Drawing Tool Hot Cold Area Differential Cooling Steel Shaping
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for heat shaping steel pieces with differential mechanical properties are time-consuming, costly, and create fragile weld zones, as they require multiple parts and traditional tempering steps, which are not efficiently achieved with existing cooling and heating techniques.
Innovation Solution
A drawing tool with a hot and cold area, where the hot area is heated above 400°C and features air play to control cooling speed, and the cold area is used for quenching, allowing for differential mechanical properties in a single piece without the need for traditional tempering.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple parts with different mechanical properties are produced using traditional methods, then differential mechanical characteristics can be achieved, but production time increases and welding zones create fragility risks
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple parts with different mechanical properties into a single integrated component produced by one-shot molding. The injection molding process allows different regions of the same part to have different material formulations, eliminating the need for separate production and welding of multiple components, thereby improving structural integrity while maintaining productivity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the material composition within a single part by spatial distribution. Different regions of the molded part contain different material formulations with varying fiber orientations, concentrations, or types, allowing differential mechanical properties to be achieved within one integrated component without requiring multiple separate parts
2Reliability
If heating elements or indentations are used to maintain ductility in certain locations, then differential mechanical properties can be achieved, but the end-of-production mechanical properties do not meet necessary results
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by incorporating spatially varying material properties within the molded part. Different regions contain materials with different characteristics (fiber orientation, concentration, type) that are directly integrated into the mold cavity, eliminating the need for complex heating elements or indentations in the tooling while achieving the desired differential mechanical properties
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes material parameters (fiber orientation, fiber concentration, material composition) in different regions of the part during the injection molding process. By controlling these parameters locally through the injection strategy and material formulation, the desired mechanical properties are achieved without requiring complex tooling modifications
3Temperature
If the blank remains in the furnace longer than necessary, then heating is more complete, but the transition zone between hardened and unhardened portions widens
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary action by pre-heating the injection molding machine and preparing the material at the appropriate temperature before injection. The injection process itself is rapid enough to achieve the desired crystalline structure without requiring prolonged furnace heating, thereby preventing excessive transition zone width while ensuring complete heating and structural transformation
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 the production of steel pieces with a wide range of mechanical properties, from unprocessed to hardened, eliminating the need for tempering and reducing the risk of fragile weld zones by achieving desired mechanical resistances and elongations in a single piece.
Implementation Method 1
in the hot area, a heating means (4) is provided for heating said hot area to a temperature above about 400° C.
Implementation Method 2
the cold area is used for quenching, allowing for differential mechanical properties in a single piece
Implementation Method 3
the hot area is heated above 400°C and features air play to control cooling speed
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a drawing tool (1) for shaping and cooling a steel part from a blank (6), said tool including: at least one punch (2); and at least one matrix (3); the punch and the matrix each including: at least a first portion (21, 31) corresponding to a hot area (11) of the drawing tool; and at least a second portion (22, 32) corresponding to a cold area (12) of the drawing tool; in the cold area, the second part of the punch and the second part of the matrix are brought into contact with the blank when the drawing tool is closed; characterized in that, in the hot area of the drawing tool, a heating means are provided for heating said hot area to a temperature higher than about 400° C., and in that, in said hot area, a distance (L) on top of the blank thickness (e) is provided between the punch and the matrix when the drawing tool is closed, is related to the temperature (T) of the hot area, and is given by the formula T=100·(6−L), with L>0.2 and 400≦T<600; L being in mm and T in ° C.