Laminated cavity tooling
First Claim
Patent Images
1. An apparatus comprising:
- a molding die; and
a molding machine structured to receive and locate a deformable workpiece relative to the molding die to carry out a plastic deformation operation when force is applied to the deformable workpiece causing it to plastically deform,wherein the molding die comprises a plurality of removable die layers connected together to define a void in the molding die into which the deformable workpiece is plastically deformed in the plastic deformation operation,wherein the plurality of removable die layers comprises a first set of die layers and a second set of die layers,wherein the first set of die layers and the second set of die layers are separately removable,wherein the first set of die layers is structured to produce a first plastic deformation in the deformable workpiece in a first mold deformation process when the second set of die layers is absent during the process,wherein the plurality of removable die layers are structured to produce a second plastic deformation subsequent to the first plastic deformation in the deformable workpiece in a second mold deformation process when the second set of die layers is present during the process, andwherein the second set of die layers forms a narrowing tool configuration such that the second plastic deformation forms an undercut in the deformable workpiece.
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Abstract
In some examples, a laminated tooling die may include multiple sheets or plates used in conjunction in any of a number of forming operations such as, for example, hydroforming, compression molding, and stamping. The sheets or plates can include an open interior that, when used in conjunction with neighboring sheets, produce a cavity into which a deformable workpiece can be placed and subjected to the forming operation. In some examples, one or more sheets can be coupled with a heat exchanger to impart a heat transfer with the workpiece.
20 Citations
17 Claims
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1. An apparatus comprising:
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a molding die; and a molding machine structured to receive and locate a deformable workpiece relative to the molding die to carry out a plastic deformation operation when force is applied to the deformable workpiece causing it to plastically deform, wherein the molding die comprises a plurality of removable die layers connected together to define a void in the molding die into which the deformable workpiece is plastically deformed in the plastic deformation operation, wherein the plurality of removable die layers comprises a first set of die layers and a second set of die layers, wherein the first set of die layers and the second set of die layers are separately removable, wherein the first set of die layers is structured to produce a first plastic deformation in the deformable workpiece in a first mold deformation process when the second set of die layers is absent during the process, wherein the plurality of removable die layers are structured to produce a second plastic deformation subsequent to the first plastic deformation in the deformable workpiece in a second mold deformation process when the second set of die layers is present during the process, and wherein the second set of die layers forms a narrowing tool configuration such that the second plastic deformation forms an undercut in the deformable workpiece. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. An apparatus comprising:
a molding machine operable to create an article as a result of a plastic deformation process, the molding machine structured to receive a plurality of removable die layers that collectively form a tool die mold useful in forming the article through a plastic deformation process, the plurality of removable die layers comprising; a first die layer having a surface onto which the article can be received; a second layer locatable above the first die layer and having a second layer top, a second layer bottom, and a second layer passage extending from the second layer top to the second layer bottom through which the article can pass; a third layer locatable above the first die layer having a third layer top, a third layer bottom, and a third layer passage extending from the third layer top to the third layer bottom through which the article can pass; and a fourth layer locatable above the first die layer and having a fourth layer top, a fourth layer bottom, and a fourth layer passage extending from the fourth layer top to the fourth layer bottom through which the article can pass, wherein the second layer, the third layer, and the fourth layer together form an undercut. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10)
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11. A method comprising:
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providing a plastically deformable workpiece having a material composition that can be yielded without rupture under application of load; inserting a first tool layer that defines a well formed in a workpiece receiving side of the tool layer; placing the plastically deformable workpiece over the well; applying force to yield the workpiece into the well; adding a second tool layer to the first tool layer, the second tool layer having a top side and a bottom side and passage from the top side to the bottom side; and applying another force to yield the workpiece through the second layer. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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Specification