Molding device

Abstract

This molding device is provided with: a heating unit for heating a metal material; and a molding die for molding the heated metal material. And a temperature adjustment mechanism for adjusting the temperature of at least a part of the non-quenched part of the molding die, thereby forming a non-quenched region on the molded article after molding the metal material. The temperature adjusting mechanism is provided with: a heating mechanism for heating the non-quenched part of the molding die so as to form a non-quenched region on the molded article when molding is performed by the molding die; and a cooling mechanism that cools the non-quenched portion of the molding die at a point in time after the non-quenched region is formed on the molded article.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a molding device. BACKGROUND

[0002] In the past, a molding device that molds a heated metal material has been known. For example, Patent Literature 1 below discloses a molding device that includes a mold having a lower mold and an upper mold that are paired with each other, a gas supply portion that supplies a gas into a metal pipe material held between the molds, and a heating portion that heats the metal pipe material by electric conduction heating. This molding device includes a cooling portion that causes a water to flow through a flow path formed in the mold, to cool the heated metal pipe at the time of molding. Thereby, the molding device can perform quenching molding by bringing the cooled mold into contact with the metal pipe material.

[0003] PRIOR ART DOCUMENTS

[0004] PATENT LITERATURE

[0005] Patent Literature 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2009-220141

[0006] In the heating, molding, and quenching processes in Patent Literature 1 above, the molded product is quenched. At this time, a non-quenching portion that is not quenched is sometimes formed in at least a part of the molded product. At this time, the molding die is heated at the time of contact with the metal material, and thereby the cooling speed can be made slower to allow the temperature to reach a temperature at which quenching is not performed. In order to be able to ensure the molding accuracy of the next molding, it is necessary to adjust the temperature of the molding die by heat dissipation into the air or the like before the next molding is performed, to suppress the temperature deviation of the molding die. However, there is a problem that the production efficiency decreases due to the time loss caused by such temperature adjustment. SUMMARY

[0007] PROBLEMS TO BE SOLVED BY THE INVENTION

[0008] Therefore, an object of the present disclosure is to provide a molding device that can improve the production efficiency.

[0009] MEANS FOR SOLVING THE PROBLEMS

[0010] The molding device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes a heating unit that heats a metal material; a molding die that molds the heated metal material; and a temperature adjustment mechanism that forms a non-quenching region on a molded product after molding of the metal material by adjusting the temperature of at least a portion of a non-quenching portion of the molding die. The temperature adjustment mechanism includes a heating mechanism that forms the non-quenching region on the molded product at the time of molding by the molding die by heating the non-quenching portion of the molding die, and a cooling mechanism that cools the non-quenching portion of the molding die at a timing after the non-quenching region is formed on the molded product.

[0011] The molding device includes the temperature adjustment mechanism that forms the non-quenching region on the molded product after molding of the metal material by adjusting the temperature of at least a portion of the non-quenching portion of the molding die. Therefore, the molding device can form the non-quenching portion in which the strength is reduced due to non-quenching in at least a portion of the molded product. The temperature adjustment mechanism includes the heating mechanism that forms the non-quenching region on the molded product at the time of molding by the molding die by heating the non-quenching portion of the molding die. By heating the non-quenching portion by the heating mechanism, the cooling speed can be slowed down when the heated metal material contacts the non-quenching portion, so that the non-quenching region is not quenched. Further, the temperature adjustment mechanism includes the cooling mechanism that cools the non-quenching portion of the molding die at a timing after the non-quenching region is formed on the molded product. By cooling the non-quenching portion at a high temperature by the cooling mechanism, the target die temperature for quickly starting the next molding can be set. Thus, the time loss of the temperature adjustment for the next molding can be suppressed. Thus, the production efficiency of the molding device can be improved.

