Hot stamping die apparatus
First Claim
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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, andwherein the first die structure includes a first die member and wherein forming the plurality of cooling channels comprises;
forming a plurality of slots in a surface of the first die member opposite the first die surface;
forming a plurality of filler plates; and
inserting each filler plate to an associated one of the slots, each filler plate cooperating with the associated one of the slots to form an inlet port and an outlet port.
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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.
23 Citations
13 Claims
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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, andwherein the first die structure includes a first die member and wherein forming the plurality of cooling channels comprises;
forming a plurality of slots in a surface of the first die member opposite the first die surface;
forming a plurality of filler plates; and
inserting each filler plate to an associated one of the slots, each filler plate cooperating with the associated one of the slots to form an inlet port and an outlet port. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
- providing a first die having a first die structure;
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9. A hot forming die comprising:
- 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, andwherein the first die structure includes a die member and a plurality of filler plates, the die member defining a plurality of slots in a surface of the first die structure opposite the first die surface, each filler plate being received into an associated slot and cooperating with the slot to form an associated one of the first cooling apertures. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12)
- 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
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13. A method of hot forming a workpiece comprising:
- 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 and a plurality of slots in fluid communication with the cooling channels and wherein said slots are at least partially defined as a surface of at least one of the upper and lower dies, in a surface opposite the die surface of the at least one of the upper and lower dies, 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.
- 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 and a plurality of slots in fluid communication with the cooling channels and wherein said slots are at least partially defined as a surface of at least one of the upper and lower dies, in a surface opposite the die surface of the at least one of the upper and lower dies, the die surfaces cooperating to form a die cavity;
Specification