Method to operate a hydraulic press for metal sheet forming

Abstract

The invention is a process for forming a metal alloy component comprising: heating a metal alloy sheet blank to at least its Solution Heat Treatment temperature at a heating station; transferring the heated sheet blank to a press; initiating formation of a component by closing the press dies at a first speed then completing the formation by closing the press dies at a second speed, said second speed being slower than the first; and holding the formed component in the dies during cooling of the formed component.

1 . A process for forming a metal alloy component comprising:
 heating a metal alloy sheet blank to at least its Solution Heat Treatment temperature at a heating station;   transferring the heated sheet blank to a press;   initiating formation of a component by closing the press dies at a first speed then completing the formation by closing the press dies at a second speed, said second speed being slower than the first; and   holding the formed component in the dies during cooling of the formed component.   
     
     
         2 . The process of  claim 1 , wherein initiating formation of a component by closing the press dies at a first speed comprises using a non-powered or low-powered, high speed stroke of the press. 
     
     
         3 . The process of  claim 2  wherein the first speed comprises a fast approach mode of the press and wherein the first speed is at least 100 mm/s. 
     
     
         4 . (canceled) 
     
     
         5 . The process of  claim 3 , wherein completing the formation by closing the press dies at a second speed comprises using a powered stroke of the press. 
     
     
         6 . (canceled) 
     
     
         7 . The process of  claim 5 , wherein the second speed is less than 100 mm/s. 
     
     
         8 . The process of  claim 7 , wherein the second speed is the maximum powered speed of the press. 
     
     
         9 . The process of  claim 8 , wherein the powered stroke is engaged at the lowest practicable ram position. 
     
     
         10 . The process of  claim 9 , wherein the powered stroke is engaged 10 mm above absolute bottom. 
     
     
         11 . The process of  claim 10 , wherein heating the metal alloy sheet blank to its Solution Heat Treatment temperature comprises heating the sheet blank to at least its solvus temperature. 
     
     
         12 . The process of  claim 11 , wherein the process comprises heating the blank to above its solvus temperature but below its solute temperature. 
     
     
         13 . The process of  claim 12 , wherein the blank is heated to between 470° C. and 580° C. 
     
     
         14 . (canceled) 
     
     
         15 . The process of  claim 13 , wherein the heated sheet blank is transferred to the press within 10 seconds of being removed from the heating station. 
     
     
         16 . The process of  claim 15 , wherein forming is initiated within 10 seconds of removal from the heating station. 
     
     
         17 . (canceled) 
     
     
         18 . The process of  claim 16 , wherein initiating forming of a component comprises forming the blank at a temperature above 350° C. 
     
     
         19 . The process of  claim 18 , wherein initiating formation of a component comprises closing the press dies to a first position within at least 30 mm of the die absolute bottom position. 
     
     
         20 . The process of  claim 19 , wherein completing the formation comprises closing the press dies through the remaining distance from the first position to the absolute bottom position. 
     
     
         21 . The process of  claim 20 , wherein the process comprises a pause between the closing of the dies at a first speed and the closing of the dies at a second speed. 
     
     
         22 . The process of  claim 21  wherein the pause is less than 5 seconds. 
     
     
         23 . The process of  claim 22 , wherein holding the formed component in the dies during cooling of the formed component comprises holding the formed component until quenched. 
     
     
         24 . The process of  claim 23 , wherein the blank is quenched to below 200° C.