Method of forming metal
AssigneeAmerican Trim, LLC
InventorsAllen M. Jones, Dale E. Whetstone, Larry A. Wilkerson, Stephen C. Hatkevich
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Electromagnetic forming can lead to better formability along with additional benefits. The spatial distribution of forming pressure in electromagnetic forming can be controlled by the configuration of the actuator. A type of actuator is discussed which gives a uniform pressure distribution in forming. It also provides a mechanically robust design and has a high efficiency for flat sheet forming.
Claims20
A coil assembly for use in high velocity metal forming comprising:
- a. an inner coil, generally in the shape of a flattened helix,
- b. an outer coil having a cavity therein, the inner and outer coils being generally coaxial,
- c. leads connecting the inner coil to an outside electrical power source, and
- d. an infiltrant, wherein
- the inner coil is embedded in the infiltrant, and situated inside the cavity of the outer coil such that the inner and outer coils are not in electrical contact with one another, and wherein the cavity of the outer coil is substantially filled with the infiltrant.
A process for making a high velocity metal forming actuator assembly wherein the assembly comprises an inner coil and an outer coil, the process comprising:
- a. forming a hole through a block of conductive metal or alloy, the block having X, Y, and Z dimensions, said hole being formed in a Z dimension;
- b. beginning at the hole, cutting out a continuous central portion of the block corresponding to a desired inner dimension of an inner coil, said cutting being parallel to the Z-axis;
- c. cutting out a further portion of the block parallel to the Z-axis to form an inner coil, the remainder constituting an outer coil having a cavity;
- d. machining angled notches in a +Z portion of the inner coil at regular intervals along the X-axis, said angled notches being cut at an angle of 0 to 90° from the X-axis;
- e. machining straight/parallel slots in a −Z portion of the inner coil, said straight slots being parallel to the Y-axis, to afford an inner coil;
- f. contacting the inner coil with a solution capable of removing surface oxidation therefrom;
- g. inserting the inner coil into the cavity of the outer coil, and
- h. filling the gap in the cavity of the outer coil and surrounding the inner coil with an infiltrant.
A process of forming metal comprising:
- a. selecting a workpiece having a composition,
- b. selecting a compatible HVMF actuator assembly including a power source and a coil assembly,
- c. selecting a forming die,
- d. spatially arranging the workpiece, coil assembly, and die, wherein the coil assembly comprises an inner coil disposed inside an outer coil and an infiltrant disposed around the inner coil and electrically insulating the inner coil from the outer coil, and
- e. applying power to the power source of the coil assembly to deform the workpiece.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.