Self-Locking Superplastic Forming Press Without Hydraulics
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing superplastic forming machines are complex and expensive, primarily due to the use of hydraulic cylinders, which limits their application and poses a fire hazard when hydraulic fluid is used near hot metal, making them costly and risky for widespread use.
Innovation Solution
A superplastic forming machine with parallel platens, a self-locking displacement mechanism, and a locking mechanism that eliminates the need for hydraulic cylinders, utilizing mechanical or electromechanical displacement mechanisms like screw jacks and electrical drive systems, and a chock displacement mechanism for locking, reducing complexity and cost while avoiding hydraulic fluid.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If hydraulic cylinders are used to control platen displacement, then fine control over platen positions is achieved, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the hydraulic mechanical system with an electromechanical system using servo motors and lead screws. This substitution maintains precise platen position control while eliminating the complexity of hydraulic fluid management, pressure control valves, and associated safety systems. The electromechanical drive system provides direct, controllable force application without intermediate fluid transmission components.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts and removes the hydraulic system entirely from the forming machine. By eliminating the hydraulic power unit, fluid reservoirs, hoses, and control valves, the design achieves precise platen control through a simplified electromechanical architecture. This extraction reduces device complexity while maintaining the essential function of controlled displacement.
2Ease of operation
If hydraulic fluid is used near hot metal during forming, then platen displacement control is maintained, but fire hazard increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent substitutes the fire-prone hydraulic fluid system with an electromechanical system that uses electricity and mechanical transmission components. Servo motors coupled with lead screws provide the necessary force and position control without requiring flammable hydraulic fluid. This substitution eliminates the fire hazard while maintaining ease of operation through programmable control.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the potential harm of hydraulic fluid proximity to hot metal by completely replacing it with an inherently safer electromechanical system. The lead screw mechanism provides self-locking capability, which actually benefits the forming process by maintaining constant platen pressure without requiring continuous hydraulic pressure, thereby eliminating the fire risk entirely.
3Reliability
If servo-controlled hydraulic cylinders are used for sustained external force, then mould closure is maintained during forming, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces expensive servo-controlled hydraulic cylinders with more economical electromechanical actuators. The combination of servo motors and lead screws provides the necessary sustained force for mould closure at lower cost. The lead screw mechanism's inherent self-locking property ensures continuous force application without the high cost of hydraulic components and fluid systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The lead screw mechanism provides self-locking capability, which means it maintains platen position and applied force automatically without requiring continuous power or complex control systems. This self-service feature ensures reliable mould closure during the forming process while eliminating the need for expensive hydraulic power units and control valves, thereby reducing manufacturing cost.
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
The solution provides fine control over platen movement, simplifies and reduces the cost of manufacturing and operation, eliminates the risk of fire hazards, and allows for more versatile applications such as diffusion bonding and composite blow molding, by using mechanical or electromechanical systems that do not require continuous power to maintain mold closure.
Implementation Method 1
a second displacement mechanism connected to the second platen and configured to displace the second platen along the displacement axis towards the first platen, the second displacement mechanism being a self-locking displacement mechanism
Implementation Method 2
heating the mould and then providing a gas to the mould to form the material in the mould
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2(a)
Figure 2(b)
AI summary
A superplastic forming machine comprising first and second parallel spaced apart platens (2, 3), each arranged in a plane normal to a displacement axis; a first displacement mechanism (5) connected to the first platen (2) and configured to displace the first platen (2) along the displacement axis; a locking mechanism (9) which can be configured in a locked configuration in which the first locking mechanism (9) prevents displacement of the first platen (2) along the displacement axis and an unlocked configuration in which the locking mechanism (9) does not prevent displacement of the first platen (2) along the displacement axis; and, a second displacement mechanism (15) connected to the second platen (3) and configured to displace the second platen (3) along the displacement axis towards the first platen (2) the second displacement mechanism (15) being a self-locking displacement mechanism.