Molding system and molding method

Abstract

A molding system comprises a molding device for molding a heated metal material using a molding die, a first scale removal unit for removing scales from a molded article retrieved from the molding die and cooling the molded article, and a machining unit for machining the molded article that has been subjected to scale removal and cooled by the first scale removal unit.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a molding system and a molding method. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, a molding system such as that described in Patent Document 1 has been known. This molding system has a heating unit that heats a metal material and a molding die that molds 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 that corresponds to the molding surface. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2009-220141 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] Here, the molding system described in the above-mentioned Patent Document 1 molds a heated metal material using a molding die. Therefore, scale (oxidized scale) occurs on the surface of the molded product. Therefore, it is required to suitably remove the scale on the surface of the molded product. In addition, the molded product removed from the molding die is in a high temperature state. If processing is performed while the molded product is in this high temperature state, the processing accuracy will decrease due to the effect of cooling contraction when the temperature drops. Therefore, it is required to improve the cooling efficiency of the molded product before processing. In response to this, by providing a separate device for removing scale and a separate device for cooling, it is possible to perform each process individually. However, in this case, there is a problem that the required devices and facilities increase.

[0005] The present invention has been made to solve these problems, and has an object to provide a molding system and molding method that can effectively remove scale from molded products and improve the cooling efficiency before processing of the molded products while suppressing an increase in the required devices and facilities. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The molding system of the present invention comprises a molding device that molds a heated metal material using a molding die, a first scale removal section that removes scale from a molded product removed from the molding die and cools the molded product, and a processing section that processes the molded product from which scale has been removed and which has been cooled in the first scale removal section.

[0007] The molding system includes a molding device that molds a heated metal material with a molding die. Since a heated metal material is used, a molded product molded with the molding device may have scale due to oxidation. In response to this, the molding system includes a first scale removal unit that removes scale from the molded product removed from the molding die and cools the molded product. Therefore, the first scale removal unit can remove scale from the molded product. Here, the processing unit processes the molded product from which the scale has been removed and cooled by the first scale removal unit. That is, the first scale removal unit removes scale from the molded product at a stage before processing is performed in the processing unit. The first scale removal unit can simultaneously cool the molded product by removing the scale. Therefore, the first scale removal unit can improve the cooling efficiency of the molded product before processing. Furthermore, since the first scale removal unit can perform scale removal and cooling together in the molding system, the required devices and facilities can be reduced. As described above, it is possible to effectively remove scale from a molded product while suppressing an increase in the number of required devices and facilities, and to improve the cooling efficiency of the molded product before processing.

[0008] The molding device may include a fluid supplying section that supplies a fluid to a metal pipe material as a metal material, and a molding die that molds a molded product by bringing the expanded metal pipe material into contact with a molding surface. Such a molding device is a device that performs so-called STAF molding. The molded product immediately after the STAF molding is in a high temperature state and may generate scale, but the first scale removing section can suitably remove the scale from the molded product and cool the molded product.

[0009] The molding system may further include a second scale removing unit that removes scale from the molded product processed in the processing unit. For example, if there is a portion in the molded product where the scale could not be completely removed by the first scale removing unit, the second scale removing unit can remove the scale from that portion.

[0010] The first scale removal unit and the second scale removal unit may be configured by a common device, in which case the number of devices in the molding system can be reduced.

[0011] The molding method of the present invention comprises a molding step of molding a heated metal material in a molding die, a scale removal step of removing scale from the molded product removed from the molding die and cooling the molded product, and a processing step of processing the molded product from which scale has been removed and which has been cooled in the scale removal step.

[0012] According to this molding method, it is possible to obtain the same functions and effects as the above-mentioned molding system. Effect of the Invention

[0013] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a molding system and a molding method that can effectively remove scale from a molded product and cool the molded product before processing it. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0014] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of a molding system according to a first embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a molding device 1 used in a molding system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing the state of a metal pipe material and a molding die during blow molding. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a state of laser processing by a laser processing device. [Diagram 5] FIG. 2 is a conceptual diagram showing blasting by a blasting device. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a process diagram showing a molding method according to the first embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of a molding system according to a second embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 11 is a schematic view of a molding device according to a modified example. [Figure 9] 1A and 1B are diagrams illustrating an example of a structure around a nozzle for supplying gas. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0015] Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In each drawing, the same or corresponding parts are designated by the same reference numerals, and duplicated explanations will be omitted.

