Advanced feed device for a superplastic press forming system
AssigneeAirbus France
InventorValerie Frustie
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A feed device for a superplastic press-forming press has a slide that moves vertically and a base between which is held a tool having a cover and a bottom die enclosing a forming tool, which includes at least one heating shuttle to transport the bottom die, equipped with the forming tool and a cover, with the heating shuttle adapted to complete the press and constitute the base of the press during a hot-press forming operation.
Claims10
A feeding device for feeding a superplastic forming press having a slide that moves vertically and a base between which are located a cover and a bottom die enclosing a forming tool, said feeding device comprising:
- at least one heating shuttle for carrying said bottom die enclosing said forming tool, the bottom die equipped with said cover;
- wherein said base comprises said heating shuttle during a hot-pressing operation;
- and
- a track, for carrying said shuttle, said track extending from under said press to adjacent at least one side of said press, the track adjacent at least one side of said press defining at least one parking area for said shuttle.
A process for feeding a superplastic hot-forming press having a feed device with at least one heating shuttle to transport a die holding a forming tool;
- said base of said press comprising said heating shuttle during a hot-pressing operation;
- said feed device having a track for carrying said shuttle, said track extending from under said press to adjacent at least two sides of said press, each track adjacent each side of said press defining a shuttle parking area, wherein said process comprises, during production cycles of parts to be made:
- positioning at least one first shuttle in a parking area;
- providing said first shuttle with a first forming tool for making first parts;
- and
- pre-heating the first forming tool in said first shuttle,
- while a second shuttle provided with a second forming tool for making second parts is positioned under said press to make said second parts.
A process for feeding a superplastic hot-forming press having a feed device with a plurality of heating shuttles for transporting dies holding forming tools;
- a base of said press comprising at least one of the plurality of heating shuttles during a hot-pressing operation;
- said feed device including a shuttle track extending from under said press to adjacent at least one side of the press along a plurality of branches, said shuttle track branches defining at least three heating shuttle parking areas, wherein said process comprises, during a production cycle of parts
- positioning a first heating shuttle, equipped with a first forming tool, under the press to make first parts,
- locating a second heating shuttle, equipped with a second forming tool to make second parts, in a first heating shuttle parking area and pre-heating said second heating shuttle;
- cooling a third heating shuttle in a second heating shuttle parking area to permit a tool change;
- and
- providing a third heating shuttle parking area to receive the first heating shuttle at an end of the production cycle of first parts in order to position said second and third heating shuttles under said press.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.