The Boeing Company

Donald Lloyd Conaway

Thomas R Cundiff

Scott A Miller

Daniel G Sanders

Robert Charles Larsen

David Howard Gane

Lonny D Walz

Duane Michael Hill

Justin Michael Poirier

Anthony David Martinez

Jeffrey N Repsumer

Daniel Gordon Sanders

A hot-forming press () comprises a lower press assembly () and an upper press assembly (). The lower press assembly () is movable along a vertical axis and comprises a lower die (), and a lower hot-box portion (), configured to receive the lower die (). The upper press assembly () is movable along the vertical axis above the lower press assembly () and comprises an upper die (), and an upper hot-box portion (). The upper hot-box portion () is configured to receive the upper die () so that the upper die () is positioned opposite the lower die (). The lower die () and the upper die () are configured to apply a forming pressure to a workpiece () that is received between the lower die () and the upper die (). The lower hot-box portion () and the upper hot-box portion () are configured to heat the workpiece ().

Hot-forming presses and methods of hot-forming workpieces

A hot box comprises a lower hot-box portion and an upper hot-box portion. The lower hot-box portion comprises a lower housing, a lower heating plate, and a lower insulation layer. The lower heating plate is received within the lower housing and is configured to support a lower die. The lower insulation layer is positioned between the lower housing and the lower heating plate. The upper hot-box portion is positionable above the lower hot-box portion and comprises an upper housing, an upper heating plate, and an upper insulation layer. The upper heating plate is received within the upper housing and is configured to support an upper die. The upper insulation layer is positioned between the upper housing and the upper heating plate.

Hot boxes for hot-forming presses

A metal part is hot formed by placing a metal part blank on a forming tool and installing a fabric cover over the forming tool, overlying the metal part blank. The fabric is at least partially wrapped around the metal part blank. The metal part blank is heated to a temperature sufficient to allow forming of the metal part blank. Forming pressure is applied to the metal part blank that conforms the metal part blank to the forming tool by tensioning the fabric.

Method and apparatus for hot forming metal parts

The present invention relates to an index/seal pin indexed precisely in a resin transfer molding die to assure the desired resin-to-fiber ratio in the mold part, and, thereby, to produce reliably and consistently a part of minimum weight with adequate strength. The index/seal pin seals via replaceable O-rings on the threaded stem of the pin to prevent low viscosity resin from exiting a mold cavity and invading the threads, bolts, pins, or other elements of the internal mandrel. The pin also assures accurate positioning of a mandrel in the die cavity while it allows the entire inner mandrel to be enclosed and sealed within the mold cavity, simplifying the sealing system.

Accurate positioning using a seal pin for RTM mold dies

The present invention relates to a seal pin indexed precisely in a resin transfer molding die to assure the desired resin-to-fiber ratio in the mold part, and, thereby, to produce reliably and consistently a part of minimum weight with adequate strength. The index/resin seal pin of the present invention for RTM mold dies is novel in that it provides the seal (via replaceable O-rings) on the threaded stem of the pin to prevent low viscosity resin from invading the threads, bolts pins, or other elements of the internal mandrel. The pin allows the entire inner mandrel to be enclosed and sealed within the mold cavity, simplifying the sealing system. The invention also relates to a method for using the seal pin in a resin transfer molding process.

Growing community of inventors

Gig Harbor, WA, United States of America

Donald Lloyd Conaway