Preheating tool for forming of aviation titanium alloy sheet metal part
By designing a preheating fixture for aerospace titanium alloy sheet metal parts, the problems of high cost, low efficiency and safety hazards of traditional heating methods have been solved. It has achieved rapid and uniform heating and precise temperature control, thereby improving the production efficiency and forming quality of titanium alloy processing.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- CN202423228990.2
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Utility models(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2024-12-26
- Publication Date
- 2025-12-09
- Estimated Expiration
- 2034-12-26
AI Technical Summary
Traditional methods of heating titanium materials using resistance furnaces and blowtorches suffer from high costs, low efficiency, significant safety hazards, inaccurate temperature control, and insufficient environmental friendliness and adaptability, thus limiting efficient, safe, and environmentally friendly production of titanium alloys.
A preheating fixture comprising a base, heating elements, a heating controller, and a temperature sensor was designed. Through precise temperature control and efficient heating elements, it achieves rapid heating, uniform temperature distribution, and seamless connection, adapting to the processing needs of different specifications of sheet metal.
It significantly improves production efficiency and forming accuracy, reduces costs, minimizes material waste and downtime, and enhances the pass rate and processing performance of titanium alloy products.
Smart Images

Figure CN223642632U_ABST
Abstract
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The utility model belongs to sheet material forming auxiliary frock technical field, especially relate to a kind of for aviation titanium alloy sheet metal forming preheating frock. BACKGROUND
[0002] Titanium alloy is a kind of alloy with titanium as base and other elements, which is widely used in aerospace and medical devices due to its high strength, corrosion resistance and heat resistance. In sheet metal forming, bending process is a common method, but due to the high strength of titanium alloy, problems such as large springback, cracking or bending surface damage may occur during cold stamping bending. To solve this problem, heating forming process is usually used to reduce material strength and increase plasticity. However, due to the high cost of hot forming die and equipment, external heating is often used to preheat raw materials before cold stamping to reduce production cost and improve forming quality.
[0003] Traditionally, titanium material heating usually uses resistance furnace or torch, which is mature in technology and relatively simple in operation, but has many shortcomings and deficiencies in practical application, limiting its application range and efficiency.
[0004] Firstly, the cost of resistance furnace heating is high. As an industrial grade heating equipment, resistance furnace has high procurement cost and operating energy consumption, especially in small batch research and development or trial production stage, due to the limited heating capacity, the high cost of equipment is difficult to be amortized, resulting in poor overall production economy. At the same time, resistance furnace is large in size, which has high requirements for site conditions, limiting its application in flexibility and mobility. In addition, the heating process of resistance furnace is relatively slow, with long heating and cooling time, which is not suitable for scenes with high heating efficiency requirements.
[0005] Secondly, flame heating method such as torch has safety hazards. Flame heating needs gas supply, which may cause flame out of control, gas leakage and even fire accident if not handled properly or equipment maintenance is not in place. In addition, flame heating method is difficult to control temperature accurately, which may cause titanium material surface overheating or local uneven heating, affecting forming quality. Direct contact of flame with material may also cause surface oxidation or damage, which is not conducive to meet the high requirement of titanium alloy processing technology.
[0006] Finally, both methods lack adaptability and environmental protection. Resistance furnace is fixed, which is difficult to meet the needs of on-site operation or convenient movement; torch will emit a certain amount of waste gas, which will affect the working environment and the health of operators, especially in clean areas such as aerospace or medical device manufacturing, this method is particularly unsuitable.
[0007] Therefore, in modern titanium material processing, a new heating mode with high safety, good temperature control ability and strong adaptability is needed to replace the traditional resistance furnace and torch equipment to meet the efficient, safe and environmentally friendly production needs. Utility model content
[0008] In view of the problems of high cost, low efficiency, great safety hazard, inaccurate temperature control, and insufficient environmental protection and adaptability in the traditional resistance furnace and torch heating of titanium materials, the utility model provides a forming preheating tool for aviation titanium alloy sheet metal parts.
