Patent Application
20190329311
The present invention generally relates to the field of pressure treatment. Specifically, the present invention relates to a process and a system for forming of a workpiece using a press, wherein pressure is applied so as to cause one side of the workpiece to be pressed against forming tool such that the workpiece is formed in accordance with the shape of the forming tool.
Presses, for example presses of pressure cell type are used among other things when forming sheet-shaped blanks or workpieces, for example sheets of steel or aluminium, into products used e.g. in the aerospace and automotive industries. In presses of pressure cell type, fluid pressure for example of the order of hundreds of bar may be applied to a resilient diaphragm (e.g., made of rubber) to form the blank or workpiece to the shape of a tool or forming means against which the blank or workpiece is formed by the fluid pressure. An example of presses of pressure cell type is the so called Flexform—or fluid cell forming—presses for sheet metal forming which are produced by the Applicant.
The Flexform type of presses are generally capable of maximum operating pressures between about 80-200 MPa.
A press of pressure cell type generally comprises a force-absorbing press body defining a press chamber. According to one example, in an upper part of the press chamber a press plate and a diaphragm of rubber or another resilient material are arranged, which together form a pressure cell. The pressure cell communicates with a source of pressure and expands when a pressure medium is supplied. In the lower part of the press chamber a structural support or a tray is usually arranged, which may comprise a bottom plate having a tray frame. The tray may support a forming tool, a workpiece or blank to be formed (or machined), and, generally, a mat of rubber or another resilient material covering the forming tool and the blank. When forming sheet-shaped blanks or workpieces, the sheet may be placed in the press such that one of the sides of the sheet faces the forming tool. A resilient membrane or diaphragm may be arranged on the other side of the sheet. A closed space between the diaphragm and the press plate located above the diaphragm constitutes the pressure cell. The closed space is filled with a pressure medium, such as, for example, mineral oil, during the forming process. By introducing additional pressure medium into the pressure cell, the pressure is increased in the pressure cell, whereby the resilient diaphragm is caused to expand downwardly into the tray and to apply forming pressure to the sheet positioned over the tray. Thus, the resilient diaphragm is pressed during stretching against the sheet which, in its turn, increasingly or even completely conforms to (or fits with) the shape of the forming tool. By the resilient diaphragm being pressed during stretching against the sheet, the resilient diaphragm may form the sheet into and around any features of the forming surface of the forming tool. The pressure in the pressure cell is then released (or is possibly maintained until some period of time has passed), whereupon the resilient diaphragm may return to its unstretched position. The resilient diaphragm may then be removed, after which the formed component can be taken out of the press.
Instead of using a resilient membrane or diaphragm for forming the workpiece or blank, by way of fluid pressure pressurizing the resilient diaphragm as described in the foregoing, an elastically deformable pad or flexible cushion, such as, for example, a rubber pad, may be used. A press employing such a pad or cushion may operate similarly to a press of pressure cell type as described in the foregoing, but may not require a pressure cell in which pressure medium is introduced in order to apply forming pressure to the workpiece or blank. Instead, when forming blanks or workpieces, the workpiece or blank is placed in the press such that one of the sides of the workpiece or blank faces the forming tool, and the other side faces the pad or cushion. The pad or cushion may then be pressed against the blank or workpiece by means of some pressure generating means, e.g., a ram, mechanically connected to the pad or cushion. By the deformability of the elastically deformable pad or cushion, it may be deformed so as to cause the side of the blank or workpiece to be pressed against the forming tool such that the workpiece is formed substantially or even completely in accordance with the shape of the surface of the forming tool, similarly to the press of pressure cell type as described in the foregoing. By deformation of the pad or cushion so as to cause the side of the blank or workpiece to be pressed against the forming tool, the pad or cushion may form the blank or workpiece into and around any surface features of the forming surface of the forming tool.
