EP3485992A1 - Method for forming a blank of sheet, e.g. a metal plate or hollow body blank as a workpiece in a forming device - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for forming a sheet metal blank (10), for. B. a board as a workpiece in a forming tool, for. B. a forming press (1), wherein the forming tool has at least one engraving (2) and advantageously at least one holding-down device (6) for fixing the workpiece to the engraving (2) during the forming, wherein the forming in the solution annealing temperature range of the material of the workpiece to be formed he follows, wherein the pressure of the blank holder (6) or the edge region of the engraving (2) is selected on the workpiece so that material of the workpiece from the region of the blank holder (6) or the edge region of the engraving (2) flow into the engraving (2) can and / or wherein material of the workpiece is actively pushed into the engraving (2), or wherein the deformation takes place entirely without additional workpiece material in the engraving (2). A method for forming a hollow body blank is also described.

Description

The present invention relates on the one hand a method for forming a sheet metal blank, for. B. a board as a workpiece in a forming tool, for. B. a forming press, wherein the forming tool has at least one engraving and advantageously at least one hold-down for fixing the workpiece to the engraving during the forming. On the other hand, the subject of the invention is a method for forming a hollow body blank as a workpiece in a forming tool, for. B. a forming press with in particular at least one locking device for the hollow body blank, wherein the forming tool has at least one engraving for receiving the hollow body blank during the forming.

Forming processes are well known in the art. For example, from the WO 2015/136299 A2 It is known to first heat a metallic workpiece to the area of the solution annealing temperature, then to cool down the workpiece to the forming temperature, to reshape the workpiece in a further step, during which the workpiece continues to cool uncontrollably and the forming material solidifies in an uncontrolled manner, which leads to a springback effect , After completion of the forming, the workpiece is then removed from the mold. A disadvantage of this known method is the relatively long cycle time, the not optimal, too cold forming temperature and the springback, which affects the tolerance compliance. The long cycle time is due to the unfavorable sequence of machining operations to the actual forming, namely in particular the heating to the solution annealing temperature and the subsequent cooling before forming, including the time of cooling of the workpiece in the tool as well as the cooling during the forming process. Too rapid cooling of the blank during forming allows, in particular at low A80-% elongations of the workpiece in particular high-strength alloys and / or small wall thicknesses, only small degrees of deformation. Consequently, tight radii and sharp edges can not be represented, since the thinner the wall thickness of the blank or of the workpiece, the faster it cools down after insertion into the tool and before it is completely reshaped.

In addition, the so-called superplastic forming (SPF) is also state of the art. In superplastic forming that is Workpiece, so for example, a board or a hollow body, firmly clamped in the heated to the superplastic temperature tool, which is usually located in an oven. This means that, for example, the board is sealed in a form-fitting manner during closing between the two mold halves, so that no material can flow into the engraving during the forming process. The consequence of this is that the wall thickness of the workpiece in the engraving is undefined with respect to the location in the engraving. That is, at various points, the wall thickness depending on the prevailing coefficients of friction or temperatures may have different, not predictable strengths. In this respect, the formation of the wall thickness in the engraving is more or less random.

Another disadvantage of the SPF is that demand for the forming material has proven to be superplastic. This significantly increases the price of the starting material. Also, the SPF cycle times are minutes to days depending on the degree of deformation. In this respect, the SPF technology is generally not applied for larger quantities, as it is uneconomical.

The problem underlying the invention is to remedy this situation. In particular, a method is to be provided, with which short cycle times can be achieved with essentially predeterminable wall thickness of the workpiece during the forming process.

Furthermore, the method should be suitable for the deformation of high-strength alloys of any wall thickness and at desired high degrees of deformation. In addition, the aim of the method to produce workpieces with predeterminable wall thickness and also those workpieces that are characterized by small radii, during the forming cycle times should be kept as low as possible.

To solve the problem is according to the invention provided according to a first embodiment of a method for forming a circuit board as a workpiece in a forming tool in which the forming at least one engraving or die and advantageously at least one hold-down for fixing the workpiece to the engraving during the forming that the deformation takes place in the solution annealing temperature range of the material of the workpiece to be formed, wherein the pressure for fixing the workpiece to the engraving is selected such that material of the workpiece can flow into the engraving and / or material of the workpiece is actively inserted into the engraving, or wherein the deformation takes place entirely without additional workpiece material in the engraving. The hold-down may be advantageous in certain forming operations, for example, when deep drawing with a stamp, which can be controlled by the hold-down material supply into the engraving.

