A composite thermoforming mold

Abstract

This application relates to the field of aerospace machining, specifically disclosing a composite thermoforming mold. Its structure includes: a base; a downwardly movable punch above the base, the punch having a pressing edge; a mounting groove on the base, the inner wall contour of which matches the outer skirt of a pipe support structure; a shaping column within the mounting groove for flanging pipe holes; a liftable intermediate mold fitted onto the shaping column, the intermediate mold having a shaping column hole through which it fits onto the shaping column; and a pressing edge groove in the center of the intermediate mold for the pressing edge to engage, the side contour of which matches the inner skirt. By utilizing the shaping column, intermediate mold, and mounting groove, the technical problem that pipe support mechanisms manufactured in the prior art cannot meet the precision requirements of modern aero-engines is solved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of aerospace machining, specifically a composite thermoforming mold. Background Technology

[0002] The aircraft engine is the heart of an aircraft and is crucial to its safety. Because aircraft engines strive for the highest possible thrust-to-weight ratio, operating efficiency, and economy, their structure has certain unique characteristics.

[0003] Aero engines have internal piping structures, and vibrations are inevitable during engine operation. To ensure the stability of these pipes within the engine, a pipe support structure 1 is designed to support them. This pipe support structure 1 is irregularly shaped, such as... Figure 2 As shown, it has a crescent-shaped shape with a pipe hole 12 in the middle, an inner skirt 11 on one side and an outer skirt 13 on the other side. During processing, the skirt needs to be turned over and the pipe hole 12 in the middle needs to be turned over, which makes the processing process quite complicated.

[0004] Therefore, in order to manufacture this pipe support structure, the worker performs preliminary processing, hole turning, and edge turning on the workpiece in sequence. First, the plate is cut to process the planar structure of the outer skirt 11, pipe hole 12, and inner skirt 13 of the pipe support structure. At this time, the workpiece has not yet completed edge turning and hole turning. In the existing technology, the worker uses a machine with different pressing dies to turn the inner skirt 11 and outer skirt 13 in sequence. Then, the die on the machine is changed to turn the pipe hole 12 of the pipe support structure.

[0005] While existing technology can manufacture pipe support structures, the process involves three machining operations and two clamping cycles. Although the entire process requires precision machining, the development of aero-engines places higher demands on the precision of their components. The tolerances introduced by the two clamping cycles mean that the existing pipe support structures cannot meet the precision requirements of modern high-end aero-engine manufacturing. Furthermore, the pipe support structure is made of titanium alloy, which is excessively hard. Both edge pressing and hole turning require heating to soften it. The degree of softening of titanium alloy varies at different temperatures, resulting in slight differences in deformation under the same pressure. The three machining operations require three heating cycles, each with a different temperature. These two clamping cycles and three heating cycles introduce tolerances in the reference positioning and temperature control of the pipe support structure, further complicating the precision requirements of modern high-end aero-engine manufacturing. Summary of the Invention

[0006] The purpose of this invention is to provide a composite thermoforming mold to solve the technical problem mentioned above that, with the development of aero engines, the pipe support mechanism processed in the prior art cannot meet the precision requirements of current aero engines.

[0007] To solve the above problems, the technical solution adopted by the present invention is as follows: A composite thermoforming mold includes a base, a downwardly movable punch above the base, the punch having a pressing edge protrusion, the base having an installation groove, the inner wall contour of the installation groove being consistent with the outer skirt of the pipe support structure, a shaping column for flanging the pipe hole being provided in the installation groove, a liftable middle mold being sleeved on the shaping column, the middle mold having a shaping column hole, the middle mold being sleeved on the shaping column through the shaping column hole, a pressing edge groove for fitting the pressing edge protrusion in the middle of the middle mold, the side contour of the pressing edge groove being consistent with the inner skirt, and the height of the installation groove being greater than the thickness of the middle mold.

