EP0089293B1 - Apparatus and control method for the superplastic formation of a metallic blank - Google Patents

Apparatus and control method for the superplastic formation of a metallic blank Download PDF

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Publication number
EP0089293B1
EP0089293B1 EP83400539A EP83400539A EP0089293B1 EP 0089293 B1 EP0089293 B1 EP 0089293B1 EP 83400539 A EP83400539 A EP 83400539A EP 83400539 A EP83400539 A EP 83400539A EP 0089293 B1 EP0089293 B1 EP 0089293B1
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EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
blank
superplastic forming
forming device
tube
pressure
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Expired
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EP83400539A
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German (de)
French (fr)
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EP0089293A1 (en
Inventor
Jean-Pierre Daime
Martial Hervé Lecler
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Safran Aircraft Engines SAS
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Societe Nationale dEtude et de Construction de Moteurs dAviation SNECMA
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    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B21—MECHANICAL METAL-WORKING WITHOUT ESSENTIALLY REMOVING MATERIAL; PUNCHING METAL
    • B21D—WORKING OR PROCESSING OF SHEET METAL OR METAL TUBES, RODS OR PROFILES WITHOUT ESSENTIALLY REMOVING MATERIAL; PUNCHING METAL
    • B21D26/00—Shaping without cutting otherwise than using rigid devices or tools or yieldable or resilient pads, i.e. applying fluid pressure or magnetic forces
    • B21D26/02—Shaping without cutting otherwise than using rigid devices or tools or yieldable or resilient pads, i.e. applying fluid pressure or magnetic forces by applying fluid pressure
    • B21D26/053—Shaping without cutting otherwise than using rigid devices or tools or yieldable or resilient pads, i.e. applying fluid pressure or magnetic forces by applying fluid pressure characterised by the material of the blanks
    • B21D26/055—Blanks having super-plastic properties

