Abstract: An apparatus and method is disclosed for drawing continuous metallic wire having a first diameter to a metallic fiber having a reduced second diameter. A feed mechanism moves the wire at a first linear velocity. A laser beam heats a region of the wire to an elevated temperature. A draw mechanism draws the heated wire at a second and greater linear velocity for providing a drawn metallic fiber having the reduced second diameter.

Abstract: A hardened steel part of complex shape is made from a workpiece by first heating the workpiece to an annealing temperature. Then, while the workpiece is still at the annealing temperature, the workpiece is rapidly deformed by a machine into an intermediate shape. The deformed workpiece is then moved from the machine to a press, and, while the workpiece is still at the annealing temperature, it is deformed in the press to the complex shape and then held in the press to harden the workpiece.

Abstract: A system for forming a cup used in forming an elongated container including a draw-redraw station including a movable platen carrying a punch shell; a punch core riser, a punch core mounted on the punch core riser; and a first, fluidly actuated pressure sleeve; and a fixed base carrying a pressure pad; a die core ring; and a die core; the punch shell being movable toward the die core ring to wipe the blank over the die core ring to form an inverted cup; the punch core being movable toward the die core to reverse draw the inverted cup and form the cup; and the die core ring engaging the material against the punch core during the reverse draw to control metal thickness; and a cooling assembly including a chiller, a coolant passage formed in the punch core and fluidly connected to the chiller.

Abstract: A method for producing ring members, such as rings for rolling bearings, through use of a rolling operation involves warming a ring blank, positioning the warmed ring blank over a mandrel which is rotatable about a first axis, and positioning a forming roll rotatable about a second axis aligned with the first axis so as to form a rolling gap with the mandrel, with a portion of the ring blank being positioned in the rolling gap. The forming roll is driven to rotate in one rotary direction while the mandrel is driven to rotate in a rotary direction opposed to the rotary direction of the forming roll. During rotation of the forming roll and the mandrel, the mandrel is urged towards the forming roll to reduce the size of the rolling gap and thereby reduce the thickness of the ring blank while also increasing its diameter.

Abstract: According to one embodiment of the present invention, an equal channel angular extrusion (ECAE) method includes extruding a billet of material along a first axis in a first orientation through an ECAE die, extruding the billet along the first axis in a second orientation through the ECAE die, the second orientation oriented approximately 180° from the first direction, extruding the billet along the first axis in a third orientation through the ECAE die, the third orientation oriented approximately 90° from the second orientation, and extruding the billet along the first axis in a fourth orientation through the ECAE die, the fourth orientation oriented approximately 180° from the third orientation.

Abstract: While a workpiece is heated and pressed by one of a pair of high-pressure vessels, a workpiece being pressed by the other high-pressure vessel is placed in a heated state. In the reducing process after termination of heating and pressing treatment of the workpiece by one high-pressure vessel, both the high-pressure vessels are placed in communication, and the pressure medium gas released from one high-pressure vessel is poured into the other high-pressure vessel. After pressures of both the high-pressure vessels have assumed a nearly balanced state, the pressure medium gas is sucked out of one high-pressure vessel by a compressor and pressed, and is poured into the other high-pressure vessel, and the workpiece is heated and pressed by the other high-pressure vessel. By the method as described, considerable shortening of cycle time of HIP treatment is achieved, and the HIP treatment can be carried out with high efficiency.

Abstract: This method refers to a method by which the physical and mechanical properties intrinsic to a fine-grain structure may be formed in metal billets using pressure treatment. The method is designed to treat rods, bars and other particularly long billets. This method is designed to lower the cost of deformational treatment for long rods and large diameter billets and creates a pre-specified microstructure, including micro-crystal structure, and specific physical and mechanical properties. This may be achieved using various treatment techniques, one of which includes the deformation of at least a part of the billet through reduction of the billets cross-section. In this method, a long rod shaped billet is used. Reduction of the cross-section is achieved using tools that permit movement along and across the billet's axis as well as being rolled about its surface, for example, a roller. In this case at least one support stand is employed for correct placement of the billet.

