Abstract: Dispersion strengthened aluminum base alloys are shaped into metal parts by high strain rate forging compacts or extruded billets composed thereof. The number of process steps required to produce the forged part are decreased and strength and toughness of the parts are increased. The dispersion strengthened alloy may have the formula Albal,Fea,SibXc, wherein X is at least one element selected from Mn, V, Cr, Mo, W, Nb, and Ta, “a” ranges from 2.0 to 7.5 weight-%, “b” ranges from 0.5 to 3.0 weight-%, “c” ranges from 0.05 to 3.5 weight-%, and the balance is aluminum plus incidental impurities. Alternatively, the dispersion strengthened alloy may be described by the formula Albal,Fea,SibVdXc, wherein X is at least one element selected from Mn, Mo, W, Cr, Ta, Zr, Ce, Er, Sc, Nd, Yb, and Y, “a” ranges from 2.0 to 7.5 weight-%, “b” ranges from 0.5 to 3.0 weight-%, “d” ranges from 0.05 to 3.5 weight-%, “c” ranges from 0.02 to 1.50 weight-%, and the balance is aluminum plus incidental impurities.

Abstract: A stretch-forming apparatus includes a main frame which carries a die enclosure between jaw assemblies. The die enclosure includes radiant heaters for supplying heat to a workpiece being stretch-formed against the die.

Abstract: In a method for press-hardening a metallic formed structure made of a hardenable steel sheet, the steel sheet is heated above a transition temperature Ac3 and then placed in a cooled press having a forming tool with at least one uncooled contour section for forming a region of reduced hardness. Marginal regions of the steel sheet are clamped with a sheet holder arrangement which has an inner sheet holder and an outer sheet holder. The inner sheet holder is hereby located closer to the forming tool than the outer sheet holder. The sheet holder arrangement is configured to slow down flow of the marginal regions into the forming tool. After closing the press tool, the steel sheet is formed in a first forming phase by holding the marginal region with the outer sheet holder and in a subsequent forming phase by holding the marginal region with the inner sheet holder.

Abstract: A method of making a tempered part has the steps of first heating a metal blank to above a first predetermined temperature and then preshaping the heated blank while still above the first temperature. The preshaped blank is then reheated to a second tempering temperature, and the reheated blank is given its final shape while still above the second temperature in a press. The blank with its final shape is cooled below the second tempering temperature while still in the press.

Abstract: A stretch-forming apparatus includes a main frame which carries a die enclosure between jaw assemblies. An insulated die is mounted in the enclosure. A method of forming a component includes placing a workpiece in the enclosure, heating the workpiece to a working temperature using electrical resistance heating, and then stretching the workpiece against the die. The method is particularly useful for titanium workpieces.

Abstract: UHC lightweight structural steel with improved scaling resistance, comprising the composition in % by weight C: 1 to 1.6, Al: 5 to 10, Cr: 0.5 to 3, Si: 0.1 to 2.8, the remainder iron and customary impurities accompanying steel, and a method for producing components hot-formed from this in air, wherein hot-forming temperatures of from 800 to 1050° C. are used, depending on the Si content.

Abstract: A wire-like product (10) for use as a feedstock in metal or plasma spraying or welding includes a metal case (12) and a composite core (14) in the case, with the core being partially sintered and containing enough metal to conduct an electrical current. To form the wire-like product, a metal tubular segment (20) is filled with a powder (26) in the absence of oxygen. Then the tubular segment is reduced in cross-section to compact the powder within it. Next the tubular segment is heated to anneal it and effect a partial sinter (32) of the powder. Another reduction in cross section breaks the partial sinter into particles and further compacts them, whereas a further heating anneals the tubular segment and resinters the particles. Repetitions of the cycle produce the wire-like product.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for producing a pearlitic rail by subjecting to at least rough hot rolling and finish hot rolling a billet comprising, in mass %, C: 0.65-1.20%, Si: 0.05-2.00%, Mn: 0.05-2.00%, and a remainder of iron an unavoidable impurities, wherein the finish hot rolling is conducted by rolling at a rail head surface temperature in a range of not higher than 900° C. to not lower than Ar3 transformation point or Arcm transformation point to produce a head cumulative reduction of area of not less than 20% and a reaction force ratio of not less than 1.25, and the finish hot rolled rail head surface is subjected to accelerated cooling or spontaneous cooling to at least 550° C. at a cooling rate of 2 to 30° C./sec, thereby refining the rail head structure to attain a hardness within a predetermined range and improving rail wear resistance and ductility.

