Forming station and method for hot forming a blank made of metal, in particular aluminum

A forming station for hot forming a blank made of metal, in particular aluminum, the forming station comprising:

• a heating device that has a first hot plate that is hydraulically adjustable;
• a second hotplate connected to a counter bearing, the first hotplate and the second hotplate being adjustable relative to one another between an open position, in which they are mutually spaced apart, such that the blank is adapted to be inserted into or removed from an intermediate space formed between the hotplates, and a closed position in which the blank is clamped between the hotplates;
• a forming device that a first die part and a second die part which, for the purpose of forming the blank, are hydraulically adjustable relative to one another between an open position and a closed position;
• a distribution plate that indirectly bears the second hotplate;
• and
• a guide to prevent the distribution plate from deflecting laterally,
• wherein the heating device and the forming device are provided with a common hydraulic adjusting device that synchronously adjusts the first hot plate of the heating device and the first die part of the forming device,
• wherein the heating device and the forming device have a common ram that bears the first hot plate and the first die part and is adjustable via the hydraulic adjusting device,
• wherein the second hotplate is mounted on a hydraulic clamping device that has at least two hydraulic piston-cylinder units with which the second hotplate is adapted to be clamped indirectly or directly against the first hotplate,
• wherein a distribution plate is arranged between the piston-cylinder units and the second hotplate and rests on the piston-cylinder units and is floatingly mounted thereon, and
• wherein the second hotplate has thermal insulation on its side facing the distribution plate, via which it rests on the distribution plate.