Warm forming process and apparatus for transverse bending of an extruded aluminum beam to warm form a vehicle structural component
AssigneeShape Corp.
InventorsHelen Weykamp, Kenneth E. McKellar, David DeVries
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A method for warm forming an aluminum beam, such as an aluminum component for a vehicle, includes providing an extruded aluminum beam with a hollow cross-sectional shape. A portion of a forming die is heated to a desired temperature, so as to heat a portion of the aluminum beam in the die to a temperature below the artificial aging temperature of the aluminum beam. The heated aluminum beam is deformed to a desired shape with the die in a direction transverse to a length of the aluminum beam.
Claims22
An aluminum structural component for a vehicle body structure, said aluminum structural component comprising:
- a tubular beam comprising a cross-sectional shape taken transverse to a length of the tubular beam that has an enclosed interior area extending along the length of the tubular beam;
- wherein the tubular beam comprises one of a 6000 and a 7000 series aluminum alloy;
- and
- wherein a longitudinal section of the tubular beam includes a depression pressed into a side wall of the tubular beam to protrude into the enclosed interior area at a desired shape.
A method for warm forming an aluminum beam, said method comprising:
- extruding an aluminum beam with a hollow cross-sectional shape;
- heating a portion of a die to a desired temperature;
- heating a portion of the aluminum beam in the die to a temperature below the artificial aging temperature of the aluminum beam;
- and
- deforming the aluminum beam to a desired shape with the die in a direction transverse to a length of the aluminum beam.
A method for warm forming an aluminum beam, said method comprising:
- providing an extruded aluminum beam that comprises one of a 6000 series and a 7000 series aluminum alloy;
- heating a portion of a die to a desired temperature;
- heating the extruded aluminum beam in the die to a desired temperature;
- and
- deforming the aluminum beam to a desired shape with the die in a direction transverse to a length of the aluminum beam.
An apparatus for warm forming a 6000 series or7000 series aluminum beam, said apparatus comprising:
- a press station that includes a die configured to form an extruded aluminum beam into a desired shape;
- wherein the die is configured to deform a depression into the aluminum beam in a direction transverse to a length of the aluminum beam;
- and
- a heating element coupled with a portion of the die and configured to heat the die and at least a portion of the aluminum beam to a desired temperature below the artificial aging temperature of the aluminum beam prior to forming the depression.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.