Definitions

  • the invention relates to a device for controlling the superplastic forming of a metal part from a blank arranged at the inlet of a mold supplied with gas under pressure.
  • a forming control device of the type which comprises , for measuring the displacement of the central part of the blank, a rigid sliding member, one end of which rests on the central part of the blank, and capable of sliding when the central part of the blank moves, associated with a system for measuring the displacement of the organ.
  • US-A-3,786,976 describes a detection device comprising a fluid circuit connected on either side of a piston, on one side, and whose end nozzles, on the other side , cooperate with holes in a workpiece whose positional defects are thus detected from an imbalance in pressures.
  • the object of the invention is to propose new means of forming control allowing the operator to appreciate the development of the process and to act on the gas pressure to modulate the force exerted on the blank as a function of the evolution of the dimensional parameters of the part being formed.
  • the object of the invention is achieved with a device according to the preamble of claim 1 thanks to a member which is a hollow cylindrical tube closed at its end remote from the blank and supported by the other end on the blank, and sliding tightly in a cylindrical sleeve, this tube comprising, a series of holes capable of passing in front of a nozzle drilled in the sleeve and connected to a source of low pressure gas and to a pressure drop detector, the tube comprising at least one leak orifice, and the mold being provided with at least one bore communicating with the atmosphere, the pressure detector being connected to a recorder giving a signal corresponding to the pressure drops detected during the passage of a hole in the tube in front of the of the sleeve.
  • the cylindrical sleeve is provided in the bottom of the mold and the leak orifice is located near the end of the tube resting on the blank.
  • the recorder is advantageously a tape recorder running at a known speed, so that the detection of pressure drops makes it possible to know the speed of movement of the measuring member and therefore of the central part of the blank.
  • control devices also to include means for assessing the progression of the edge of the front face of the blank inside the mold, these means being advantageously produced in the form of electrical contacts flush with the internal wall of the mold and connected to a recorder, which may be the tape recorder already used to measure the advance of the central part of the blank.
  • the electrical contacts are advantageously arranged at each re-entering angle of the mold, which makes it possible to assess the arrival of the blank at changes in section of the mold and to modulate the gas pressure accordingly.
  • the device of the invention further comprises a temperature sensor allowing the operator to know all of the parameters governing the superplastic forming process.
  • the invention also relates to a method of controlling the superplastic forming according to claim 10, in which the displacement of a member, one end of which rests on the central part of the blank, is measured, by means of a connected pressure detector. to a recorder giving a signal corresponding to the pressure drops of a gas in a low-pressure gas circuit, an opening of which can be covered and uncovered by the passage of a movable shutter comprising a series of holes and kinematically linked to said member.
  • the blank of the part to be formed consists of a planar circular blank 5 which is arranged in a sealed manner at the entrance to the mold 1.
  • the enclosure formed by the concavity of the blank is in communication through the cover 4 with a high pressure source 6 of argon, via a relief valve 7, a high-pressure gauge 8 and a shut-off valve 9.
  • a bore 10 communicates the rear enclosure of the mold 1 with the atmosphere.
  • Each re-entrant angle of the mold 1 has holes 11, 12 filled with an electrical insulation material crossed by electrical conductors 13, 14 of the same polarity, the end of which is flush with the internal wall 2 of the mold.
  • a conductor 15 of opposite polarity is connected to the inlet of the mold.
  • the conductors 13, 14, 15 are connected via a contactor 16 to a tape recorder 17.
  • the convex face of the blank 5 presses on the end 18 of a hollow cylindrical tube 19 whose other end 20 is closed.
  • the tube 19 slides substantially effortlessly and sealingly in the bore of a sleeve 21 adapted to the bottom 3 of the mold 1.
  • the tube 19 comprises, aligned on a portion of the generator, a series of regularly spaced holes 22 which can pass in front of a nozzle 23 provided in the sleeve 21 and supplied with argon at low pressure from a source 24 via a regulator 25, a pressure gauge 26 and a non-return valve 27 calibrated on the return.
  • thermocouple 28 passes through the tube 19, collects the temperature of the blank 5 and transmits it to an indicator 29.
  • the low-pressure argon source 24 is also connected by a T-connector 30 to a U-shaped glass tube 31 containing a conductive liquid 32 and surmounted by an expansion tank 35.
  • This expansion tank 35 constitutes a safety device in the event that a rupture of the part being formed would suddenly bring high pressure argon and the tube 31 into communication.
  • the left branch of the tube 31 comprises an electric wire 33 intended to be in permanent contact with the conductive liquid 32 whatever the height of the latter.
  • the straight branch has a shorter electrical wire 34 which is in contact with the conductive liquid 32 only when the level of the latter rises in this branch.
  • the contacts 33 and 34 are connected to the positive and negative terminals of the recorder 17 by conductors 36 and 37.
  • the operation of the assembly is as follows.
  • the blank is heated by known means not shown such as heating resistors at a temperature giving it superplasticity characteristics and is clamped at the entrance to the mold 1.
  • the concavity of the blank is placed in communication with the source 6 of high pressure argon.
  • the supply 24 of argon is opened at low pressure.
  • the pressure causes the conductive liquid to rise in the right branch of the U 31 and the contact is established, which results in a straight line 38 on the bearing of the recorder 17.
  • the part 5 begins to creep and pushes the tube 19 .
  • the argon pressure then abruptly decreases in the left branch of the U and the ignition is cut in the right branch; this results in a bell tower 40 on the recording - and so on.
  • the recorder 17 shows at 41 and 42 the exact moment when the metal reaches the first then the second stage of the mold 1, thanks to the contacts 11 and 12.
  • the recording paper moves at a known constant speed; it includes a chart 43 which allows the creep rate of the material to be determined by simple reading.
  • the operator can act on the argon pressure 6 in order to adapt it to the geometrical characteristics of the part.
  • This modulation of the forming pressure can be automated and programmed as a function of the signals received by the recorder (and as a function of the characteristics of the part and of the material).

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  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Fluid Mechanics (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Shaping Metal By Deep-Drawing, Or The Like (AREA)

Description

L'invention concerne un dispositif de contrôle du formage superplastique d'une pièce métallique à partir d'un flan disposé à l'entrée d'un moule alimenté en gaz sous pression.The invention relates to a device for controlling the superplastic forming of a metal part from a blank arranged at the inlet of a mold supplied with gas under pressure.

