Forming of metal articles
US5413271A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Feb 25, 1994 |
| Grant date | May 9, 1995 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Feb 25, 2014 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB21D26/055
- WIPO fieldMachine tools
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A method of superplastically forming a metal article and an article formed by such a method are provided. The method includes the steps of placing sheet material including at least one sheet of superplastically formable material (2, 3) and a sheet of reinforcing material (10) adjacent a said sheet (2) of superplastically formable material within a mold tool having a male former (18) protruding from the tool surface positioned to contact the sheet of reinforcing material during forming and causing the at least one superplastically formable sheet (2, 3) adjacent the reinforcing sheet (10) to be superplastically formed into conformation with the surface (28) of the mold tool and simultaneously to urge the sheet of reinforcing material (10) against the male former (18). The method is characterised by thinning at least one selected area (14, 15, 16, 17) of the sheet of reinforcing material (10), the at least one area being adapted to form around at least one region of high curvature (19, 20, 21, 22) of the male former (18) whereby to promote controlled folding of the reinforcing sheet (10) about the former.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.