Experimental studies that have been made by the Applicant have indicated that in such ‘flexible’ forming of a workpiece, employing an at least in part elastically deformable element such as, for example, a resilient membrane or diaphragm, an elastically deformable pad, or an elastically deformable cushion such as described in the foregoing, it may be beneficial to carry out the forming of the workpiece at elevated temperatures. For example, the workpiece and/or the forming tool may be heated such that the temperature of the workpiece and/or the forming tool during the forming of the workpiece is elevated as compared to the ambient temperature (e.g., between 200° C. and 500° C., such as between 250° C. and 350° C., or between 250° C. and 300° C.).
For example in the aerospace industry, aluminium-based components are often used. It is possible to produce high-quality, aluminium-based components using ‘cold’ flexible forming (i.e., using flexible forming such as described in the foregoing, but where the forming of the workpiece is not carried out while the workpiece is heated to an elevated temperature). However, the use of components made of composites or metallic alloys, such as titanium alloys, is expected to increase in the aerospace industry, whereas the use of the traditional aluminium components in the aerospace industry is expected to decrease. It may however present a challenge to produce components of composites or metallic alloys, such as titanium alloys, using cold flexible forming, which components are of sufficient quality e.g. for use in the aerospace industry. For example, titanium alloys generally have a relatively high strength, and it may be challenging to form a titanium alloy workpiece into compliance with the desired or required shape of the component using ‘cold’ flexible forming. Components of composites or metallic alloys, such as titanium alloys, are expected to be useful also in other industries, such as the automotive industry. The experimental studies carried out by the Applicant indicate that ‘flexible’ forming of the workpiece at elevated temperatures may facilitate or even allow for forming of workpieces made of composites or metallic alloys, such as titanium alloys, wherein the thus formed workpieces—or components—have a sufficient quality (e.g., with respect to compliance with the desired or required shape of the component) for example for use in the automotive or aerospace industry.
In view of the above, a concern of the present invention is to provide a process and a system for high-pressure forming of a workpiece which may be made of composites or metallic alloys, such as titanium alloys, wherein the thus formed workpieces have a sufficient quality e.g. for use in the automotive or aerospace industry.
To address at least one of this concern and other concerns, a process and a system in accordance with the independent claims are provided. Preferred embodiments are defined by the dependent claims.
According to a first aspect there is provided a method or a process for forming of a workpiece, or blank, using a press that comprises a pressure generator, a forming tool, and an at least in part elastically deformable element. During forming of the workpiece, the workpiece is arranged adjacent to the forming tool and the elastically deformable element, and between one side of the elastically deformable element and a forming surface of the forming tool so that one side of the workpiece faces the elastically deformable element and another side of the workpiece faces the forming tool. The pressure generator is configured to (possibly controllably) exert a forming pressure of at least 5 MPa (or thereabout, possibly at least one or a few MPa) on the elastically deformable element and/or the forming tool so as to pressurize at least one of one side of the elastically deformable element opposite to the side of the elastically deformable element facing the workpiece, or the forming tool (e.g., a surface of the forming tool opposite to the forming surface). The pressurization of the at least one of the side of the elastically deformable element or the forming tool causes the elastically deformable element to deform so as to cause the side of the workpiece facing the forming tool and the forming surface to be pressed against each other such that the workpiece is formed at least in part in accordance with the shape of the forming surface. The process comprises heating at least one of the workpiece or the forming tool, and forming the workpiece using the press so as to obtain a formed workpiece. The heating of at least one of the workpiece or the forming tool is such that the temperature of the at least one of the workpiece or the forming tool during the forming of the workpiece by way of the forming pressure is higher than the ambient temperature.