[0012] The cooling mechanism can cool the non-quenching portion of the molding die at a timing after the bainite transformation in the molded product is completed. Once the bainite transformation in the non-quenching region of the molded product is completed, even if the temperature of the molding die is lowered, the state of the non-quenching region is not affected. Therefore, this can be adopted as an appropriate timing at which the cooling by the cooling mechanism is started.

[0013] The heating mechanism and the cooling mechanism can be provided in the molding die. At this time, the heating mechanism and the cooling mechanism can quickly adjust the temperature of the molding die.

[0014] Effects of Invention

[0015] According to the present disclosure, a molding device that can improve the production efficiency can be provided. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0016] Figure 1 is a schematic configuration view of a molding device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0017] Figure 2 (a) is a schematic side view showing a heating expansion unit, and (b) is a sectional view showing a state at the time of sealing a nozzle with a metal pipe material.

[0018] Figure 3 is a schematic sectional view showing a temperature adjustment portion of a molding die.

[0019] Figure 4 is a schematic view showing a metal pipe after molding.

[0020] Figure 5 is a chart showing a molding time and a state change of a metal pipe material.

[0021] Figure 6 (a) is a chart showing a temperature adjustment timing of a temperature adjustment mechanism of a molding apparatus according to an embodiment, and (b) is a chart showing a temperature adjustment timing of a temperature adjustment mechanism of a molding apparatus according to a comparative example. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0022] Hereinafter, a preferred embodiment of a molding apparatus according to the present application will be described with reference to the drawings. In each drawing, the same reference numerals are assigned to the same or equivalent parts, and repeated description will be omitted.

[0023] Figure 1 is a schematic structural view of a molding apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment. As shown in Figure 1 the molding apparatus 1 is a device that molds a metal pipe having a hollow shape by blow molding. In the present embodiment, the molding apparatus 1 is disposed on a horizontal plane. The molding apparatus 1 is provided with a molding die 2, a driving mechanism 3, a holding portion 4, a heating portion 5, a fluid supply portion 6, a temperature adjustment portion 7, and a control portion 8. In the present specification, a metal pipe material 40 (metal material) refers to a hollow article before molding is completed in the molding apparatus 1. The metal pipe material 40 is a steel type pipe material that can be quenched. Also, a direction in which the metal pipe material 40 extends at the time of molding in the horizontal direction is sometimes referred to as a "length direction", and a direction orthogonal to the length direction is sometimes referred to as a "width direction".

[0024] The molding die 2 is a die that molds a molded product 140 (refer to Figure 4The mold comprises a lower mold 11 and an upper mold 12, which are positioned opposite each other in the vertical direction. The lower mold 11 and the upper mold 12 are made of steel blocks. Recesses for accommodating the metal tube material 40 are provided on both the lower mold 11 and the upper mold 12. When the lower mold 11 and the upper mold 12 are in close contact (closed mold state), the respective recesses form a space for shaping the metal tube material into the desired shape. Therefore, the surface of each recess becomes the forming surface of the forming mold 2. The lower mold 11 is fixed to the base 13 via a mold base or the like. The upper mold 12 is fixed to the sliding component of the drive mechanism 3 via a mold base or the like.

[0025] The metal tube material 40 has a quenched region E1 with high strength and a non-quenched region E2 with low strength. Therefore, the forming mold 2 performs rapid cooling in the quenched region E1 of the metal tube material 40 to increase the cooling rate, and slow cooling in the non-quenched region E2 of the metal tube material 40 to decrease the cooling rate. The upper mold 12 and the lower mold 11 have quenched portions 12A and 11A for quenching the quenched region E1 and non-quenched portions 12B and 11B to prevent quenching in the non-quenched region E2. In this embodiment, the non-quenched region E2 is provided at approximately the center of the formed article 140 (metal tube material 40), and the quenched region E1 is provided across the non-quenched region E2 in the length direction. Therefore, the upper mold 12 and the lower mold 11 have non-quenched portions 12B and 11B located at the center, and quenched portions 12A and 11A on both sides of the non-quenched region E2 in the length direction. Thus, as Figure 4 As shown, the non-quenched area E2 (the part with the shaded line) of the molded part 140 becomes the part with lower local strength, while the quenched area E1 becomes the part with higher strength.