Abstract: A clay composition for shaping noble metal is formed of a kneaded mixture of a mixed powder of noble metal having as main components thereof 30 to 70% by weight of a powder having an average particle diameter in the range of 2.2 to 3.0 &mgr;m and 70 to 30% by weight of a powder having an average particle diameter in the range of 5 to 20 &mgr;m with an aqueous solution of an organic binder.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for partly reinforcing a workpiece which is capable of reinforcing the reinforcement requiring part of the workpiece on which stress is liable to be concentrated upon use of the workpiece. A workpiece 1 made of metal having a reinforcement requiring part 10 and a forming die 3 are provided. The reinforcement requiring part 10 of the workpiece 1 is heated up to a higher temperature than the other part 18. The reinforcement-requiring part 10 is quenched and reinforced as compared to the other part 18 by bringing the forming surface area of the forming die 3 into direct contact with at least the reinforcement-requiring part 10 of the workpiece 1 which is then strongly pressed.

Abstract: This method refers to a method by which the physical and mechanical properties intrinsic to a fine-grain structure may be formed in metal billets using pressure treatment. The method is designed to treat rods, bars and other particularly long billets. This method is designed to lower the cost of deformational treatment for long rods and large diameter billets and creates a pre-specified microstructure, including micro-crystal structure, and specific physical and mechanical properties. This may be achieved using various treatment techniques, one of which includes the deformation of at least a part of the billet through reduction of the billets cross-section. In this method, a long rod shaped billet is used. Reduction of the cross-section is achieved using tools that permit movement along and across the billet's axis as well as being rolled about its surface, for example, a roller. In this case at least one support stand is employed for correct placement of the billet.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of forming complex structures from aluminum alloys, particularly from naturally hard AlMg alloys, naturally hard AlMgSc alloys and/or age-hardenable AlMgLi alloys. It is an object of the invention to provide such a method by means of which, in a simple manner, that is, by means of as few process steps as possible, complex structures can be formed from the alloys according to the invention such that they almost assume their final shape without any significant spring-back. Simultaneously, the loss of material is to be kept as low as possible.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and device for manufacturing a closed profile in a profile structure and a closed profile manufactured according to the method. The closed profile used and constituted by a metal material of iron, alloyed with chromium, nickel and carbon in predetermined proportions is plastically formed, wherein a strong strain hardening of the closed profile is obtained.

Abstract: An extrusion device for manufacturing a profile from an extrusion block (36), which is at least in part of metallic material, contains a container (10) with container bore (12) to accommodate an extrusion block (36), a stem (32), a shaping chamber and/or a shaping die (18) and a heating facility (25) arranged between the container bore (12) and the die (18). The heating facility (25) contains a heating chamber (22) in the form of a hollow metal tube featuring at least a first and a second heating section (22a, 22b) with heating chamber walls (26a, 26b) and means (30) for inductively heating the heating chamber walls (26a, 26b). The first heating section (22a) exhibits a larger cross-sectional diameter than the—with respect to the direction of extrusion x—second heating section (22b), forming thereby a step-like narrowing in cross-section.

Abstract: A part is manufactured from a composite material containing an aluminum alloy as a metal matrix. Blanks are prepared from a billet of the composite material, and worked on in a press, while they are held at a temperature ranging from the solidus temperature, Ta, of the aluminum alloy minus 50 (Ta−50) deg. C. to Ta deg. C. At a temperature below (Ta−50), the blanks have too high a resistance to plastic deformation to be easily worked on. At a temperature over Ta, a liquid phase is produced and makes the blanks likely to crack easily during plastic deformation.

Abstract: A rotary forging and quenching apparatus and method forms and rapidly cools an axial-symmetric object from a spin formable material. The process uses a preheated billet which is clamped between opposed fixture mandrels which have a circumferential die shape and with quench solution channels running through the fixtures. The mandrels are spun and at least one contour roller of a mating circumferential die shape is brought into bearing contact against the billet in order to spin-form the material into the desired die shape. The mandrel and peripheral margin of the spinning billet are flooded with a quench solution coolant while being spin formed. This process streamlines the manufacturing of wheels or other axial-symmetric parts like cylinders, hemispheres, cones, etc. Typically, parts that require heat treatment, like aluminum alloys, will benefit from this process. The process minimizes the distortion encountered in heat treatment and eliminates the need to add extra material to ensure final dimensions.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the production of tailored blanks by the hot rolling of a strip and to an apparatus for the performance of said process. To obtain tailored blanks to be cut to length from the rolled strip, the hot strip is cooled or heated in portions, so that with a substantially constant rolling force the strip undergoes a differential decrease in thickness in the individual portions, which have been given a differential yield stress value by the differential temperature adjustment.

