Abstract: Capitalizing on the unique feature of our induction heating workcell that permits rapid and controlled heating and cooling of a workpiece within a wide temperature range permits combining several manufacturing operations into a single heating cycle to save time, energy, capital, touch labor, and factory space. For example, we can combine superplastic forming (SPF) with annealing; two operations that occur at temperatures that differ by about 150-200.degree. F. (85-105.degree. C.) or more, to produce quality parts. We mill parts flat to simplify their machining, form them to complex curvature, and anneal them.

Abstract: Thick plate is difficult to form because it cracks when localized strain exceeds the limits of the material. Forming thick titanium would significantly reduce manufacturing costs for finished parts by reducing machining time and by allowing standard stock blanks to be used where twelve inch thick or thicker blanks are needed today. Using finite element analysis, we model the plate forming to determine processing constraints that allow forming the thick, coarse grained alpha-beta titanium plate according to SPF principles with controlled strain rates. We form the part at an elevated temperature with a press ram. We complete the part by machining the formed plate, thereby greatly reducing machining time and material cost. Typically we bend a 20 cm thick plate to about 130.degree. with a 5-6 inch inner radius bend, or we form 2 inch thick plate with a complex curvature exceeding twelve inch depth over an area of 30.times.60 inches.

Abstract: Capitalizing on the unique feature of our induction heating workcell that permits rapid and controlled heating and cooling of a workpiece within a wide temperature range allows us to combine manufacturing into a single heating cycle to save time, energy, capital, touch labor, and factory space. For example, we can combine superplastic forming (SPF) with annealing two operations that occur at temperatures that differ by about 150-200.degree. F. (85-105.degree. C.) or more, to produce quality parts. We mill parts flat to simplify their machining, form them to complex curvature, and anneal them.

Abstract: Our induction heating workcell permits rapid and controlled heating and cooling of a workpiece within a wide temperature range. The induction workcell allows us to combine manufacturing operations, like SPF, brazing, and annealing, into a single heating cycle to save time, energy, capital, touch labor, and factory space. Superplastic forming (SPF) and brazing occur at temperatures that differ by about 150.degree.-200.degree. F. (85.degree.-105.degree. C.) or more as do SPF and .beta.-annealing of titanium.

Abstract: Capitalizing on the unique feature of our induction heating workcell that permits rapid and controlled heating and cooling of a workpiece within a wide temperature range permits combining several manufacturing operations into a single heating cycle to save time, energy, capital, touch labor, and factory space. For example, we can combine superplastic forming (SPF) with brazing, two operations that occur at temperatures that differ by about 150-200.degree. F. (85-105-C.) or more, to produce quality parts. Or, we can combine SPF with .beta.-annealing; of titanium. Finally, we can combine forming, brazing, and annealing into an economical single cycle.