[0026] The drive mechanism 3 is a mechanism that moves at least one of the lower mold 11 and the upper mold 12. Figure 1 In this design, the drive mechanism 3 has a structure that moves only the upper mold 12. The drive mechanism 3 includes: a sliding member 21 that moves the upper mold 12 to bring the lower mold 11 and the upper mold 12 together; a pull-back cylinder 22 that acts as an actuator and generates a force that pulls the sliding member 21 upward; a main cylinder 23 that acts as a descent drive source and applies downward pressure to the sliding member 21; and a drive source 24 that applies a driving force to the main cylinder 23.

[0027] The holding section 4 is a mechanism that holds the metal pipe material 40 arranged between the lower mold 11 and the upper mold 12. The holding section 4 has: the lower electrode 26 and the upper electrode 27 on one end side in the length direction of the molding die 2 that hold the metal pipe material 40, and the lower electrode 26 and the upper electrode 27 on the other end side in the length direction of the molding die 2 that hold the metal pipe material 40. The lower electrode 26 and the upper electrode 27 on both length direction sides hold the metal pipe material 40 by sandwiching the end portion vicinity of the metal pipe material 40 from the upper and lower directions. Further, on the upper surface of the lower electrode 26 and the lower surface of the upper electrode 27, a groove portion having a shape corresponding to the outer peripheral surface of the metal pipe material 40 is formed. The lower electrode 26 and the upper electrode 27 are provided with a not-illustrated drive mechanism, and the lower electrode 26 and the upper electrode 27 can be independently moved in the upper and lower directions, respectively.

[0028] The heating section 5 heats the metal pipe material 40. The heating section 5 is a mechanism that heats the metal pipe material 40 by applying electric current to the metal pipe material 40. The heating section 5 is between the lower mold 11 and the upper mold 12, and heats the metal pipe material 40 in a state where the metal pipe material 40 is separated from the lower mold 11 and the upper mold 12. The heating section 5 has the above-described lower electrode 26 and the upper electrode 27 on both length direction sides and a power source 28 that causes electric current to flow through the metal pipe material 40 via these electrodes 26, 27. Further, the heating section can be arranged to perform heating externally in the preceding process of the molding device 1.

[0029] The fluid supply section 6 is a mechanism for supplying a high-pressure fluid to the inside of the metal pipe material 40 held between the lower mold 11 and the upper mold 12. The fluid supply section 6 supplies a high-pressure fluid to the metal pipe material 40 that has become in a high-temperature state by being heated by the heating section 5, to cause the metal pipe material 40 to expand. The fluid supply section 6 is provided on both end sides in the length direction of the molding die 2. The fluid supply section 6 has: a nozzle 31 that supplies a fluid to the inside of the metal pipe material 40 from an opening portion of the end portion of the metal pipe material 40; a drive mechanism 32 that moves the nozzle 31 in and out with respect to the opening portion of the metal pipe material 40; and a supply source 33 that supplies a high-pressure fluid to the inside of the metal pipe material 40 via the nozzle 31. The drive mechanism 32 causes the nozzle 31 to be in close contact with the end portion of the metal pipe material 40 in a state where sealing is ensured at the time of fluid supply and at the time of exhaust, and causes the nozzle 31 to be separated from the end portion of the metal pipe material 40 at other times. Further, the fluid supply section 6 can supply a gas such as air or an inert gas as the fluid. Furthermore, the fluid supply section 6 constitutes the same device as the holding section 4 and the heating section 5 that have a mechanism that moves the metal pipe material 40 in the upper and lower directions.

[0030] The constituent elements of the holding section 4, the heating section 5, and the fluid supply section 6 can be configured as a unitized heating expansion unit 150.Figure 2 (a) is a schematic side view of the heating expansion unit 150. Figure 2 (b) is a cross-sectional view showing the state of the nozzle 31 sealing the metal tube material 40.