[0008] The beneficial effects of this implementation plan are as follows:

[0009] 1. This solution utilizes the overlap of the pressing ridge on the punch and the pressing groove on the middle die to complete the flanging of the inner skirt. After flanging, the punch and the middle die press the workpiece together and move downwards. The shaping column passes through the pipe hole of the workpiece, completing the flanging of the pipe hole. The outer skirt of the workpiece completes the flanging when it moves downwards from the middle die and moves relative to the base. In existing technologies, completing the flanging and flanging of the inner and outer skirts requires two or three clamping operations. However, this solution can complete the flanging of the inner skirt, the flanging of the outer skirt, and the flanging of the pipe hole in a single clamping and positioning operation. Compared with existing technologies, the number of clamping operations is reduced, and the tolerance caused by clamping is smaller, resulting in higher precision.

[0010] 2. Existing technologies require multiple processing steps, and the workpiece is a titanium alloy material used in aero-engines. The processing needs to be completed at 700℃, so three processing steps require three heating steps, which consumes more energy. This solution only requires one heating step, which greatly saves energy and reduces costs.

[0011] 3. Since this solution only requires one clamping and one heating, it greatly saves clamping and heating time. In addition, cooling is required after each heating, which takes a lot of time. Therefore, this solution improves processing efficiency compared with the existing technology.

[0012] Furthermore, the punch is provided with a key pin, which is fixedly connected to the punch. The base is provided with a guide key pin groove that can engage with the key pin and slide relative to it. The key pin is fixed to the punch and engages with the base, allowing relative sliding. Therefore, when the base and the punch approach each other, the key pin acts as a guide, preventing horizontal displacement between the base and the punch.

[0013] Furthermore, the top surface of the shaped column is higher than the base. Since the top surface of the shaped column is higher than the base, when the middle mold and the base are flush, the shaped column can serve as a positioning point for the workpiece.

[0014] Furthermore, a temperature measuring hole penetrating the base is provided on the side wall of the base. Since the workpiece needs to be processed at around 700℃, the temperature measuring hole facilitates temperature measurement and enables temperature control during the processing.

[0015] Furthermore, the mounting groove is almond-shaped, and a second venting groove penetrating the base is provided at both ends of the mounting groove. The intermediate mold has the same contour as the mounting groove, and a second venting groove is provided at both ends of the intermediate mold. The workpiece processing temperature is 700℃, so the internal air pressure increases under heating. The venting grooves allow the mold to release pressure outward, ensuring the safety of processing.

[0016] Furthermore, the base has two sets of ejector pin holes at its bottom, allowing the ejector pins of the machine tool to pass through. These two sets of ejector pin holes allow the mold to adapt to machine tools of different sizes.

[0017] Furthermore, the punch is provided with a lifting hole. The lifting hole allows the punch to be lifted using the machine tool, making operation more convenient. Attached Figure Description

[0018] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of an embodiment of the present invention.

[0019] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the pipe support structure according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0020] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the punch in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0021] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the mold in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0022] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the base structure according to an embodiment of the present invention. Detailed Implementation

[0023] The following detailed description illustrates the specific implementation method:

[0024] The reference numerals in the accompanying drawings include: pipe support structure 1, inner skirt 11, pipe hole 12, outer skirt 13, punch 2, reinforcing rib 21, pressing edge protrusion 22, key pin mounting groove 23, lifting hole 24, middle mold 3, pressing edge groove 31, shaping column hole 32, first vent groove 33, base 4, guide key pin groove 41, temperature measuring hole 42, mounting groove 43, top rod hole 44, mounting recess 45, second vent groove 46, shaping column 5, key pin 6.

[0025] Implementation, for example, attached Figures 1-4 As shown: A composite thermoforming mold includes a base 4, the base 4 as follows Figure 5 As shown, the base 4 is octagonal with a central mounting groove 43. The mounting groove 43 is a downwardly recessed almond shape, and the contact edge between the mounting groove 43 and the base 4 matches the outline of the outer skirt 13. The bottom of the mounting groove 43 has ejector pin holes 44. Two ejector pin holes 44 are arranged along the left and right central axes of the base 4, and two are arranged along the front and rear central axes of the base 4. These five ejector pin holes form a group of five ejector pin holes 44, which penetrate the base 4. Therefore, during mold use, the ejector pins of the machine tool can extend into the base 4 through the ejector pin holes 44. To accommodate machine tools of different sizes, the base 4 has two sets of ejector pin holes. Figure 5 The direction is described as the direction. There are stepped protruding edges on the left and right sides of the base. There are guide key pin grooves 41 on the protruding edges. The guide key pin grooves 41 are mainly used to guide the base 4 when pressing the edge. There is a vent groove 46 above the guide key pin grooves 41. The inner contour of the vent groove 46 is U-shaped. There is a temperature measuring hole 42 on the front side of the base 4. There are mounting recesses 45 on the left and right sides of the top rod holes 44 at the front and rear of the base 4. The mounting recesses 45 are downward recessed pits. There is a threaded hole that penetrates the base 4 in the center of the pit.

