Sheet forming system

Abstract

The present invention relates to a sheet forming system (1) comprising: a body (2); at least one lower jaw (3) and / or at least one upper jaw (4) located on the body (2) so as to remain opposite to each other and to move towards each other to apply force for the forming process; at least two plates (5) located on the lower jaw (3) and / or the upper jaw (4) to provide strength against the force applied to it by the lower jaw (3) and / or the upper jaw (4); at least two insulation sheets (6) located on each plate (5) so as to remain opposite to each other to provide thermal insulation; at least one male die (7) and at least one female die (8) positioned on the insulation sheets (6) on the lower jaw (3) and / or the upper jaw (4) and they can be placed into each other in a fully shape compatible manner; at least one workpiece (9) positioned between the male die (7) and the female die (8) and shaped by applying heat to it.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present invention relates to shaping of materials in sheet form used in aircraft and space in a form predetermined by the user. BACKGROUND

[0002] Sheet forming processes are used to ensure that the material forms the proper form determined by the user for engineering applications. Induction heating methods can be used to make superplastic forming, curing processes of composite materials and heat treatment of thermoplastic materials more efficient.

[0003] The US patent application file number US20070063385 included in the state of the art discloses a method of shaping sheet materials under heating by rapid heating. It is mentioned that two male and female dies are positioned so that they can be moved towards each other in the system. A heater consisting of induction coils is placed between the dies. It is disclosed that superplastic forming and rapid plastic forming processes are performed. SUMMARY

[0004] Thanks to the sheet forming system developed within the scope of the present invention, it is provided that the workpiece is heated and cooled uniformly in a faster way during sheet forming.

[0005] Another purpose of the present invention is to develop a sheet forming system that can also be adapted to be used in different dies.

[0006] The sheet forming system for realizing the purpose of the present invention comprises a body, at least one lower jaw and at least one upper jaw that can apply the force to be used for the forming process to be performed, located on the body so as to be opposite to each other and can be moved towards each other on the body, at least two plates positioned on the lower jaw and / or the upper jaw and can resist the force applied by the lower jaw and / or the upper jaw permanently, at least two insulation sheets positioned on each plate so as to remain opposite to each other to provide insulation, at least one male die and at least one female die positioned on the lower jaw and / or the upper jaw so as to contact the insulation plates and placed into each other in a nearly form fitting manner, at least one workpiece positioned so as to be kept between the male die and the female die and shaped by applying heat.

[0007] The sheet forming system of the present invention comprises at least one side wall that is detachably mounted to the body and arranged so as to nearly completely surround the outer periphery of each insulation sheet and each plate, and at least one induction heater arranged so as to nearly completely surround the workpiece that is detachably mounted to the side wall.

[0008] In the embodiments of the present invention, the sheet forming system comprises at least one connecting element so that the induction heater can be detachably mounted to the side wall so that there is a certain distance between the side wall and the induction heater.

[0009] In an embodiment of the invention, the sheet forming system comprises at least two insulation plates located between the male die and the insulation sheet positioned against the male die and between the female die and the insulation sheet positioned against the female die and capable of reducing the heat reaching each insulation sheet.

[0010] In an embodiment of the invention, the sheet forming system comprises at least one duct extending along the length of the plate on each plate, through which the coolant can pass.

[0011] In an embodiment of the invention, the sheet forming system comprises an insulation coating applied to the inner side surface of the side wall positioned so as to face the induction heater.

[0012] In an embodiment of the invention, the sheet forming system comprises at least one sealing element applied to the side wall and controlling the air permeability of the side wall during the sheet forming operation.

[0013] In an embodiment of the invention, the sheet forming system comprises a first sealing element applied so that it is positioned on the side wall on the lower jaw in the form of a linear strip and a second sealing element applied so that it is positioned on the side wall on the upper jaw in the form of a linear strip.

[0014] In an embodiment of the invention, the sheet forming system comprises a first sealing element and a second sealing element applied to the side wall so as to be in complete contact with each other during the forming process of the workpiece placed between the male die and the female die.

[0015] In an embodiment of the invention, the sheet forming system comprises side walls that provide the strength against the force applied by the lower jaw and the upper jaw as a result of the closed opposite side walls moving towards each other and thus coming into contact with each other.