[0031] like Figure 2 As shown in (a), the heating expansion unit 150 includes the aforementioned lower electrode 26 and upper electrode 27, an electrode mounting unit 151 on which each electrode 26, 27 is mounted, the aforementioned nozzle 31 and drive mechanism 32, a lifting unit 152, and a unit base 153. The electrode mounting unit 151 includes a lifting frame 154 and electrode frames 156, 157. The electrode frames 156, 157 function as part of the drive mechanism 60 that supports each electrode 26, 27 and moves each electrode 26, 27. The drive mechanism 32 drives the nozzle 31 and moves it up and down together with the electrode mounting unit 151. The drive mechanism 32 includes a piston 61 for holding the nozzle 31 and a cylinder 62 for driving the piston. The lifting unit 152 includes: a lifting frame base 64 mounted on the upper surface of the unit base 153; and an actuator 66 for lifting, which, through the lifting frame base 64, imparts a lifting action to the lifting frame 154 of the electrode mounting unit 151. The lifting frame base 64 has guide portions 64a and 64b that guide the lifting frame 154 relative to the unit base 153. The lifting unit 152 functions as part of the drive mechanism 60 of the holding part 4. The heating expansion unit 150 has multiple unit bases 153 with different tilt angles on their upper surfaces, and by changing these unit bases, the tilt angles of the lower electrode 26, upper electrode 27, nozzle 31, electrode mounting unit 151, drive mechanism 32, and lifting unit 152 can be changed simultaneously.

[0032] Nozzle 31 is a cylindrical component that can be inserted into the end of metal tube material 40. Nozzle 31 is supported on drive mechanism 32 such that its centerline coincides with reference line SL1. The inner diameter of the supply port 31a at the end of nozzle 31 located on the side of metal tube material 40 is approximately equal to the outer diameter of metal tube material 40 after expansion molding. In this state, nozzle 31 supplies high-pressure fluid to metal tube material 40 from the internal flow path 63. In addition, gas or the like can be cited as an example of high-pressure fluid.

[0033] Return to Figure 1The temperature adjustment section 7 is a mechanism that adjusts the temperature of the molding die 2. The temperature adjustment section 7 cools the molding die 2 at the quenching sections 12A, 11A, so that the expanded metal pipe material 40 is rapidly cooled to be quenched when the metal pipe material 40 comes into contact with the molding surface of the molding die 2. Also, the temperature adjustment section 7 adjusts the temperature of the molding die 2 at the non-quenching sections 12B, 11B, so that the metal pipe material 40 is adjusted to a temperature at which quenching does not occur when the metal pipe material 40 comes into contact with the molding surface of the molding die 2. The temperature adjustment section 7 has a flow path formed inside the lower-side die 11 and the upper-side die 12, a supply mechanism 37 that supplies a temperature adjustment medium to the flow path to circulate it, and a control section 8 that controls the supply mechanism 37. The detailed configuration of the temperature adjustment section 7 will be described later.

[0034] The control section 8 is a device that controls the entire molding device 1. The control section 8 controls the drive mechanism 3, the holding section 4, the heating section 5, the fluid supply section 6, and the supply mechanism 37. The control section 8 repeatedly performs the operation of molding the metal pipe material 40 with the molding die 2.

[0035] Specifically, the control section 8, for example, controls the timing of the transfer from the transfer device such as a robot, and arranges the metal pipe material 40 between the lower-side die 11 and the upper-side die 12 in the opened state. Alternatively, the metal pipe material 40 can be arranged between the lower-side die 11 and the upper-side die 12 manually by an operator. Also, the control section 8 controls the actuator or the like of the holding section 4 so that the metal pipe material 40 is supported by the lower-side electrodes 26 on both lengthwise sides, and then the upper-side electrode 27 is lowered to sandwich the metal pipe material 40. Also, the control section 8 controls the heating section 5 to perform the electric conduction heating of the metal pipe material 40. Thus, the current flows in the axial direction in the metal pipe material 40, and the metal pipe material 40 itself is heated by the Joule heat due to the electric resistance of the metal pipe material 40 itself.