Le formage superplastique des métaux est connu depuis plusieurs années (cf. par exemple le brevet FR-A-1 485 606). Il permet de réaliser des emboutis profonds qui seraient irréalisables - sans dommage pour le matériau - par une autre méthode. On peut ainsi réaliser des ébauches de masse minimum qui réduisent considérablement les temps d'usinage nécessaires pour parvenir à la pièce finie.The superplastic forming of metals has been known for several years (cf. for example the patent FR-A-1 485 606). It allows deep stamping which would be impracticable - without damage to the material - by another method. It is thus possible to produce blanks of minimum mass which considerably reduce the machining times necessary to arrive at the finished part.

Cependant, selon ce procédé de formage, au fur et à mesure que le métal flue, l'épaisseur des toiles diminue et la vitesse de fluage a tendance à augmenter; elle pourrait atteindre des valeurs critiques préjudiciables à la santé de la pièce.However, according to this forming process, as the metal flows, the thickness of the fabrics decreases and the speed of creep tends to increase; it could reach critical values detrimental to the health of the room.

Il est connu, par exemple par les brevets US-A-3 934 440, US-A-4 011 744 et AU-B-115 957 d'utiliser, pour éviter ces inconvénients, un dispositif de contrôle du formage du type qui comprend, pour la mesure du déplacement de la partie centrale du flan, un organe rigide coulissant dont une extrémité s'appuie sur la partie centrale du flan, et susceptible de coulisser lorsque la partie centrale du flan se déplace, associé à un système de mesure du déplacement de l'organe. Par partie centrale du flan, il faut comprendre la partie se déformant le plus vite, car la plus éloignée des parois du moule; quoique se situant le plus généralement au centre du flan, cette partie peut cependant s'en écarter, selon la forme exacte du moule.It is known, for example from patents US-A-3,934,440, US-A-4,011,744 and AU-B-115,957 to use, to avoid these drawbacks, a forming control device of the type which comprises , for measuring the displacement of the central part of the blank, a rigid sliding member, one end of which rests on the central part of the blank, and capable of sliding when the central part of the blank moves, associated with a system for measuring the displacement of the organ. By central part of the blank, it is necessary to understand the part which deforms most quickly, since it is the most distant from the walls of the mold; although most generally located in the center of the blank, this part can however deviate from it, depending on the exact shape of the mold.

Par ailleurs, US-A-3 786 976 décrit un dispositif de détection comportant un circuit de fluide raccordé de part et d'autre d'un piston, d'un côté, et dont les ajutages d'extrémité, d'un autre côté, coopèrent avec des trous d'une pièce à fabriquer dont les défauts de position sont ainsi détectés à partir d'un déséquilibre des pressions.Furthermore, US-A-3,786,976 describes a detection device comprising a fluid circuit connected on either side of a piston, on one side, and whose end nozzles, on the other side , cooperate with holes in a workpiece whose positional defects are thus detected from an imbalance in pressures.

L'invention a pour but de proposer des moyens nouveaux de contrôle du formage permettant à l'opérateur d'apprécier le développement du processus et d'agir sur la pression de gaz pour moduler l'effort exercé sur le flan en fonction de l'évolution des paramètres dimensionnels de la pièce en formation.The object of the invention is to propose new means of forming control allowing the operator to appreciate the development of the process and to act on the gas pressure to modulate the force exerted on the blank as a function of the evolution of the dimensional parameters of the part being formed.

Le but de l'invention est atteint avec un dispositif selon le préambule de la revendication 1 grâce à un organe qui est un tube cylindrique creux fermé à son extrémité éloignée du flan et s'appuyant par l'autre extrémité sur le flan, et coulissant de façon étanche dans un manchon cylindrique, ce tube comportant, une série de trous susceptibles de passer devant un ajutage percé dans le manchon et relié à une source de gaz basse pression et à un détecteur de chutes de pression, le tube comportant au moins un orifice de fuite, et le moule étant muni d'au moins un perçage communiquant avec l'atmosphère, le détecteur de pression étant relié à un enregistreur donnant un signal correspondant aux chutes de pression détectées lors du passage d'un trou du tube devant l'ajutage du manchon.The object of the invention is achieved with a device according to the preamble of claim 1 thanks to a member which is a hollow cylindrical tube closed at its end remote from the blank and supported by the other end on the blank, and sliding tightly in a cylindrical sleeve, this tube comprising, a series of holes capable of passing in front of a nozzle drilled in the sleeve and connected to a source of low pressure gas and to a pressure drop detector, the tube comprising at least one leak orifice, and the mold being provided with at least one bore communicating with the atmosphere, the pressure detector being connected to a recorder giving a signal corresponding to the pressure drops detected during the passage of a hole in the tube in front of the of the sleeve.