According to a second aspect, there is provided a system for forming of a workpiece. The system comprises a press and a heating device. The press comprises a pressure generator, a forming tool, and an at least in part elastically deformable element. During forming of the workpiece, the workpiece is arranged adjacent to the forming tool and the elastically deformable element and between one side of the elastically deformable element and a forming surface of the forming tool so that one side of the workpiece faces the elastically deformable element and another side of the workpiece faces the forming tool. The pressure generator is configured to (possibly controllably) exert a forming pressure of at least 5 MPa on the elastically deformable element and/or the forming tool so as to pressurize at least one of one side of the elastically deformable element opposite to the side of the elastically deformable element facing the workpiece, or the forming surface (e.g., a surface of the forming tool opposite to the forming surface). The pressurization of the at least one of the side of the elastically deformable element or the forming tool causes the elastically deformable element to deform so as to cause the side of the workpiece facing the forming tool and the forming surface to be pressed against each other such that the workpiece is formed at least in part in accordance with the shape of the forming surface, so as to obtain a formed workpiece. The heating device is configured to heat at least one of the workpiece or the forming tool such that the temperature of the at least one of the workpiece or the forming tool, during the forming of the workpiece by way of the forming pressure, is higher than the ambient temperature.
Thus, according to the first and second aspects, the workpiece is formed by means of ‘flexible’ forming, wherein the workpiece and/or the forming tool have been heated to an elevated temperature, and the forming is carried out while the workpiece and/or the forming tool are at a temperature higher than the ambient temperature. As mentioned in the foregoing, experimental studies which have been carried out by the Applicant have indicated that such ‘flexible’ forming may facilitate or even allow for forming of workpieces made of composites or metallic alloys, such as titanium alloys, wherein the thus formed workpieces—or components—have a sufficient quality for example for use in the automotive or aerospace industry. As an example, titanium alloys generally have a relatively high strength, and it may be challenging to form titanium alloy workpieces into compliance with the desired or required shape of the component using ‘cold’ flexible forming.
In the context of the present application, by an elastically deformable element it is meant that the element may deform when (sufficiently high) pressure is applied to the element, and that when the pressure ceases to be applied to the element, the element elastically returns to its initial shape. The elastically deformable element may for example comprise a resilient membrane or diaphragm, a pad (or pressure pad), or a cushion such as described in the foregoing. The elastically deformable element may for example be constituted by or include natural and/or synthetic rubber. As a non-limiting example, the elastically deformable element may for example be constituted by or include polyurethane.
When using the process and system according to the first and second aspects to form a workpiece into a component or product which for example may be used in the aerospace and automotive industries, the shape of the forming surface of the forming tool may correspond to, or substantially correspond to, the shape of the component or product.
The pressure generator may be configured to exert a forming pressure in a pressure range of (about) 5 MPa to (about) 200 MPa (i.e., 50 bar to 2000 bar) on the elastically deformable element and/or the forming tool. Preferably, the pressure generator may be configured to exert a forming pressure in a pressure range of (about) 50 MPa to (about) 200 MPa on the elastically deformable element and/or the forming tool. According to another example, the pressure generator may be configured to exert a forming pressure in a pressure range of (about) 5 MPa (or 50 MPa) to (about) 140-150 MPa on the elastically deformable element and/or the forming tool.
The at least one of the workpiece or the forming tool may for example be heated such that the temperature of the at least one of the workpiece or the forming tool during forming of the workpiece is between (about) 200° C. and (about) 500° C., such as between 250° C. and 350° C., or preferably between 250° C. and 300° C.
The previously mentioned experimental studies which have been carried out by the Applicant have indicated that such ‘flexible’ forming—when carried out using a forming pressure in a pressure range of (about) 50 MPa to (about) 200 MPa, and with the workpiece and/or the forming tool is/are heated such that the temperature thereof during the forming of the workpiece is between (about) 200° C. and (about) 500° C., preferably between 250° C. and 350° C., or even more preferably between 250° C. and 300° C.—may be particularly advantageous in facilitating or allowing for forming of workpieces made of composites or metallic alloys, such as titanium alloys, wherein the thus formed workpieces—or components—have a sufficient quality for example for use in the automotive or aerospace industry.