[0009] The utility model is realized in this way, a forming preheating tool for aviation titanium alloy sheet metal parts, characterized by: including base body, heating element, heating controller, temperature sensor, the base body is equipped with the slot for placing the sheet material and the N heating component containing portion for installing the heating element, the heating element is located the slot side portion and the space of slot inboard is heated, the temperature sensor is installed in the base body and obtains the temperature data in the slot, the temperature sensor and the heating element are connected with the heating controller, the temperature control receives the temperature data of the temperature sensor and sends control information to the heating element.
[0010] In the above technical solution, preferably, the slot is a vertical slot provided on the base body, and the slot is provided with a slot opening located on the side surface or the upper end surface of the base body.
[0011] In the above technical solution, preferably, the heating element is located on at least one side of the slot, and the slot and the heating element located on the side thereof form a heating unit, and the base body is provided with N groups of the heating unit.
[0012] In the above technical solution, preferably, the heating component containing portion includes a horizontal transverse groove located on one side of the slot and a vertical groove located on the other side of the slot, and the heating element is a heating rod installed in the heating component containing portion.
[0013] In the above technical solution, preferably, the utility model includes a bracket, the number of the bracket corresponds to the number of the slot and is arranged in the slot, the outer portion of the bracket is provided with a handle portion, and the inner portion of the bracket forms a hook bracket body located in the slot and having a hooking portion for hooking the sheet material.
[0014] In the above technical solution, preferably, the hook bracket body includes vertical frames located on both sides of the slot and hook portions located on both sides of the vertical frames.
[0015] In the above technical solution, preferably, the bracket has a cover plate that matches the seam opening of the groove, and the handle is installed on the cover plate.
[0016] The heating fixture proposed in this application has significant advantages and effects compared with the traditional resistance furnace heating method.
[0017] Firstly, by using specially designed conventional heating elements, not only can equipment procurement and operating costs be saved, but a more efficient heating effect can also be achieved. Traditional resistance furnaces have a slow heating rate, typically requiring 10-12 minutes to rise from 0℃ to 300℃. However, the heating speed of this fixture is significantly improved, reaching the same temperature in just 3-4 minutes, significantly shortening the heating cycle and saving waiting time.
[0018] Furthermore, in practical use, traditional resistance furnaces require frequent pauses in heating to handle materials, which can cause the heating temperature to fail to reach the desired level, severely impacting production efficiency. This fixture, however, allows for material handling without interrupting heating, achieving seamless transitions between hot and cold materials during production and avoiding unnecessary delays caused by heating interruptions. This approach not only increases heating speed but also significantly improves production efficiency, reduces downtime, and meets the demands of rapid production.
[0019] This heating fixture is also equipped with a temperature controller and temperature sensor, enabling precise temperature control of the raw materials. Multiple production verifications have shown that the raw material temperature heated by this fixture remains stable within the range of 295℃-303℃, and the temperature distribution during heating is more uniform, avoiding localized overheating or large temperature differences, ensuring that the material temperature remains within the ideal range. This uniform heating effect not only improves the control accuracy during the forming process but also effectively reduces the risk of springback in titanium alloy sheets, thereby increasing the final product yield.
[0020] In summary, this heating fixture, with its rapid heating, high energy efficiency, precise temperature control, and seamless connection, significantly improves production efficiency and forming accuracy, reduces material loss and production downtime, meets the needs of high-quality and high-efficiency production, and significantly improves the pass rate and overall processing performance of titanium alloy products. Attached Figure Description
[0021] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of this utility model;
[0022] Figure 2 This is a top view of the center seam groove of this utility model;
[0023] Figure 3 This is a diagram showing the usage state of the bracket in this utility model. Detailed Implementation
[0024] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of this utility model clearer, the following detailed description is provided in conjunction with embodiments. It should be understood that the specific embodiments described herein are merely illustrative and not intended to limit the scope of this utility model.