Avantageusement, le manchon cylindrique est prévu dans le fond du moule et l'orifice de fuite est situé près de l'extrémité du tube appuyée sur le flan.Advantageously, the cylindrical sleeve is provided in the bottom of the mold and the leak orifice is located near the end of the tube resting on the blank.

L'enregistreur est avantageusement un enregistreur à bande défilant à vitesse connue, de sorte que la détection des chutes de pression permet de connaître la vitesse de déplacement de l'organe de mesure et donc de la partie centrale du flan.The recorder is advantageously a tape recorder running at a known speed, so that the detection of pressure drops makes it possible to know the speed of movement of the measuring member and therefore of the central part of the blank.

Afin de mieux rendre compte des déformations du flan, il est utile que les dispositifs de contrôle comprennent également des moyens d'appréciation de la progression du bord de la face avant du flan à l'intérieur du moule, ces moyens étant avantageusement réalisés sous forme de contacts électriques affleurant la paroi interne du moule et reliés à un enregistreur, qui peut être l'enregistreur à bande déjà utilisé pour mesurer l'avance de.la partie centrale du flan.In order to better account for the deformations of the blank, it is useful for the control devices also to include means for assessing the progression of the edge of the front face of the blank inside the mold, these means being advantageously produced in the form of electrical contacts flush with the internal wall of the mold and connected to a recorder, which may be the tape recorder already used to measure the advance of the central part of the blank.

Les contacts électriques sont avantageusement disposés à chaque angle rentrant du moule, ce qui permet d'apprécier l'arrivée du flan aux changements de section du moule et de moduler la pression de gaz en conséquence.The electrical contacts are advantageously arranged at each re-entering angle of the mold, which makes it possible to assess the arrival of the blank at changes in section of the mold and to modulate the gas pressure accordingly.

Avantageusement, le dispositif de l'invention comprend en outre un capteur de température permettant à l'opérateur de connaître l'ensemble des paramètres régissant le processus de formage superplastique.Advantageously, the device of the invention further comprises a temperature sensor allowing the operator to know all of the parameters governing the superplastic forming process.

L'invention concerne également un procédé de contrôle du formage superplastique d'après la revendication 10 selon lequel on mesure le déplacement d'un organe dont une extrémité s'appuie sur la partie centrale du flan, au moyen d'un détecteur de pression relié à un enregistreur donnant un signal correspondant aux chutes de pression d'un gaz dans un circuit de gaz basse pression dont une ouverture peut être couverte et découverte par le passage d'un obturateur mobile comportant une série de trous et lié cinématiquement audit organe.The invention also relates to a method of controlling the superplastic forming according to claim 10, in which the displacement of a member, one end of which rests on the central part of the blank, is measured, by means of a connected pressure detector. to a recorder giving a signal corresponding to the pressure drops of a gas in a low-pressure gas circuit, an opening of which can be covered and uncovered by the passage of a movable shutter comprising a series of holes and kinematically linked to said member.

On comprendra mieux d'autres caractéristiques et avantages de l'invention grâce à la description qui suit d'un mode de réalisation préféré du dispositif de l'invention, faite en référence à la figure unique annexée représentant schématiquement l'installation de formage et le dispositif de contrôle associé.We will better understand other characteristics and advantages of the invention thanks to the following description of a preferred embodiment of the device of the invention, made with reference to the single appended figure schematically representing the forming installation and the associated control device.

On y voit le moule ou matrice 1 formé d'une paroi interne 2 éventuellement étagée selon la géométrie de la pièce à former, d'un fond 3 et d'un couvercle 4.We can see the mold or matrix 1 formed by an internal wall 2 possibly stepped according to the geometry of the part to be formed, a bottom 3 and a cover 4.