According to the first and second aspects, the heating of at least one of the workpiece or the forming tool such that the temperature of the at least one of the workpiece or the forming tool, during the forming of the workpiece by way of the forming pressure, is higher than the ambient temperature. This may entail that the workpiece and/or forming tool may be heated prior to the actual forming of the workpiece taking place, and that the workpiece and/or forming tool may be in a heated state as compared to the ambient while the actual forming by way of the forming pressure is taking place.
As indicated in the foregoing, the side of the workpiece facing the forming tool and the forming surface may be caused to be pressed against each other, such that the workpiece is formed at least in part in accordance with the shape of the forming surface so as to obtain a formed workpiece, by pressurization of the side of the elastically deformable element, by pressurization of the forming tool (e.g., of a side or surface thereof, such as a surface opposite to the forming surface), or by pressurization of both the side of the elastically deformable element and the forming tool. In the context of the present application, by pressurization of a side or surface of an element, it is meant that pressure is applied over at least a portion of the side or surface of the element, or even over the entire, or substantially the entire, side or surface of the element.
In the context of the present application, by the workpiece being formed at least in part in accordance with the shape of the forming surface, it is meant that at least a part or portion of the workpiece is formed substantially or even completely in accordance with the shape of the surface of the forming tool, or so as to substantially or even completely match the shape of the forming surface of the forming tool. However, it is to be understood that depending on the application, an exact match between the formed workpiece and the shape of the forming surface of the forming tool may not be required.
In the context of the present application, by ambient temperature it is meant the temperature of the general surroundings of the location at which the forming of the workpiece is carried out. For example, if the forming of the workpiece is carried out inside a room of a building or structure, the ambient temperature may be the temperature of air inside the room when the forming of the workpiece is carried out.
As mentioned in the foregoing, the pressure generator may be configured to exert a forming pressure on the elastically deformable element and/or the forming tool so as to pressurize at least one of one side of the elastically deformable element opposite to the side of the elastically deformable element facing the workpiece, or the forming tool. It is to be understood that the one side of the elastically deformable element, which side may be pressurized and is opposite to the side of the elastically deformable element facing the workpiece, must not necessarily be exactly opposite to the side of the elastically deformable element facing the workpiece, but may be substantially opposite the side of the elastically deformable element facing the workpiece, or it may be located elsewhere as long as it allows for the forming of the workpiece by way of the forming pressure to be carried out.
In the context of the present application, by different elements or components, or sides thereof, facing each other (e.g., by a side of the workpiece facing the forming tool), it is meant that that the different elements or components, or sides thereof, are directed toward each other. Possibly, there may be one or more intermediate elements or components arranged between the different elements or components, or sides thereof, facing each other. For example, as will be described further in the following, a thermally insulating element—for example constituted by a thermally insulating lid (or other closure means) or cover—may be arranged between the workpiece and the elastically deformable element, or between the workpiece and the side of the elastically deformable element facing the workpiece, (at least) during the forming of the workpiece.
A thermally insulating element may be arranged between the workpiece and the elastically deformable element such that the thermally insulating element is arranged adjacent to the workpiece and the elastically deformable element, respectively, so as to thermally insulate the elastically deformable element from the workpiece during the forming of the workpiece.
The forming tool and the workpiece may be arranged in a container comprising at least one opening, such that when the forming tool and the workpiece are arranged in the container, one side of the workpiece faces the forming tool and another side of the workpiece is directed towards the at least one opening. The workpiece and the forming tool may be heated when they are in the container. The container may be arranged in the press such that the other side of the workpiece, which is directed towards the at least one opening, is facing the elastically deformable element, wherein the forming of the workpiece using the press may be carried out while the forming tool and the workpiece are in the container. The thermally insulating element may be arranged relatively to the container such that the thermally insulating element at least in part closes the at least one opening of the container.
The heating of the at least one of the workpiece or the forming tool may for example be carried out using induction heating.
The heating of the at least one of the workpiece or the forming tool may be carried out in a heating device separately arranged with respect to the press.
The formed workpiece may be actively cooled.
