Method of Incrementally Reducing and Stretch Straightening Shaped Metal Components

A method for cross sectional reducing and straightening a specimen comprising:

• advancing a specimen under tension through a plurality of die segments;
• wherein each die segment has a contact face;
• at least one of the die segments wherein the contact face has at least two planar surfaces that intersect to form a convex feature;
• the plurality of die segments configured such that the contact face of each die segment is opposed by the contact face of at least one other die segment to form at least one set of opposing die segments;
• the plurality of die segments configured such that the geometry of the plurality of die segments is not restricted to converge on a radial center;
• at least one die gap determined by the distance between the contact faces of the at least one set of opposing die segments;
• at least one die driving mechanism providing translational motion to at least one die segment, the translation motion being directed toward the opposing die segment;
• the die driving mechanism configured to provide reciprocating translational motion to at least one die segment and synchronous reciprocating motion to the plurality of die segments, whereby the at least one die gap opens and closes;
• and,
• wherein the tension is provided by an exit tensioning device configured to grip a specimen and maintain a continuous tension on the specimen causing the specimen to move with a translational motion through the at least one die gap and cross sectionally reducing the specimen by a predetermined reduction, the reciprocating transitional motion of the opposing die segments being less than the predetermined reduction, the continuous tension being insufficient to provide the translational motion to the specimen during the compression phase;
• whereby the specimen will be reduced, stretch straightened, elongated, and have enhanced mechanical properties.

A method for cross sectional reducing and straightening a specimen comprising:

• advancing a specimen under tension through a plurality of die segments;
• wherein each die segment has a contact face;
• at least one of the die segments wherein the contact face has at least two planar surfaces that intersect to form a convex feature;
• the plurality of die segments configured such that the contact face of each die segment is opposed by the contact face of at least one other die segment to form at least one set of opposing die segments;
• the plurality of die segments configured such that the geometry of the plurality of die segments is not restricted to converge on a radial center;
• at least one die gap determined by the distance between the contact faces of the at least one set of opposing die segments;
• at least one die driving mechanism providing translational motion to at least one die segment, the translation motion being directed toward the opposing die segment;
• the die driving mechanism configured to provide reciprocating translational motion to at least one die segment and synchronous reciprocating motion to the plurality of die segments, whereby the at least one die gap opens and closes;
• wherein the tension is provided by an exit tensioning device and an entry back tensioning device;
• wherein the exit tensioning device is configured to grip a specimen and the entry back tensioning device is configured to grip the specimen opposite to the exit tensioning device, the exit tensioning device and the entry back tensioning device further configured to maintain constant tension on the specimen, cause the specimen to move with a translational motion through the at least one die gap, and cross sectionally reduce the specimen by a predetermined reduction, the reciprocating translational motion of the opposing die segments being less than or greater than the predetermined reduction, and the tension being insufficient to provide the translational motion to the specimen during the compression phase;
• whereby the specimen will be reduced, stretch straightened, elongated, and have enhanced mechanical properties.