Other

Michael G Polo

Anthony M Cacace

Carl M Johnson

A fixture is provided for holding sheets having complex shapes during heat treating. The fixture includes a base having a central opening and defining a peripheral foundation. A support structure extends inwardly and upwardly from the base and across the central opening. The support structure includes first axial and traverse openings extending there through. A sheet engagement structure is secured to the support structure and includes second axial openings extending there through. The sheet engagement structure has a peripheral section and at least one connecting leg extending between portions of the peripheral section. A sheet securing ring is removably secured to the sheet engagement structure for slidingly securing a sheet between the sheet securing ring and the sheet engagement structure. The central opening, first axial and traverse openings and second axial openings cooperating to create a uniform and accelerated flow of fluid through the fixture.

Support fixture for heat treating sheets having complex shapes

A method is presented for hot forming sheets having arcuate shapes. The method includes providing a die having a first and second clamping section. The first clamping section has a first arcuate pressing surface and the second clamping section has a complementary second arcuate pressing surface. The clamping sections have a plurality of heaters disposed therein. The die is heated to a predetermined temperature. The clamping sections are spaced apart by a predetermined distance. A precursor sheet is positioned therebetween such that the precursor sheet is spaced apart from the first arcuate pressing surface by a spacing distance. The clamping sections are pressed into engagement with the precursor sheet to form a production sheet having a predetermined shape by engagement with the first pressing surface and the second pressing surface and a predetermined pressing force for a predetermined pressing time.

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Wethersfield, CT, United States of America

Michael G Polo