The process may comprise at least one of trimming or shaving or sensing at least one dimension of the formed workpiece.
The elastically deformable element may for example be constituted by or include natural and/or synthetic rubber.
The system according may comprise a thermally insulating element arranged between the workpiece and the elastically deformable element such that the thermally insulating element is arranged adjacent to the workpiece and the elastically deformable element, respectively, so as to thermally insulate the elastically deformable element from the workpiece during forming of the workpiece.
The system may comprise a container comprising at least one opening. The container may be arranged to accommodate the forming tool and the workpiece such that when the forming tool and the workpiece are arranged in the container, one side of the workpiece faces the forming tool and another side of the workpiece is directed towards the at least one opening. The heating device may be configured to heat the workpiece and the forming tool when they are in the container. The container may be arrangeable in the press such that the other side of the workpiece, which is directed towards the at least one opening, is facing the elastically deformable element, wherein the forming of the workpiece using the press may be carried out while the forming tool and the workpiece are in the container.
At least a portion of the container may be thermally insulated.
The forming tool may be removably arranged in the press.
The elastically deformable element may comprise a resilient membrane or diaphragm. The pressure generator may be configured to controllably exert the forming pressure on the elastically deformable element by way of controllably supplying a pressure medium to a pressure cell in which the elastically deformable element is arranged, whereby the pressure medium pressurizes the one side of the elastically deformable element.
The elastically deformable element may comprise a pad or cushion. The pressure generator may be configured to controllably exert the forming pressure on the elastically deformable element by controllably pressing the elastically deformable element against the workpiece.
The workpiece may for example comprise at least one of: a blank, a plate, or sheet metal.
The workpiece may for example comprise a material selected from at least one of: at least one composite, aluminium or titanium or any alloy thereof, steel, nickel, or an alloy including nickel.
Further objects and advantages of the present invention are described in the following by means of exemplifying embodiments. It is noted that the present invention relates to all possible combinations of features recited in the claims. Further features of, and advantages with, the present invention will become apparent when studying the appended claims and the description herein. Those skilled in the art realize that different features of the present invention can be combined to create embodiments other than those described herein.
Exemplifying embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.
All the figures are schematic, not necessarily to scale, and generally only show parts which are necessary in order to elucidate embodiments of the present invention, wherein other parts may be omitted or merely suggested.
The present invention will now be described hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which exemplifying embodiments of the present invention are shown. The present invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments of the present invention set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided by way of example so that this disclosure will convey the scope of the present invention to those skilled in the art.
The process 100 comprises steps 110, 120, 130, 140 and 150 which will be described in the following. The arrows in
At 110, a workpiece 10 is provided, which workpiece 10 is to be formed by way of the process 100. The workpiece 10 may for example comprise at least one of a blank, a plate, or sheet metal, but is not limited thereto. The workpiece 10 may for example comprise a material selected from at least one of: at least one composite, aluminium or titanium or any alloy thereof, steel, nickel, or an alloy including nickel, but is not limited thereto.
