the molding steps of the molding device 1 are described. Figure 3 As shown in (a), the control unit 8 closes the molding die 2 and causes the fluid supply unit 6 to supply fluid to the metal tube material 40, thereby performing blow molding (primary blow molding). In the primary blow molding, the control unit 8 uses the main cavity MC to mold the tube portion 43 and causes the portion corresponding to the flange portion 44 to enter the secondary cavity SC. Then, as shown in FIG. Figure 3 As shown in (b), the control unit 8 causes the molding die 2 to continue to close and further flatten the portion entering the sub-cavity SC, thereby molding the flange portion 44. Next, the control unit 8 causes the upper mold 12 to rise and separate from the metal tube material 40, thereby performing mold opening. Thus, a molded product 41 is molded.

[0044] refer to Figure 4 In (a), the molded product 41 is described. The molded product 41 includes: a molded main body 45 having a tube 43 and a flange 44, a retained portion 46 at both end sides in the length direction, and a gradient portion 47 between the molded main body 45 and the retained portion 46. The molded main body 45 is a portion that becomes a final product by laser processing. The tube 43 is a hollow portion. The flange 44 is a plate-like portion that protrudes from the tube 43 by flattening a portion of the metal tube material 40. The retained portion 46 is a cylindrical portion retained by the electrodes 26 and 27. The nozzle 31 is inserted into the retained portion 46. The gradient portion 47 is a transition portion where the shape of the retained portion 46 changes to the shape of the molded main body 45.

[0045] Return to Figure 1 The molded product 41 molded by the molding device 1 is supplied to the sandblasting device 50. The molded products 41 can be supplied to the sandblasting device 50 in the order of completion of molding from the molding device 1. Alternatively, a certain number of molded products 41 can be accumulated at the accumulation position and then collectively supplied to the sandblasting device 50.

[0046] The sandblasting device 50 is a device for removing oxide scale from the molded product 41 taken out of the molding die 2 of the molding device 1. The oxide scale refers to an oxide film formed on the surface of the material by heating the metal tube material 40 in the molding device 1. The sandblasting device 50 sprays particles onto the surface of the molded product 41. The sandblasting device 50 removes oxide scale from the surface of the molded product 41 by the impact of the collision of the particles.

[0047] In addition, the sandblasting device 50 also blows air toward the molded product 41 along with the spraying of particles. Here, in the molding device 1, the metal tube material 40 is heated to expand. Therefore, if the molded product 41 taken out from the molding die 2 of the molding device 1 is not left at room temperature for a long time to cool naturally, it is in a state where the temperature is higher than the room temperature. Therefore, the sandblasting device 50 also functions as a cooling mechanism for actively cooling the molded product 41. In addition, active cooling means that the molded product 41 is actively processed so as to cool the molded product 41 with a higher cooling capacity than when it is left at room temperature.

[0048] Figure 5 (a) is a schematic diagram of a sandblasting device 50 according to this embodiment. The sandblasting device 50 according to this embodiment removes oxide scale on the outer peripheral surface of the molded product 41. On the other hand, the sandblasting device 50 does not spray particles toward the inner peripheral surface to prevent particles from remaining inside the molded product 41. For example, Figure 4 As shown, the molded product 41 has a flange portion 44 formed by flattening a portion of the metal tube material 40. In the internal space of the molded product 41, particles are likely to remain in such a flange portion 44. Therefore, the sandblasting device 50 sprays particles only on the outer peripheral surface of the molded product 41.

[0049] like Figure 5 As shown in (a), the sandblasting device 50 has a setting portion 51, a nozzle 52 and a shielding wall 53. The setting portion 51 is a portion for setting the molded product 41 at a position facing the nozzle 52. The setting portion 51 has a supporting portion not shown in the figure, and the molded product 41 is supported by the supporting portion. Thus, the molded product 41 is set on the setting portion 51 in a position and posture suitable for sandblasting. The setting portion 51 suspends the molded product 41 and sets it in a posture extending in the up and down direction. The nozzle 52 is a component that sprays particles 55 onto the molded product 41. As particles, materials such as sand, plastic, dry ice, and iron sheets are used. The nozzle 52 is arranged around the molded product 41 set in the setting portion 51. The nozzle 52 is arranged so that the injection port faces the outer peripheral surface of the molded product 41. Thus, the nozzle 52 can spray particles 55 onto the outer peripheral surface of the molded product 41.