[0036] The control section 8 controls the drive mechanism 3 to lower the upper-side die 12 to approach the lower-side die 11, thereby closing the molding die 2. On the other hand, the control section 8 controls the fluid supply section 6 to seal the opening sections of both ends of the metal pipe material 40 with the nozzles 31, and to supply the fluid. Thus, the metal pipe material 40 that has been softened by the heating expands to come into contact with the molding surface of the molding die 2. Also, the metal pipe material 40 is molded in the shape of the molding surface of the molding die 2. In addition, in the case of forming a metal pipe with a flange, after a part of the metal pipe material 40 is made to enter the gap between the lower-side die 11 and the upper-side die 12, the closing is further performed, thereby flattening the entered part to form a flange section. When the quenched region E1 of the metal pipe material 40 comes into contact with the molding surface, the metal pipe material 40 is rapidly cooled by the molding die 2 cooled by the temperature adjustment section 7, thereby being rapidly cooled.

[0037] Reference Figure 3 A more detailed description will be given of the temperature adjustment section 7. The temperature adjustment section 7 is provided with cooling mechanisms 70A, 80A and temperature adjustment mechanisms 70B, 80B. The cooling mechanism 70A is provided inside the upper mold 12 and cools the molding surface of the mold 12. The cooling mechanism 80A is provided inside the lower mold 11 and cools the molding surface of the mold 11. The cooling mechanism 70A has flow paths 71 provided inside the quenching sections 12A on both sides of the mold 12. The molding surface of the quenching section 12A is cooled by causing cooling water from the supply mechanism 37 to flow through the flow paths 71. Also, the cooling mechanism 80A has flow paths 81 provided inside the quenching sections 11A on both sides of the mold 11. The molding surface of the quenching section 11A is cooled by causing cooling water from the supply mechanism 37 to flow through the flow paths 81.

[0038] The temperature adjustment mechanism 70B is provided inside the upper mold 12 and adjusts the temperature of the molding surface of the mold 12. The temperature adjustment mechanism 80B is provided inside the lower mold 11 and adjusts the temperature of the molding surface of the mold 11. The temperature adjustment mechanisms 70B, 80B form a non-quenching region E2 on the molded product 140 after the metal pipe material 40 is molded by adjusting the temperature of the non-quenching sections 12B, 11B of a portion of the molding mold 2.

[0039] Here, the non-quenching sections 12B, 11B are provided with a heating mold block 12Ba, 11Ba on the side of the molding surface and a normal mold block 12Bb, 11Bb on the side opposite thereto. The normal mold blocks 12Bb, 11Bb are blocks that connect the quenching sections 12A, 11A on both sides to each other. The temperature adjustment mechanisms 70B, 80B generally have flow paths 72, 82 provided inside the mold blocks 12Bb, 11Bb. The same cooling water as that in the flow paths 71, 81 of the quenching sections 12A, 11A is supplied to the flow paths 72, 82. The heating mold blocks 12Ba, 11Ba are blocks that have a higher temperature than the quenching sections 12A, 11A. Between the quenching sections 12A, 11A and the heating mold blocks 12Ba, 11Ba, an insulating material 75 (or a gap) is provided.

[0040] The temperature adjustment mechanisms 70B, 80B have heating mechanisms 79, 89 and cooling mechanisms 73, 83. The heating mechanisms 79, 89 and the cooling mechanisms 73, 83 are provided inside the molding mold 2.