[0016] [First embodiment] Fig. 1 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of a molding system 100 according to the first embodiment. As shown in Fig. 1, the molding system 100 includes a molding device 1, a blast device 50 (first scale removal unit), and a laser processing device 70 (processing unit).

[0017] The forming device 1 is a device that forms a heated metal material with a forming die. In this embodiment, a STAF forming device is used as the forming device 1, which forms and hardens the heated metal pipe material by supplying a fluid to the material and bringing it into contact with the forming surface of the forming die. The detailed configuration of this forming device 1 will be described with reference to FIG. 2.

[0018] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a molding device 1 used in the molding system 100 according to this embodiment. As shown in FIG. 2, the molding device 1 is a device for molding a metal pipe having a hollow shape by blow molding. In this embodiment, the molding device 1 is installed on a horizontal plane. The molding device 1 includes a molding die 2, a drive mechanism 3, a holding unit 4, a heating unit 5, a fluid supply unit 6, a cooling unit 7, and a control unit 8. In this specification, the metal pipe material 40 (metal material) refers to a hollow article before the completion of molding in the molding device 1. The metal pipe material 40 is a pipe material of a steel type that can be quenched. In addition, among the horizontal directions, the direction in which the metal pipe material 40 extends during molding may be referred to as the "longitudinal direction", and the direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction may be referred to as the "width direction".

[0019] The forming die 2 is a die for forming a metal pipe 140 from a metal pipe material 40, and includes a lower die 11 and an upper die 12 facing each other in the vertical direction. The lower die 11 and the upper die 12 are made of steel blocks. Each of the lower die 11 and the upper die 12 is provided with a recess for accommodating the metal pipe material 40. When the lower die 11 and the upper die 12 are in close contact with each other (closed state), each recess forms a space of a target shape for forming the metal pipe material. Therefore, the surface of each recess becomes the forming surface of the forming die 2. The lower die 11 is fixed to a base 13 via a die holder or the like. The upper die 12 is fixed to a slide of the drive mechanism 3 via a die holder or the like.

[0020] The driving mechanism 3 is a mechanism for moving at least one of the lower die 11 and the upper die 12. In Fig. 2, the driving mechanism 3 has a configuration for moving only the upper die 12. The driving mechanism 3 includes a slide 21 for moving the upper die 12 so that the lower die 11 and the upper die 12 are aligned with each other, a pullback cylinder 22 as an actuator for generating a force for pulling the slide 21 upward, a main cylinder 23 as a driving source for applying pressure downward to the slide 21, and a driving source 24 for applying a driving force to the main cylinder 23.

[0021] The holding unit 4 is a mechanism for holding the metal pipe material 40 disposed between the lower die 11 and the upper die 12. The holding unit 4 includes a lower electrode 26 and an upper electrode 27 for holding the metal pipe material 40 at one end in the longitudinal direction of the molding die 2, and a lower electrode 26 and an upper electrode 27 for holding the metal pipe material 40 at the other end in the longitudinal direction of the molding die 2. The lower electrode 26 and the upper electrode 27 on both sides in the longitudinal direction hold the metal pipe material 40 by sandwiching the vicinity of the end of the metal pipe material 40 from above and below. Note that a groove having a shape corresponding to the outer circumferential surface of the metal pipe material 40 is formed on the upper surface of the lower electrode 26 and the lower surface of the upper electrode 27. The lower electrode 26 and the upper electrode 27 are provided with a driving mechanism (not shown) and can move independently in the vertical direction.

[0022] The heating section 5 heats the metal pipe material 40. The heating section 5 is a mechanism for heating the metal pipe material 40 by passing electricity through the metal pipe material 40. The heating section 5 heats the metal pipe material 40 between the lower die 11 and the upper die 12 in a state in which the metal pipe material 40 is separated from the lower die 11 and the upper die 12. The heating section 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 a current through the electrodes 26 and 27 to the metal pipe material 40. The heating section may be disposed in a process preceding the molding device 1 and may be an external heating section.

