Forming die

Abstract

A forming die ( 10 ) comprises a first die part ( 12 ) and a second die part ( 14 ). The first die part ( 12 ) has a first shaped forming surface ( 16 ) and the second die part ( 14 ) has a second shaped forming surface ( 18 ). The first die ( 12 ) has a number of pillars ( 28,30,32,34 ). Two of the pillars ( 28,34 ) are arranged at a first side of the first die ( 12 ) and two of the pillars ( 30,32 ) are arranged at a second opposite side of the first die ( 12 ). The second die ( 14 ) has a number of pillars ( 44,46,48,50 ). Two of the pillars ( 44,50 ) are arranged at the first side of the second die ( 14 ) and two of the pillars ( 46,48 ) are arranged at the second opposite side of the second die ( 14 ). The pillars ( 28,30,32,34 ) on the first die ( 12 ) are locatable on the pillars ( 44,46,48,50 ) on the second die ( 14 ). The pillars ( 28,30,32,34 ) on the first die ( 12 ) and the second die ( 44,46,48,50 ) have interlocking means ( 28 B, 30 B, 32 B, 34 B, 44 B, 46 B, 48 B, 50 B) to prevent relative movement between the first die ( 12 ) and the second die ( 14 ).

1 . A forming die comprising a first die part and a second die part, the first die part having a first shaped forming surface, the second die part having a second shaped forming surface, the first die part having at least two pillars, a first one of the at least two pillars being arranged at a first side of the first die part and a second one of the at least two pillars being arranged at a second opposite side of the first die part, the second die part having at least two pillars, a first one of the at least two pillars being arranged at a first side of the second die part and a second one of the at least two pillars being arranged at a second opposite side of the second die part, the pillars on the first die part being locatable on the pillars on the second die part, the pillars on the first and second die part having interlocking means to prevent relative movement between the first die part and the second die part.  
     
     
         2 . A forming die as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the first die part having at least two additional pillars, a first one of the at least two additional pillars being arranged at a first end of the first die part and a second one of the at least two additional pillars being arranged at a second opposite end of the first die part, the second die part having at least two additional pillars, a first one of the at least two additional pillars being arranged at a first end of the second die part and a second one of the at least two additional pillars being arranged at a second opposite end of the second die part, the additional pillars on the first die part being locatable on the additional pillars on the second die part, the additional pillars on the first and second die part having interlocking means to prevent relative movement between the first die part and the second die part.  
     
     
         3 . A forming die as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the first die part having at least four pillars, two of the at least four pillars being arranged at a first side of the first die part and two of the at least four pillars being arranged at a second opposite side of the first die part, the second die part having at least four pillars, two of the at least four pillars being arranged at a first side of the second die part and two of the at least four pillars being arranged at a second opposite side of the second die part, the pillars on the first die part being locatable on the pillars on the second die part, the pillars on the first and second die part having interlocking means to prevent relative movement between the first die part and the second die part.  
     
     
         4 . A forming die as claimed in  claim 2  wherein the first die part having at least four pillars, two of the at least four pillars being arranged at a first side of the first die part and two of the at least four pillars being arranged at a second opposite side of the first die part, the second die part having at least four pillars, two of the at least four pillars being arranged at a first side of the second die part and two of the at least four pillars being arranged at a second opposite side of the second die part, the pillars on the first die part being locatable on the pillars on the second die part, the pillars on the first and second die part having interlocking means to prevent relative movement between the first die part and the second die part.  
     
     
         5 . A forming die as claimed in  claim 3  the first die part having one of the four pillars arranged at a corresponding one of the corners of the first die part, the second die part having one of the four pillars arranged at a corresponding one of the corners of the second die part.  
     
     
         6 . A forming die as claimed in  claim 4  the first die part having one of the four pillars arranged at a corresponding one of the corners of the first die part, the second die part having one of the four pillars arranged at a corresponding one of the corners of the second die part.  
     
     
         7 . A forming die as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the first die part is an upper die part and the second die part is a lower die part.  
     
     
         8 . A forming die as claimed in  claim 7  wherein the pillars extending vertically from the corresponding die part, each pillar having a horizontal face and an adjacent face angled to the horizontal face, the vertical pillars on the upper die part being locatable on the vertical pillars on the lower die part.  
     
     
         9 . A forming die as claimed in  claim 7  wherein the horizontal faces of the vertical pillars are equal in area.  
     
     
         10 . A forming die as claimed in  claim 8  wherein the adjacent faces of the vertical pillars are equal in area.  
     
     
         11 . A forming die as claimed in  claim 2  wherein the horizontal faces of the additional vertical pillars are equal in area.  
     
     
         12 . A forming die as claimed in  claim 2  wherein the adjacent faces of the additional vertical pillars are equal in area.  
     
     
         13 . A forming die as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the forming die is a superplastic forming die or a hot forming die.