[0041] The heating mechanisms 79, 89 are mechanisms that form the non-quenching region E2 on the molded product 140 at the time of molding by the molding die 2 by heating the non-quenching portions 12B, 1 IB of the molding die 2. Thus, the temperature adjusting mechanisms 70B, 80B can control the cooling speed of the molded product 140 at the time when the molding die 2 contacts the molding surface to be slower by locally heating the non-quenching portions 12B, 1 IB. The heating mechanisms 79, 89 are composed of induction heaters provided inside the heating die blocks 12Ba, 1 I Ba. The induction heaters heat the surrounding heating die blocks 12Ba, 1 I Ba by induction heating, thereby heating the die blocks 12Ba, 1 I Ba. However, as the heating mechanisms 79, 89, heaters can also be used.

[0042] The cooling mechanisms 73, 83 are mechanisms that cool the non-quenching portions 12B, 1 IB of the molding die 2 at a point in time after the non-quenching region E2 is formed on the molded product 140. The cooling mechanisms 73, 83 are composed of flow paths provided inside the non-quenching portions 12B, 1 IB on both sides of the heating die blocks 12Ba, 1 I Ba. The molding surface of the non-quenching portions 12B, 1 IB is cooled by causing cooling water from the supply mechanism 37 to flow through the flow paths.

[0043] Next, the molding time and the change in the state of the metal pipe material 40 will be described with reference to Figure 5 to Fig. 9. Fig. G1 shows the change in the state of the metal pipe material 40 molded by the quenching portions 12A, 1 IA having the cooling mechanisms 70A, 80A. As shown in Fig. G1, the metal of the metal pipe material 40 that contacts the quenching portions 12A, 1 IA is cooled sharply, and the temperature drops to the martensite transformation region. Thus, the molded product 140 is quenched, and the quenched region E1 is formed.

[0044] The graph G2 shows the state change of the metal pipe material 40 that is molded in the non-quenching portion 12B, 1 IB having the temperature adjustment mechanism 70B, 80B. The graph G2a before the time point PI in the graph G2 is a state in which the non-quenching portion 12B, 1 IB is heated by the heating mechanism 79, 89. The graph G2b after the time point PI in the graph G2 shows a state in which the heating by the heating mechanism 79, 89 is stopped, and the non-quenching portion 12B, 1 IB is cooled by the cooling mechanism 73, 83. As shown in the graph G2a, the metal of the metal pipe material 40 that contacts the non-quenching portion 12B, 1 IB is cooled at a lower cooling rate than the graph G1. Therefore, the metal of the metal pipe material 40 is not transformed to the martensite transformation region, but is transformed to the bainite transformation region. Thereby, the bainite transformation is completed in the molded product 140, and the non-quenching region E2 is formed. The cooling mechanism 73, 83 cools the non-quenching portion 12B, 1 IB of the molding die 2 at the time point PI after the bainite transformation in the molded product 140 is completed. Thereby, as shown in the graph G2b, the temperature of the molded product 140 sharply decreases. The time point PI can be set in advance as a time at which the bainite transformation is expected to be completed. In addition, a temperature condition at the time when the cooling of the non-quenching portion 12B, 1 IB by the cooling mechanism 73, 83 is not performed at the time point PI is shown in the graph G2c. As shown in the graph G2c, in the case where the active cooling is not performed, the cooling rate is low, and it takes time for the temperature to decrease.

[0045] Next, the temperature adjustment timing of the temperature adjustment mechanism 70B, 80B will be described in more detail with reference to Figure 6 (a) of FIG. 10. Figure 6 The graph of "non-quenching portion" in (a) of FIG. 10 shows the temperature adjustment mode of the non-quenching portion 12B, 1 IB, "mold heating" shows a state in which the non-quenching portion 12B, 1 IB is heated by the heating mechanism 79, 89, "hold" shows a state in which neither heating nor cooling is performed, and "mold cooling" shows a state in which the non-quenching portion 12B, 1 IB is cooled by the cooling mechanism 73, 83. Figure 6 The graph of "pressurization" in (a) of FIG. 10 shows the pressurization mode of the molding die 2, "pinch" shows a state in which the molding die 2 can be molded, and "press standby" shows a state in which the molding die 2 is opened. Figure 6 The graph of "current heating current" in (a) of FIG. 10 shows a state in which the metal pipe material of the heating portion 5 is current-heated, "current heating ON" shows a state in which the current heating is being performed, and "current heating OFF" shows a state in which the current heating is stopped. The graph of "non-quenching portion temperature" shows the temperature of the non-quenching portion 12B, 1 IB.