[0016] In an embodiment of the invention, the sheet forming system comprises an induction heater consisting of a flat coil.

[0017] In an embodiment of the invention, the sheet forming system comprises an insulation sheet made of a material that can be mica and / or ceramic material.

[0018] In an embodiment of the invention, the sheet forming system comprises a plate made of aluminum and / or steel material.

[0019] In an embodiment of the invention, the sheet forming system comprises a workpiece made of metal or composite material.

[0020] In an embodiment of the invention, the sheet forming system comprises an insulation plate made of stainless steel material. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0021] A sheet forming system realized for the purpose of realizing the present invention is shown in the attached drawings, in which:

[0022] Figure 1 is a side view of the sheet forming system.

[0023] Figure 2 is a perspective view of the sheet forming system.

[0024] Figure 3 is a perspective view of the plate, the spacer sheet, the male mold, the female mold, the side wall and the induction heater.

[0025] All parts shown in the drawings are individually assigned a reference numeral, and the corresponding terms for these numbers are listed below.

[0026] 1. Sheet forming system

[0027] 2. Body

[0028] 3. Lower jaw

[0029] 4. Upper jaw

[0030] 5. Plate

[0031] 6. Spacer sheet

[0032] 7. Male mold

[0033] 8. Female mold

[0034] 9. Workpiece

[0035] 10. Side wall

[0036] 11. Induction heater

[0037] 12. Connection element

[0038] 13. Insulating plate

[0039] 14. Pipe

[0040] 15. Sealing element

[0041] 151. First sealing element

[0042] 152. Second sealing element DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0043] Sheet forming system 1 comprises a body 2, at least one lower jaw 3 and / or at least one upper jaw 4 located on the body 2 so as to hold each other opposite and to move towards each other to apply force for the forming process, at least two plates 5 located on the lower jaw 3 and / or the upper jaw 4 to provide strength against the force applied by the lower jaw 3 and / or the upper jaw 4 to it, at least two insulation sheets 6 located on each plate 5 so as to hold each other opposite and to provide thermal insulation, at least one male die 7 and at least one female die 8 positioned on the insulation sheets 6 located on the lower jaw 3 and / or the upper jaw 4 and capable of being placed into each other in a full form fit, at least one workpiece 9 positioned between the male die 7 and the female die 8 and shaped by applying heat to it Figure 1 , Figure 2 , Figure 3 ).

[0044] Sheet forming system 1 of the invention comprises more than one side wall 10 detachably mounted to the body 2 so as to almost completely surround each plate 5 and each insulation sheet 6, at least one induction heater 11 positioned so as to almost completely surround the workpiece 9 to be held between the workpiece 9 and the side wall 10.

[0045] In order to apply the force required for the sheet to be shaped, the body 2 comprising the lower jaw 3 and the upper jaw 4 is used. The lower jaw 3 and the upper jaw 4 are positioned on the body 2 so that they can be moved linearly towards each other. As the lower jaw 3 and the upper jaw 4 move towards each other, the plates 5, which withstand the strength of the force to be applied to each other, are placed on the surfaces of the lower jaw 3 and the upper jaw 4 so as to face each other. In order to provide insulation in the system, the insulation sheets 6 are mounted on the surfaces of the plates 5 positioned so as to face each other on the lower jaw 3 and the upper jaw 4. The male die 7 and the female die 8 are used in the sheet forming process. The male die 7 is positioned on the surface of the insulation sheet 6 located on the lower jaw 3 and the female die 8 is positioned on the surface of the insulation sheet 6 located on the upper jaw 4. Thus, when the lower jaw 3 and the upper jaw 4 move towards each other, the female die 8 can be placed in the male die 7 in a form fit. The workpiece 9 is inserted between the male die 7 and the female die 8 for the forming process. Using the plates 5, the force applied by the lower jaw 3 and the upper jaw 4 allows the workpiece 9 placed between the male die 7 and the female die 8 to be shaped at high temperatures. In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the workpiece 9 in the form of a sheet with a thickness of less than three millimeters is used in the forming process.

