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Title: Elevated temperature forming method and preheater apparatus

Patent ·
OSTI ID:1084263

An elevated temperature forming system in which a sheet metal workpiece is provided in a first stage position of a multi-stage pre-heater, is heated to a first stage temperature lower than a desired pre-heat temperature, is moved to a final stage position where it is heated to a desired final stage temperature, is transferred to a forming press, and is formed by the forming press. The preheater includes upper and lower platens that transfer heat into workpieces disposed between the platens. A shim spaces the upper platen from the lower platen by a distance greater than a thickness of the workpieces to be heated by the platens and less than a distance at which the upper platen would require an undesirably high input of energy to effectively heat the workpiece without being pressed into contact with the workpiece.

Research Organization:
USAMP (Southfield, MI)
Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE
DOE Contract Number:
FC26-02OR22910
Assignee:
USAMP (Southfield, MI)
Patent Number(s):
8,459,084
Application Number:
12/366,310
OSTI ID:
1084263
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English

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