Deforming tool and process for manufacture

Abstract

In the deformation of geometrically similar components of a component family, in which the characteristic which differs is in particular thickness, there is according to conventional construction techniques of deformation tools a separate deformation tool necessary for each component. The inventive deformation tool system, including the following tool active parts stamp, blank holder and matrix, were in at least one work tool active part is shaped in a mask technique, enable the deformation of various components with this deformation tool system, in that for at least one tool active part at least two exchangeable masks of different characteristics are provided. Depending upon the component of a component family to be produced an optimal mask is selected from the pre-constituted supply of masks and used for deformation of the component in the deformation tool.

1 . A deformation tool system, including the following tool active parts: 
 stamp,    blank holder and    matrix,    wherein at least one tool active part is shaped by a mask technique,    wherein, for at least one work tool active part, at least two interchangeable masks of different characteristics, in particular thickness, surface texturing and/or thermal conductivity, are provided and/or    wherein for at least two tool active parts respectively at least one mask of different characteristics, in particular thickness, surface texturing and/or thermal conductivity, is provided.    
     
     
         2 . The deformation tool system according to  claim 1 , wherein 
 the masks are preferably of cold rolled steel sheet in a thickness of 0.5 mm to 5 mm, in particular from 1 to 2.5 mm, and/or    the surface of one of the tool active parts and/or one of the masks has a friction and wear reducing texture, which in particular is formed by an electric discharge texturing (EDT) process, and/or    the thermal conductivity of a mask material at room temperature is preferably in the range of less than 400 W/mK, in particular from 15 to 55 W/mK.    
     
     
         3 . The deformation tool system according to  claim 1 , wherein the masks are comprised of composite or sandwich materials, in particular sandwich materials and/or metal sheets in combination with cotton fiber composite materials.  
     
     
         4 . The deformation tool system according to  claim 1 , wherein the masks are comprised of different mask materials.  
     
     
         5 . The deformation tool system according to  claim 1 , wherein one mask is fixed on a tool active part using securing elements on a surface different from the shape producing surface of the work tool active part.  
     
     
         6 . The deformation tool system according to  claim 1 , wherein one of the tool active parts is provided, which is produced using the rapid tooling technique known as metal laminated object manufacturing (metal-LOM).  
     
     
         7 . A process for production of a deformation tool, including the following tool active parts: 
 stamp, blank holder and matrix, wherein at least one tool active part is shaped in a masking technique,    wherein at least one tool active part is joined to to one mask, which is selected from a reservoir or a supply of at least two interchangeable masks with different characteristics, in particular with regard to their thickness, their surface texturing and/or thermal conductivity, and/or    wherein at least two tool active parts are joined respectively to one mask, which exhibits different characteristics, in particular thickness, surface texturing and/or thermal conductivity.    
     
     
         8 . A process for production of a component of a component family of similar geometry by deforming at least one deformation tool, including the work tool active parts: stamp, blank holder and matrix, 
 wherein for at least one work tool active part a mask optimized for this component is selected from a supply of at least two interchangeable masks with different characteristics, in particular thickness, surface texturing and thermal conductivity and joined with the tool active part and/or    wherein for at least two tool active parts respectively one mask optimized for this component is selected, which differ in their characteristics, in particular their thickness, surface texturing and thermal conductivity, and are joined with the work tool active part.