Method for forming a complex-shaped tubular structure

• Main Authors: GOEBEL MARK, BENTON PAUL A, BRUGGEMANN CHARLES J, NGO TUAN A, LENDWAY, IV JOSEPH M, ROBINSON CARL W, MELLAS SPYROS P, PARLOW PETER M
• Format: Patent
• Language: English
• Published: 03.02.2009
• Subjects: COMBINED OPERATIONS; MACHINE TOOLS; MECHANICAL METAL-WORKING WITHOUT ESSENTIALLY REMOVINGMATERIAL; METAL-WORKING NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; OTHER WORKING OF METAL; PERFORMING OPERATIONS; PUNCHING METAL; TRANSPORTING; UNIVERSAL MACHINE TOOLS; WORKING OR PROCESSING OF SHEET METAL OR METAL TUBES, RODS ORPROFILES WITHOUT ESSENTIALLY REMOVING MATERIAL

A method is provided for forming a complexly-shaped tubular structure such as a tapered pillar or other structure for a vehicle body. A sheet metal blank having a longitudinal axis is rolled about the longitudinal axis to form a tubular shape and the side edges of the blank are then welded together...