[0025] To address the problems of high cost, low efficiency, significant safety hazards, inaccurate temperature control, and insufficient environmental friendliness and adaptability associated with traditional methods of heating titanium materials using resistance furnaces and blowtorches, this utility model provides a preheating fixture for forming aerospace titanium alloy sheet metal parts. To further illustrate the structure of this utility model, a detailed description is provided below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings:
[0026] Please see Figure 1 and Figure 2 A preheating fixture for forming aerospace titanium alloy sheet metal parts includes a base body 1, a heating element, a heating controller 2, and a temperature sensor 3.
[0027] The base plays a crucial role in supporting and securing other components in the preheating fixture for forming aerospace titanium alloy sheet metal parts. It provides a stable foundation for components such as heating elements, heating controllers, and temperature sensors, while ensuring the overall structural strength and rigidity of the fixture to withstand high-temperature working environments. The design of the base needs to consider high-temperature resistance, thermal expansion, and the fit requirements with the titanium alloy sheet metal parts to ensure safety and stability during the heating process and prevent deformation or damage to the base from affecting the normal use of the fixture.
[0028] The base body is provided with a groove 4 for placing sheet metal and N heating element receiving portions for installing heating elements. The heating elements are located on the side of the groove and heat the space inside the groove. The groove is a vertical groove provided in the base body, and the groove has an opening located on the side or top surface of the base body. The heating elements are located on at least one side of the groove, and the groove and the heating elements located on its side form a heating unit. The base body is provided with N heating units. In this embodiment, the heating element receiving portion includes a horizontally arranged groove on one side of the groove and a vertically arranged groove on the other side of the groove. The heating element is a heating rod 5 installed in the heating element receiving portion. Specifically, the horizontally arranged groove has a cross-section larger than a semi-circle, and the horizontally arranged heating rods can be inserted from the side opening of this groove, and the horizontally arranged heating rods are spaced apart in height. Similarly, the vertically arranged groove is a slot with a vertically spaced arc-shaped cross-section, and the vertical heating rod can be inserted from the top.
[0029] The grooves, heating element housing, and heating element within the base are designed in close coordination to achieve efficient preheating of the titanium alloy sheet. The grooves, serving as the sheet placement location, ensure uniform heating due to their vertical structure. Furthermore, the slots located on the side or top of the base facilitate the insertion and removal of the sheet, adapting to sheet thicknesses and specifications. The heating element housing consists of horizontal and vertical grooves, providing a stable mounting position for the heating elements. The horizontal grooves have a cross-section larger than a semi-circle, allowing for convenient installation of the heating rods through side openings, and their height-interval arrangement ensures uniform temperature within the groove. The vertical grooves are arc-shaped slots, allowing the heating rods to be inserted from the top, also arranged vertically to ensure thorough heating of the space within the groove. The overall design is compact and easy to operate, effectively improving the heating efficiency and temperature uniformity of the sheet, meeting the high standards required for titanium alloy forming processes. The installation position of the heating rods can be flexibly adjusted according to the specific placement of the titanium alloy sheet in the groove and the key areas of the sheet that need to be heated, to ensure optimal heating efficiency and effect. For example, if certain areas of the sheet require higher temperatures or faster heating during the forming process, the density of heating rods can be increased or the arrangement direction of the heating rods can be adjusted near these areas; while for areas with lower heating requirements, the number of heating rods can be reduced or the spacing can be appropriately increased. This targeted arrangement avoids energy waste while ensuring that the heating quality of the titanium alloy sheet in key areas meets the forming process requirements, thereby maximizing heating efficiency and overall effect.
[0030] A temperature sensor is installed on the base to acquire temperature data within the slot. The temperature sensor and heating element are connected to a heating controller, which receives the temperature data from the sensor and sends control information to the heating element. The temperature sensor is located at the bottom of the slot and extends into it to monitor temperature changes in real time, transmitting the acquired temperature data to the heating controller. The heating controller compares the preset target temperature with the actual temperature data fed back by the sensor and sends control signals to the heating element through closed-loop control to adjust the heating power or start / stop status, thereby ensuring the uniformity and stability of the temperature within the slot. The heating controller can be a known industrial control device, such as a PID temperature controller, whose precise proportional-integral-derivative control function is suitable for scenarios requiring high-precision heating. Alternatively, an intelligent temperature controller with self-learning optimization capabilities can be used, or an embedded temperature control system integrated with the overall equipment control system, such as a PLC with a temperature acquisition module. The specific selection can be flexibly adjusted according to process requirements and equipment conditions.