L'ébauche de la pièce à former est constituée d'un flan circulaire plan 5 que l'on dispose d'une manière étanche à l'entrée du moule 1. L'enceinte constitué par la concavité du flan est en communication au travers du couvercle 4 avec une source 6 d'argon sous haute pression, via une vanne de décharge 7, un manomètre haute-pression 8 et une vanne d'arrêt 9.The blank of the part to be formed consists of a planar circular blank 5 which is arranged in a sealed manner at the entrance to the mold 1. The enclosure formed by the concavity of the blank is in communication through the cover 4 with a high pressure source 6 of argon, via a relief valve 7, a high-pressure gauge 8 and a shut-off valve 9.

Un perçage 10 fait communiquer l'enceinte arrière du moule 1 avec l'atmosphère.A bore 10 communicates the rear enclosure of the mold 1 with the atmosphere.

Chaque angle rentrant du moule 1 comporte des perçages 11, 12 remplis d'un matériau d'isolation électrique traversé par des conducteurs électriques 13, 14 de même polarité dont l'extrémité affleure la paroi interne 2 du moule. Un conducteur 15 de polarité opposée est relié à l'entrée du moule. Les conducteurs 13, 14, 15 sont reliés par l'intermédiaire d'un contacteur 16 à un enregistreur à bande 17.Each re-entrant angle of the mold 1 has holes 11, 12 filled with an electrical insulation material crossed by electrical conductors 13, 14 of the same polarity, the end of which is flush with the internal wall 2 of the mold. A conductor 15 of opposite polarity is connected to the inlet of the mold. The conductors 13, 14, 15 are connected via a contactor 16 to a tape recorder 17.

La face convexe du flan 5 appuie sur l'extrémité 18 d'un tube cylindrique creux 19 dont l'autre extrémité 20 est fermée. Le tube 19 coulisse sensiblement sans effort et de façon étanche dans l'alésage d'un manchon 21 adapté au fond 3 du moule 1.The convex face of the blank 5 presses on the end 18 of a hollow cylindrical tube 19 whose other end 20 is closed. The tube 19 slides substantially effortlessly and sealingly in the bore of a sleeve 21 adapted to the bottom 3 of the mold 1.

Le tube 19 comporte, alignés sur une portion de génératrice, une série de trous 22 régulièrement espacés pouvant défiler devant un ajutage 23 prévu dans le manchon 21 et alimenté en argon à faible pression à partir d'une source 24 via un détendeur 25, un manomètre 26 et un clapet antiretour 27 taré sur le retour.The tube 19 comprises, aligned on a portion of the generator, a series of regularly spaced holes 22 which can pass in front of a nozzle 23 provided in the sleeve 21 and supplied with argon at low pressure from a source 24 via a regulator 25, a pressure gauge 26 and a non-return valve 27 calibrated on the return.

Un thermocouple 28 traverse le tube 19, capte la température du flan 5 et la transmet à un indicateur 29.A thermocouple 28 passes through the tube 19, collects the temperature of the blank 5 and transmits it to an indicator 29.

La source d'argon à faible pression 24 est également reliée grâce à un raccord en T 30 à un tube de verre en U 31 contenant un liquide conducteur 32 et surmonté d'un vase d'expansion 35. Ce vase d'expansion 35 constitue un dispositif de sécurité au cas où une rupture de la pièce en formation viendrait à mettre brutalement en communication l'argon haute pression et le tube 31.The low-pressure argon source 24 is also connected by a T-connector 30 to a U-shaped glass tube 31 containing a conductive liquid 32 and surmounted by an expansion tank 35. This expansion tank 35 constitutes a safety device in the event that a rupture of the part being formed would suddenly bring high pressure argon and the tube 31 into communication.

La branche gauche du tube 31 comporte un fil électrique 33 prévu pour être en permanence en contact avec le liquide conducteur 32 quelle que soit la hauteur de ce dernier. La branche droite comporte un fil électrique 34 plus court qui n'est en contact avec le liquide conducteur 32 que lorsque le niveau de ce dernier monte dans cette branche. Les contacts 33 et 34 sont reliés aux bornes positive et négative de l'enregistreur 17 par des conducteurs 36 et 37.The left branch of the tube 31 comprises an electric wire 33 intended to be in permanent contact with the conductive liquid 32 whatever the height of the latter. The straight branch has a shorter electrical wire 34 which is in contact with the conductive liquid 32 only when the level of the latter rises in this branch. The contacts 33 and 34 are connected to the positive and negative terminals of the recorder 17 by conductors 36 and 37.