Abstract: The invention relates to a plate for a spin drum in a centrifuge. The plates contain integrally formed spacers. These plate spacers are comprised of plate material thickenings and are designed to maintain an intermediate space between two or more plates stacked on top of each other. To create this design, the invention includes a process for the manufacture of the plate as defined above. This process includes the step of roll-pressing a blank over a cone shaped mandrel provided with depressions conforming to the shapes of the spacers of the plate. During this rolling process, the spacers are formed when the depressions in the mandrel are filled with the material of the blank. To ease in the formation of these spacers, the blank may be heated prior to rolling.

Abstract: A process and relevant tools for hot forming of high strength metal workpieces by means of applicating high density current to the workpiece directly and generating heat inside it by using its own electrical resistance in order to obtain desired temperature and formability at the desired moment of the forming process without requiring any external heat source or previous heating process. Temperature of the blank is measured by measuring its electrical resistance and by using linear correlation between temperature and resistance. This heating process can be applicated in several metal forming types such as high strength sheet stamping (FIG. 2, FIG. 3), bending (FIG. 3), blow forming (FIG. 4, FIG. 5) in accordance with mechanical operations of the relevant processes. High temperature rates can easily be reached and kept at the desired moment of the forming process without being effected by rapid cooling phenomena resulted by too much heat loss area/mass and heat storage capasitance of thin sheets.

Abstract: A forging device and a method therefor that enables improve forging precision of a work and lengthen life of dies of a forging device, by efficiently heating the work chiefly made of aluminum in one heating furnace, wherein the device has: a heating furnace for heating works W while moving the works W along the movement path; an intermediate processing means, disposed in the midst of the movement path in a heating furnace, for intermediately forming works W; an intermediate conveyance means for conveying works W from the heating furnace to the intermediate processing means; and a final processing means for making the intermediate conveyance means convey the intermediately formed works W to the heating furnace, reheating the conveyed the works W, and finally processing to form the works W.

Abstract: A manufacturing method for a shaped light metal article includes the steps of forming a plastic worked article by plastic working an article for plastic working made of light metal material, and subjecting the plastic worked article to a post-plastic working heat treatment for between 20 minutes and 10 hours at a temperature in a range of 250 to 400° C. As a result, a shaped light metal article is produced with sufficient ductility.

Abstract: Feed material for use in producing a thixotropic alloy comprising pellets in the form of a solid cylinder having a length to diameter ratio in the range of from 1:1 to 2:1 and a maximum length of 0.250 inch.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for the formation of an enlarged end portion of a bar (48) by upset forging. Before upsetting, the bar end portion (46) is heated to a forging temperature and passed through a passage (40) of a form part (2,4) and into a cavity (44) with increased cross-sectional area which is defined by the form part (2,4). The portion of the cavity (44) which is located opposite the passage (40) is defined by wall (42) with a shape corresponding to the cavity's (44) cross section. For the formation of the enlarged end portion, the wall (42) is pressed against the end of the bar and upsets the bar end portion until the bar material fills the cavity (44). According to the method a bar portion which is located in the passage (40) is also heated to forging temperature, and the form part (2,4) is moved simultaneously with the wall (42), whereby this bar portion (48) is successively fed into the cavity (44) during the upsetting process.

Abstract: An ultra precision net shape forming process is disclosed which can satisfy the requirements of MMW and sub-MMW components and sabots for small caliber armor piercing ammunition. The process is well suited to both moderate and high volume applications, and offers the potential for dramatically reducing piece part fabrication costs. The process involves closely controlled high temperature compression forming of metals with cycle times of the order of one minute or less, precise replication of all die features, and very low residual stresses. The ultra precision net shape forming cycle starts following insertion of the billet/blank into an open die. In the preheat phase the press is closed to preheat position where the billet/blank is enclosed in both halves of the die but no force is applied. Following preheat the part is formed employing displacement and force control to insure a fully formed part. After holding for a preset time at the peak force, the press is then commanded back to the loading position.

