Abstract: A system and method for shaping a net or near-net titanium part, the method comprising machining a piece of titanium into a titanium part having non-uniform thickness, heating the titanium part to a target temperature within a target temperature range between an auto-relief temperature of the titanium part and a minimum temperature required for super plastic forming of the titanium part, and lowering a die into the titanium part with sufficient force to shape the titanium part. The system for shaping the titanium part may comprise a multiple-axis machine, a die, electrical clamps, sensors, and a control system for adjusting heating temperatures based on information received from the sensors regarding the titanium part.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
December 22, 2009
Date of Patent:
February 18, 2014
Assignee:
Sprint AeroSystems, Inc.
Inventors:
Rahbar Nasserrafi, Darrell A. Wade, Thanh A. Le, Derek D. Donaldson, Gary W. Sundquist