[0046] The temperature required for the forming plate is provided by the induction heater 11 which is composed of a coil and is used in the sheet forming system 1. The induction heater 11 is positioned in a manner to almost completely surround the punch 7 and the die 8. In this way, the temperature value which is predetermined by the user during the forming process can be controlled in order to distribute the heat evenly and the temperature of the area on which the heat treatment is applied can be controlled more easily. The induction heater 11 is detachably mounted to the side wall 10. In this way, it can be used for different forming dies. The side wall 10 is detachably mounted to the body 2 in order to almost completely surround the plate 5 and the spacer sheet 6. In this way, the induction heater 11 can be positioned in the side wall 10 in a manner to almost completely surround the punch 7 and the die 8.

[0047] In an embodiment of the present invention, the sheet forming system 1 comprises at least one connection element 12 which allows the induction heater 11 to be detachably mounted to the side wall 10 such that there is a distance between the side wall 10 and the induction heater. The induction heater 11 is mounted to the side wall 10 before the sheet forming process so that it can be removed after the process. In this way, different sizes of the heater can be integrated to the side wall 10 and the side wall 10 and the induction heater 11 can also be used in different forming systems.

[0048] In an embodiment of the present invention, the sheet forming system 1 comprises at least two insulation plates 13 which are located on the lower jaw 3 and the upper jaw 4 in order to be kept between the spacer sheet 6 and the punch 7 and between the spacer sheet 6 and the die 8, thereby forming a thermal barrier between the spacer sheet 6 and the punch 7 and the die 8. The insulation plates 13 are used in order to be kept between the spacer sheet 6 and the punch 7 and between the spacer sheet 6 and the die 8 in order to prevent the heat transferred by the induction heater 11 to the punch 7, the die 8 and the workpiece 9 to the spacer sheet 6, the plate 5, the lower jaw 3 and the upper jaw 4 located in the system to the maximum possible extent.

[0049] In an embodiment of the present invention, the sheet forming system 1 comprises at least one pipe 14 which extends along the entire length of the plate 5 through which a coolant passes. After the forming process, the workpiece 9 must be cooled at a speed predetermined by the user. After the process, the formed workpiece 9 can be cooled using the coolant which passes through the pipe 14.

[0050] In an embodiment of the present invention, the sheet forming system 1 comprises side walls 10 whose inner side surfaces which remain opposite to the induction heater 11 are coated in an insulating manner. There is a gap between the induction heater 11 placed in the side wall 10 and the side wall 10 in the forming process. In order for the forming process to be successful, the temperature value in the desired area must remain constant according to the process value. For this purpose, insulation material coating is made on the surface of the side wall 10 facing the induction heater 11 in order to provide thermal insulation.

[0051] In an embodiment of the present invention, the sheet forming system 1 comprises at least one sealing element 15 placed on the side walls 10 to prevent almost completely the air permeability of the side walls 10 during the forming process. As the lower jaw 3 and the upper jaw 4 move towards each other, the side walls 10, which remain opposite to each other, enter stacked together and create an area that will provide insulation for the induction heater 11, the male die 7, the female die 8 and the workpiece 9 held therein. The sealing elements 15 are arranged on the mutually facing surfaces of the side walls 10 to enhance the continuity of the insulation environment and to reduce the permeability.

[0052] In an embodiment of the present invention, the sheet forming system 1 comprises a first sealing element 151 in the form of a strip located on the side walls 10 on the lower jaw 3 and a second sealing element 152 in the form of a strip located on the side walls 10 on the upper jaw 4. The first sealing element 151 and the second sealing element 152 in the form of a strip are applied along the entire length of the mutually facing surfaces of the side walls 10 Figure 3 .

[0053] In an embodiment of the present invention, the sheet forming system 1 comprises a first sealing element 151 and a second sealing element 152 located on the side walls 10 so as to almost completely contact each other during the forming process of the workpiece 9.

[0054] In an embodiment of the present invention, the sheet forming system 1 comprises side walls 10 that provide strength against the force applied by the lower jaw 3 and / or the upper jaw 4 when their mutually facing surfaces are closed during the forming process. In order to shape the workpiece 9, heat is applied by the induction heater 11 and force is applied by the lower jaw 3 and the upper jaw 4. During the application of force, the side walls 10, which provide insulation by closing to each other, are intended to be strong enough to withstand the applied force.