Abstract: A method for predicting process parameters for optimization and control of microstructure in metal and alloy products of hot working fabrication processes is described. The method uses state-space material behavior models and hot deformation process models for calculating optimal strain, strain rate and temperature trajectories for processing the material. Using the optimal trajectories and appropriate optimality criteria, suitable process parameters such as ram velocity and die profile for processing the material are determined to achieve prescribed strain, strain rate and temperature trajectories.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for operating a press, such as a forge or trim press, are directed at activating a ram in a press having a lower die and an upper die connected to a ram by heating a workpiece to a first temperature above an impact temperature. The workpiece then is placed on the lower die, monitored during chill down of the workpiece from the first temperature, and the ram actuated based upon the monitoring in a controlled manner to effect an impact of the upper die against the workpiece. The monitoring includes measuring a characteristic parameter of the workpiece and the actuating includes actuating the ram after a predetermined fixed value of the measured parameter is measured. The placing of the workpiece on the lower die is done manually in the preferred embodiment.

Abstract: In a method of manufacturing a curved and quenched profile element, a profile element is positioned in a die tool with relatively movable tool halves for forming the profile element into a desired curved shape. The profile element is pushed between the tool halves thereby heating the profile element to a quenching temperature and forming it into the desired curved shape. Heat is dissipated from the curved profile element at an elevated cooling device whereat a cooling liquid flows through the die tool while the profile element is still contained therewithin. The profile element is transported in a forward direction along a manufacturing path to the cooling device and is transported in the same forward direction to remove it from the cooling device thereby providing continuous mechanical handling of the profile element during the manufacturing process.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses are disclosed for heating workpieces that are to be warm forged into parts having integral portions of different configurations, such as reduced portions and upset portions. The corresponding portions of the workpieces are heated to different temperatures in a zone heating apparatus such that the reduced portion is formed before the upset portion is formed when the part is formed from the workpiece in a single forging stroke of a forging press. The zone heating apparatus may include spaced heating coil assemblies, each having a heating coil. Workpieces are pushed through the heating assemblies of the zone heating apparatus in steps, with one portion of each workpiece undergoing more heating cycles than the other portion.

Abstract: The invention includes methods and apparatus for forging and may be applied to trim processes using trim presses. Included are methods and apparatus for forging a gas turbine engine blade forging from a pre-formed workpiece having in serial relationship root, platform, and airfoil sections. A forge press includes a lower die and an upper die and the workpiece has a workpiece contact surface area for contacting a die contact surface area of the upper die during impact of the upper die against the workpiece. A workpiece is heated to a first temperature above an impact temperature, the workpiece is placed on the lower die such that the workpiece contact surface area is in an elevated position above the die contact surface area during chill down, and the ram is actuated to effect impacting of the upper die against the workpiece and contact between the workpiece contact surface area and the die contact surface area during the impacting.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of making lithium-containing aluminum base alloy extrusion having at least a section thereof having a low aspect ratio or which is generally axisymmetrical, the extrusions having improved properties in sections thereof having the low aspect ratio or which are axisymmetrical. The method comprises providing a body of a lithium-containing aluminum alloy, pressing a portion of the body which is to form the axisymmetrical or low aspect ratio section through a tortuous path and extruding an axisymmetrical or a low aspect ratio extrusion section. The axisymmetrical or low aspect ratio section of the extrusion has a tensile strength of at least 60 ksi and an ultimate yield strength at least 4.5 ksi greater than the tensile yield strength.

Abstract: Index-feed deep drawing apparatus comprising a feeding device for intermittently indexing a long-sized work piece, wound in a hoop, in the longitudinal direction, and a plurality of punch/die sets disposed in the feeding direction of the work piece and adapted to sequentially carry out deep drawing at least on the work piece, in which an annealing device adapted to allow the work piece to pass is provided between the deep drawing punch/die sets so as to subject the work piece to intermediate annealing treatment.

Abstract: A method of enhancing the strength of metals by affecting subsurface zones developed during the application of large sliding loads. Stresses which develop locally within the near surface zone can be many times larger than those predicted from the applied load and the friction coefficient. These stress concentrations arise from two sources: 1) asperity interactions and 2) local and momentary bonding between the two surfaces. By controlling these parameters more desirable strength characteristics can be developed in weaker metals to provide much greater strength to rival that of steel, for example.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a press-formed product having a base portion and a projecting portion which is integral with the base portion and projects in a direction different from the base portion, wherein a first forming part for forming the base portion and a second forming part which is integral with the first forming part and projects in a direction different from the first forming part are provided in a divided forming mold, and the first forming part communicates with an accommodating hole having an alloy material input port which is smaller in area than the first forming part, the method comprising the steps of moving a material placed in the accommodating hole, in the state of plastic flow by means of pressure means, and moving the material in the state of plastic flow while sequentially changing the direction of movement of the material, from the accommodating hole to the first forming part and then from the first forming part to the second forming part, thereby press-feeding and forming the alloy mat