Abstract: A Cu/Al composite pipe and a manufacturing method thereof are disclosed. The inner layer of the pipe is Cu, and the outer layer is Al. The combinative layer is formed between the two layers due to mutual diffusion of Cu and Al. The raw composite pipe is rolled with single rolling by a planetary rolling machine, wherein the rolling process has the single pass percentage reduction of area of 50%˜95%, an exit rolling speed of 5˜30 m/min, a temperature in the deformation area of 200° C. ˜600° C. The pipe can be used in many fields, such as architecture, refrigeration, air-conditioners, refrigerators, solar energy, water heaters, condensers and radiators, etc.

Abstract: A method for producing a rotationally symmetrical hollow metal part, particularly a shaft. According to the method, bar-shaped ductile solid matrial is provided, the solid material is heated from about 300° C. below the forging temperature to the forging temperature, the solid material is transversally spline-rolled until weakenings are created in the core zone (3) of the solid material and the sold material is torn open. Two mandrels (5,6) are forcibly introduced into the center of the bar-shaped solid material during the rolling process, and then one mandrel is retracted while the other mandrel continues advancing so as to produce a tubular part. A transversally spline-rolled rotationally symmetrical hollow part, especially a shaft, which is produced accoridng to noted method can be embodied as a transmission shaft, camshaft, drive shaft, output shaft, starter shaft, hollow shaft, or can bea preform for molded parts and the like.

Abstract: A method of making artificial graft tubing includes providing a helical mandrel having a centre line following a substantially helical path, and providing a generally tubular wall having a longitudinally extending cavity. The helical mandrel is positioned inside the tubular wall so that the longitudinally extending cavity has a centre line following a substantially helical path. The tubular wall is caused to retain, at least partly, the shape with the longitudinally extending helical cavity. Another method includes providing a mandrel having a substantially helical groove, and providing a generally tubular wall having a longitudinally extending cavity. The tubular wall is positioned at least partly in the groove so that the longitudinally extending cavity has a centre line following a substantially helical path, and the tubular wall is caused to retain, at least partly, the shape with the longitudinally extending helical cavity.

Abstract: A solar cell lead wire includes a conducting material, and a molten solder plated layer formed on the conducting material. The conducting material includes a concave-convex conducting material that includes a concavity on top and under surfaces thereof, respectively, and a convexity on a side surface thereof, and that is formed by die processing a strip-shaped conducting material, and the molten solder plated layer comprises a flat surface formed by supplying a molten solder to the concavity of the concave-convex conducting material.

Abstract: This method is original in that it implements the following phases: a foundry preform is created that includes one or more pierced or blind recesses or cavities that match the useful or required shapes of the end part to be obtained; the preform is transferred to a tunnel furnace that ensures a uniform temperature of said preform; the foundry preform is positioned in a heading die disposed on a press; one or more multidirectional rods are introduced into the recess(es) or cavity(ies) of the foundry preform, according to a command prior to the forging operation; sizing operation of the preform that receives the rod(s) in the phase during which the rod(s) are temporarily positioned inside the shaped recess(es), the upper forging die is raised to free the forged preform; the rod (s) positioned in the recess (es) are withdrawn; and the forged preform is removed.

Abstract: A method for forming a stepped shaft includes: forming a billet of a predetermined mass; heating the billet; cross-wedge rolling the billet to form an intermediate workpiece having a first cylindrical portion and a second cylindrical portion that are axially spaced apart by a neck that is smaller in diameter than the first and second cylindrical portions; and performing at least one upset forging operation on the end of the intermediate workpiece to enlarge the first cylindrical portion such that in at least one location its diameter is larger than a diameter of any other portion of the stepped shaft and larger than a diameter of the billet.

Abstract: A composite rod includes an outer sleeve formed over an inner core, wherein the outer sleeve and the inner core are joined with a non-metallurgical bond that provides a tight fit therebetween. A process for forming a composite rod includes positioning a rod inside a tube to form an intermediate assembly, wherein the tube has an inside diameter that is greater than the outside diameter of the rod. The tube is then compressed around the rod to produce a non-metallurgical bond between the tube and the rod.

