Abstract: A hot press forming die includes a die main body (2) made of alloy tool steel, and a number of forming projections (3) projecting on the die main body and configured to form a forming surface (5) that comes into contact with a heated metal plate material that is an object to be formed and form a refrigerant passage through which a cooling medium flows. The die main body includes a first forming portion (14) in which the forming surface is formed to extend in a direction intersecting a forming direction of the metal plate material, a second forming portion (15) in which the forming surface is formed to extend in the forming direction, and a third forming portion (16) configured to connect the first forming portion and the second forming portion such that the forming surface becomes a convex surface. The forming projection provided on the third forming portion is formed to be a projecting strip extending between the first forming portion and the second forming portion.

Abstract: A press and a process for operating it, has an upper tool and a lower tool for shaping a workpiece and a work unit including a press drive and/or a drawing device, is controllable by a controller, to perform the shaping process. The controller outputs, to the work unit, press process values, which define the sequence of events of the shaping process. Workpiece parameters characterize, for example, the material and/or the shape and/or at least one dimension and/or quality of the workpiece, which still has to be shaped or has already been shaped. The controller is assigned a composition matrix which contains, for each defined workpiece parameter and for each defined press process value, an individually changeable function, to describe the relationship between every one of the defined workpiece parameters and the defined press process values. This composition matrix allows a quick and rapid adjustment and adaptation of the press.

Abstract: Provided is a hot stamping die apparatus including sub-assemblies constructed by making a plurality of plates erect and sequentially overlapping the plurality of plates in a face-to-face manner. A first cooling channel extending along overlapping surfaces is provided by forming grooves corresponding to each other on overlapping surfaces of adjacent plates, A second cooling channel passing through the corresponding sub-assembly in the length direction is provided in at least one of the sub-assemblies.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a mold device for hot stamping, and includes: a hot stamping mold that molds an ultra-high strength steel plate and has a softening part; and a block heater part that is inserted into a lower portion of the softening part of the hot stamping mold to soften the ultra-high strength steel plate, in order to maintain a uniform temperature distribution of the softening part of the hot stamping mold and improve the temperature management and the maintenance performance of the softening part by providing a segmented structure for inserting the block heater part into the softening part of the hot stamping mold.

Abstract: A method of DI forming a laminated metal sheet includes drawing a laminated metal sheet; and redrawing and ironing the drawn laminated metal sheet, wherein a water-based coolant including (a) at least one base selected from the group consisting of alkanolamines and alkali metal hydroxides, (b) a fatty acid, and (c) water is used in the redrawing and ironing, and wherein a total content of the base (a) and the fatty acid (b) is 0.02 to 4% by mass and a ratio of a straight-chain fatty acid having a carbon number of 6 to 12 in the fatty acid (b) is 80 to 100% by mass.

Abstract: A current density changing portion is formed in a heating process on an upper base side with respect to a center portion of a flat metal plate in a direction of current flow, by passing current from a lower base side to the upper base side of the flat metal plate which is rectangular when viewed from above. As a result, a quenchable portion is formed on the upper base side with respect to the center portion of the flat metal plate in the direction of current flow, and a non-quenchable portion is formed on the lower base side with respect to the center portion of the flat metal plate in the direction of current flow. The flat metal plate is press-formed after the heating process, so a complex die cooling structure is not necessary during press-forming, which enables the die cost to be reduced.

Abstract: A method is provided of forming a part from sheet steel. The method comprises the steps of (a) heating the sheet to a temperature at which austenitisation occurs; and (b) forming the sheet between dies into the part, father cooling the formed sheet. There is an additional step between (a) and (b) of applying cooling means to the sheet.

Abstract: Provided is a press-forming product manufacturing method of manufacturing a forming product having satisfactory formability for a drawing process by press-forming a metal sheet using a press-forming tool with high productivity, including: heating the metal sheet to a transformation temperature Ac1 or more; cooling the metal sheet to 600° C. or lower; forming the metal sheet by a forming tool; ending the forming process at a martensite transformation start temperature Ms or more; taking out the metal sheet from the forming tool; and cooling the metal sheet.