[0046] As described above, the temperature adjustment mechanism 70B, 80B is provided in the non-quenching portion 12B, 1 IB of the molding die 2, and the temperature adjustment timing of the temperature adjustment mechanism 70B, 80B is set in advance. Figure 6As shown in (a), with the forming mold 2 open, heating mechanisms 79 and 89 heat the non-quenched portions 12B and 11B (time t1). When the temperature of the non-quenched portions 12B and 11B reaches the target mold temperature before forming begins, heating mechanisms 79 and 89 stop heating (time t2). Next, heating unit 5 energizes and heats the metal tube material 40. When the metal tube material 40 reaches the target temperature, energizing and heating stops, and forming mold 2 moves to the forming position and begins forming (time t3). During the forming process, the temperature of forming mold 2 further increases due to the contact between the heated metal tube material 40 and forming mold 2. After the bainitic transformation is complete, cooling mechanisms 73 and 83 begin cooling the non-quenched portions 12B and 11B (time t4). After a predetermined time, forming mold 2 is opened to remove the molded product 140 (time t5). After another period of time, heating mechanisms 79 and 89 heat the non-quenched portions 12B and 11B (time t6). The above completes one forming cycle. The time T1 between time t3 and time t5 is the cooling time for the non-quenched parts 12B and 11B to be cooled by cooling mechanisms 73 and 83.

[0047] Next, the effects of the molding apparatus 1 according to this embodiment will be explained.

[0048] First, refer to Figure 6 (b) will describe the molding apparatus according to the comparative example. The molding apparatus according to the comparative example has a... Figure 3 The temperature regulating mechanisms 70B and 80B of the forming apparatus 1 shown have removed the structures of the cooling mechanisms 73 and 83. That is, the non-quenched parts 12B and 11B only have heating mechanisms. Figure 6 (b) is a diagram showing the timing of temperature regulation by the temperature regulation mechanism of the molding apparatus involved in the comparative example. For example... Figure 6the non-quenching portions 12B, 1 IB (time t1). When the temperatures of the non-quenching portions 12B, 1 IB reach the target mold temperatures before the start of the molding, the heating mechanisms 79, 89 stop heating (time t2). Subsequently, the heating portion 5 performs the electric conduction heating of the metal pipe material 40. When the metal pipe material 40 reaches the target temperature, the electric conduction heating is stopped, the molding mold 2 is moved to the molding position and the molding of the metal pipe material 40 is started (time t3). Subsequently, the metal pipe material 40 is molded, and after a prescribed time, the molding mold 2 is opened for the purpose of taking out the molded product 140 (time t4). After a further period of time, the non-quenching portions 12B, 1 IB are heated by the heating mechanisms 79, 89 (time t5). Thus, one molding cycle is completed. In the molding apparatus relating to the comparative example, the standby time T2 of the press machine is limited by the cooling time of the non-quenching portions 12B, 1 IB of the molding mold 2. The non-quenching portions 12B, 1 IB are cooled not by the cooling mechanism but by heat dissipation, and therefore the cooling speed is slow (refer to the graph G2a). Thus, the standby time T2 of the press machine becomes long. As a result, the time of each molding cycle becomes long. Figure 5

