Patent ID: 6085562
Filing Date: 2000-07-11
Classification: B21D,Y10S

Abstract:
A method of forming a metal work piece into a target shape, said method comprising the steps:(a) obtaining a metal work piece, said work piece having an original shape;(b) disposing said metal work piece in a mold comprising at least one electromagnetic actuator, said mold comprising:(i) a male mold portion having a mold side and a back side;(ii) a female mold portion having a mold side and a back side;said mold side of said male mold portion and said mold side of said female mold portion adapted to mate incompletely so as to deform a work piece disposed therebetween so as to form said work piece into a precursor shape, leaving at least one precursor area of said work piece to be finally formed so as to complete said target shape;(iii) at least one of said mold portions comprising said at least one electromagnetic actuator so as to be capable of further forming said at least one precursor area; and(iv) a current power source adapted to produce a current pulse through said at least one electromagnetic actuator, so as to produce a magnetic field in said at least one precursor area so as to deform said at least one precursor area into a target shape;(c) closing said mold sides upon said metal work piece so as to form said work piece into said precursor shape; and(d) causing a current pulse to pass through said at least one electromagnetic actuator, sufficient to produce a magnetic field of sufficient strength to deform said metal work piece from said precursor shape to said target shape.