Abstract: A hot-pressing device includes a forming surface having a shape corresponding to a predetermined shape into which a workpiece is to be formed and a plurality of coolant channels formed therein so as to be arranged side by side and each having an opening in a side surface thereof when the forming surface is viewed from above or below. The forming surface includes a plurality of grooves formed therein so as to correspond to the coolant channels, a plurality of connection holes formed in each of the grooves so as to be connected to one of the coolant channels corresponding to the groove, the connection holes having openings at positions separated from each other, and a first connection groove connecting a portion of one of the grooves located between two adjacent connection holes to another one of the grooves located adjacent to the one of the grooves.

Abstract: In a hot press molding method for press-molding a heated material and cooling the material while holding the material in a mold, during press molding of the material, shape changes including a portion that curves with respect to a longitudinal direction of the material are molded at longitudinal opposite end portions of the material and resistance to thermal contraction force of the material in the longitudinal direction during cooling is imparted. In one embodiment of the present invention, the shape changes molded on the material during the press molding are minute protrusions provided on surfaces of the longitudinal opposite end portions of the material. The invention makes it possible to suppress thermal contraction of the material during cooling in hot press molding to thereby prevent defects associated therewith.

Abstract: A hot stamping mold apparatus may include a bottom part equipped on a bolster and a top part equipped on a slider, wherein the bottom part and the top part each include a cooling mold including a plurality of coolant chambers formed therein, a heating mold installed at a side of the cooling mold to form a formed surface together with the cooling mold and provided with a heating cartridge installed at a side of the heating mold, and a plurality of insert blocks interposed between the cooling mold and the heating mold.

Abstract: A lightweight hollow member having a high strength such as at least 780 MPa, a complicated shape which can be applied to automotive parts, a high stiffness, and excellent impact properties, and a manufacturing apparatus and method which can form the hollow member by simple steps and which use relatively small and inexpensive forming equipment are provided. The manufacturing apparatus 10 has a feed unit 11 which feeds a hollow steel material being worked 20 having a closed transverse cross-sectional shape in its lengthwise direction, a support unit 12 which supports the material being worked 20 while it is being fed at a first position A, a heating unit 13 which heats the material being worked 20 at a second position B, a transverse cross-sectional shape modifying unit 14 which carries out working to modify the transverse cross-sectional shape of the material being worked 20 at a third position C, and a cooling unit 15 which cools the material being worked 20 at a fourth position D.

Abstract: An arm material for an upper arm or a lower arm is provided which constitutes a double wishbone suspension or the like of an automobile and which has a flat, hollow, closed cross-sectional shape and enables further decreases in size, decreases in weight, and increases in strength. An arm material for an automobile suspension has a body made from a parts material made by metal. The parts material made by metal has a flat, hollow, closed cross-sectional shape having a pair of opposing long sides and is formed from a single member in its lengthwise direction. The body has at least a first bent portion which is bent in a plane roughly parallel to the pair of long sides.

Abstract: A bent member having a bent portion with an extremely small bend radius is manufactured by supporting a rectangular tube by a first support means disposed at a first position A while performing relative feeding of the rectangular tube in its lengthwise direction, locally heating the rectangular tube by a heating means disposed at a second position B, cooling the rectangular tube by a cooling means disposed at a third position C, and at the time of working, applying a shear force to the heated portion of the rectangular tube with a shear force applying means 14 disposed in a downstream region D by moving the device 14 two-dimensionally or three-dimensionally simultaneously in the feed direction of the rectangular tube and in a direction generally parallel to a transverse cross section in the lengthwise direction of the rectangular tube which was heated by the heating means.

Abstract: A blank cut from a strip of hardenable hot-formed steel is heated in a furnace to a temperature which is smaller than an Ac3 transformation point in an iron carbon diagram. A first region of the blank is then heated in a conductive heating station to a temperature above the Ac3 transformation point and subsequently hardened in a hot forming and hardening tool to produce a steel part with at least two microstructured regions of different ductility.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for making a hot stamped coated steel sheet product, comprising the steps of pre-coating a steel strip or sheet with aluminum—or aluminum alloy, cutting said pre-coated steel strip or sheet to obtain a pre-coated steel blank, heating the blank in a furnace preheated to a temperature and during a time defined by diagram according to thickness, at a heating rate Vc between 20 and 700° C. comprised between 4 and 12° C./s and at a heating rate Vc? between 500 and 700° C. comprised between 1.5 and 6° C./s, to obtain a heated blank; then transferring said heated blank to a die, hot stamping the heated blank in the die obtain a hot stamped steel sheet product, cooling at a mean rate Vr between the exit of the heated blank from the furnace, down to 400° C., of at least 30° C./s.