[0055] In an embodiment of the present invention, the sheet forming system 1 comprises an induction heater 11 consisting of a plurality of flat coils. The induction heater 11, which consists of flat coils positioned in the side walls 10 in a manner to almost completely surround the workpiece 9, provides the heat required for shaping the workpiece 9 by using the induction heating method.

[0056] In an embodiment of the present invention, the sheet forming system 1 comprises an insulation sheet 6 made of mica and / or ceramic material. The insulation sheet 6 made of mica and / or ceramic material provides the thermal insulation required during the forming process. In this way, the workpiece 9 is shaped at a temperature predetermined by the user.

[0057] In an embodiment of the present invention, the sheet forming system 1 comprises a plate 5 made of aluminum and / or steel material. The plate 5 made of aluminum and / or steel material can exhibit strength against the forming force applied by the lower jaw 3 and / or the upper jaw 4.

[0058] In an embodiment of the present application, the sheet forming system 1 comprises a workpiece 9 made of metal or composite material. The forming process using the induction heater 11 is used for the workpiece 9 made of metal or composite material.

[0059] In an embodiment of the present application, the sheet forming system 1 comprises an insulation plate 13 made of stainless steel material. In order to prevent the heat supplied by the induction heater 11 from reaching the isolation sheet 6, the insulation plate 13 made of stainless steel material having low magnetic field sensitivity is used.

Claims

1. A sheet forming system (1), comprising: Ontology(2); At least one lower claw (3) and at least one upper claw (4) are located on the body (2) to keep them relative to each other and to move toward each other to apply force for the forming process; At least two plates (5) are located on the lower claw (3) and the upper claw (4) to provide strength against forces applied to the at least two plates by the lower claw (3) and the upper claw (4); At least two insulating sheets (6) are located on each of the plates (5) to provide thermal insulation while remaining opposite to each other; At least one punch (7) and at least one die (8) are positioned on the isolation sheet (6) located on the lower jaw (3) and the upper jaw (4) and are able to be placed in each other in a fully shape-compatible manner; At least one workpiece (9) is positioned between the punch (7) and the die (8) and is formed by applying heat to the at least one workpiece, characterized in that... More than one sidewall (10) is detachably mounted to the body (2) and positioned such that the insulating sheet (6) and the plate (5) located below the surface of the insulating sheet (6) are held between at least two of the sidewalls (10); At least one induction heater (11) is positioned between the sidewalls to hold the workpiece (9) between the sidewalls (10).

2. The sheet forming system (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that, At least one connecting element (12) allows the induction heater (11) to be detachably mounted to the sidewall (10) such that there is a distance between the sidewall (10) and the induction heater.

3. The sheet forming system (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, At least two insulating plates (13) are located on the lower claw (3) and the upper claw (4) to be held between the insulating sheet (6) and the punch (7) and between the insulating sheet (6) and the die (8), thereby forming a thermal barrier between the insulating sheet (6) and the punch (7) and the die (8).

4. The sheet forming system (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, At least one pipe (14) through which the coolant passes extends completely along the plate (5).

5. The sheet forming system (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The sidewall (10) has an insulating coating on the side surface of the sidewall that is opposite to the induction heater (11).

6. The sheet forming system (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, At least one sealing element (15) is placed on the sidewall (10) to almost completely prevent the sidewall (10) from being permeable during the forming process.

7. The sheet forming system (1) according to claim 6, characterized in that, A first sealing element (151) in the form of a strip is located on the sidewall (10) on the lower claw (3), and a second sealing element (152) in the form of a strip is located on the sidewall (10) on the upper claw (4).

8. The sheet forming system (1) according to claim 7, characterized in that, The first sealing element (151) and the second sealing element (152) are located on the sidewall (10) so as to be in full contact with each other during the forming process of the workpiece (9).

9. The sheet forming system (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The sidewall (10) provides strength against the forces exerted by the opposing surfaces of the lower claw (3) and / or the upper claw (4) when they are closed during the forming process.

10. The sheet forming system (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The induction heater (11) consists of a flat coil.

11. The sheet forming system (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The insulating sheet (6) is made of mica and / or ceramic materials.

12. The sheet forming system (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The plate (5) is made of aluminum and / or steel.

13. The sheet forming system (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The workpiece (9) is made of metal or composite material.

14. The sheet forming system (1) according to claim 3, characterized in that, The insulating plate (13) is made of stainless steel.

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