Abstract: A system and method of redimensioning a ferrous object includes applying a localized heat source to a portion of the object and raising the portion to a temperature sufficient to cause a local expansion via the formation of martensite. Subsequently, the object is quenched while in a locally expanded state to cause a selective expansion of the object that persists at room temperature. The object may be cast iron or hardened steel in an embodiment. In a further embodiment, heat is applied via an inductive heater. In an embodiment the method includes machining the object after quenching.

Abstract: A method and related apparatus are disclosed for heating and stamping a processed part. A sheet of high-tensile steel is provided as a work part. The sheet is plated with a high-temperature-resistant material to improve formability. The temperature-resistant material can include oxidized aluminum or a high-temperature-resistant alloy of aluminum and/or zinc and/or steel. An electrical current is applied to the work part to provide heating to the work part through resistance heating. The plated sheet can be stamped while heating to form a stamped work part. The work part is quenched through cooling to increase metallurgical strength.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and apparatus for forming a sheet of ductal material by superplastic forming. The gas pressure is varied to control the material flow during the forming process. Accordingly, the gas pressure can be increased or decreased to control the rate of deformation of the workpiece. Accordingly, the method and apparatus contemplates the use of predetermined pressure profiles to reduce the overall forming time.

Abstract: There are provided a cooling device and a cooling method for a hot-rolled strip in which the strip can be uniformly cooled from a leading edge to a trailing edge with coolant by properly realizing a great cooling ability and a stable cooling zone. Specifically, the following three methods are adopted. (1) Round nozzles 14 for ejecting inclined rodlike flows of coolant to a downstream side in the traveling direction of a strip 12 and round nozzles 14 for ejecting inclined rodlike flows of coolant to an upstream side in the traveling direction are arranged on an upper side of the strip 12 so as to oppose each other. (2) Round nozzles 14 for ejecting inclined rodlike flows of coolant from the upstream side of a roller table 9 toward just above the roller table 9 and round nozzles 14 for ejecting inclined rodlike flows of coolant from the downstream side of the roller table 9 toward just above the roller table 9 are arranged on the upper side of the strip 12 so as to each other.

Abstract: A thermoforming press for forming and hardening metal sheets includes an upper die and a lower die. At least one of the upper and lower dies has a mold jaw and a support jaw which are movable relative to one another between a first position in which the support jaw rests against the mold jaw to block a flow of coolant between the mold jaw and the support jaw, and a second position in which the support jaw is spaced from the mold jaw by a distance to define a cooling gap for coolant to flow between the mold jaw and the support jaw.

Abstract: A magnesium alloy comprising up to about six weight percent zinc and up to about one weight percent cerium may be hot worked to produce an intermediate or final alloy workpiece that exhibits enhanced ductility and strength at room temperature. The addition of zinc and a small amount of cerium may affect the magnesium alloy by increasing strength and ductility, and improving the work hardening behavior.

Abstract: The present invention provides a tool steel containing, by mass percent, 0.55 to 0.85% of C, 0.20 to 2.50% of Si, 0.30 to 1.20% of Mn, 0.50% or less of Cu, 0.01 to 0.50% of Ni, 6.00 to 9.00% of Cr, 0.1 to 2.00% of Mo+0.5 W, and 0.01 to 0.40% of V, with the balance of Fe and inevitable impurities, in which, when an area rate of a coarse carbide having a circle equivalent diameter of 2 pm or more in a cross section parallel to a forging direction is represented by L(%) and an area rate of the coarse carbide in a cross section perpendicular to the forging direction is represented by T(%), the area rate L is 0.001% or more, the area rate T is 0.001% or more, and the ratio L/T is within a range from 0.90 to 3.00. The tool steel of the invention exhibits an isotropic size change in quenching and tempering.

Abstract: A method of making a structure having an optimized sterical shape of a material 4 comprises the steps of forming a pre-form 1 of the structure of the material 4, setting geometric boundary conditions for the material 4 being in a state in which it is able to rearrange under the influence of internal tensions in the volume of the pre-form 1 so that the material rearranges itself into the structure in a self-organized way, and transferring the rearranged material 4 into a state in which the rearrangement of the material 4 is conserved.

Abstract: A magnesium alloy comprising up to about one weight percent of cerium may be hot worked to produce an intermediate or final alloy workpiece that exhibits enhanced ductility at room temperature. The addition of a small amount of cerium may affect the magnesium alloy by reducing yield strength, refining grain size, and improving the work hardening behavior. Recrystallization during hot deformation of the rare earth containing magnesium material alters the texture of the alloy and orients the grains in a manner that favors basal slip activity. The alloy thus deforms at room temperature by a combination of twinning and slip mechanisms.