If a hold-down device is provided, the pressure or the pressing force on the workpiece between the hold-down device and the engraving is decisive for the question as to whether and, if so, how much material of the workpiece can flow into the engraving.

According to a second embodiment, for deforming a hollow body blank as a workpiece in a forming tool, in particular with at least one locking device for the hollow body blank, wherein the forming tool has at least one engraving or die for receiving the hollow body blank during the forming, the invention provides that the forming in the solution annealing temperature range of Material of the workpiece to be formed,
wherein the workpiece (the hollow body blank) is held by the locking device so that material of the workpiece can be refilled, and / or the material of the workpiece is actively pushed into the engraving, or that the deformation takes place on the basis of the material of the hollow body blank, the located within the engraving.

The essence of the invention is therefore to heat the workpiece to be formed, for example the blank, to the solution annealing temperature or austenitizing temperature, in order to bring it either after completion or during the solution annealing process or after completion of the austenitization, in which also advantageously at this temperature Engraving to make the reshaping. That is, by forming out of the solution annealing temperature, a stress-free forming is possible. It would also be conceivable in this connection, if the workpiece were already undergoing a solution annealing process or austenitizing, to carry out the transformation in the tool permanently heated in the vicinity of the solution annealing temperature in the region of the optimum elongation of the material of the workpiece. The term "permanent" is intended to describe at least the period during the solution annealing and the transformation. Advantageously, the temperature should be maintained during the daily production process, because then the wear, in particular on the engraving can be reduced. This compared to a constant heating and cooling of the forming tool, which leads to increased wear on the forming tool, because the cooling is equivalent to a recurrent thermal shock.

In the following, the solution annealing temperature with respect to steel is also understood to mean the austenitizing temperature. That is, the term the solution annealing temperature is so far as a generic term for a special Heat treatment at a temperature that includes the Austenitisierungstemperatur in steel.

The subject of the method is, as already stated, the heating of the workpiece to the solution annealing temperature range which is provided specifically for the material of the workpiece to be formed. Here, the temperature is advantageously selected so that it allows solution annealing, but does not damage the material structure or, for example, martensitic steels, the temperature for austenitizing or solutionizing above the AC3 line, that is approximately at 950 ° C.

Depending on the material to be formed, the solution annealing process of the workpiece may be completed before the start of the forming, it may start during the solution annealing process, and may also be completed during the forming process. Which variant is chosen depends, as already stated, on the material, and on the goal of achieving the lowest possible cycle time.

According to a further feature of the invention, it is provided that the workpiece is heated to the solution annealing temperature range or austenitizing temperature range before being introduced into the substantially permanently heated tool for the material of the workpiece. This also serves to reduce the cycle time. The same applies to the temperature of the substantially permanently heated tool.

It has proven to be particularly advantageous if the workpiece is removed from the forming tool after completion of the forming and / or after completion of the solution annealing process and fed to a hardening process. Usually, before curing, the workpiece is brought to the solution annealing temperature; in terms of steel, it is referred to as austenitizing. If so far already the Forming is advantageously carried out at the solution annealing temperature, then, without re-heating of the workpiece, the workpiece can be hardened immediately optimal after forming, either by appropriate cooling or forming at lower temperatures compared to the solution annealing temperature.

As further advantageous has been found, when depending on the formation of a desired location in the engraving material reserve desired on the workpiece, a corresponding temperature profile in the engraving by a tempering device is adjustable. This means that, for example, in places where a smaller wall thickness is desired, the temperature in the engraving is higher than at other locations of the engraving. In this context, a differentiation in the wall thickness can also be carried out by applying to the engraving a corresponding roughness profile as a function of a material reserve desired at a predetermined location in the engraving on the workpiece. This means that the flow behavior of the material can be influenced by a changed coefficient of friction at certain points in the engraving, in order to create places of different material thickness.