[0023] The fluid supply unit 6 is a mechanism for supplying a high-pressure fluid into the metal pipe material 40 held between the lower die 11 and the upper die 12. The fluid supply unit 6 supplies a high-pressure fluid to the metal pipe material 40 that has been heated by the heating unit 5 and is in a high-temperature state, thereby expanding the metal pipe material 40. The fluid supply unit 6 is provided on both ends of the molding die 2 in the longitudinal direction. The fluid supply unit 6 includes a nozzle 31 that supplies a fluid to the inside of the metal pipe material 40 from an opening at the end of the metal pipe material 40, a drive mechanism 32 that moves the nozzle 31 forward and backward relative to the opening of the metal pipe material 40, and a supply source 33 that supplies a high-pressure fluid into the metal pipe material 40 through the nozzle 31. The drive mechanism 32 brings the nozzle 31 into close contact with the end of the metal pipe material 40 while ensuring sealing when supplying and discharging the fluid, and separates the nozzle 31 from the end of the metal pipe material 40 at other times. The fluid supply unit 6 may supply a gas such as high-pressure air or an inert gas as the fluid. Furthermore, the fluid supply unit 6 may be integrated into a single device including the heating unit 5 together with the holding unit 4 having a mechanism for moving the metal pipe material 40 in the vertical direction.

[0024] The cooling unit 7 is a mechanism for cooling the molding die 2. By cooling the molding die 2, the cooling unit 7 can rapidly cool the expanded metal pipe material 40 when it comes into contact with the molding surface of the molding die 2. The cooling unit 7 includes flow paths 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 paths 36 and circulates the water.

[0025] The control unit 8 is a device that controls the entire molding apparatus 1. The control unit 8 controls the drive mechanism 3, the holding unit 4, the heating unit 5, the fluid supplying unit 6, and the cooling unit 7. The control unit 8 repeatedly performs an operation of molding the metal pipe material 40 in the molding die 2.

[0026] Specifically, the control unit 8 controls the timing of conveyance from a conveying device such as a robot arm, and places the metal pipe material 40 between the lower die 11 and the upper die 12 in the open state. Alternatively, the control unit 8 may have an operator manually place the metal pipe material 40 between the lower die 11 and the upper die 12. The control unit 8 also controls the actuators of the holding unit 4 so that the lower electrodes 26 on both sides in the longitudinal direction support the metal pipe material 40, and then the upper electrode 27 is lowered to sandwich the metal pipe material 40. The control unit 8 also controls the heating unit 5 to electrically heat the metal pipe material 40. As a result, an axial current flows through the metal pipe material 40, and the metal pipe material 40 itself generates heat due to Joule heat due to the electrical resistance of the metal pipe material 40 itself.

[0027] The control unit 8 controls the drive mechanism 3 to lower the upper die 12 and bring it close to the lower die 11, and closes the molding die 2. Meanwhile, the control unit 8 controls the fluid supply unit 6 to seal the openings at both ends of the metal pipe material 40 with the nozzle 31 and supply fluid. As a result, the metal pipe material 40 softened by heating expands and comes into contact with the molding surface of the molding die 2. Then, the metal pipe material 40 is molded to conform to the shape of the molding surface of the molding die 2. When a metal pipe with a flange is formed, a part of the metal pipe material 40 is inserted into the gap between the lower die 11 and the upper die 12, and then the mold is closed to crush the inserted part and form a flange part. When the metal pipe material 40 comes into contact with the molding surface, it is quenched by the molding die 2 cooled by the cooling unit 7, and the metal pipe material 40 is quenched.

[0028] With reference to FIG. 3, the molding procedure of the molding device 1 will be described. As shown in FIG. 3(a), the control unit 8 closes the molding die 2 and supplies a fluid to the metal pipe material 40 with the fluid supply unit 6, thereby performing blow molding (primary blow). In the primary blow, the control unit 8 molds the pipe portion 43 in the main cavity portion MC and causes the portion corresponding to the flange portion 44 to advance into the sub-cavity portion SC. Then, as shown in FIG. 3(b), the control unit 8 further closes the molding die 2 to further crush the portion that has advanced into the sub-cavity portion SC, thereby forming the flange portion 44. Next, the control unit 8 lifts the upper die 12 to separate it from the metal pipe material 40, thereby performing mold opening. As a result, a molded product 41 is molded.

