Abstract: An injection system includes an injection system body defining a proximal opening at a proximal end thereof and a distal needle interface at a distal end thereof. The system also includes proximal and distal stopper members disposed in the injection system body, forming a proximal drug and a distal drug chamber. The system further includes a plunger member configured to insert the proximal stopper member relative to the injection system body. Moreover, the system includes a valve forming an openable barrier between the distal needle interface and the distal drug chamber. The valve includes an outer member including a distal diaphragm, and an inner member. The distal diaphragm is configured to elastically deform distally away from the inner member with increased pressure in the distal drug chamber to allow flow from the distal drug chamber to the distal needle interface.

Abstract: A sheet material is gripped at its edges and hot blow formed by a pressurized working gas against a forming tool surface. The flow characteristics of the material are determined at increasing gas pressures over a range of temperature relevant to the forming operation. A predetermined pressure/time schedule is determined at a reference temperature for rapid shape formation of good parts on a continual basis. The process is then controlled as parts are thus formed by measuring the forming temperature of the parts and correcting the pressure time schedule, using the determined flow characteristics, for the actual temperature to achieve the desired shape evolution of the parts.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for heating a cold worked sheet of superplastically formable metal composition to recrystallize its microstructure to a formable condition and/or to heat the sheet to a temperature for an immediate forming operation. The sheet is placed between two electrical resistance heated platens maintained at a suitable temperature for recrystallizing and/or heating the metal sheet through its side surfaces. In a preferred embodiment a critical gap is maintained between the platens and the sheet to permit rapid conductive heating of the expanding sheet without marring its surfaces.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for heating a cold worked sheet of superplastically formable metal composition to recrystallize its microstructure to a suitably formable condition and further to heat the sheet to a temperature for an immediate forming operation. The method utilizes a combination of hot air convection heating and infrared radiation to rapidly accomplish the heating. High temperature infrared heating elements provide most of the energy during an initial high heating rate phase and then those elements are shut off and heating is completed with controlled temperature hot air to prevent overheating of the sheet metal.

Abstract: A method for reducing the part-to-part cycle time of quick plastic forming and superplastic forming of a metallic sheet alloy into an automotive sheet metal component by locally modifying a die surface to control friction which militates against undesirable necking and thinning.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for heating a cold worked sheet of superplastically formable metal composition to recrystallize its microstructure to a formable condition and/or to heat the sheet to a temperature for an immediate forming operation. The sheet is placed between two electrical resistance heated platens maintained at a suitable temperature for recrystallizing and/or heating the metal sheet through its side surfaces. In a preferred embodiment a critical gap is maintained between the platens and the sheet to permit rapid conductive heating of the expanding sheet without marring its surfaces.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for heating a cold worked sheet of superplastically formable metal composition to recrystallize its microstructure to a suitably formable condition and further to heat the sheet to a temperature for an immediate forming operation. The method utilizes a combination of hot air convection heating and infrared radiation to rapidly accomplish the heating. High temperature infrared heating elements provide most of the energy during an initial high heating rate phase and then those elements are shut off and heating is completed with controlled temperature hot air to prevent overheating of the sheet metal.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for forming a hem flange in an aluminum alloy sheet during the forming of the sheet into a panel that is intended to be attached to a second panel by hemming. The hem flange is formed by fluid pressure over a small radius tool portion to bend the flange from the sheet material and stretch the flange material below the bend to form a thinned hemline valley in the material. The original bend and thinned valley cooperate during the folding of the flange around the second panel to form a flat pinched hem without cracking or fracturing the flange material.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for forming a hem flange in an aluminum alloy sheet during the forming of the sheet into a panel that is intended to be attached to a second panel by hemming. The hem flange is formed by fluid pressure over a small radius tool portion to bend the flange from the sheet material and stretch the flange material below the bend to form a thinned hemline valley in the material. The original bend and thinned valley cooperate during the folding of the flange around the second panel to form a flat pinched hem without cracking or fracturing the flange material.

Abstract: The superplastic forming of suitable metal alloy sheets into strong components, such as automobile body structures or panels, is improved and accomplished faster by simultaneously forming two or more substantially identical, relatively thin sheets, preferably about 2 mm or less in thickness, rather than a single sheet of the same overall thickness. For example, two or more layers of thin AA5083 sheets can be stretched formed together at about 500° C. with greater deformation and elongation than a single sheet of comparable thickness.

Abstract: The superplastic forming of suitable metal alloy sheets into strong components, such as automobile body structures or panels, is improved and accomplished faster by simultaneously forming two or more substantially identical, relatively thin sheets, preferably about 2 mm or less in thickness, rather than a single sheet of the same overall thickness. For example, two or more layers of thin AA5083 sheets can be stretched formed together at about 500° C. with greater deformation and elongation than a single sheet of comparable thickness.