Le fonctionnement de l'ensemble est le suivant. Le flan est chauffé par des moyens connus non représentés tels que résistances chauffantes à une température lui conférant des caractéristiques de superplasticité et est bridé à l'entrée du moule 1.The operation of the assembly is as follows. The blank is heated by known means not shown such as heating resistors at a temperature giving it superplasticity characteristics and is clamped at the entrance to the mold 1.

On met la concavité du flan en communication avec la source 6 d'argon à haute pression.The concavity of the blank is placed in communication with the source 6 of high pressure argon.

Simultanément, on ouvre l'alimentation 24 en argon à faible pression. La pression fait monter le liquide conducteur dans la branche droite du U 31 et le contact s'établit, ce qui se traduit par une ligne droite 38 sur le palier de l'enregistreur 17. La pièce 5 commence à fluer et pousse le tube 19.Simultaneously, the supply 24 of argon is opened at low pressure. The pressure causes the conductive liquid to rise in the right branch of the U 31 and the contact is established, which results in a straight line 38 on the bearing of the recorder 17. The part 5 begins to creep and pushes the tube 19 .

Dès que le premier trou de la rangée de trous 22 du tube 19 passe devant l'ajutage 23, l'argon à faible pression passe dans ce tube 19, ressort par des trous 39 prévus près de son extrémité 18, puis par le perçage 10 du moule vers l'atmosphère.As soon as the first hole in the row of holes 22 in the tube 19 passes in front of the nozzle 23, the low-pressure argon passes in this tube 19, comes out through holes 39 provided near its end 18, then through the bore 10 from the mold to the atmosphere.

La pression d'argon diminue alors brutalement dans la branche gauche du U et le contact est coupé dans la branche droite ; ceci se traduit par un clocher 40 sur l'enregistrement - et ainsi de suite.The argon pressure then abruptly decreases in the left branch of the U and the ignition is cut in the right branch; this results in a bell tower 40 on the recording - and so on.

Simultanément, l'enregistreur 17 fait apparaitre en 41 et 42 le moment exact où le métal atteint le premier puis le deuxième étage du moule 1, grâce aux contacts 11 et 12.Simultaneously, the recorder 17 shows at 41 and 42 the exact moment when the metal reaches the first then the second stage of the mold 1, thanks to the contacts 11 and 12.

Le papier enregistreur de déplace à une vitesse constante connue ; il comporte un abaque 43 qui permet de déterminer par simple lecture la vitesse de fluage du matériau. Ainsi l'opérateur peut agir sur la pression d'argon 6 afin de l'adapter aux caractéristiques géométriques de la pièce.The recording paper moves at a known constant speed; it includes a chart 43 which allows the creep rate of the material to be determined by simple reading. Thus the operator can act on the argon pressure 6 in order to adapt it to the geometrical characteristics of the part.

Cette modulation de la pression de formage peut être automatisée et programmée en fonction des signaux reçus par l'enregistreur (et en fonction des caractéristiques de la pièce et du matériau).This modulation of the forming pressure can be automated and programmed as a function of the signals received by the recorder (and as a function of the characteristics of the part and of the material).

Claims (10)