Abstract: A hot-strip cooling device and a cooling method are provided wherein uniform cooling of a hot-rolled steel strip using coolant is possible from the leading end to the trailing end of the steel strip. A cooling device (10) includes a plurality of round nozzles (15) disposed obliquely in such a manner as to eject rod-like flows of coolant at an ejection angle ? toward the upstream side in a direction in which a steel strip (12) travels, and a pinch roll (11) disposed on the upstream side with respect to the round nozzles (15) and configured to pinch the steel strip (12) in combination with a roller table (8).

Abstract: It is a die type which reduces the heat transfer from hot sheet to dies, cutting/piercing tools, and blank holder in necessary zones in the way process conditions require and can increase it in die hardening by heat treatment effect, contrary to the approach used for stamping of hot workpieces between cold dies. This die type has the capability of forming the sheet and making forming process by heat transfer in necessary zones simultaneously according to the properties of workpiece.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods for improving deposited film uniformity and controlling the erosion of sputter targets. Improved methods for achieving predetermined microstructure orientation in copper hollow cathode magnetron (HCM) sputter targets and targets prepared by such methods are disclosed.

Abstract: An apparatus for correcting the shape of an inner surface of a stator includes a deviation sensor for measuring the shape of the inner surface of the stator fixed inside an inner surface of a housing of a rotating electric machine, a personal computer for calculating a direction of deformation and the amount of deformation of the shape of the stator inner surface based on the measured shape of the stator inner surface as well as a direction of heating and the amount of heat to be input when heating an outer side surface of the housing based on the calculated direction and amount of deformation of the shape of the stator inner surface, and a gas burner for heating the outer side surface of the housing based on the direction of heating and the amount of heat to be input calculated by the personal computer.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing a metal alloy product (19) containing at least some amount of ?-phase brass by extrusion, a metal alloy product produced by extrusion of metal alloy containing at least some amount of ?-phase brass, an extrusion die (15) for extrusion of a metal alloy containing copper and zinc, and at least some amount of ?-phase, an extrusion device, and a use of a metal alloy for extrusion.

Abstract: An exemplary metallic frame (60) is formed by forging and precise machining of a workpiece. The forging process is performed before the precise machining process, a hardness of the frame is larger than that of the workpiece and a surface roughness Ra of the frame reaches about 6.4 microns. The present invention further provides a method of making the frame. The method includes as follows: feeding workpiece process (12) for providing a workpiece (20); forging process (14), the workpiece be forged to form a preform (40); and precise machining process (18), the preform be precisely machined to form a frame.

Abstract: A guide wire includes a wire body, a wire distal end section at the distal side of the wire body and integrally formed in one piece with the wire body, a flat plate-shaped section provided at a distal end section of the guide wire and at the wire distal end section, a coating layer formed on a surface of the wire body, and a coil mounted at the wire distal end section. A surface part of the flat plate-shaped section preferably has a residual stress higher than that an internal part of the flat plate-shaped section.

Abstract: A method is provided for forming a panel from a metal alloy sheet having known stress-strain forming properties including a forming strain limit that is exceeded when a single forming operation is used to form the panel. The method comprises determining a stress relieving treatment and an incremental forming treatment for forming the panel. The total incremental forming strain comprises a first strain increment. The stress relieving treatment results in the total incremental forming strain remaining within the forming strain limit. A first preform shape is determined in which the geometry of the shape does not exceed the first strain increment. The sheet is formed into the first preform shape. The first preform shape is then stress relieved. The first preform shape is then formed into a panel shape having a geometry that is within the total incremental forming strain.