Abstract: This invention relates to a hot-pressing method and a hot-pressing apparatus capable of quenching a workpiece at a sufficient cooling rate. In a hot-pressing step, a hot-pressing apparatus presses and cools a workpiece at the same time. The hot-pressing apparatus includes a lower die and an upper die whose forming surfaces face each other. A top surface of the lower die is provided with a plurality of beads so that a part of the workpiece difficult to come in contact with the forming surface of the lower die and the forming surface of the upper die positioned at the bottom dead center is formed into a stepped shape.

Abstract: An automated rapid capacitive discharge apparatus is provided for sequentially or simultaneously rapidly heating and shaping a plurality of metallic glass feedstock samples. The apparatus includes a sample feeder defining a body for holding a plurality of samples and being capable of sequentially positioning at least one feedstock sample into a discharge position within the processing compartment. In the processing compartment the sample is heated by a discharge of a quantum of electrical energy supplied via electrodes, then shaped into a desired shape by means of a shaping tool, and subsequently moved out of the discharge position as a second feedstock moves into a discharge position.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for shaping a barrel spring made of a unitary ribbon of metallic glass that comprises calculating the theoretical shape to be given to said unitary ribbon of metallic glass so that each segment, once the spring is fitted in the barrel, is subjected to the maximum bending momentum, shaping said ribbon by imparting bends thereto characteristic of said free theoretical shape in order to take into account a potential reduction of the bends once the ribbon is released, relaxing the ribbon in order to set the shape thereof by heating the same, and cooling down said ribbon.

Abstract: A composite fabrication apparatus which may include a first tooling die and a second tooling die movable with respect to each other; a temperature control system having induction coils disposed in thermal contact with the first tooling die and the second tooling die; a first die susceptor provided on the first tooling die and a second die susceptor provided on the second tooling die and connected to the induction coils; and a cooling system disposed in thermal contact with the first tooling die and the second tooling die. A resin transfer system delivers resin from a resin source to the tooling dies to allow resin transfer molding. A composite fabrication method is also disclosed.

Abstract: An apparatus for the connection of articles via at least one connection element plasticizable by heat includes a heatable cap, which is movable toward and away from the connection element and which has a shaft, for the forming of a rivet head at the connection element and having means for the direct heating of the cap. In this respect, the means for the direct heating of the cap include at least one ceramic heating element.

Abstract: A method for stamping a desired shape from a sheet blank includes providing the sheet blank. The method also includes locally cooling the sheet blank with a stream of fluid in a predetermined area of high stress concentration to be experienced during forming of the sheet blank into a desired shape. The method additionally includes forming the metal sheet blank into the desired shape in a stamping press with a punch. A system employing the method for forming a sheet blank is also disclosed.

Abstract: There is provided a hot press-formed product, including a thin steel sheet formed by a hot press-forming method, and having a metallic structure that contains martensite at 80% to 97% by area and retained austenite at 3% to 20% by area, the remainder structure of which is at 5% by area or lower, whereby balance between strength and elongation can be controlled in a proper range and high ductility can be achieved.

Abstract: A stretch-forming apparatus includes a main frame which carries a die enclosure between jaw assemblies. The die enclosure includes radiant heaters for supplying heat to a workpiece being stretch-formed against the die.

Abstract: There is provided a hot press-formed product, including a thin steel sheet formed by a hot press-forming method, and having a metallic structure that contains bainitic ferrite at 70% to 97% by area, martensite at 27% by area or lower, and retained austenite at 3% to 20% by area, the remainder structure of which is at 5% by area or lower, whereby balance between strength and elongation can be controlled in a proper range and high ductility can be achieved.