[0026] The inner diameter of the mounting recess 45 in the mounting groove 43 is the same as the outer diameter of the molded column 5. Therefore, the molded column 5 can be embedded in the mounting recess 45. Since the bottom of the molded column 5 is also provided with a threaded hole, and the two threaded holes coincide when the molded column is embedded in the mounting recess 45, a screw can be used to pass through the threaded hole on the mounting recess 45 at the bottom of the base 4 and extend into the threaded hole at the bottom of the molded column to fix the molded column 5 to the mounting recess 45. The molded column 5 is a cylindrical structure with a protrusion at the upper end with a diameter smaller than that of the molded column 5. The connection surface between the protrusion and the molded column 5 is a molded arc surface with an inclination angle.

[0027] The outline dimensions of the mounting groove 43 are consistent with those of the intermediate mold 3, so the intermediate mold 3 can be placed in the mounting groove 43. The intermediate mold 3 has shaping column holes 32, so when the intermediate mold 3 is installed in the mounting groove 43, the shaping column 5 can pass through the shaping column holes 32 and extend its upper end. Therefore, the intermediate mold 3 can be fitted onto the bottom of the mounting groove 43 of the base 4 to accommodate the shaping column 5, and the thickness of the intermediate mold 3 is less than the height of the mounting groove 43. Furthermore, the intermediate mold... Figure 4 As shown and with Figure 4The direction is described. The middle mold 3 has a pressing groove 31 in the middle, and the outline of the pressing groove 31 is consistent with the outline of the inner skirt 11 of the pipe support structure 1 that needs to be pressed. A first venting groove 33 is provided on the front side of the middle mold 3. When the middle mold 3 is installed in the mounting groove 43, the first venting groove 33 is aligned with the second venting groove 46. Because the middle mold 3 is not fixed to the mounting groove 43, but only sleeved on the shaping column 5, when using the mold, the ejector rod of the machine can lift the middle mold 3 from the ejector rod hole 44 under the base.

[0028] like Figure 1 As shown, a punch 2 is provided above the base 4 and the middle mold 3. The punch 2 is as follows: Figure 3 As shown, and with Figure 3 To describe the direction, its top surface is a grid structure composed of reinforcing ribs 21. This ensures the strength of the punch while making it lightweight. The grid has four holes in the recess for the shaping column 5 to pass through, but when the punch 2 moves downward, the shaping column 5 can pass through the holes on the punch 2. A key pin mounting groove 23 is provided on the front side of the punch 2. The key pin mounting groove 23 is rectangular, and the inner surface of the key pin mounting groove 23 has four mounting threaded holes for connecting the key pin 6. The key pin 6 is installed on the punch 2 by screws. After installation, the key pin 6 can be inserted into the guide key pin groove 41 on the base 2. Therefore, when the punch 2 moves downward during the pressing and turning of the hole, the key pin 6 slides in the guide key pin groove 41, ensuring that the punch 2 and the base 4 do not shift laterally. A pressing protrusion 22 is provided in the middle of the bottom surface of the punch. The outline of the pressing protrusion 22 is consistent with the outline of the pressing groove 31 of the middle die 3. Therefore, the punch 2 can press the pipe support structure 1 through the pressing protrusion 22 and the pressing groove 31 on the middle die 3. Lifting holes 24 are also provided on the left and right sides of the punch 2 to facilitate the lifting of the punch 2 by the workers.