Particularly advantageous is a combination of the application of a certain roughness profile and a temperature profile has been found. It has been found that in particular by such a combination, the wall thicknesses are very finely adjustable at certain points in the engraving.

According to a further feature of the invention, the deformation of the workpiece takes place in the engraving under gas pressure and / or mechanically with a stamp. It is advantageous in the case of gas forming if a seal is arranged between the engraving or the hold-down device and the circuit board in order to prevent or at least reduce the gas leakage. It has become in In this context, furthermore, it has been found to be advantageous that after completion of the forming process for calibrating the workpiece in the engraving, the workpiece is detected by the engraving or the hold-down in such a way that substantially no workpiece material flows into the engraving. This measure is used for wrinkle smoothing and takes place in particular above 60 bar, depending on the radius size, the material to be formed of the workpiece and the wall thickness of the workpiece. It can also be optionally provided that a plurality of such forming tools can be arranged one behind the other, in order to enable an optimum forming at optimum cycle times, similar to cold forming. Optimal deformation is understood to mean a deformation of the workpiece in several steps, which would not be possible in a single forming process. Opposite z. As the superplastic forming could be shortened here, the total cycle time, which was necessary for a total of forming, because the transformation would be necessary in several steps, thus taking place in the total solution annealing temperature.

With the aid of the method according to the invention, that is to say in particular with the aid of a method in which the forming takes place in the region of the solution annealing temperature and in which, as already explained at the beginning, the material of the workpiece from the area of the blank holder can flow into the engraving, forming times can be achieved be realized of less than one minute, in particular of ≤ 20 seconds when forming under gas pressure and ≤ 10 seconds in mechanical forming. With an optimal combination of tools arranged one behind the other, complex components can be formed from extremely strong materials of any wall thickness with very small radii or sharp corners or very high degrees of deformation of more than 200% in a very short cycle time.

Fig. 1a und Fig. 1b

eine Umformpresse zum Umformen einer metallischen Platine mit mechanischer und ergänzend mit Gasdruck-Umformung;

Fig. 1c bis 1d

zeigen einen Umformvorgang eines Blechrohlings in drei Schritten in unterschiedlichen Werkzeugen;

Fig. 2

zeigt eine Umformungspresse für die Umformung eines Hohlkörperrohlings.

With reference to the drawings, the invention will be explained in more detail below by way of example. So show the

Fig. 1a and Fig. 1b

a forming press for forming a metallic circuit board with mechanical and in addition with gas pressure forming;

Fig. 1c to 1d

show a forming process of a sheet metal blank in three steps in different tools;

Fig. 2

shows a forming press for the forming of a hollow body blank.

In detail is from the FIGS. 1a-1d in the forming press 1, the engraving with 2 and the stamp with 3. A gas supply is indicated schematically by 4. The board or the sheet metal blank has the reference numeral 10.

In this context results from Fig. 1a an engraving and a stamp for a purely mechanical deformation of the board 10. A hold-down for the board has the reference numeral 6th

Fig. 1b shows a mechanical deformation in combination with a gas pressure calibration, in which case a gas supply 4 is provided in the region above the board, ie in the region of the punch 3. Again, a hold-6 is provided. The hold-down brings a pressing force on the board or the sheet metal blank in conjunction with the engraving. 2

Fig. 1c shows a forming press, in which the forming takes place in a first forming step by internal gas pressure. In this case, an internal pressure of, for example, 20 bar may be provided, depending on the wall thickness and the material, wherein over the tool base 5 active material can be added to the engraving in order to have sufficient material, for example, a subsequent cold forming available.

Fig. 1d shows a purely mechanical deformation as a second forming step with a punch 3 and an engraving 2, wherein the material of the workpiece can be tracked freely. One speaks here also of free material intake.

at Fig. 1e For example, in the third forming step for calibration, a gas supply 4 is again provided in the space above the punch 3, wherein the surface of the molded component is smoothed when the tool is closed under high pressure of up to about 1,000 bar, advantageously up to 200 bar , There is no material supply into the engraving.