Abstract: A bumper system includes a rollformed tubular beam with bracket mounts welded to a rear surface for mounting to vehicle frame rails. The illustrated beam has a continuous tubular cross section for its entire length, and includes a center section, corner-forming end sections, and mounting sections connecting ends of the center section to the end sections. The center, end and mounting sections can be linear or similarly curved or differently curved. The center, end and mounting sections can be similarly or differently locally annealed as part of being tuned to specific impact loading criteria, including annealing all or part of cross-sectional areas. The annealing can be done in-line with a rollforming process, such as to assist with forming tight radii in the beam for meeting packaging/space-related requirements, or can be part of a secondary process for advantageously affecting impact strengths in selected localized areas.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a ring-shaped magnet includes arranging, in a penetrating hole formed in a die, a mandrel having a cylinder tip portion of a diameter d1, a cylinder base end portion of a diameter d2, provided d1<d2, and a taper portion positioned between the cylinder tip portion and the cylinder base end portion. The penetrating hole includes a first penetrating hole portion of a diameter D1, a second penetrating hole portion of a diameter D2, provided D1<D2, and a tapered hole portion of a positioned between the first penetrating hole portion and the second penetrating hole portion. The cylinder tip portion is loaded with a preform, and plastic-working is performed on the preform in a gap formed by the penetrating hole and the mandrel by pressing the preform with a pressing punch.

Abstract: A technique for manufacturing a product involves receiving material, providing plastic deformation to the material to at least partially form the product, and applying electric current to the material while providing the plastic deformation to the material. The electric current is configured to reduce flow stresses within the material during plastic deformation. In some arrangements, the electric current is a series of high-density, short electric pulses which increases plasticity due to increasing the dislocation mobility of the deformed material. In some arrangements, the electric current provides an electric current density through the material of at least 1000 Amperes per square millimeter with each electric pulse lasting no longer than 0.01 seconds.

Abstract: A system and method for superplastic forming a workpiece. The system includes a superplastic forming cell formed of a plurality of individual stations or modules, each one performing a specific manufacturing step or process on the workpiece. Individual stations include a preheat station, a forming station, a cooling station, a cleaning station and a trimming station. These stations work in conjunction with one another to reduce superplastic forming cycle times and correspondingly increased production times when manufacturing a workpiece using a superplastic forming process.

Abstract: A system and the relevant thermo-electromechanical process with two superimposed devices (A) able to coil and uncoil a pre-strip (a) by reversing their positions, provided with outer (4) and inner (7) burners to respectively equalize and optimize the temperature along the whole pre-strip by means of special algorithms of the control software, suited to also control the speed, acceleration and deceleration, both in the coiling and uncoiling step, of the chuck (6) up to the advanced stop during coiling to let a segment of tail (c) of the pre-strip out of the device (A). A particular structure of the chuck (6)is also described.

Abstract: This present invention concerns a process for the heating of a forging machine tool, including an insert holder and an insert with one free face bearing a forging impression, in preparation for a forging operation in the said forging machine. The process is characterised by the fact that the insert holder includes a furnace element that has at least one burner and one flue for removal of the gases, forming, with the said face of the insert, a closed heating chamber, the said chamber being heated until the insert reaches a given temperature, when the furnace element is removed. The invention also covers the forging tool, including an insert with an impression, mounted in an insert holder, for implementation of the process, and a removable furnace element.

Abstract: A system for delivering a coolant fluid to a workpiece has a reservoir for retaining the fluid, a pump for delivering fluid from the reservoir, a supply line in communication with the workpiece and a diverter valve. A bypass line is in communication with the diverter valve, and the valve may be utilized to deliver fluid from the reservoir to the workpiece or to bypass the workpiece and circulate fluid back to the reservoir. The system also includes a fluid return line for conveying fluid from the workpiece back to the reservoir.

Abstract: An apparatus and method is disclosed for drawing continuous metallic wire having a first diameter to a metallic fiber having a reduced second diameter. A feed mechanism moves the wire at a first linear velocity. A laser beam heats a region of the wire to an elevated temperature. A draw mechanism draws the heated wire at a second and greater linear velocity for providing a drawn metallic fiber having the reduced second diameter.

Abstract: A method is provided for forming complex structures from aluminum alloys, particularly from naturally hard AlMg alloys, naturally hard AlMgSc alloys and/or age-hardenable AlMgLi alloys. The method, in a simple manner by means of as few process steps as possible, forms complex structures from the alloys such that they almost assume their final shape without any significant spring-back. Simultaneously, the loss of material is to be kept as low as possible. This is achieved by means of the following steps: elastic forming of a component to be formed into a defined contour under the effect of external force; and heating-up of the elastically formed component to a temperature higher than the temperature required for a creep formation and relaxation of stresses of the alloy, so that the component is formed while retaining the contour.