[0029] The specific implementation process is as follows:

[0030] When processing the pipe support structure 1, the plate is first pre-cut to form the planar structure of the pipe support structure 1, which includes a planar skirt 11 and a pipe hole 12. At this time, the pipe hole 12 of the pipe support structure is a flat hole, and the skirt 11 is also bent. Therefore, it is necessary to press the skirt 11 of the pipe support structure 1 and to turn the pipe hole 12. At this time, the worker places the composite thermoforming mold of this application on the machine table, uses the machine table to lift the punch 2, and starts the ejector rod on the machine table. Since the thickness of the middle mold 3 is less than the height of the mounting groove 43, the middle mold 3 is lifted up. After the middle mold 3 is flush with the base 4, the pipe of the pipe support structure 1 blank heated to 700℃ is inserted. Hole 12 passes through the shaping column 5 and is placed on the middle mold 3. At this time, the pipe hole 12 plays a positioning role. Then, the punch 2 is lowered to press the workpiece. The pressing edge 22 of the punch 2 is pressed into the pressing edge groove 31 of the middle mold 3 to complete the flanging of the inner skirt 11. Then, the ejector rod of the middle mold is lifted and retracted on the machine. The ejector rod above the machine pushes the punch 2 and the middle mold 3 to move downward at the same time. During the downward movement, the shaping column 5 passes through the pipe hole 12 on the workpiece to complete the flanging. When the punch 2 and the middle mold 3 move downward as a whole, the outer skirt 13 on the outer side of the workpiece and the mounting groove 43 of the base 4 are relatively displaced and slide to complete the flanging. Due to the symmetrical design of the mold, two workpieces can be processed at the same time.

[0031] The above descriptions are merely embodiments of the present invention, and common knowledge regarding specific structures and characteristics is not elaborated upon here. It should be noted that those skilled in the art can make various modifications and improvements without departing from the structure of the present invention, and these should also be considered within the scope of protection of the present invention. These modifications and improvements will not affect the effectiveness of the present invention or the practicality of the patent. The scope of protection claimed in this application should be determined by the content of its claims, and the specific embodiments described in the specification can be used to interpret the content of the claims.

Claims

1. A composite thermoforming mold, comprising a base, and a downwardly movable punch disposed above the base, characterized in that: The composite thermoforming mold features a symmetrical design and is used for processing aircraft engine pipe support structures with a central pipe hole, an inner skirt on one side, and an outer skirt on the other, resembling a crescent moon shape. The punch has a pressing ridge, and the base has a mounting groove. The inner wall of the mounting groove is a symmetrical almond shape formed by two curved surfaces that conform to the outer skirt of the pipe support structure, concave downwards. A shaping column for flanging the pipe hole is located within the mounting groove, and a liftable middle mold is fitted onto the shaping column. The outline dimensions of the mold are consistent with those of the intermediate mold. The intermediate mold is provided with shaping column holes. The intermediate mold is fitted onto the shaping column through the shaping column holes. The middle part of the intermediate mold is provided with a pressing groove for the pressing edge protrusion to fit. The side outline of the pressing groove is formed by two curved surfaces that are consistent with the inner skirt edge. The height of the mounting groove is greater than the thickness of the intermediate mold. The top surface of the shaping column is higher than that of the base. The bottom of the base is provided with a push rod hole through which the push rod of the machine tool can pass. The push rod of the machine tool can lift the intermediate mold from the push rod hole under the base.

2. The composite thermoforming mold according to claim 1, characterized in that: The punch is provided with a key pin, which is fixedly connected to the punch. The base is provided with a guide key pin groove that can engage with the key pin and slide relative to it.

3. The composite thermoforming mold according to claim 1, characterized in that: The base has a temperature measuring hole that penetrates through the base.

4. The composite thermoforming mold according to claim 1, characterized in that: The mounting groove is almond-shaped, and a second ventilation groove penetrating the base is provided at both ends of the mounting groove. The middle mold has the same outline as the mounting groove, and a first ventilation groove is provided at both ends of the middle mold.

5. The composite thermoforming mold according to claim 1, characterized in that: The top rod hole is provided in two sets.

6. The composite thermoforming mold according to claim 1, characterized in that: The punch is provided with a lifting hole.

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