Abstract: A process for manufacturing an aneurysm clip (10) having a coil spring (22), a first arm (26) ending in a first clamping jaw, and a second arm (34) ending in a second clamping jaw (40). The method includes: (a) providing a cylindrical starting rod (1) of titanium or titanium alloy; (b) cold drawing the rod to reduce its diameter and increase its strength; (c) cutting the rod to form a single resilient member (12); (d) winding the member about a mandrel to form the coil spring while incorporating the deflection of the arms into the clamping force of the clip; (e) shaping the member into two end sections (16) forming the clamping jaws and two connecting sections (18) forming connecting elements for the jaws; (f) coining the two end sections of the member a temperature between 900 and 1000 degrees F.; and (g) bending the clamping jaws into a position assuring that the clamping jaws are parallel when clamped onto tissue (70).

Abstract: A method of producing a bevel gear is provided. The method comprises the steps of forging, from a case hardened and heated blank, a rough shaped bevel gear intermediate product having a toothed portion, outer burrs at a larger diameter end thereof and between adjacent teeth of the toothed portion, and a ring-shaped inner burr in a center hole thereof, setting the rough shaped bevel gear intermediate product in a trimming die during the time the rough shaped bevel gear intermediate product remains in an elevated temperature condition due to heat left therein after the step of forging, and trimming the outer burrs, and moving, after the step of trimming, the rough shaped bevel gear intermediate product from the trimming die to a sizing die in the vicinity of the trimming die and warm sizing the toothed portion in succession to the step of trimming.

Abstract: High strength steel structural members and a method of making same are disclosed by providing high-strength steel material having a specific chemical composition and preferably a tensile strength of at least about 120,000 psi and a yield strength of at least about 90,000 psi and hot rolling the steel material to provide the structural member of desired geometric configuration.

Abstract: High strength steel parts and method of making are disclosed by providing a blank of high-strength steel material having a tensile strength of at least about 120,000 psi and a yield strength of at least about 90,000 psi and warm forming the blank to provide the part of desired geometric configuration while substantially maintaining or increasing the strength properties of the blank.

Abstract: A large spherical vessel is produced by welding commercially available large plane metal plates together to form a composite plane plate, cutting the composite plane plate to a form adaptable to a spherical surface, and thereafter forming the resulting composite plate blank to spherical form.

Abstract: A novel method is disclosed for removing or eliminating anisotropic material properties typically found in conventionally rolled or otherwise processed aluminum-lithium alloy products obtained from conventional aluminum fabrication mills. The method comprises imparting a predetermined amount of strain to the conventionally rolled alloy sheet whereby the alloy experiences dynamic recrystallization. Through this process, the mill-imposed crystallographic texturing, which initially sets up the undesired anisotropic characteristics, is eliminated. A preferred technique for imparting strain to the sheet stock is superplastic forming.

Abstract: A method of making high-strength steel structural members is disclosed by providing a blank of high-strength steel having a ferrite-pearlite microstructure and high-strength mechanical properties and cold forming the blank by rolling, upsetting, forging, or extrusion to provide a structural member having a desired geometric cross-section while the mechanical strength of the structural member remains substantially the same or greater than the blank.

Abstract: A large spherical vessel is produced by welding commercially available large plane metal plates together to form a composite plane plate, cutting the composite plane plate to a form adaptable to a spherical surface, and thereafter forming the resulting composite plate blank to spherical form.

Abstract: A steel workpiece reheating apparatus and method for raising the temperature of a thin continuously-cast hot workpiece to a required working temperature without causing harm to the workpiece. The apparatus includes a high intensity heating chamber provided at the charging end of a reheat furnace structure which briefly and intensely heats the workpiece above its melting temperature before it enters the remainder of the reheat furnace. The provision of the high intensity heat chamber at the charging end of the reheat furnace structure permits substantial reduction in the length normally required of the reheat furnace to raise the workpiece to the desired working temperature and thus reduces the time spent by the workpiece in the reheat furnace. The high intensity heating chamber uses in its combustion process combustion air preferably preheated by a heat recovery system associated with the heat derived from the combustion occurring within other portions of the reheat furnace.