Abstract: There is provided a hot press-formed product, including a steel sheet formed by a hot press-forming method, and having a metallic structure that contains ferrite at 30% to 80% by area, bainitic ferrite at lower than 30% by area (not including 0% by area), martensite at 30% by area or lower (not including 0% by area), and retained austenite at 3% to 20% by area, whereby balance between strength and elongation can be controlled in a proper range and high ductility can be achieved.

Abstract: There is provided a hot press-formed product, including a thin steel sheet formed by a hot press-forming method, and having a metallic structure that contains retained austenite at 3% to 20% by volume, whereby balance between strength and elongation can be controlled in a proper range and high ductility can be achieved.

Abstract: The manufacturing method comprises the steps of: carrying out one or more forming operations so as to give the desired geometry to the part; and subjecting the part thus formed to a single heat treatment having only a stress relieving treatment, which is preferably carried out at a temperature in the range from 530° C. to 580° C. for a time in the interval from 45 to 60 minutes and is followed by cooling of the part in air. By virtue of the formed part being subjected to a stress relieving heat treatment, the residual stress state due to the initial forming process and to the bead welding, if any, is eliminated or at least significantly reduced.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus for attachment to a conventional sheet metal forming press. The apparatus allows the sheet metal forming process to be preformed fully submerged in an oil. Methods for sheet metal forming in oil are also provided.

Abstract: A method of making an electrode material for use in a spark plug and other ignition devices including industrial plugs, aviation igniters, glow plugs, or any other device that is used to ignite an air/fuel mixture in an engine. The electrode material is a ruthenium-based material that includes a “fibrous” grain structure. The disclosed method includes hot-forming a ruthenium-based material into an elongated wire that includes the “fibrous” grain structure while intermittently annealing the ruthenium-based material as needed. The intermittent annealing is performed at a temperature that maintains the “fibrous” grain structure.

Abstract: The invention relates to a hot forming tool (1, 101, 201, 301) for hot forming a metal workpiece (4, 204), having at least two dies (2, 3; 202, 203; 202, 303) which may be moved relative to one another for forming the workpiece (4, 204), and having a cooling device (5) by means of which the workpiece (4, 204) may be cooled in the hot forming tool (1, 101, 201, 301) from a first, higher temperature to a second, lower temperature. To improve the hot forming tool (1, 101, 201, 301), it is provided that the hot forming tool (1, 101, 201, 301) is equipped with a separating device (10, 210, 310) by means of which a separating operation may be carried out on a workpiece (4, 204) present in the hot forming tool (1, 101, 201, 301). The invention further relates to a method for hot forming.

Abstract: A bent member having excellent dimensional accuracy is manufactured by stably forming a high temperature portion uniformly in the circumferential direction of a steel tube and in a narrow region in the axial direction of the steel. The bent member is manufactured by supporting a steel tube at a first position while feeding it, performing induction heating of the steel tube at a second position with an induction heating coil, cooling the steel tube at a third position to form a high temperature portion which moves in the axial direction of the steel tube, and three-dimensionally varying the position of a gripping mechanism for the steel tube in a region to apply a bending moment to the high temperature portion.

Abstract: A composite fabrication apparatus which may include a first tooling die and a second tooling die movable with respect to each other; a thermal control system having induction coils disposed in thermal contact with the first tooling die and the second tooling die; a first die susceptor provided on the first tooling die and a second die susceptor provided on the second tooling die and connected to the induction coils; and a cooling system disposed in thermal contact with the first tooling die and the second tooling die. A composite fabrication method is also disclosed.

Abstract: There is provided a useful method for producing a press-formed product without making the structure of a press tool complicated, which product has favorable formability in a level so as to be able to be produced by deep drawing, and which product is produced by press-forming a thin steel sheet with a punch and a die, in which the thin steel sheet is heated to a temperature not lower than an Ac3 transformation point thereof, and the press-forming is then started, wherein the forming is carried out so that a temperature difference in the thin steel sheet is adjusted to be not higher than 200° C. at a stage when the thin steel sheet has reached one third of a forming height.

