A cut-to-length steel coil processing line has an un-coiling reel, a temper mill, a stretcher leveler, a shearer, and a stacking apparatus arranged to sequentially process a continuous length of sheet metal. The line may be configured such that the continuous length of the sheet metal is directed from the uncoiling reel through the temper mill to the stacking apparatus without processing through the stretcher leveler when a determined thickness of the continuous length of sheet metal is at or below a selected measurement criteria. In the alternative, the line may be configured such that the continuous length of the sheet metal is directed from the uncoiling reel through the stretcher leveler to the stacking apparatus without processing through the temper mill when the determined thickness of the continuous length of sheet metal is greater than the selected measurement criteria.

A cut-to-length steel coil processing line has an un-coiling reel, a temper mill, a stretcher leveler, a shearer, and a stacking apparatus arranged to sequentially process a continuous length of sheet metal. The line may be configured such that the continuous length of the sheet metal is directed from the uncoiling reel through the temper mill to the stacking apparatus without processing through the stretcher leveler when a determined thickness of the continuous length of sheet metal is at or below a selected measurement criteria. In the alternative, the line may be configured such that the continuous length of the sheet metal is directed from the uncoiling reel through the stretcher leveler to the stacking apparatus without processing through the temper mill when the determined thickness of the continuous length of sheet metal is greater than the selected measurement criteria.

A method of shot peening according to the present invention includes: placing a jig having an appropriate dimension at one face side of a stamped workpiece; and performing shot peening on another face side of the workpiece in a state where the jig is placed at the one face side of the workpiece, and conforming the workpiece to the jig. At this time, the shot peening may be performed in such a way that residual stresses in the inner side and the outer side of the curved part of the workpiece will become compressive stresses.

A method and apparatus are disclosed which are suitable for use in the manufacture of two-piece metal containers. In particular, a way of making cups from metal sheet is disclosed using a combination of stretching and drawing operations. The resulting cups have the advantage of having a base thickness that is thinner relative to the ingoing gauge of the metal sheet.

A method and apparatus are disclosed which are suitable for use in the manufacture of two-piece metal containers. In particular, a way of making cups from metal sheet is disclosed using a combination of stretching and drawing operations. The resulting cups have the advantage of having a base thickness that is thinner relative to the ingoing gauge of the metal sheet.

A method of producing a shaped aluminum alloy panel, preferably for aerospace or automotive applications, from 5000-series alloy sheet. The method includes: providing a sheet made of 5000-series alloy having a thickness of about 0.05 to 10 mm and a length in the longest dimension of at least 800 mm; and stretch forming the sheet at a forming temperature between 100 C. and 25 C., to obtain a shaped aluminum alloy panel. A shaped article formed by the above method is also provided.

A method of producing a shaped aluminum alloy panel, preferably for aerospace or automotive applications, from 5000-series alloy sheet. The method includes: providing a sheet made of 5000-series alloy having a thickness of about 0.05 to 10 mm and a length in the longest dimension of at least 800 mm; and stretch forming the sheet at a forming temperature between 100 C. and 25 C., to obtain a shaped aluminum alloy panel. A shaped article formed by the above method is also provided.

A pulse current processing apparatus includes a bidirectional tension and pulse current application apparatus, a real-time thin metal strip shape detection apparatus and a supporting base. In the apparatus, the tension is applied in the rolling direction and the transverse direction to effectively improve the strip shape flaws of the thin metal strip, and realize the rapid straightening of the thin metal strip; at the same time, the stress status of the thin metal strip is changed by applying the pulse current along the rolling direction or the transverse direction or applying different tensions in two directions; secondly, compared with the conventional heat-preservation heating and annealing apparatus, the pulse current can realize high-efficiency control of mechanical properties of the thin metal strip, and rapidly eliminate the internal stress; further, the strip shape is monitored by the laser ranging to ensure the strip shape consistency of the thin metal strip.

A pulse current processing apparatus includes a bidirectional tension and pulse current application apparatus, a real-time thin metal strip shape detection apparatus and a supporting base. In the apparatus, the tension is applied in the rolling direction and the transverse direction to effectively improve the strip shape flaws of the thin metal strip, and realize the rapid straightening of the thin metal strip; at the same time, the stress status of the thin metal strip is changed by applying the pulse current along the rolling direction or the transverse direction or applying different tensions in two directions; secondly, compared with the conventional heat-preservation heating and annealing apparatus, the pulse current can realize high-efficiency control of mechanical properties of the thin metal strip, and rapidly eliminate the internal stress; further, the strip shape is monitored by the laser ranging to ensure the strip shape consistency of the thin metal strip.