1. Superplastic forming device of a part from a blank (5) located at the entrance of a mould (1) supplied with gas under pressure, of the type which includes, for the measurement (19, 17) of the displacement of the central part of the bank (5), a rigid sliding member (19) of which one end (18) abuts the central part of the blank (5), and capable of sliding when the central part of the blank (5) is displaced, associated with a system (22, 23, 31) for the measurement of displacement of the member, characterized in that the member is a cylindrical hollow tube (19) closed at its end (20) spaced from the blank and abutting with the other end (18) on the blank, and sliding in a fluid- tight manner within a cylindrical sleeve (21), the tube comprising a series of holes (22) capable of passing over a connection (23) provided in the sleeve (21) and connected to a source of low pressure gas (24) and to a pressure drop detector (31), the tube (19) comprising at least one bleed orifice (39), and the mould (1) being provided with at least one bore (10) communicating with the atmosphere, the pressure detector (31) being connected to an indicator (17) providing a signal (40) corresponding to the pressure drops which are detected during the passage of a hole (22) of the tube over the connection (23) of the sleeve (21).
2. Superplastic forming device according to claim 1, characterized in this that the cylindrical sleeve (21) is provided in the base (3) of the mould (1).
3. Superplastic forming device according to any one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in this that the leakage aperture (39) is located adjacent to the end (18) of the tube (19) abutting the blank (5).
4. Superplastic forming device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in this that the indicator (17) is a strip indicator.
5. Superplastic forming device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in this that the pressure drop detector (31) comprises an electrical contact (31 to 34) with a U-tube containing a conductive liquid.
6. Superplastic forming device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in this that it also comprises means (11 to 17) for sensing the progression of the edge of the front face of the blank (5) inside the mould (1).
7. Superplastic forming device according to claim 6, characterized in this that the sensing means (11 to 17) consist of electrical contacts (13, 14) flush with the internal wall (2) of the mould (1) and connected to an indicator (17).
8. Superplastic forming device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that it comprises in addition a sensor (28) of the temperature of the blank.
9. Superplastic forming device according to claims 3 and 8, characterized in this that the sensor (28) is a thermocouple passing through the tube (19) for the measurement of the displacement of the central part of the blank.
10. A monitoring process of the superplastic forming of a part, starting from a blank-disposed at the entrance to a mould supplied with gas under pressure, of the type according to which displacement of the central part of the blank is measured by measuring the displacement of a member (19), one end (18) of which abuts the central part of the blank (5), characterized in this that the displacement of the member is measured by means of a pressure detector (31) connected to an indicator (17) giving a signal corresponding to the pressure drops of the gas in a low pressure circuit, an aperture of which (23) can be covered and uncovered by the passage of a movable obturator (19) comprising a range of holes (22) and kinematically connected to the said member (19).
EP83400539A 1982-03-17 1983-03-16 Apparatus and control method for the superplastic formation of a metallic blank Expired EP0089293B1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
FR8204862A FR2523486B1 (en) 1982-03-17 1982-03-17 DEVICE AND METHOD FOR SUPERPLASTIC FORMING CONTROL OF A METAL PART
FR8204862 1982-03-17

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EP0089293A1 EP0089293A1 (en) 1983-09-21
EP0089293B1 true EP0089293B1 (en) 1986-09-10

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US (1) US4489579A (en)
EP (1) EP0089293B1 (en)
JP (1) JPS58173031A (en)
CA (1) CA1233737A (en)
DE (1) DE3365969D1 (en)
FR (1) FR2523486B1 (en)

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US4658362A (en) * 1984-12-24 1987-04-14 Mxdonnell Douglas Corporation Process modeling for superplastic forming of metal sheets
US4584860A (en) * 1985-06-17 1986-04-29 Rockwell International Corporation Tooling system for superplastic forming of metals
US4708008A (en) * 1985-12-26 1987-11-24 Mcdonnell Douglas Corporation Volume control superplastic forming
US5007265A (en) * 1988-12-19 1991-04-16 Rockwell International Optical monitor for superplastic forming
WO1993010923A1 (en) * 1991-12-03 1993-06-10 Mcdonnell Douglas Corporation Using exhaust gas mass flow rate to control superplastic forming
US5419170A (en) * 1993-10-15 1995-05-30 The Boeing Company Gas control for superplastic forming
JP4539917B2 (en) * 2005-03-30 2010-09-08 住友軽金属工業株式会社 Hot blow moldability evaluation apparatus and evaluation method

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Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
FR2523486B1 (en) 1985-06-07
JPS58173031A (en) 1983-10-11
JPH0234697B2 (en) 1990-08-06
DE3365969D1 (en) 1986-10-16
EP0089293A1 (en) 1983-09-21
CA1233737A (en) 1988-03-08
US4489579A (en) 1984-12-25
FR2523486A1 (en) 1983-09-23

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