Heated metal forming tool
AssigneeGeneral Motors Corporation
InventorsRichard Harry Hammar, James Gregory Schroth
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A heated metal forming tool including an un-heated mounting plate that is attached to a press. A tool detail is attached to the mounting plate. Insulation surrounds the tool detail to thermally isolate it from the mounting plate, and from the tool surroundings. The tool detail is heated internally by heaters disposed in zones within the tool detail. The temperature of various portions of the tool detail can be independently controlled by varying the temperature within any of the zones.
Claims23
A heated metal forming tool comprising:
- a mounting plate attached to a press;
- a tool detail attached to the mounting plate, the tool detail having insulation associated therewith;
- the tool detail being heated by a plurality of heaters disposed in zones within the tool detail wherein a temperature of various portions of the tool detail may be independently controlled.
An internally heated metal forming tool for use in a superplastic or hot blow forming operation comprising:
- a mounting plate attached to a press;
- a tool detail spaced from the mounting plate for forming a shaped part;
- insulation disposed around the heated detail for maintaining the temperature of the tool detail;
- the tool detail being heated by a plurality of heaters disposed within the tool detail, whereby cycle times for producing shaped parts is decreased.
A internally heated superplastic or hot blow forming tool comprising:
- a mounting plate attached to a press;
- a tool detail spaced from the mounting plate;
- insulation surrounding the tool detail;
- a plurality of heaters disposed within the tool detail for maintaining the temperature of the tool detail;
- the insulation providing a barrier to elevated temperatures such that equipment may be placed in proximity to the internally heated superplastic forming tool without exposure to excessive heat.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.