Method of cooling stretch-formed-part

Abstract

One exemplary embodiment of a method includes removing an automotive part from a stretch forming machine. The method also includes spraying a coolant over at least a portion of an exterior surface of the automotive part in order to cool the automotive part to a lower temperature so that the automotive part is nonmalleable and is not as susceptible to the forces of gravity as it might otherwise be.

1 . A method comprising:
 removing an automotive part from a stretch forming machine; and   spraying a coolant to at least a portion of an exterior surface of the automotive part to cool the automotive part to a lower temperature nonmalleable state.   
     
     
         2 . A method as set forth in  claim 1  wherein removing further comprises clamping the automotive part, lifting the automotive part out of a first forming tool half of the stretch forming machine, and carrying the automotive part away from the forming tool half. 
     
     
         3 . A method as set forth in  claim 1  wherein spraying the coolant begins as the automotive part is being removed out of the stretch forming machine and before the automotive part is completely removed out of the stretch forming machine. 
     
     
         4 . A method as set forth in  claim 1  wherein spraying the coolant comprises spraying the coolant via at least a first nozzle to a first side of the automotive part, and spraying the coolant via at least a second nozzle to a second side of the automotive part opposite the first side. 
     
     
         5 . A method as set forth in  claim 4  wherein the first nozzle is connected to a part removal system that removes the automotive part from the stretch forming machine, and the second nozzle is connected to a stationary support that is located away from the stretch forming machine, wherein spraying the coolant via the first nozzle begins at least as soon as the part removal system lifts the automotive part out of a forming tool half of the stretch forming machine, and wherein spraying the coolant via the second nozzle begins as soon as the automotive part is carried by the part removal system in the proximity of the second nozzle. 
     
     
         6 . A method as set forth in  claim 5  wherein the part removal system is a gantry system. 
     
     
         7 . A method as set forth in  claim 1  further comprising placing the automotive part onto a conveyor immediately after spraying the coolant to the automotive part. 
     
     
         8 . A method as set forth in  claim 1  wherein the coolant is CO 2 . 
     
     
         9 . A method comprising:
 lifting an automotive part out of a first forming tool half of a stretch forming machine;   carrying the automotive part from the stretch forming machine to a conveyor;   placing the automotive part on the conveyer; and   spraying a coolant to at least a portion of an exterior surface of the automotive part as the automotive part is being carried from the stretch forming machine to the conveyor and before the automotive part is placed on the conveyer.   
     
     
         10 . A method as set forth in  claim 9  wherein lifting and carrying the automotive part is performed via a part removal system, and spraying the coolant is performed via at least one first nozzle connected to the part removal system. 
     
     
         11 . A method as set forth in  claim 10  wherein spraying the coolant is performed via at least one second nozzle connected to a stationary support, the at least one second nozzle spraying the coolant to the exterior surface after the automotive part is lifted out of the first forming tool half and before the automotive part is placed on the conveyer. 
     
     
         12 . A method as set forth in  claim 11  wherein the at least one first nozzle begins spraying the coolant before the at least one second nozzle begins spraying the coolant. 
     
     
         13 . A method as set forth in  claim 12  wherein the at least one second nozzle sprays the coolant to the exterior surface as the automotive part is in transit between the stretch forming machine and the conveyer, the automotive part substantially continuously moving between the stretch forming machine and the conveyor. 
     
     
         14 . A method comprising:
 stretch forming an automotive part via a stretch forming machine;   removing the automotive part from the stretch forming machine;   carrying the automotive part away from the stretch forming machine; and   spraying a coolant to at least a portion of an exterior surface of the automotive part as the automotive part is being carried away from the stretch forming machine.   
     
     
         15 . A method as set forth in  claim 14  wherein stretch forming comprises quick plastic forming via a quick plastic forming machine. 
     
     
         16 . A method as set forth in  claim 14  wherein spraying the coolant is performed via at least one first nozzle connected to a part removal system and via at least one second nozzle connected to a stationary support. 
     
     
         17 . A method as set forth in  claim 16  wherein the at least one first nozzle begins spraying the coolant before the at least one second nozzle begins spraying the coolant.