Fig. 2 shows a forming press 1 with two engravings 2 for forming a hollow body blank 11. The hollow body blank stores in the area between the engravings or dies, the engravings form the negative mold for the final shape formed from the hollow body blank. On the hollow body blank engage the locking device 12 laterally. The locking device 12 comprises in each case one on both sides of the hollow body blank sealing cylinder 13, which is also able to nachzuschieben material of the hollow body blank in the space between the two engravings. At least one of the cylinders 13 may have an opening 4 for supplying a gas for forming the hollow body blank.

Reference number list

1

forming press

2

engraving

3

stamp

4

gas supply

5

Tool base

6

down device

10

sheet metal blank

11

Parison

12

locking device

13

Cylinder of the locking device

Claims (16)

Method for forming a sheet metal blank (10), z. B. a board as a workpiece in a forming tool, for. B. a forming press (1), wherein the forming tool has at least one engraving (2) and advantageously at least one holding-down device (6) for fixing the workpiece to the engraving (2) during the forming,
characterized,
that the deformation in the material of the Lösungsglühtemperaturbereich to be shaped workpiece is made,
wherein the pressure of the blank holder (6) or the edge region of the engraving (2) is selected on the workpiece so that material of the workpiece from the region of the blank holder (6) or the edge region of the engraving (2) flow into the engraving (2) can and / or
wherein material of the workpiece is actively pushed into the engraving (2), or
wherein the deformation takes place entirely without additional workpiece material in the engraving (2). Method for forming a hollow body blank as a workpiece in a forming tool, for. B. a forming press (1) with at least one locking device (12) for the hollow body blank (11), wherein the forming tool has at least one engraving (2) for receiving the hollow body blank (11) during the forming,
characterized,
that the deformation takes place in the solution annealing temperature range of the material of the workpiece to be formed, wherein the workpiece is held by the locking device so that material of the workpiece can flow into the engraving, and / or that material of the workpiece is actively pushed into the engraving (2), - Or that the deformation takes place on the basis of the material of the hollow body blank, which is located within the engraving (2). Method according to claim 1 or 2,
characterized,
that the solution annealing process of the workpiece is completed before the start of the forming. Method according to one of the preceding claims,
characterized,
that during the solution annealing process, the forming process of the workpiece begins. Method according to claim 4,
characterized,
that the solution treatment is completed during the forming process. Method according to one of the preceding claims,
characterized,
that the workpiece is heated to the solution annealing temperature prior to introduction into the forming tool. Method according to one of the preceding claims,
characterized,
that the workpiece is removed from the tool after completion of the forming and / or after completion of the solution annealing process and fed to a hardening process. Method according to claim 7,
characterized,
that the hardening process comprises a cooling process and / or a forming process in another tool. Method according to one of the preceding claims 1 to 8,
characterized,
in that a corresponding temperature profile in the engraving (2) can be set by a tempering device as a function of the formation of a material reserve desired on the workpiece at a predetermined location in the engraving (2). Method according to one of the preceding claims 1 to 8,
characterized,
in that a corresponding roughness profile is applied to the engraving (2) as a function of the formation of a material reserve desired on the workpiece at a predetermined location in the engraving (2). Method according to claim 9 or 10,
characterized,
in that a temperature profile can be applied in the region of the arrangement of a roughness profile in the engraving (2) by the tempering device. Method according to one of the preceding claims,
characterized,
that the deformation takes place under gas pressure and / or mechanically. Method according to one of the preceding claims 1 and 3 to 12,
characterized,
that a sealing element is provided in the gas forming for minimizing the leakage of gas between the workpiece and engraving (2) or the workpiece and the holding-down device (6) or between the retainer (6) and the workpiece. Method according to one of the preceding claims 1 and 3 to 13,
characterized,
that after the forming process, for calibrating the workpiece in the engraving (2) by means of high gas pressure up to 1000 bar, the workpiece is detected by the hold-down (6) or the engraving (2) such that no workpiece material in the engraving (2 ) flows. Method according to one of the preceding claims,
characterized,
that the cycle time between the charging of the forming tool with the workpiece to be formed and the removal of the formed workpiece from the forming tool is ≤ one minute, with forming under gas pressure ≤ 20 seconds, and with mechanical forming ≤ 10 seconds. Method according to one of the preceding claims,
characterized,
that the tool and / or the workpiece is set to the workpiece-specific solutionizing.

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