[0050] The shielding wall 53 is a wall body that shields the particles 55. The shielding wall 53 is arranged to surround the setting portion 51 and the nozzle 52. Thus, the shielding wall 53 can prevent the particles 55 from scattering around the sandblasting device 50. That is, the shielding wall 53 can prevent the particles 55 from scattering toward the molding device 1 and the laser processing device 70. In addition to the shielding wall 53, a wall portion that partitions the space between the sandblasting device 50 and the molding device 1 and a wall portion that partitions the space between the sandblasting device 50 and the laser processing device 70 may be provided.

[0051] Return to Figure 1 The molded product 41 from which the oxide scale is removed by the sandblasting device 50 is supplied to the laser processing device 70. The molded products 41 can be supplied to the laser processing device 70 in the order in which the oxide scale is removed from the sandblasting device 50. Alternatively, after a certain amount of molded products 41 are collected at the collection position, they can be collectively supplied to the laser processing device 70. When the molded products 41 are collected, the temperature of the molded products 41 can be lowered before laser processing by the cooling effect based on natural heat dissipation.

[0052] The laser processing device 70 is a device that processes, using laser light, the molded product 41 from which the oxide scale has been removed by the sandblasting device 50. The laser processing device 70 irradiates the molded product 41 with laser light to perform processing such as cutting, drilling, and notch formation.

[0053] Figure 4 2 is a perspective view showing a state where laser processing is performed by the laser processing device 70. Figure 4 As shown in (a), the laser processing device 70 includes a setting portion 71 and a laser head 72. The setting portion 71 is a portion for setting the molded product 41 at a position facing the laser head 72. The setting portion 71 has a support portion (not shown) and supports the molded product 41 by the support portion. Thus, the molded product 41 is set on the setting portion 71 at a position and posture suitable for laser processing. The laser head 72 is a portion that irradiates the molded product 41 with laser to process the molded product 41.

[0054] The laser head 72 cuts the vicinity of both ends of the molding main body 45, thereby Figure 4 As shown in (b), the gradual change portion 47 and the held portion 46 are removed from the molded main body portion 45. Then, the laser head 72 forms a hole 49 at a predetermined position of the molded main body portion 45.

[0055] Next, refer to Figure 6 The molding method according to this embodiment will be described. Figure 6 is a process diagram showing the molding method involved in this embodiment. Figure 6As shown in FIG. 1 , the forming method includes a forming step S10, a sandblasting step S20 (oxidation scale removal step), and a laser processing step S30 (processing step). The forming step S10 is a step of forming the heated metal tube material 40 using the forming die 2. In the forming step S10, the metal tube material 40 is formed by using the forming die 2. Figure 2 The molding device 1 shown in the figure molds the molded product 41. The sandblasting step S20 is a step of removing the oxide scale from the molded product 41 taken out from the molding die 2 and cooling the molded product 41. In the sandblasting step S20, Figure 5 The sandblasting device 50 shown in (a) performs sandblasting to remove oxide scale from the molded product 41. The laser processing step S30 is a step of processing the molded product 41 after the oxide scale is removed in the sandblasting step S20 and the molded product 41 is cooled. In the laser processing step S30, Figure 4 The laser processing device 70 shown processes the molded product 41 .

[0056] Next, the effects of the molding system 100 and the molding method according to the present embodiment will be described.

[0057] The molding system 100 includes a molding device 1 that molds a heated metal tube material 40 using a molding die 2. Since the heated metal tube material 40 is used, oxide scale may be generated on the molded product 41 molded by the molding device 1 due to oxidation. In response to this, the molding system 100 includes a sandblasting device 50 that removes oxide scale from the molded product 41 taken out from the molding die 2 and cools the molded product 41. Therefore, the oxide scale can be removed from the molded product 41 by the sandblasting device 50. Here, the laser processing device 70 processes the molded product 41 after the oxide scale is removed by the sandblasting device 50 and cooled. That is, the sandblasting device 50 removes oxide scale from the molded product 41 at a stage before the laser processing device 70 processes it. The sandblasting device 50 can cool the molded product 41 while removing the oxide scale. Therefore, the sandblasting device 50 can improve the cooling efficiency of the molded product 41 before processing. Furthermore, in the molding system 100, the sandblasting device 50 can simultaneously remove the oxide scale and cool the molded product 41, thereby reducing the number of required devices and equipment. Thus, the oxide scale of the molded product 41 can be well removed while suppressing the increase in the number of required devices and equipment, and the cooling efficiency of the molded product 41 before processing can be improved.