[0031] In this embodiment, please refer to Figure 3The system also includes brackets 6, the number of which corresponds to the number of slots and are positioned within them. Each bracket has a handle 6-1 on its exterior and a hook-support body 6-2 inside the slot, containing hooks for hanging the plate material. The hook-support body includes vertical frames on both sides of the slot and hooks 6-3 on both sides of the vertical frames. Furthermore, a cover plate 6-4, adapted to the opening of the slot, is formed on the exterior of the bracket, and the handle is mounted on the cover plate. The bracket carries the heated plate material and is mounted on the base, ensuring the stability of the plate material within the slot. As an accessory to this tooling, it not only provides a sealing function during the plate heating process but also serves as a transfer tool for moving the plate material from this tooling to the next process mold. In this embodiment, the hooks are L-shaped hooks with vertical grooves. The bottom sides of the plate material are supported by their own weight within the vertical grooves of the hooks, thus supporting the plate material.
[0032] The hook-and-support design of the bracket suspends the heated plate within the groove, preventing direct contact with the base. This suspended structure helps distribute heat evenly across the plate surface, reducing localized heat loss or temperature differences, and further improving heating efficiency and temperature uniformity. As an independent accessory, the bracket is easily disassembled and replaced. For plates of various sizes or shapes, different sizes or structures of brackets can be used to adapt the fixture, enhancing its versatility and flexibility. Simultaneously, the modular design facilitates cleaning and maintenance, extending the fixture's lifespan. The bracket's exterior features handles and a cover plate, protecting the groove from external contamination or accidental damage during heating and allowing operators to safely retrieve or move the plate, reducing operational risks.
[0033] The above are merely preferred embodiments of the present utility model and are not intended to limit the present utility model. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, and improvements made within the spirit and principles of the present utility model should be included within the protection scope of the present utility model.
Claims
1. A preheating fixture for forming aerospace titanium alloy sheet metal parts, characterized in that: The device includes a base, a heating element, a heating controller, and a temperature sensor. The base has a groove for placing sheet metal and N heating component housings for mounting the heating element. The heating element is located on the side of the groove and heats the space inside the groove. The temperature sensor is installed on the base and acquires temperature data within the groove. The temperature sensor and the heating element are connected to the heating controller, which receives the temperature data from the temperature sensor and sends control information to the heating element.
2. The preheating fixture for forming aerospace titanium alloy sheet metal parts according to claim 1, characterized in that: The groove is a vertical groove provided on the base body, and the groove has an opening located on the side or top surface of the base body.
3. The preheating fixture for forming aerospace titanium alloy sheet metal parts according to claim 2, characterized in that: The heating element is located on at least one side of the groove, and the groove and the heating element located on its side form a heating unit. N sets of the heating units are provided on the base.
4. The preheating fixture for forming aerospace titanium alloy sheet metal parts according to claim 3, characterized in that: The heating component housing includes a horizontally arranged groove on one side of the groove and a vertically arranged groove on the other side of the groove. The heating element is a heating rod installed in the heating component housing.
5. The preheating fixture for forming aerospace titanium alloy sheet metal parts according to claim 4, characterized in that: The device includes brackets, the number of which corresponds to the number of slots and are disposed in the slots. The brackets are provided with handles on the outside and hook brackets are formed inside the slots, which are hook brackets for hanging tray materials.
6. The preheating fixture for forming aerospace titanium alloy sheet metal parts according to claim 5, characterized in that: The hook support frame includes vertical frames located on both sides of the slot and hooks located on both sides of the vertical frames.
7. The preheating fixture for forming aerospace titanium alloy sheet metal parts according to claim 6, characterized in that: The bracket has a cover plate that fits the opening of the slot, and the handle is mounted on the cover plate.