[0029] The molded product 41 will be described with reference to FIG. 4(a). The molded product 41 includes a molded main body 45 having a pipe portion 43 and a flange portion 44, a held portion 46 at both ends in the longitudinal direction, and a gradually changing portion 47 between the molded main body 45 and the held portion 46. The molded main body 45 is a portion that becomes a final product by laser processing. The pipe portion 43 is a hollow portion. The flange portion 44 is a plate-like portion that protrudes from the pipe portion 43 by crushing a part of the metal pipe material 40. The held portion 46 is a cylindrical portion that is held by the electrodes 26, 27. A nozzle 31 is inserted into the held portion 46. The gradually changing portion 47 is a transition portion that changes from the shape of the held portion 46 to the shape of the molded main body 45.

[0030] Returning to Fig. 1, the molded products 41 molded by the molding apparatus 1 are supplied to the blasting device 50. The molded products 41 may be supplied to the blasting device 50 in the order of those molded by the molding apparatus 1. Alternatively, after a certain number of molded products 41 are accumulated in an accumulation area, they may be supplied to the blasting device 50 all at once.

[0031] The blasting device 50 is a device that removes scale from the molded product 41 removed from the molding die 2 of the molding device 1. The scale is an oxide film formed on the surface of the material by heating the metal pipe material 40 in the molding device 1. The blasting device 50 sprays particles onto the surface of the molded product 41. The blasting device 50 removes scale from the surface of the molded product 41 by the impact of the particles colliding with each other.

[0032] The blasting device 50 also blows air onto the molded product 41 in conjunction with the injection of particles. Here, in the molding device 1, the metal pipe material 40 is heated and expanded. Therefore, the molded product 41 removed from the molding die 2 of the molding device 1 is in a state where its temperature is higher than room temperature unless it is left to cool naturally by being left at room temperature for a long period of time. Therefore, the blasting device 50 also functions as a cooling means for actively cooling the molded product 41. Note that active cooling means that the molded product 41 is cooled with a higher cooling capacity by actively treating the molded product 41 than by being left at room temperature.

[0033] FIG. 5(a) is a schematic diagram showing a blasting device 50 of this embodiment. The blasting device 50 of this embodiment removes scales from the outer peripheral surface of the molded product 41. On the other hand, the blasting device 50 does not inject particles onto the inner peripheral surface so as not to leave particles inside the molded product 41. For example, as shown in FIG. 4, the molded product 41 has a flange portion 44 formed by crushing a part of the metal pipe material 40. In the internal space of the molded product 41, particles are likely to remain in such a flange portion 44. Therefore, the blasting device 50 injects particles only onto the outer peripheral surface of the molded product 41.

[0034] As shown in FIG. 5(a), the blasting device 50 has a mounting section 51, a nozzle 52, and a shielding wall 53. The mounting section 51 is a section for mounting the molded product 41 at a position facing the nozzle 52. The mounting section 51 has a support section (not shown) and supports the molded product 41 at the support section. As a result, the molded product 41 is mounted on the mounting section 51 at a position and in a posture suitable for blasting. The mounting section 51 suspends the molded product 41 and mounts it in a posture extending in the vertical direction. The nozzle 52 is a member for irradiating the molded product 41 with particles 55. As the particles, materials such as sand, plastic, dry ice, and iron pieces are used. The nozzle 52 is disposed around the molded product 41 mounted on the mounting section 51. The nozzle 52 is disposed so that the nozzle orifice faces the outer peripheral surface of the molded product 41. As a result, the nozzle 52 can spray the particles 55 onto the outer peripheral surface of the molded product 41.

[0035] The shielding wall 53 is a wall that shields the particles 55. The shielding wall 53 is disposed so as to surround the periphery of the installation portion 51 and the nozzle 52. This allows the shielding wall 53 to prevent the particles 55 from scattering around the blasting device 50. That is, the shielding wall 53 allows the particles 55 to be prevented from scattering toward the molding device 1 and the laser processing device 70. In addition to the shielding wall 53, a wall portion that separates the space between the blasting device 50 and the molding device 1, and a wall portion that separates the space between the blasting device 50 and the laser processing device 70 may be provided.