[0058] The molding device 1 may include a fluid supply unit 6 for supplying a fluid to a metal tube material 40 as a metal material, and a molding die 2 for making the expanded metal tube material 40 contact a molding surface to mold a molded product 41. Such a molding device 1 is a device for performing so-called STAF molding. The molded product 41 immediately after the STAF molding becomes a high-temperature state and generates oxide scale, but the oxide scale can be well removed from the molded product 41 by the sandblasting device 50 and the molded product 41 can be cooled.

[0059] The effects of the molding system 100 involved in this embodiment are described in more detail. The molded product 41 molded by STAF molding sometimes needs to be welded with other parts, and sometimes it needs to be rust-proofed (ED coating), so it is necessary to remove the oxide scale from at least the outer peripheral surface. In addition, the molded product 41 needs to be cut to remove unnecessary parts or to be processed for drilling or forming incisions. Here, if the outer peripheral surface of the molded product 41 after the drilling process is sandblasted, particles will enter the interior of the molded product 41 through the hole. At this time, the particles may enter the corner of the flange portion 44. Particles that enter such a part are sometimes difficult to remove even by blowing (air blow) or the like.

[0060] In contrast, in the molding system 100, the sandblasting device 50 performs sandblasting before laser processing, thereby preventing particles from entering the molded product 41 through the holes formed by drilling. In addition, this embodiment is effective when the oxide scale on the inner peripheral surface of the molded product 41 does not need to be removed.

[0061] The molding system 100 can obtain a cooling effect by sandblasting. For example, even when a cooling process is performed before laser processing, the cooling process time can be shortened by the cooling effect based on sandblasting.

[0062] [Second embodiment]

[0063] Next, refer to Figure 7 The molding system 200 according to the second embodiment will be described. Figure 7 As shown, the molding system 200 includes, in addition to the first blasting device 50 disposed at the front stage of the laser processing device 70 , a second blasting device 80 (second scale removal unit) for removing oxide scale from the molded product 41 processed by the laser processing device 70 .

[0064] like Figure 5As shown in (b), the second sandblasting device 80 sprays particles 55 from the sandblasting hose 56 toward the inner peripheral surface of the molded product 41. The sandblasting hose 56 is inserted into the interior of the molded product 41, and the particles are sprayed toward the inner peripheral surface in the interior. At this time, the sandblasting hose 56 can spray dry ice as the particles 55. Dry ice, as a solid, collides with the inner peripheral surface of the molded product 41 to remove the oxide scale, but it will turn into gas and disappear over time. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the particles 55 from remaining on the flange portion 44.

[0065] When the laser processing device 70 is used for processing, scum may be attached to the inner peripheral surface of the molded product 41 or burrs may be formed on the inner peripheral side. Since the second sandblasting device 80 performs sandblasting after the laser processing, the scum and burrs can also be removed.

[0066] Thus, the molding system 200 further includes a second blasting device 80 for removing oxide scale from the molded product 41 processed by the laser processing device 70. The first blasting device 50 cannot completely remove oxide scale from the inner peripheral surface of the molded product 41, but the second blasting device 80 can remove oxide scale from this portion.

[0067] Here, the first sandblasting device 50 and the second sandblasting device 80 may also be constituted by a common device. Figure 5 The sandblasting device 50 in (a) is added Figure 5 The sandblasting hose 56 in (b) is shown. Such a sandblasting device performs sandblasting from the nozzle 52 toward the outer peripheral surface of the molded product 41 in the first sandblasting step, and performs sandblasting from the sandblasting hose 56 toward the inner peripheral surface of the molded product 41 in the second sandblasting step. As a result, the number of devices in the molding system 200 can be reduced.

[0068] [Third Embodiment]

[0069] The system structure of the molding system involved in the third embodiment is the same as the molding system 100 involved in the first embodiment. In the molding system involved in the third embodiment, the sandblasting device at the front stage of the laser processing device 70 uses dry ice particles for sandblasting. As described above, dry ice turns into gas and disappears after the oxide scale is removed. Therefore, the sandblasting device sprays dry ice on the outer peripheral surface and the inner peripheral surface of the molded product 41 at the same time. In addition, if the sandblasting device uses dry ice for sandblasting before laser processing, a higher cooling effect can be obtained than sandblasting using abrasive particles such as sand.

[0070] The present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiments.

