Patent ID: 8443641

Claim:
An apparatus for modifying a work piece having a longitudinal length, the apparatus comprising: an ignition chamber configured for generating a traveling shock wave that has a shock wave length that is less than the longitudinal length of the work piece; a die, wherein the die includes a first die plate and a second die plate, wherein at least one of the first and second die plates is movable relative to the other between an open position and a closed position wherein the first and second die plates together define a die cavity in which the work piece can be positioned; a transfer structure configured, in use, to convey the shock wave directly from the ignition chamber directly into the die cavity, wherein, in operation, the shock wave applies a localized pressure to the work piece in a direction that is transverse to the direction of travel of the shock wave, wherein the ignition chamber has at least one inlet for the ingress of oxygen and hydrogen combustibles, the apparatus further comprising an igniter and a controller for the transfer of a selected ratio and quantity of oxygen and hydrogen into the ignition chamber and for actuating the igniter to react the combustibles to generate an explosion that generates the shock wave, wherein the controller serially executes explosions and the apparatus further comprising a cooling system for cooling the ignition chamber so as to reduce the pressure of water vapour created by reacting oxygen and hydrogen.