Abstract: Apparatus and method for superplastic forming. The workpiece is held between a pair of dies that are electrically and thermally nonconductive, and is heated inductively by a coil embedded within the dies.

Abstract: A method to superplastic form sandwich structures is provided. A series of worksheets are joined together at selected locations through the use of partial penetration welding. The worksheets are subsequently superplastic formed in order to form a sandwich structure. The method allows a different number of worksheets to be used at different points throughout the sandwich structure. This results in a sandwich structure with a different internal reinforcement at different locations in the sandwich structure. In the preferred embodiment, a wing is fabricated from a series of worksheets partial penetration welded together using a laser. The worksheets are superplastic formed to producing a wing with a different internal reinforcement at two or more locations in the wing.