[0071] In the above embodiment, a sandblasting device is exemplified as the oxide scale removal unit. However, the oxide scale removal unit may be any device as long as it can remove oxide scale. For example, a device that sprays a fluid on the molded product or removes oxide scale by ultrasonic cleaning may also be used. Such an oxide scale removal unit also exerts a cooling effect.

[0072] For example, a forming device for performing STAF forming is exemplified as a forming device, but as long as it is a forming method using a heated metal material, it is not particularly limited. For example, a forming method based on hot stamping can also be used. Therefore, the metal material is not necessarily a metal tube material, but can also be a plate or a column material.

[0073] The processing unit is not limited to the laser processing device, and a device based on other processing methods may be used.

[0074] The molding device 1 is not limited to Figure 2 The structure shown in FIG. 1 may also be used, for example Figure 8 The structure shown is used as a forming device 1. Figure 8 In the molding device 1 shown, it is possible to use Fig. 9 The heating expansion unit 150 is shown. Fig. 9 (a) is a schematic side view showing a heating expansion unit 150 in which the components of the holding unit 4, the heating unit 5, and the fluid supply unit 6 are unitized. Fig. 9 (b) is a cross-sectional view showing a state where the metal tube material 40 is sealed by the nozzle 31 .

[0075] like Fig. 9As shown in (a), the heating expansion unit 150 includes: the lower electrode 26 and the upper electrode 27, the electrode mounting unit 151 on which the electrodes 26 and 27 are mounted; the nozzle 31 and the driving mechanism 32; the lifting unit 152; and the unit base 153. The electrode mounting unit 151 includes a lifting frame 154 and electrode frames 156 and 157. The electrode frames 156 and 157 function as a part of the driving mechanism 60 that supports and moves the electrodes 26 and 27. The driving mechanism 32 drives the nozzle 31 and is lifted and lowered together with the electrode mounting unit 151. The driving mechanism 32 includes a piston 61 that holds the nozzle 31 and a cylinder 62 that drives the piston. The lifting unit 152 includes: a lifting frame base 64 mounted on the upper surface of the unit base 153; and a lifting actuator 66, which imparts a lifting action to the lifting frame 154 of the electrode mounting unit 151 through these lifting frame bases 64. The lifting frame base 64 has guide parts 64a and 64b for guiding the lifting and lowering action of the lifting frame 154 relative to the unit base 153. The lifting unit 152 functions as a part of the driving mechanism 60 of the holding part 4. The heating expansion unit 150 has a plurality of unit bases 153 with different inclination angles of the upper surface. By replacing these unit bases 153, the inclination angles of the lower electrode 26 and the upper electrode 27, the nozzle 31, the electrode mounting unit 151, the driving mechanism 32, and the lifting unit 152 can be uniformly changed or adjusted.

[0076] The nozzle 31 is a cylindrical member that can be inserted into the end of the metal tube material 40. The nozzle 31 is supported by the drive mechanism 32 in such a manner that the center line of the nozzle 31 coincides with the reference line SL1. The inner diameter of the supply port 31a at the end of the nozzle 31 on the metal tube material 40 side is substantially consistent with the outer diameter of the metal tube material 40 after expansion molding. In this state, the nozzle 31 supplies a high-pressure fluid from the internal flow path 63 toward the metal tube material 40. In addition, as an example of a high-pressure fluid, gas or the like can be cited.

[0077] Explanation of symbols

[0078] 1-molding device, 2-molding die, 40-metal tube material (metal material), 41-molded product, 50-sandblasting device (first oxide scale removal unit), 70-laser processing device (processing unit), 80-second sandblasting device (second oxide scale removal unit), 100-molding system.

Claims

1. A molding system, characterized in that: have: A forming device, which forms the heated metal material using a forming die; a first scale removing section for removing scale from the molded product taken out of the molding die, and cooling the molded product to a temperature at which laser processing can be performed as the scale is removed; and The laser processing section performs laser processing on the molded product after the oxide scale is removed by the first oxide scale removing section and the molded product is cooled.

2. The molding system according to claim 1, characterized in that: The first scale removal unit removes scale based on particles.

3. A molding method, characterized in that: The following processes are available: The forming process uses a forming die to form the heated metal material; an oxide scale removal step of removing oxide scale from the molded product taken out of the molding die, and cooling the molded product to a temperature at which laser processing is possible as the oxide scale is removed; and The laser processing step performs laser processing on the molded product from which the oxide scale has been removed in the oxide scale removing step and which has been cooled.

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