[0036] Returning to Fig. 1, the molded article 41 from which the scale has been removed by the blasting device 50 is supplied to the laser processing device 70. The molded articles 41 may be supplied to the laser processing device 70 in the order from which the scale has been removed by the blasting device 50. Alternatively, after a certain number of molded articles 41 are accumulated in an accumulation area, the molded articles 41 may be collectively supplied to the laser processing device 70. When the molded articles 41 are accumulated, the temperature of the molded articles 41 can be lowered before laser processing by the cooling effect due to natural heat dissipation.

[0037] The laser processing device 70 is a device that uses a laser to process the molded article 41 from which the scale has been removed by the blasting device 50. The laser processing device 70 irradiates the molded article 41 with a laser to perform processing such as cutting, drilling, and notching.

[0038] FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing the state of laser processing by a laser processing device 70. As shown in FIG. 4(a), the laser processing device 70 includes an installation unit 71 and a laser head 72. The installation unit 71 is a part that installs the molded article 41 at a position facing the laser head 72. The installation unit 71 has a support unit (not shown) that supports the molded article 41. As a result, the molded article 41 is installed on the installation unit 51 at a position and in a posture suitable for laser processing. The laser head 72 is a part that processes the molded article 41 by irradiating the molded article 41 with a laser.

[0039] The laser head 72 cuts the vicinity of both ends of the formed main body portion 45, thereby removing the gradually changing portion 47 and the held portion 46 from the formed main body portion 45, as shown in Fig. 4(b). The laser head 72 also forms holes 49 at predetermined positions of the formed main body portion 45.

[0040] Next, referring to FIG. 6, a molding method according to this embodiment will be described. FIG. 6 is a process diagram showing the molding method according to this embodiment. As shown in FIG. 6, the molding method includes a molding step S10, a blasting step S20 (scale removal step), and a laser processing step S30 (processing step). The molding step S10 is a step of molding a heated metal pipe material 40 with a molding die 2. In the molding step S10, a molded product 41 is molded using a molding device 1 shown in FIG. 2. The blasting step S20 is a step of removing scale from the molded product 41 removed from the molding die 2 and cooling the molded product 41. In the blasting step S20, a blasting device 50 shown in FIG. 5(a) performs a blasting process to remove scale from the molded product 41. The laser processing step S30 is a step of processing the molded product 41 from which the scale has been removed and which has been cooled in the blasting step S20. In the laser processing step S30, a laser processing device 70 shown in FIG. 4 processes the molded product 41.

[0041] Next, the functions and effects of the molding system 100 and molding method according to this embodiment will be described.

[0042] The molding system 100 includes a molding device 1 that molds a heated metal pipe material 40 with a molding die 2. Since the heated metal pipe material 40 is used, a molded product 41 molded with the molding device 1 may have scale due to oxidation. In response to this, the molding system 100 includes a blasting device 50 that removes scale from the molded product 41 removed from the molding die 2 and cools the molded product 41. Therefore, the blasting device 50 can remove scale from the molded product 41. Here, the laser processing device 70 processes the molded product 41 that has been cooled while the scale has been removed by the blasting device 50. That is, the blasting device 50 removes scale from the molded product 41 at a stage before processing by the laser processing device 70 is performed. The blasting device 50 can simultaneously cool the molded product 41 by removing the scale. Therefore, the blasting device 50 can improve the cooling efficiency of the molded product 41 before processing. Furthermore, in the molding system 100, the blasting device 50 can perform both scale removal and cooling at the same time, so that the number of required devices and facilities can be reduced. As a result, it is possible to effectively remove scale from the molded product 41 while suppressing an increase in the number of required devices and facilities, and to improve the cooling efficiency before processing the molded product 41.

