Absorbent Coating for Targeted Heating of Aluminum Workpieces

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for increasing the plasticity of metal workpieces, particularly aluminum alloys, are inefficient in heating specific regions uniformly and quickly, leading to unfavorable effects on the workpiece surface during shaping processes.

Innovation Solution

A method involving the application of an absorbent with a higher radiation absorption rate than the workpiece surface, which absorbs and conducts heat to specific regions, allowing for targeted and rapid heating of these areas using radiation, and a device comprising an irradiation station, coating station, and cleaning station to apply and remove the absorbent.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Temperature

If the workpiece surface is heated using radiation, then the plasticity of the workpiece is increased, but the heating time is extended and the temperature distribution is uniform

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveworkpiece temperatureVSAvoidheating time

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

An absorbent layer is introduced as an intermediary substance between the radiation source and the workpiece surface. This absorbent has higher radiation absorption properties than the workpiece material itself, allowing it to capture more radiation energy and transfer it as heat to the workpiece, thereby accelerating the heating process while maintaining temperature uniformity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The radiation absorption parameter of the workpiece surface is enhanced by applying an absorbent layer with superior absorption characteristics. This changes the effective absorption parameter of the system, enabling more efficient energy transfer from radiation to thermal energy in the workpiece

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Speed

If contact heating with a heated element is used, then specific areas are heated more quickly, but the surface aesthetic appearance deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveheating speedVSAvoidsurface degradation

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The absorbent layer serves as a mediator that enables rapid heating through radiation absorption without requiring direct contact between the heating source and the workpiece surface. This eliminates the mechanical contact that causes surface degradation while maintaining the benefit of targeted, accelerated heating

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The mechanical contact heating system is replaced with a radiation-based heating system enhanced by the absorbent layer. This substitution eliminates the harmful mechanical contact while achieving comparable or superior heating efficiency through electromagnetic radiation absorption

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Stability of the object's composition

If the same radiation output is applied to different regions, then uniform heating occurs, but specific regions cannot be heated more quickly or intensely

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveuniform temperature distributionVSAvoidheating efficiency of specific regions

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The absorbent layer is applied selectively to specific regions of the workpiece that require accelerated heating. This creates local variation in radiation absorption properties, allowing different regions to be heated at different rates and intensities according to their specific requirements, thereby improving overall heating efficiency and productivity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

Enables quicker and more intense heating of specific regions, achieving higher temperatures with the same radiation output in less time, allowing for flexible adaptation to subsequent shaping steps and minimizing surface degradation.

Implementation Method 1

the degree of absorption of the absorbent for the radiation is greater than the degree of absorption of the workpiece for the radiation

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAbsorption (EM radiation): Absorption (EM radiation)

Implementation Method 2

the comparatively strongly heating absorbent conducts the absorbed heat to the underlying surface of the workpiece covered by the absorbent

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Implementation Method 3

the workpiece is irradiated in order to increase its temperature

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAbsorption (EM radiation): Absorption (EM radiation)

Data Source

PatentUS11400507B2Method for increasing the plastic deformability of a workpiece using an absorption agent

Publication Date: 2022.08.02 COSMA ENG EURO GMBH

AI summary

A method for at least locally increasing the plasticity of a metal workpiece, which contains in particular an aluminum alloy, wherein the workpiece is irradiated in order to increase its temperature, and an associated production device, is provided. In order to be able to more quickly and thoroughly heat specific regions of a metal workpiece than other regions in a targeted manner, wherein it is possible to heat these regions more quickly and thoroughly with the same radiation output, while the surface of the workpiece remains largely unaffected, it is proposed that an absorbent be applied at least locally to the workpiece prior to irradiation thereof, wherein the degree of absorption of the absorbent for the radiation is greater than the degree of absorption of the workpiece for the radiation.