Hot Stamping Die Apparatus
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A method comprising:
- providing a first die having a first die structure;
forming a first die surface on the first die structure, the first die surface having a complex shape;
forming a plurality of cooling channels in the first die structure, each of the cooling channels having a contour that generally follows the complex shape of the first die surface; and
forming a second die with a second die surface, the first and second die surfaces cooperating to form a die cavity.
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Abstract
A hot forming die that includes a first die and a second die. The first die has a first die structure that is formed of a tool steel. The first die structure has a first die surface and a plurality of first cooling apertures. The first die surface has a complex shape. The first cooling apertures are spaced apart from the die surface by a first predetermined distance. The second die has a second die surface. The first and second die surfaces cooperate to form a die cavity. Related methods for forming a hot forming die and for hot forming a workpiece are also provided.
28 Citations
26 Claims
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1. A method comprising:
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providing a first die having a first die structure; forming a first die surface on the first die structure, the first die surface having a complex shape; forming a plurality of cooling channels in the first die structure, each of the cooling channels having a contour that generally follows the complex shape of the first die surface; and forming a second die with a second die surface, the first and second die surfaces cooperating to form a die cavity. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A hot forming die comprising:
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a first die having a first die structure that is formed of a tool steel, the first die structure having a first die surface and a plurality of first cooling apertures, the first die surface having a complex shape, the first cooling apertures being spaced apart from the die surface by a first predetermined distance; and a second die having a second die surface, the first and second die surfaces cooperating to form a die cavity. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A method of hot forming a workpiece comprising:
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providing a die with an upper die and a lower die, each of the upper and lower dies including a die structure that defines a die surface and a plurality of cooling channels, the die surface having a complex shape, the cooling channels being spaced apart from the die surface in a manner that generally matches a contour of the die surface, the die surfaces cooperating to form a die cavity; heating a steel sheet blank; placing the heated steel sheet blank between the upper and lower dies; closing the upper and lower dies to form the workpiece in the cavity; cooling the die structures of the upper and lower dies to quench the workpiece in the cavity; and ejecting the quenched workpiece from the cavity.
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16. A method comprising:
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providing a first member that at least partially defines a first forming surface, the first member forming a shell; forming a second member that is received into the shell, the second member at least partially supporting the first member, the first and second members cooperating to at least partially define a first die structure; forming a second die with a second forming surface, the first and second dies cooperating to define a die cavity. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18)
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19. A hot forming die comprising:
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a first die having a first member and a second member, the first member at least partially defining a first forming surface, the first member forming a shell, the second member being received into the shell and at least partially supporting the first member; and a second die having a second forming surface, the first and second dies cooperating to define a die cavity. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21)
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22. A method comprising:
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providing a die with an upper die and a lower die, each of the upper and lower dies including a die structure that defines a die surface having a complex shape; placing a heated blank between the upper and lower dies; closing the upper and lower dies to form, quench and cool a workpiece in the die; removing the workpiece from the die; and repeating each of the above three steps to produce additional workpieces at a rate of at least 120 workpieces per hour. - View Dependent Claims (23, 24, 25, 26)
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Specification