Patent ID: 8021501

Claim:
A method for forming a piece of sheet metal while passing an electrical direct current through at least part of the piece of sheet metal, the method comprising: providing a piece of sheet metal to be formed; providing a computer numerical controlled machine, the machine having an arcuate tipped tool and being operable to move the arcuate tipped tool a predetermined distance in a predetermined direction and producing a single point incremental deformation to the piece of sheet metal; providing a support structure dimensioned to rigidly hold at least part of the piece of sheet metal; attaching the piece of sheet metal to the support structure; providing an electric current source operable to pass electrical direct current through at least part of the piece of sheet metal; forming the piece of sheet metal with a plurality of single point incremental deformations by the arcuate tipped tool; and passing the electrical direct current through the arcuate tipped tool into the piece of sheet metal locally and during at least part of the time the piece of sheet metal is being formed by the arcuate tipped tool.