[0043] The molding device 1 may include a fluid supply unit 6 that supplies a fluid to a metal pipe material 40 as a metal material, and a molding die 2 that molds a molded product 41 by bringing the expanded metal pipe material 40 into contact with a molding surface. Such a molding device 1 is a device that performs so-called STAF molding. The molded product 41 immediately after the STAF molding is in a high temperature state and may generate scale, but the blast device 50 can suitably remove the scale from the molded product 41 and cool the molded product 41.

[0044] The action and effect of the molding system 100 according to this embodiment will be described in more detail. The molded product 41 molded by STAF molding may be welded to other parts and may be subjected to anti-rust treatment (ED coating), so it is necessary to remove scale at least from the outer peripheral surface. The molded product 41 is also cut to remove unnecessary parts, and processed to form holes, notches, etc. Here, if blasting is performed on the outer peripheral surface of the molded product 41 after the hole drilling process, particles will enter through the holes. In that case, there is a possibility that particles will enter the R part of the flange part 44. Particles that have entered such a place may be difficult to remove even by air blowing, etc.

[0045] In contrast, in the molding system 100, the blasting device 50 performs blasting prior to the laser processing, so that it is possible to prevent particles from entering through holes formed by the drilling process. This embodiment is effective in cases where it is not necessary to remove scale from the inner peripheral surface of the molded product 41.

[0046] The molding system 100 can obtain a cooling effect by blasting. For example, even when a cooling step is performed before laser processing, the cooling effect by blasting can shorten the time for the cooling step.

[0047] [Second embodiment] Next, a molding system 200 according to a second embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 7. As shown in Fig. 7, the molding system 200 includes a first blasting device 50 disposed upstream of the laser processing device 70, as well as a second blasting device 80 (second scale removal section) that removes scale from a molded product 41 processed by the laser processing device 70.

[0048] As shown in FIG. 5(b), the second blasting device 80 sprays particles 55 from a blast hose 56 onto the inner circumferential surface of the molded product 41. The blast hose 56 is inserted inside the molded product 41 and sprays particles toward the inner circumferential surface inside the molded product 41. At this time, the blast hose 56 may spray dry ice as the particles 55. The dry ice collides as a solid with the inner circumferential surface of the molded product 41 and removes scale, but turns into gas and disappears over time. This makes it possible to prevent the particles 55 from remaining in the flange portion 44.

[0049] When the laser processing device 70 performs processing, dross may adhere to the inner peripheral surface of the molded product 41, and burrs may appear on the inner peripheral side. The second blasting device 80 can also remove the dross and burrs by performing blasting after the laser processing.

[0050] As described above, the molding system 200 further includes a second blasting device 80 that removes scale from the molded product 41 processed by the laser processing device 70. Although the first blasting device 50 cannot completely remove scale from the inner peripheral surface of the molded product 41, the second blasting device 80 can remove the scale from that location.

[0051] Here, the first blasting device 50 and the second blasting device 80 may be configured by a common device. For example, a blast hose 56 in Fig. 5(b) may be added to the blasting device 50 in Fig. 5(a). In such a blasting device, the nozzle 52 blasts the outer peripheral surface of the molded product 41 in the first blasting step, and the blast hose 56 blasts the inner peripheral surface of the molded product 41 in the second blasting step. As a result, the number of devices in the molding system 200 can be reduced.

[0052] [Third embodiment] The molding system according to the third embodiment has the same system configuration as the molding system 100 according to the first embodiment. In the molding system according to the third embodiment, a blasting device in the stage preceding the laser processing device 70 performs blasting with dry ice particles. As described above, after removing scale, the dry ice turns into gas and disappears. Therefore, the blasting device simultaneously sprays dry ice onto the outer peripheral surface and the inner peripheral surface of the molded product 41. In addition, when the blasting device performs blasting with dry ice before laser processing, a higher cooling effect can be obtained than blasting with abrasive grains such as sand.

[0053] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments.

[0054] In the above-described embodiment, a blasting device is exemplified as the scale removal unit. However, any device capable of removing scale may be used as the scale removal unit. For example, a device that sprays a fluid onto the molded product or removes scale by ultrasonic cleaning may be used. Such a scale removal unit also provides a cooling effect.

