System and method for cooling annealed panels

Abstract

A system and method for processing a formable metal panel. The method comprises pressing the formable metal panel between a first die and a second die of a first press, creating a pre-formed panel. The pre-formed panel is annealed with a heating element. An evaporative cooling gas is applied to at least one region of the pre-formed panel for rapid cooling. The evaporative cooling gas may comprise a gas mixture including carbon dioxide or nitrogen. The pre-formed panel is transferred from the first press to a second press for additional forming operations.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A system for the multi-stage processing of a formable metal panel, the system comprising:
 a first press configured to pre-form the panel;   a transfer device for engaging and transferring the panel into and out of the first press;   a heating device configured to anneal at least one region of the panel;   a cooling device configured to supply an evaporative cooling gas to cool the panel after the panel is annealed; and   a controller for regulating one or more of the transfer device, the heating device, and the cooling device.   
     
     
         2 . The system according to  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the heating device and the cooling device is operatively coupled to the transfer device for coordinated movement therewith. 
     
     
         3 . The system according to  claim 1 , wherein the transfer device is configured as one of a linear transfer mechanism and a robotic arm. 
     
     
         4 . The system according to  claim 1 , wherein the cooling device comprises a spray nozzle coupled to a robotic arm, and the controller regulates coordinated movement of the robotic arm and application of the evaporative cooling gas to cool the panel. 
     
     
         5 . The system according to  claim 1 , further comprising a cryogenic storage device configured to supply a cryogenic material for use with the cooling device. 
     
     
         6 . The system according to  claim 1 , further comprising a second press configured to receive the annealed panel from the transfer device and further shape or alter the dimensions of the panel subsequent to the application of the evaporative cooling gas. 
     
     
         7 . The system according to  claim 6 , wherein the second press is configured to perform operations selected from the group consisting of final forming, trimming, piercing, and flanging the annealed panel at ambient temperature. 
     
     
         8 . A method for processing a formable metal panel, the method comprising:
 pressing the formable metal panel between a first die and a second die at a first location, creating a pre-formed panel;   annealing the pre-formed panel;   applying an evaporative cooling gas to at least one region of the pre-formed panel; and   transferring the pre-formed panel from the first location to a second location for additional forming operations.   
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8 , comprising applying the evaporative cooling gas to an entirety of the pre-formed panel. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein applying the evaporative cooling gas comprises using a high pressure air source with a cryogenic material to create an evaporative cooling gas mixture, wherein the evaporative cooling gas mixture is directed to contact at least one region of the pre-formed panel. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the evaporative cooling gas mixture comprises carbon dioxide or nitrogen. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein annealing the pre-formed panel comprises induction heating at least one region of the pre-formed panel, which is immediately followed by applying the evaporative cooling gas directly to the at least one region subjected to the induction heating. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein applying the evaporative cooling gas to the at least one region of the pre-formed panel is performed concurrently with transferring the pre-formed panel to the second location. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the first location comprises a stamping press and applying the evaporative cooling gas to the at least one region of the pre-formed panel is performed while the pre-formed panel remains at least partially disposed adjacent one of the first or second dies of the stamping press. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein applying the evaporative cooling gas to the at least one region of the pre-formed panel reduces a temperature of the region of the pre-formed panel at a rate of about 10° C./s. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein transferring the pre-formed panel to the second location comprises engaging the pre-formed panel with a transfer device configured as one of a linear transfer mechanism and a robotic arm. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the transfer device comprises at least one cooling device operatively coupled thereto, the cooling device being configured for coordinated movement with the transfer device. 
     
     
         18 . A method for stamping an article from a metal sheet material in a continuous line process, the method comprising:
 providing a metal sheet material in a first press and shaping the metal sheet to create a pre-formed panel;   annealing the pre-formed panel in the first press;   applying an evaporative cooling gas to at least one region of the pre-formed panel and rapidly cooling the pre-formed panel after the annealing;   engaging the pre-formed panel with a transfer device and transferring the pre-formed panel to a second press; and   stamping the cooled pre-formed panel into a shaped article.   
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the transfer device comprises a cooling element and the steps of engaging the pre-formed panel with the transfer device and transferring the pre-formed panel to a second press are performed concurrently with applying the evaporative cooling gas to at least one region of the pre-formed panel. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein applying the evaporative cooling gas to at least one region of the pre-formed panel comprises combining a high pressure air source with a cryogenic material to create an evaporative cooling gas mixture, wherein the evaporative cooling gas mixture is directed to contact at least one region of the pre-formed panel.