Abstract: A method for straightening a solution treated and aged (STA) titanium alloy form includes heating an STA titanium alloy form to a straightening temperature of at least 25° F. below the age hardening temperature, and applying an elongation tensile stress for a time sufficient to elongate and straighten the form. The elongation tensile stress is at least 20% of the yield stress and not equal to or greater than the yield stress at the straightening temperature. The straightened form deviates from straight by no greater than 0.125 inch over any 5 foot length or shorter length. The straightened form is cooled while simultaneously applying a cooling tensile stress that balances the thermal cooling stress in the titanium alloy form to thereby maintain a deviation from straight of no greater than 0.125 inch over any 5 foot length or shorter length.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a bent metal member comprises supporting the outer surface of a tubular metal material having a Zn-Fe alloy coating layer at two locations spaced in the axial direction of the metal material. The metal material is fed in its axial direction and heated at a position between the two locations to a temperature range of at least the Ac3 point at a heating speed such that the rate of temperature increase is at least 3.0×102° C. per second, held so that the time for which the surface of the metal material is at a temperature of 8.0×102° C. or higher is at most 2 seconds, and then rapid cooled. A bending moment is imparted to the healed portion in two or three dimensions to manufacture a bent metal member having on its surface a Zn-based layer which contains an ?, phase.

Abstract: An improved stamped metal part and method for making the same.

Abstract: A deep drawing apparatus is provided in which a sheet material is subjected to optimal heating and cooling, whereby the limiting draw ratio is increased and a product can be worked more deeply, and uniformity of the sheet thickness of the product can be controlled. This apparatus includes: a punch 2 for subjecting a sheet material 9 to deep drawing; a die 3, used along with the punch, for forming the sheet material and subject the same to deep drawing; an anti-wrinkling component 4 for preventing wrinkling around the periphery of the forming portion in the sheet material; an induction heating coil 5 for directly heating the sheet material at a portion supported by the anti-wrinkling component; a heating controller 6 for controlling the amount of heating of the sheet material by the induction heating coil; and cooling means 21 to 23 for cooling the sheet material at the portion formed by the punch.

Abstract: A method for selectively forming at least one region of a gasket sheet metal layer made of a spring steel, wherein, for the purposes of facilitating the forming process, the region of the sheet metal layer that is to be formed is heated up inductively for reducing the hardness thereof and the electromagnetic alternating field serving for the inductive heating process is concentrated onto the region that is to be formed, wherein the application time of the electromagnetic alternating field on each part of said region of the sheet metal layer that is to be formed amounts to at most approximately 2 seconds.

Abstract: Coated steel having a well defined and uniform thickness is useful and advantageous for preparing products by hot stamping. Products prepared by hot stamping such a steel are particularly advantageous when subjected to a subsequent spot welding step.

Abstract: A hot forming die according to an exemplary embodiment can be provided for a press forming apparatus which can press-forms a heated metal plate (e.g., a work material) and may cool the work material by ejecting a cooling medium onto the work material. The hot forming die can have a main supply path through which the cooling medium passes, a plurality of branch supply paths branching off the main supply path, injection ports for ejecting the cooling medium to the outside of the die, and nozzle members fixed on the ejection port side of the branch supply paths to restrict the passage amount of the cooling medium by using passage holes for allowing the cooling medium to pass there through. In a hot press forming method according to an exemplary embodiment, the cooling medium in the die can be held on standby after being pressurized to a degree at which the cooling medium is not ejected.

Abstract: The invention relates to a forming tool for hot forming, including a plurality of tool elements resting against one another and which define a forming surface, wherein the forming surface is embodied so as to be complementary to at least one section of a formed sheet component, which is to be produced by way of hot forming, and wherein the tool elements include cooling ducts in the form of bores which extend along the forming surface. At least two of the tool elements in each case include at least one cooling duct, which branches within the tool element into at least two cooling duct branches, wherein the bore axes of the cooling duct branches, which diverge or converge, respectively, extend along the forming surface. Through this, a generic forming tool is created, which provides for a high, uniform cooling capacity across a large forming surface.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for determining shape changes of a workpiece made of steel or a steel alloy due to forming, in which a varnish is applied to the workpiece, the workpiece is formed and then an optical shape change analysis is carried out by measuring the applied varnish. The object of providing a method for determining shape changes of a workpiece made of steel or a steel alloy, said method also being suitable for analyzing the shape change of a workpiece after hot forming, is solved according to the teaching of the present invention in that before the forming of the workpiece a varnish with an Al proportion of more than 30% by weight is applied to the workpiece, the workpiece is heated for forming to a hot forming temperature and the workpiece is cooled after or during the forming.

