Patent ID: 7159437
Filing Date: 2007-01-09
Classification: B21D,Y10S

Abstract:
1. A method of making an internally heated forming tool for forming of sheet materials comprising: designing a metal tool body having a forming surface for the sheet material, side surfaces and an attachment surface, opposite the forming surface, for attachment to a forming press; specifying electric power ratings of heating cartridges to be located in the metal tool body of the forming tool for heating the forming surface of the tool; specifying operating temperatures for the forming surf ace, and heat transfer coefficients for the side surfaces and attachment surface of the tool; conducting mathematical analyses of the resultant temperatures of locations on the forming surface of the tool for postulated locations of the heating cartridges at their specified power ratings; and optimizing the location of the heating elements to produce a predetermined average temperature of the forming surface and a predetermined range of temperatures of locations on the forming surface.