Mechanical press adapted to perform hydroforming operations

A mechanical press is adapted to perform a hydroforming operation. The press (10) includes a stationary base (14) supporting a bolster (20) that carries a lower die section (50), a movable slide (26) that carries an upper die section (48), and a drive mechanism for selectively raising and lowering the slide relative to the base. An inflatable bladder (18) is disposed between the base (14) and the bolster (20). Initially, the drive mechanism is operated to lower the slide (26) to its bottom dead center position such that the die sections (48,50) enclose a workpiece within a die cavity. Then, pressurized fluid is supplied within the workpiece to expand it outwardly into conformance with the die cavity. At the same time, pressurized fluid is also supplied to the interior of the inflatable bladder (18). The application of such pressurized fluid causes the inflatable bladder (18) to be physically expanded causing the bolster (20) carrying the lower die section (50) to be raised relative to the base (14).