In accordance with the illustrated embodiment of the present invention, a container 30 may be provided. As illustrated in
At 120, the workpiece 10 and the forming tool 22 are heated. In accordance with the illustrated embodiment of the present invention, both the workpiece 10 and the forming tool 22 are heated. It is however to be understood that heating of both the workpiece 10 and the forming tool 22 may not be required, and it may be sufficient to heat only one of them (either the workpiece 10 or the forming tool 22). As per the embodiment of the present invention illustrated in
As illustrated in
As illustrated in
As illustrated in
At 130, the heated workpiece 10 and the forming tool 22 are brought to the press 20 for forming of the workpiece 10 using the press 20 so as to obtain a formed workpiece 60. As illustrated in
The heating of the workpiece 10 and/or forming tool 22 may be carried out some period of time prior to the actual forming of the workpiece 10 by the press 20 takes place. Before the actual forming of the workpiece 10 is taking place, the workpiece 10 and/or the forming tool 22 may therefore cool to some extent, e.g., by means of convection during transportation or conveyance of the workpiece 10 and/or forming tool 22 to the press 20. However, by way of heating the workpiece 10 and/or forming tool 22 while taking into account such cooling and the time required to transport the workpiece 10 to the press 20 and begin the forming of the workpiece 10, the workpiece 10 and/or the forming tool 22 can have the desired temperature during the forming of the workpiece 10 in the press 20. In other words, the heating of the workpiece 10 and/or forming tool 22 may ‘overshoot’ to some extent. That is, immediately after the heating of the workpiece 10 and/or forming tool 22 has been carried out, the temperature of the workpiece 10 and/or forming tool 22 may be higher than the desired temperature of the workpiece 10 and/or forming tool 22 during the actual forming of the workpiece 10 by the press 20. Such ‘overshoot’ heating may take into account cooling of the workpiece 10 and/or the forming tool 22 that may take place until the actual forming of the workpiece 10 by the press 20 takes place, such that the temperature of the workpiece 10 and/or forming tool 22 during the actual forming of the workpiece 10 by the press 20 is the desired or required temperature.
As indicated in
During forming of the workpiece 10 in the press 20, the workpiece 10 is arranged adjacent to the forming tool 22 and the elastically deformable element, and between one side of the elastically deformable element and a forming surface 23 of the forming tool 22 so that one side of the workpiece 10 faces the elastically deformable element and another side of the workpiece 10 faces the forming tool 22.
As illustrated in
According to the illustrated embodiment of the present invention, the pressure generator 21 is configured to (possibly controllably) exert a forming pressure of at least 5 MPa on the elastically deformable element so as to pressurize one side of the elastically deformable element opposite to the side of the elastically deformable element facing the workpiece 10. The pressurization of the side of the elastically deformable element causes the elastically deformable element to deform so as to cause the side of the workpiece 10 facing the forming tool 22 to be pressed against the forming surface 23 such that the workpiece 10 is formed at least in part in accordance with the shape of the forming surface 23. The heating of the workpiece 10 and the forming tool 22 is such that the temperature of the workpiece 10 and the forming tool 22, during the forming of the workpiece 10 by way of the forming pressure, is higher than the ambient temperature. The heating of the workpiece 10 and the forming tool 22 may take into account any cooling of the workpiece 10 and/or the forming tool 22 which may take place during transportation of the workpiece 10 and the forming tool 22 to the press 20 and until the forming of the workpiece 10 can take place.
The pressure generator 21 could for example comprise a hydraulic ram assembly or at least one hydraulic cylinder, which for example may be mechanically connected or coupled to the elastically deformable element. It is however to be understood that another type or other types of pressure generators may be employed, such as, for example, any suitable pressure generator as known in the art. The elastically deformable element may for example comprise a resilient membrane or diaphragm, a pad, or a cushion such as described in the foregoing. The elastically deformable element may for example be constituted by or include natural and/or synthetic rubber.
