Process and tool for forming a vehicle component
AssigneeFord Global Technologies, LLC
InventorsClifford E. Maki, Antony George Schepak
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A tool and a process for forming a vehicle component is provided. An insert has a lost core generally encapsulated by a cast metal shell. The insert has an anchor surface and a first locating member spaced apart therefrom, and is shaped to form a fluid passage in the vehicle component. A first die is configured to mate with the anchor surface and constrain the insert. A second die defines a first locator recess sized to receive the first locating member and constrain the insert. The first and second dies mate with one another to form the tool. The first and second dies constrain the insert in multiple degrees of freedom.
Claims13
A process comprising:
- forming an insert comprising a metal wall, metal shell, and lost core by positioning the metal wall and the lost core in a first tool and casting the metal shell around the lost core such that the metal wall contacts both the lost core and the metal shell, a thickness of the metal wall being greater than a thickness of the metal shell;
- positioning the insert into at least two dies of a second tool after said forming;
- closing the dies around the insert to constrain movement of the insert relative to the second tool in at least four degrees of freedom;
- injecting material into the second tool to form a vehicle component including said injected material, the metal wall, and the metal shell;
- and
- removing the lost core after said injecting to provide a cooling passage in the component, the cooling passage defined by the metal wall and the metal shell, and the metal wall being configured to conduct heat from the vehicle component to the cooling passage.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.