[0055] For example, the forming apparatus is exemplified as one that performs STAF forming, but it is not particularly limited as long as it is a forming method that uses heated metal material. For example, a forming method using hot stamping may be adopted. Therefore, the metal material does not necessarily have to be a metal pipe material, and may be a plate material or a column material.

[0056] The processing unit is not limited to a laser processing device, and devices using other processing methods may be used.

[0057] The molding apparatus 1 is not limited to the configuration shown in Fig. 2. For example, the molding apparatus 1 may have a configuration as shown in Fig. 8. The molding apparatus 1 shown in Fig. 8 may have a thermal expansion unit 150 as shown in Fig. 9. Fig. 9(a) is a schematic side view showing the thermal expansion unit 150 in which the components of the holding section 4, the heating section 5, and the fluid supply section 6 are unitized. Fig. 9(b) is a cross-sectional view showing the state when the nozzle 31 seals the metal pipe material 40.

[0058] As shown in Fig. 9(a), the thermal expansion unit 150 includes the above-mentioned lower electrode 26 and upper electrode 27, an electrode mounting unit 151 mounting the electrodes 26, 27, the above-mentioned nozzle 31 and driving 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 a driving mechanism 60 that supports and moves the electrodes 26, 27. The driving mechanism 32 drives the nozzle 31 to lift and lower 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 attached to the upper surface of the unit base 153, and a lifting actuator 66 that applies a lifting motion to the lifting frame 154 of the electrode mounting unit 151 by means of the lifting frame base 64. The lifting frame base 64 has guide portions 64a, 64b that guide the lifting motion of the lifting frame 154 relative to the unit base 153. The lifting unit 152 functions as a part of the drive mechanism 60 of the holding portion 4. The thermal expansion unit 150 has a plurality of unit bases 153 with different inclination angles of the upper surface, and by replacing these, it is possible to change and adjust the inclination angles of the lower electrode 26, the upper electrode 27, the nozzle 31, the electrode mounting unit 151, the drive mechanism 32, and the lifting unit 152 all at once.

[0059] The nozzle 31 is a cylindrical member into which the end of the metal pipe material 40 can be inserted. The nozzle 31 is supported by a drive mechanism 32 so that the center line of the nozzle 31 coincides with a reference line SL1. The inner diameter of a supply port 31a at the end of the nozzle 31 on the metal pipe material 40 side is approximately equal to the outer diameter of the metal pipe material 40 after expansion molding. In this state, the nozzle 31 supplies high-pressure fluid from an internal flow path 63 to the metal pipe material 40. An example of the high-pressure fluid is gas. [Explanation of symbols]

[0060] 1...molding device, 2...molding mold, 40...metal pipe material (metal material), 41...molded product, 50...blasting device (first scale removal section), 70...laser processing device (processing section), 80...second blasting device (second scale removal section), 100...molding system.

Claims

1. A molding device that molds the heated metal material with a molding die; A first scale removal unit that removes scale by spraying particles from a molded product removed from the molding die and cools the molded product by at least blowing air associated with the spraying; A laser processing unit that laser processes the molded product from which the scale has been removed and cooled by the first scale removal unit, The molded product is a metal pipe with a flange, The first scale removing unit removes scale from an outer circumferential surface of the flanged metal pipe, The molding system does not remove scale from the inner peripheral surface of the flanged metal pipe.

2. The molding device includes: A fluid supply unit that supplies a fluid to the metal pipe material as the metal material; The molding system of claim 1 , further comprising: the molding die for forming the molded product by contacting the expanded metal pipe material with a molding surface.

3. The molding system according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising a second scale removal unit that removes the scale from the molded product processed by the laser processing unit.

4. A molding system as described in claim 3, wherein one device functions as both the first scale removal unit and the second scale removal unit.

5. a forming step of forming the heated metal material with a forming die; A scale removal process in which particles are sprayed from the molded product removed from the molding die to remove scale and cool the molded product by at least air blowing associated with the spraying; A laser processing step of laser processing the molded product from which the scale has been removed and cooled in the scale removal step, The molded product is a metal pipe with a flange, In the scale removing step, scale is removed from the outer peripheral surface of the flanged metal pipe, The forming method includes not removing scale from the inner peripheral surface of the flanged metal pipe.

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