The principle of such ‘flexible’ forming of the workpiece 10 as described in the foregoing is illustrated in
According to the example illustrated in
During forming of the workpiece 10 in the press 20, the workpiece 10 (comprising for example a metallic plate or sheet metal) is placed in the press 20 such that the workpiece 10 is arranged adjacent to the forming tool 22 and the elastically deformable element 24, and between one side of the elastically deformable element 24 (the lower side thereof in
As indicated in
For the case illustrated in
Depending on the extent or degree to which the workpiece 10 and/or the forming tool 22 is heated, it may be desired or possibly even required to provide thermal insulation, for example between the elastically deformable element 24 and the workpiece 10. That is to say, in case the workpiece 10 and/or the forming tool 22 are heated to a relatively high temperature for the forming of the workpiece 10, thermal insulation for example between the elastically deformable element 24 and the workpiece 10 may be desired or even required. For example, there may be a limit on how much the elastically deformable element 24 can be heated without being damaged or broken. Whether such thermal insulation should or shall be provided may for example depend on the choice of material(s) which the elastically deformable element 24 is made of, the type of elastically deformable element 24 (e.g., whether a resilient membrane or diaphragm or a pad is employed), or the choice of any possible pressure medium which may be used (in case the press 20 is of pressure cell type). Such thermal insulation can for example be provided by a thermally insulating element 31, e.g. comprising a thermally insulating lid 31, such as described in the foregoing with reference to
As mentioned in the foregoing, the press 20 could in alternative be constituted by or include a press of pressure cell type, wherein an elastically deformable element in the form of a resilient membrane or diaphragm is utilized for forming the workpiece by way of fluid pressure pressurizing the resilient membrane or diaphragm, such as described in the foregoing. The press 20 could for example be constituted by, or be based on, a press of pressure cell type of the so called Flexform—or fluid cell forming—type of presses for sheet metal forming which are produced by the Applicant. Such type of presses are capable of providing a very high controllability in the forming pressure, and may permit forming pressures within a wide pressure range, such as between (about) 80 MPa and (about) 200 MPa or even more.
Thus, the pressure generator 21 may in alternative or in addition comprise a pressure cell (not shown in
With further reference to
At 140, the formed workpiece 60 is cooled. Although the cooling of the formed workpiece 60 is indicated in
At 150, the formed workpiece 60 may be trimmed and/or shaved, by means of some trimming and/or shaving processing equipment for example such as known in the art. The trimming and/or shaving processing equipment is schematically indicated at 70. As known in the art, shaving of a workpiece is to remove a relatively small amount of material from the edges of the workpiece for example to improve the finish of the edges of the workpiece or to attain a specific shape of the edges of the workpiece. And as further known in the art, trimming of a workpiece is to cut away excess or unwanted irregular features from the workpiece. For example, edges of the (semi-)formed workpiece 60 may be trimmed, if needed. The trimming or shaving at 150 is not required and may be omitted. In alternative or in addition, at least one dimension of the formed workpiece 60 may be measured or sensed at 150. There may for example be provided some appropriate means or a unit as known in the art configured to measure or sense at least one dimension of the formed workpiece 60. The means or a unit, which may be included in the equipment 70, may for example be an optically based means or unit, and may for example include one or more lasers. Based on the measurement or sensing of at least one dimension of the formed workpiece 60, margins of peripheral portions of the formed workpiece 60 may then for example be trimmed and/or shaved such as described in the foregoing, for example in order to improve the finish of the edges of the workpiece or to attain a specific shape or size (e.g., of the edges) of the workpiece. In alternative or in addition, any further forming of the workpiece at 150 that may take place may be carried out by hand, for example using a handheld tool.
Although not illustrated in
As indicated in
In conclusion, a process and a system for forming of a workpiece using a press comprising a pressure generator, a forming tool, and an at least in part elastically deformable element, are disclosed. At least one of the workpiece or the forming tool is heated, and the workpiece is formed using the press so as to obtain a formed workpiece. The heating of at least one of the workpiece or the forming tool is such that the temperature of the at least one of the workpiece or the forming tool during the forming of the workpiece by way of forming pressure generated by the pressure generator is higher than the ambient temperature.
While the present invention has been illustrated in the appended drawings and the foregoing description, such illustration is to be considered illustrative or exemplifying and not restrictive; the present invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments. Other variations to the disclosed embodiments can be understood and effected by those skilled in the art in practicing the claimed invention, from a study of the drawings, the disclosure, and the appended claims. In the appended claims, the word “comprising” does not exclude other elements or steps, and the indefinite article “a” or “an” does not exclude a plurality. The mere fact that certain measures are recited in mutually different dependent claims does not indicate that a combination of these measures cannot be used to advantage. Any reference signs in the claims should not be construed as limiting the scope.
| Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| PCT/EP2016/066295 | 7/8/2016 | WO | 00 |
