Die-less drawing method and apparatus
AssigneeU.S. Automation Company
InventorDaniel J. Borodin
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Method and apparatus for heating, cooling and stretching a metal specimen as it is being elongated, according to a temperature curve selected to provide a finished product having a predetermined microstructive, ultimate tensile strength, yield point and cross-section.
Claims26
A method for changing a metallic material having a first microstructure, and a first cross-section, said material being capable of changing to a second micro-structure upon being heated to a critical temperature and then being cooled, said method comprising the steps of:
- continuously moving the material along a path of motion adjacent a heating means to progressively heat the material while it is in motion, according to a selected temperature gradient, to a level above said critical temperature level;
- then, as the material continues in motion, reducing the temperature of the material such that the material changes to a second micro-structure that depends upon said selected temperature gradient, and
- elongating the material as it is in said motion during both the heating step and the cooling step.
A method of elongating and reducing the cross-section of a metallic material to a desired cross-section, comprising the steps of:
- continuously moving the material along a path of motion adjacent a heating means to progressively heat the material while it is in motion, according to a selected temperature gradient;
- applying an elongation force on the metallic material as it is in motion during the heating step;
- raising the temperature of the material during the heating step to a sufficient temperature that the yield point of the material drops such that the material elongates and is reduced in cross-section as the result of the application of the elongating force;
- cooling the material in a quenching means as the material continues in motion;
- measuring the reduced cross-section of the material;
- and
- adjusting the ratio of the velocity of the material prior to being heated by said heating means to the velocity of the material after being cooled by said quenching means according to a comparison between the actual cross-section and the desired reduced cross-section of the material.
A method for changing a metallic material having a first microstructure, and a first cross-section, said material being capable of changing to a second micro-structure upon being heated to a temperature rendering it plastic and then being cooled, said method comprising the steps of:
- continuously moving the material along a path of motion adjacent a heating means to progressively heat the material while it is in motion, according to a selected temperature gradient, to a level rendering the material plastic;
- then, as the material continues in motion, reducing the temperature of the material such that the material changes to a second micro-structure that depends upon said selected temperature gradient;
- elongating the material as it is in said motion during both the heating step and the cooling step;
- monitoring variations in the chemistry of the moving material;
- and
- adjusting the velocity of the material as it approaches the heating means, according to variations in said material chemistry.
A method for changing a steel material having a first microstructure, said material being capable of changing to a second micro-structure upon being heated to a critical temperature and then being cooled, said method comprising the steps of:
- continuously moving the material along a path of motion adjacent a heating means to progressively heat the material while it is in motion to a temperature above the Austenite conversion temperature for the steel material;
- then as the material continues in motion, reducing the temperature of the material according to a selected temperature gradient such that the material changes to a second micro-structure that depends upon said selected temperature gradient, and
- elongating the material as it is in said motion during both the heating step and the cooling step.
A die-less method for reducing the cross-section of a metallic material capable of being rendered plastic upon being heated, said material having a first cross-section, comprising the steps of:
- continuously moving the material along a path of motion with respect to a plurality of individually adjustable heating means to progressively heat the material to render the material plastic;
- monitoring the actual temperature gradient of the material as it is being passed adjacent the heating means, and adjusting the heating means according to differences between the actual temperature gradient and a selected temperature gradient;
- and
- applying an elongating force on the steel material in the direction of the material motion while the material is in motion to reduce the material cross-section to a second cross-section;
- and
- reducing the material temperature while it is in said continuous motion.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.