A method for electrohydraulically forming a blank of material includes—a blank of material to be deformed is placed between a mould and a blank holder, —a cavity containing electrodes is filled with liquid to a predetermined liquid level, —the blank of material is placed in contact with the liquid in the cavity, —a first electric discharge is generated between at least two electrodes so as to deform the blank of material against the mould, —the mould is brought nearer to the electrodes by moving the mould so as to reduce the distance between the electrodes and the blank of material to be deformed after the first electric discharge has been generated, —at least one other electric discharge is generated between at least two electrodes so as to deform the blank of material against the mould.

A method for electrohydraulically forming a blank of material includes—a blank of material to be deformed is placed between a mould and a blank holder, —a cavity containing electrodes is filled with liquid to a predetermined liquid level, —the blank of material is placed in contact with the liquid in the cavity, —a first electric discharge is generated between at least two electrodes so as to deform the blank of material against the mould, —the mould is brought nearer to the electrodes by moving the mould so as to reduce the distance between the electrodes and the blank of material to be deformed after the first electric discharge has been generated, —at least one other electric discharge is generated between at least two electrodes so as to deform the blank of material against the mould.

A method for electrohydraulic forming a material blank includes: a material blank to be shaped is placed between a mould and a blank holder; a tight cavity containing electrodes is filled with liquid up to a predetermined liquid level; the material blank is brought into contact with the liquid of the cavity; the material blank is hydraulically preformed; and the material blank is electrohydraulically formed. The liquid of the cavity is pressurised for the hydraulic preforming by moving all or part of one of the walls of the cavity.

A method for electrohydraulic forming a material blank includes: a material blank to be shaped is placed between a mould and a blank holder; a tight cavity containing electrodes is filled with liquid up to a predetermined liquid level; the material blank is brought into contact with the liquid of the cavity; the material blank is hydraulically preformed; and the material blank is electrohydraulically formed. The liquid of the cavity is pressurised for the hydraulic preforming by moving all or part of one of the walls of the cavity.

A method for electrohydraulically forming a blank of material includesa blank of material to be deformed is placed between a mould and a blank holder,a cavity containing electrodes is filled with liquid to a predetermined liquid level,the blank of material is placed in contact with the liquid in the cavity,a first electric discharge is generated between at least two electrodes so as to deform the blank of material against the mould,the mould is brought nearer to the electrodes by moving the mould so as to reduce the distance between the electrodes and the blank of material to be deformed after the first electric discharge has been generated,at least one other electric discharge is generated between at least two electrodes so as to deform the blank of material against the mould.

A method for electrohydraulically forming a blank of material includesa blank of material to be deformed is placed between a mould and a blank holder,a cavity containing electrodes is filled with liquid to a predetermined liquid level,the blank of material is placed in contact with the liquid in the cavity,a first electric discharge is generated between at least two electrodes so as to deform the blank of material against the mould,the mould is brought nearer to the electrodes by moving the mould so as to reduce the distance between the electrodes and the blank of material to be deformed after the first electric discharge has been generated,at least one other electric discharge is generated between at least two electrodes so as to deform the blank of material against the mould.

A method for electrohydraulic forming a material blank includes: a material blank to be shaped is placed between a mould and a blank holder; a tight cavity containing electrodes is filled with liquid up to a predetermined liquid level; the material blank is brought into contact with the liquid of the cavity; the material blank is hydraulically preformed; and the material blank is electrohydraulically formed. The liquid of the cavity is pressurised for the hydraulic preforming by moving all or part of one of the walls of the cavity.

A method for electrohydraulic forming a material blank includes: a material blank to be shaped is placed between a mould and a blank holder; a tight cavity containing electrodes is filled with liquid up to a predetermined liquid level; the material blank is brought into contact with the liquid of the cavity; the material blank is hydraulically preformed; and the material blank is electrohydraulically formed. The liquid of the cavity is pressurised for the hydraulic preforming by moving all or part of one of the walls of the cavity.

A hot forming by gas and direct quenching method and apparatus are disclosed. One method of using the system includes a heating step, a forming step, and a direct quenching step. This method increases the quenching speed and allows common steels with high critical cooling rate to be hot formed and quenched. This method reduces or eliminates the need for a furnace and/or the coating of the workpiece prior to the forming, as well as the removal of the coating after the forming. Furthermore, by using a hot gas containing carbon or nitrogen, the workpiece may be case hardened after the heating, forming and quenching steps.

A hot forming by gas and direct quenching method and apparatus are disclosed. One method of using the system includes a heating step, a forming step, and a direct quenching step. This method increases the quenching speed and allows common steels with high critical cooling rate to be hot formed and quenched. This method reduces or eliminates the need for a furnace and/or the coating of the workpiece prior to the forming, as well as the removal of the coating after the forming. Furthermore, by using a hot gas containing carbon or nitrogen, the workpiece may be case hardened after the heating, forming and quenching steps.