Method and device for forming various workpieces

A method for creep forming a workpiece comprising the steps of:

• synchronously heating and cooling a plurality of selected areas of the workpiece from both sides of the workpiece;
• displacement forming the workpiece by applying an individual forming force to each of the selected areas and from both sides of the workpiece;
• monitoring and controlling the magnitude of the forming forces;
• halting the displacement forming in an area of the workpiece where the forming force has reached a predetermined maximum level;
• during the halting step maintaining previously formed deformations of the workpiece areas until all forming forces reach a preestablished minimum level;
• and
• thereafter repeating the displacement forming, halting and maintaining steps until the workpiece has been completely displacement formed and reached its desired shape.

Apparatus for deforming a workpiece having a plurality of areas distributed over its main surfaces, the apparatus comprising:

• a multisectional housing formed of individual housing sections, and hinge means pivotally connecting the sections, a plurality of sections being stationary and a remainder of the sections being movable about the hinge means, the sections defining first and second, spatially flat faces which are equidistant from the main surfaces of the workpiece when a workpiece is mounted inside the housing;
• an individual displacement drive connected to each movable section for moving the movable sections;
• force actuators mounted for acting on the workpiece disposed inside the housing, each force actuator including a workpiece displacement transducer and a load transducer installed at an end thereof which is relatively remote from the workpiece;
• forming force drive control means for controlling the forming force actuators and operatively connected with the displacement and forming force transducers;
• and
• means located at fixed positions on the housing sections for regulating the temperature of the workpiece areas in the housing sections.