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A method of forming and quenching a product via electrically heating includes providing tools that have been electrically heated, providing a die forming shell for supporting a component and for defining a final shape of a formed product formed from the component, and providing a support structure f

A method of forming and quenching a product via electrically heating includes providing tools that have been electrically heated, providing a die forming shell for supporting a component and for defining a final shape of a formed product formed from the component, and providing a support structure for supporting the die forming shell during the heating of the component or tools. Two portions of the die forming shell are joined together so that an inner surface of the two portions cooperate to form a cavity that defines the shape of the formed product. The component is formed into the formed product, whereby the component is (a) heated before the formed product is formed and/or (b) heated while the formed product is formed. The formed product is quenched via conductive quenching through the die forming shell by at least one of water and a gas.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A method of forming and quenching a formed product, comprising: providing a tool having a die forming shell for supporting a blank, said die forming shell having a tool surface that defines a final shape of said formed product, said die forming shell manufactured from a metallic material;providin

1. A method of forming and quenching a formed product, comprising: providing a tool having a die forming shell for supporting a blank, said die forming shell having a tool surface that defines a final shape of said formed product, said die forming shell manufactured from a metallic material;providing a blank at said die forming shell;supporting said die forming shell via a support structure;substantially joining two portions of said die forming shell;heating said tool surface and said blank while said die forming shell is supported via said support structure;forming said blank into said formed product; andconductively quenching said formed product through said die forming shell by use of a fluid. 2. The method of claim 1, wherein forming said blank into said formed product further comprises at least one of (a) heating said blank before said formed product is formed and (b) heating said blank during forming said formed product. 3. The method of claim 2, wherein heating said blank is conducted by an induction heating system. 4. The method of claim 3, wherein said induction heating system comprises at least one induction heating coil. 5. The method of claim 3, wherein said induction heating system heats at least a portion of said die forming shell. 6. The method of claim 3, wherein at least a portion of said blank is heated by said induction heating system. 7. The method of claim 3, wherein heating further comprises electrically heating at least a portion of said die forming shell and at least a portion of said blank by said induction heating system. 8. The method of claim 3, wherein heating further comprises electrically heating at least a portion of said die forming shell and at least a portion of said blank by conductive heating from said die forming shell. 9. The method of claim 3, wherein heating further comprises electrically heating at least a portion of said die forming shell by said induction heating and at least a portion of said blank by said induction heating system and conductive heating from said die forming shell. 10. The method of claim 3, wherein a DC magnetic field at least partially permeates said blank to affect formability of said blank. 11. The method of claim 10, wherein a second DC magnetic field at least partially permeates said blank to affect formability of said blank. 12. The method of claim 1, wherein heating said tool surface comprises heating at least a portion of one half of said tool surface. 13. The method of claim 12, wherein heating said at least portion of one half of said tool surface comprises electrically heating all of said tool surface of one half of said tool surface by resistance heating. 14. The method of claim 1, wherein heating comprises electrically heating by at least one of resistance heating and induction heating, wherein at least one induction heating coil at least partially heats said blank by induction heating and at least a portion of one said portion of said die forming shell by resistance heating. 15. The method of claim 1, wherein heating comprises heating by directly burning fossil fuels. 16. The method of claim 1, wherein said blank comprises a plastic material comprising at least one of (i) a thermoset and (ii) a thermoplastic material. 17. The method of claim 1, wherein said blank comprises a metallic material comprising at least one of (i) aluminum, (ii) magnesium, (iii) titanium, and (iv) steel. 18. The method of claim 1, wherein said support structure is integrated with said die forming shell. 19. The method of claim 1, wherein said support structure is made from a ceramic material. 20. The method of claim 1, wherein said support structure is made of more than one metallic material. 21. The method of claim 1, wherein said support structure is made of metallic and ceramic materials. 22. The method of claim 1, wherein said support structure comprises segmented sections separated by at least one of air and electrically insulating materials. 23. The method of claim 1, further comprising selectively heating and selectively cooling at least one portion of said blank to alter the material properties of the at least one portion of the blank while not substantially heating and cooling at least one other portion of the blank to achieve a targeted material composition of said at least one portion of the blank. 24. The method of claim 1, wherein said blank comprises a tubular member. 25. The method of claim 24, wherein said tubular member is gas formed. 26. The method of claim 24, wherein said tubular member is preheated. 27. The method of claim 26, wherein the fluid is preheated. 28. The method of claim 1, wherein a DC magnetic field at least partially permeates said blank to affect formability of said blank. 29. The method of claim 28, wherein said DC magnetic field is repeatedly turned on and off. 30. The method of claim 1, wherein heating comprises heating via an AC magnetic field at least partially permeating said blank to affect formability of the blank. 31. The method of claim 30, wherein said AC magnetic field is operated at a frequency less than approximately 500 KHz.