Abstract: A method for straightening a solution treated and aged (STA) titanium alloy form includes heating an STA titanium alloy form to a straightening temperature of at least 25° F. below the age hardening temperature, and applying an elongation tensile stress for a time sufficient to elongate and straighten the form. The elongation tensile stress is at least 20% of the yield stress and not equal to or greater than the yield stress at the straightening temperature. The straightened form deviates from straight by no greater than 0.125 inch over any 5 foot length or shorter length. The straightened form is cooled while simultaneously applying a cooling tensile stress that balances the thermal cooling stress in the titanium alloy form to thereby maintain a deviation from straight of no greater than 0.125 inch over any 5 foot length or shorter length.

Abstract: A lightweight hollow member having a high strength such as at least 780 MPa, a complicated shape which can be applied to automotive parts, a high stiffness, and excellent impact properties, and a manufacturing apparatus and method which can form the hollow member by simple steps and which use relatively small and inexpensive forming equipment are provided. The manufacturing apparatus 10 has a feed unit 11 which feeds a hollow steel material being worked 20 having a closed transverse cross-sectional shape in its lengthwise direction, a support unit 12 which supports the material being worked 20 while it is being fed at a first position A, a heating unit 13 which heats the material being worked 20 at a second position B, a transverse cross-sectional shape modifying unit 14 which carries out working to modify the transverse cross-sectional shape of the material being worked 20 at a third position C, and a cooling unit 15 which cools the material being worked 20 at a fourth position D.

Abstract: A seamless composite metal tube comprises an inner layer (1) consisting of copper or a copper alloy, an outer layer (5) consisting of aluminium or an aluminium alloy, and at least three different intermediate intermetallic layers (2, 3, 4) each consisting of copper and aluminium, wherein the concentration of copper decreases from the inner layer (1) to the outer layer (5) in the radial direction of the tube.

Abstract: A steel part with regions of different ductility is made by first loading the part onto a heatable rack and then heating the rack with the part on it in a furnace to a temperature above the AC3 point of the part. The part is then removed from the rack and loaded while still above the AC3 point into a press where it is shaped and hardened. In the press the part is engaged by tools that deform it and that cool it quickly to well below the AC3 point. Finally, before the rack has cooled substantially, the shaped and hardened part is taken out of the press and placed on the rack with predetermined regions of the part in heat-conducting engagement with the rack such that the ductility of the predetermined regions is increased by transfer of the residual heat from the rack to the predetermined regions.

Abstract: The method for cooling a hot strip which is obtained after a hot rolling process to the temperature range of 500° or less. Cooling water is brought into contact with the hot strip. The method includes a first cooling step and a subsequent second cooling step. Cooling is stopped at a strip temperature that is higher than a transition boiling initiation temperature in the first cooling step, and the cooling is conducted using the cooling water having a water flow rate that causes nucleate boiling in the subsequent second cooling step. Entering the temperature range of transition boiling can be completely prevented to avoid thermal instability in cooling resulting from the transition boiling, and the temperature variation of the strip after cooling is controlled to be small while the cooling end temperature can be precisely controlled.

Abstract: A stretch-forming apparatus includes a main frame which carries a die enclosure between jaw assemblies. An insulated die is mounted in the enclosure. A method of forming a component includes placing a workpiece in the enclosure, heating the workpiece to a working temperature using electrical resistance heating, and then stretching the workpiece against the die. The method is particularly useful for titanium workpieces.

Abstract: An arm material for an upper arm or a lower arm is provided which constitutes a double wishbone suspension or the like of an automobile and which has a flat, hollow, closed cross-sectional shape and enables further decreases in size, decreases in weight, and increases in strength. An arm material for an automobile suspension has a body made from a parts material made by metal. The parts material made by metal has a flat, hollow, closed cross-sectional shape having a pair of opposing long sides and is formed is from a single member in its lengthwise direction. The body has at least a first bent portion which is bent in a plane roughly parallel to the pair of long sides.