Abstract: A cleaning apparatus for removing metallic buildup from forming surfaces of metal forming dies while the dies are in a press and operating at elevated temperatures. The cleaning apparatus includes a programmable positioner having a robotic arm with an end effector carrying a brush assembly. The brush assembly includes a rotary drive motor rotatably carrying a metallic wire brush. The brush has a plurality of radially extending plain carbon steel bristles having tips adapted for removing metallic buildup from the forming surfaces of dies. The positioner operates to move the rotatable wire brush in a predetermined path that engages the brush with the forming surfaces of the dies for sweeping and cleaning metallic buildup from the forming surfaces.

Abstract: In forming a can body by processing a cup-shaped in-process material with a punch and a die, the die is not heated when the forming process is not carried out, and the die is heated when the forming process is carried out. Therefore, the temperature of the die is adjusted in accordance with the temperature rise of the punch result from the forming process, a clearance between the punch and the die can be maintained, misalignment of the punch and the die can be prevented, and slip and elongation becomes preferable. Therefore, nonuniformity in the wall thickness, breakage of the can body, and breakage of a flange can be suppressed.

Abstract: A method of creating a cobalt chronic femoral knee component includes the steps of: providing a forging press including first and second bust forging die parts spaced apart from each other and movable toward each other, the first and second bust forging die parts including respective femoral knee component shaped cavities; placing a cobalt chrome ingot heated to a temperature of between about 2050° F. and about 2300° F. between the first and second bust forging die parts in alignment with the femoral knee component shaped cavities; and bringing the first and second bust forging dies parts together in a bust blow against the cobalt chronic ingot under a pressure between about 1500 tons and 2000 tons creating a femoral knee bust forging.

Abstract: Work hardened sheets of formable metal are annealed by thermal conduction and heated to a forming temperature. In a preferred embodiment, the sheet is placed on a flat surface of a heated lower platen to partially heat and soften the sheet and an opposing heated upper platen is brought close enough to the sheet to contribute heat but not to constrain the sheet as it expands. The platens are then both brought close to the sheet to heat it to its forming temperature largely by thermal conduction.

Abstract: A hot forming tool is heated with multiple electrical resistance cartridge heaters. The heaters are located in the body of the tool so as to maintain the entire forming surface within a predetermined temperature range. Numerical thermal and optimization analyses direct the placement of the heaters so that when each heating element is simultaneously powered on for an identical fraction of the time, an acceptable temperature distribution will be produced within the tool at the tool operating temperature.

Abstract: A bending method for producing a coil using a thick wall pipe, comprising a simultaneous hot bending and pressing of the pipe by which it is possible to obtain a coil without welded 180° elbows since the return sections are integral part of the pipe.

Abstract: An inexpensive method of rapidly fabricating reactive metal (Zn, Al, Al-alloy, etc.) microscale structures including high-aspect-ratio microscale structures is disclosed. A high precision process uses conformal bond inhibitor coating and high temperature compression molding techniques to produce high quality, high aspect ratio metal structures. In one embodiment, following fabrication of an initial metallic microscale mold insert, an adhesion-promoting metal precursor layer and a ceramic bond inhibitor coating are conformally deposited onto the microscale mold insert. The microscale mold insert and a preselected reactive metal are then heated to an optimum temperature and compressed together. The mold insert is then extracted from the molded metal to produce a reverse image of the mold insert.

Abstract: A method of making a part with regions of different thickness from a plate workpiece having a pair of substantially parallel plate faces. The workpiece is fitted between a surface of a die and a substantially parallel surface of a punch. The die is formed at its surface with an opening. Then the die and the punch are relatively shifted parallel to the surfaces and faces and so as to compress the workpiece parallel to its faces to extrude the workpiece transversely into the opening in the die surface, thereby creating a region of greater thickness.

Abstract: A method for providing improved thickness control of a workpiece formed by impact forming. An impact forming device includes an upper die and a lower die that is configured and disposed for receiving the heated workpiece. The upper die is operatively connected to a ram for directing the upper die into a controlled impact with the lower die while the workpiece is positioned between the upper die and the lower die. This controlled impact forms the workpiece. A precise relationship is determined between a finished thickness of the workpiece and a time duration that the workpiece is in contact with the lower die prior to impact with the upper die to achieve the particular workpiece thickness. Once the workpiece is placed on the lower die, the ram is actuated to effect the controlled impact of the upper and the lower die in response to the precise relationship.