[0049] In view of the above, the molding apparatus 1 relating to the present embodiment is provided with temperature adjusting mechanisms 70B, 80B which form the non-quenching regions E2 on the molded product 140 after the molding of the metal pipe material 40 by adjusting the temperatures of at least a part of the non-quenching portions 12B, 1 IB of the molding mold 2. Thus, the molding apparatus 1 is capable of forming the non-quenching portions 12B, 1 IB which are reduced in strength due to the non-quenching in at least a part of the molded product 140. The temperature adjusting mechanisms 70B, 80B have heating mechanisms 79, 89 which form the non-quenching regions E2 on the molded product 140 at the time of the molding by the molding mold 2 by heating the non-quenching portions 12B, 1 IB of the molding mold 2. By heating the non-quenching portions 12B, 1 IB by the heating mechanisms 79, 89, the cooling speed is made slow at the time when the heated metal pipe material 40 comes into contact with the non-quenching portions 12B, 1 IB, so that the non-quenching regions E2 are not quenched. Further, the temperature adjusting mechanisms 70B, 80B have cooling mechanisms 73, 83 which cool the non-quenching portions 12B, 1 IB of the molding mold 2 at a point in time after the formation of the non-quenching regions E2 on the molded product 140. By cooling the non-quenching portions 12B, 1 IB which are at a high temperature by the cooling mechanisms 73, 83, it is possible to rapidly bring them to the target mold temperatures for the start of the next molding (refer to the graph G2c). Thus, the standby time T2 of the press machine becomes short. As a result, the time of each molding cycle becomes short. Figure 6 ​(a)). Thereby, it is possible to suppress the time loss of the temperature adjustment for the next molding. Thereby, it is possible to improve the production efficiency of the molding device 1.

[0050] The cooling mechanisms 73, 83 can cool the non-quenching portions 12B, 1 IB of the molding die 2 at a point in time after the completion of the bainite transformation in the molded product 140. Once the bainite transformation is completed in the non-quenching region E2 of the molded product 140, even if the temperature of the molding die 2 is lowered thereafter, it does not affect the state of the non-quenching region E2. Therefore, it can be adopted as an appropriate timing at which the cooling mechanisms 73, 83 start cooling.

[0051] The heating mechanisms 79, 89 and the cooling mechanisms 73, 83 can be provided in the molding die 2. At this time, the heating mechanisms 79, 89 and the cooling mechanisms 73, 83 can quickly adjust the temperature of the molding die 2.

[0052] The present disclosure is not limited to the above-described embodiments.

[0053] For example, the shape of the metal pipe after molding is not particularly limited, and can be a flanged metal pipe or a metal pipe without flange.

[0054] Also, the molding device can be a molding device that heats and quenches a metal material, and a molding device of a hot stamping method can be adopted. At this time, the metal material becomes a sheet. Other molding devices can also be adopted.

[0055] The heating mechanism and the cooling mechanism can be provided outside the die.

[0056] Explanation of symbols

[0057] 1 - molding device, 2 - molding die, 11, 12 - die, 1 IB, 12B - non-quenching portion, 40 - metal pipe material (metal material), 70B, 80B - temperature adjustment mechanism, 73, 83 - cooling mechanism, 79, 89 - heating mechanism, 140 - molded product, E1 - quenching region, E2 - non-quenching region.

Claims

1. A molding apparatus comprising: The heating element heats the metal material. A forming mold for shaping the heated metal material; and A temperature regulating mechanism that forms a non-quenched area on the molded product after the metal material is formed by regulating the temperature of at least a portion of the non-quenched part of the forming mold. The temperature regulating mechanism has: A heating mechanism that heats the non-quenched portion of the forming mold to form the non-quenched area on the molded article during forming by passing it through the forming mold; and A cooling mechanism that cools the unquenched portion of the molding die at a point in time after the unquenched region is formed on the molded article.

2. The molding apparatus according to claim 1, wherein, The cooling mechanism cools the non-quenched portion of the molding die at a point in time after the bainitic transformation in the molded article is complete.

3. The molding apparatus according to claim 1, wherein, The heating mechanism and the cooling mechanism are disposed inside the molding die.

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