Abstract: High strength steel structural members and method of making are disclosed by providing a blank of high-strength steel material having a tensile strength of at least about 120,000 psi and a yield strength of at least about 90,000 psi and warm forming the blank to provide the member of desired geometric configuration while substantially maintaining or increasing the strength properties of the blank.

Abstract: A method of making high-strength steel parts is disclosed by providing a blank of high-strength steel having a ferrite-pearlite microstructure and high-strength mechanical properties and cold forming the blank by upsetting, forging, or extrusion to provide a part having a desired geometric configuration while the mechanical strength of the part remains substantially the same or greater than the blank.

Abstract: A method for inducing superplasticity in a composite including a non-transforming phase and a transforming phase by cycling the composite material through a phase transformation of the transforming phase while applying an external stress to the composite material is provided as is a method for inducing superplasticity in a titanium/titanium carbide composite. Also provided is a method for forming a part from a composite material including a transforming phase and a non-transforming phase by cycling the composite through a phase transformation of the transforming phase and shaping the composite material by applying an external stress to the composite material while the transforming phase is undergoing a phase transformation to form a finished article.

Abstract: A process of hot forging a steel at an ultrahigh temperature, including the steps of: heating a steel containing 0.1 wt % or more and less than 1 wt % carbon, in a non-oxidizing gas atmosphere, at a heating rate of from 3.degree. to 20.degree. C./sec, in a differential manner such that the steel shell having a thickness of from 0.5 mm to 1/5 of a maximum diameter of the steel is heated to a temperature within a range from a higher value selected from a temperature 45.degree. C. below a solidus line and a temperature of 1250.degree. C. to a temperature 20.degree. C. below a liquidus line while the steel core is heated to a temperature 20.degree. C. below the liquidus line or higher; blowing a cooling medium onto the surface of the heated steel to remove an oxide film from the steel furnace while cooling the steel shell having a thickness of from 1 mm to 1/5 of the maximum diameter of the steel, at a high cooling rate of 10.degree. C./sec or more to a hot forging temperature of 1200.degree. C.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing rigid disk substrates wherein the conventional process is modified to include a hot press function performed at the end of the fabrication process. The hot press function is performed so as to produce a flat substrate by causing the blank to yield, avoiding flow of either the blank or its overlay coating. The hot press temperature is coordinated with subsequent user process thermal cycle to avoid annealing by that cycle. The platens of the hot press are renewable with exact replacement replicas of master surfaces exhibiting a precise texture pattern ranging from an exact character down to a visibly featureless surface. That precise texture is embossed into the surface of the overlay without modifying that surface's epitaxy character. The process is extended beyond what is normal, by providing compliant platens having replica faces for removing asparity defects from post memory film deposition surfaces, restoring the substrate surface character to the finished disk.

Abstract: A method of making high-strength steel parts is disclosed by providing a blank of high-strength steel having a ferrite-pearlite microstructure and high-strength mechanical properties and cold forming the blank by upsetting, forging, or extrusion to provide a part having a desired geometric configuration while the mechanical strength of the part remains substantially the same or greater than the blank.

Abstract: Shaped metal parts are produced on a continuous basis from a semi-solid metal perform. A plurality of free-standing metal slugs are sequentially heated within an arcuate path defined by a pair of concentrically-positioned solenoid coils to a semi-solid state, such that they may be shaped into a metal part. Means for rotating the slugs during their movement through the arcuate path is also provided.

Abstract: A process for forming a color selection mask for a CRT, in a press containing a punch and a counter-punch, after a temperature build-up stage in a shaping chamber, through the circulation of pressurized hot gas injected by inlets placed on the walls of the counter-punch, includes the step of distributing the hot gas through a distribution device to uniformly heat the mask's surface.

Abstract: Apparatus and process are disclosed for providing, and continuously monitoring and controlling, a tapered temperature profile in solid metal first heated to a specified initial temperature. Temperatures are monitored at a plurality of locations along the length of the metal and are adjusted by successively withdrawing and returning a portion to a heating source through physical movementIn one aspect, apparatus and process continuously monitor and control a tapered temperature profile in a billet of aluminum alloy through a first step of rapid heating in a single-zone electric induction furnace to a temperature sufficient to bring the billet to its cold end set point while not exceeding its maximum skin temperature. The temperatures of the billet are monitored at its die end and its ram end and are adjusted by successively withdrawing and returning the billet to the induction furnace to reduce the heat in the ram end relative to the die end.