Abstract: An elevated temperature forming system in which a sheet metal workpiece is provided in a first stage position of a multi-stage pre-heater, is heated to a first stage temperature lower than a desired pre-heat temperature, is moved to a final stage position where it is heated to a desired final stage temperature, is transferred to a forming press, and is formed by the forming press. The preheater includes upper and lower platens that transfer heat into workpieces disposed between the platens. A shim spaces the upper platen from the lower platen by a distance greater than a thickness of the workpieces to be heated by the platens and less than a distance at which the upper platen would require an undesirably high input of energy to effectively heat the workpiece without being pressed into contact with the workpiece.

Abstract: An elevated temperature forming system in which a sheet metal workpiece is provided in a first stage position of a multi-stage pre-heater, is heated to a first stage temperature lower than a desired pre-heat temperature, is moved to a final stage position where it is heated to a desired final stage temperature, is transferred to a forming press, and is formed by the forming press. The preheater includes upper and lower platens that transfer heat into workpieces disposed between the platens. A shim spaces the upper platen from the lower platen by a distance greater than a thickness of the workpieces to be heated by the platens and less than a distance at which the upper platen would require an undesirably high input of energy to effectively heat the workpiece without being pressed into contact with the workpiece.

Abstract: An elevated temperature forming die apparatus comprising a lower die part having a first upper surface positioned to engage a lower surface of a first region of such a workpiece, an upper die part supported for reciprocal motion relative to the lower die part, the upper die part having a lower surface that engages an upper surface of a second region of a sheet material workpiece, heaters in thermal communication with the die parts, and a third die part having an upper surface that engages a lower surface of the second region of a sheet material workpiece whose first portion is positioned between the upper and lower die parts, the third die part being supported for reciprocal motion relative to the upper die part such that closure of the upper die part along the first stroke portion against the third die part will clamp the first portion of the workpiece between the upper and third die parts, and the third die part being supported for reciprocal motion relative to the lower die part such that, once the first p