A method of producing an integrated monolithic aluminum structure including providing an 7xxx-series aluminum alloy plate with a predetermined thickness of at least 10 mm, and wherein the plate has been solution heat treated and stretched, heat-treating the plate product in a first of a plurality of artificial ageing steps required to achieve a final temper state, high-energy hydroforming the plate against a forming surface of a rigid die having a contour with a desired curvature of the integrated monolithic aluminum structure, the high energy forming causing the aluminum alloy plate to conform to the forming surface contour to at least one of a uniaxial curvature and a biaxial curvature, heat-treating the integrated monolithic aluminum structure through a remaining ageing step of the ageing steps to achieve a desired final temper, and machining the high-energy formed structure to a near-final or final machined integrated monolithic aluminum structure.

A method for producing a probe of a thermal flowmeter for measuring mass flow of a medium in a measuring tube, wherein a probe core is provided arranged loosely in a probe sleeve having a longitudinal axis, wherein the probe sleeve is deformed relative to the longitudinal axis completely radially in the direction of the probe core by means of high energy rate forming, wherein a material-locking connection between probe sleeve and probe core results and a rod is formed, wherein the rod represents a base body that is used for probe production, wherein a deformation speed reaches values greater than 100 m/s, and wherein the high energy rate forming includes explosive forming or magnetic forming.

A shaped charge assembly for selectively expanding a wall of a tubular includes first and second explosive units that are each symmetrical about an axis of revolution. Each explosive unit includes an explosive material that is liner-less. The first and second explosive units comprise a predetermined amount of explosive sufficient to expand, without puncturing, at least a portion of the wall of the tubular into a protrusion extending outward into an annulus adjacent the wall of the tubular.

Methods are disclosed for forming metal workpieces made from a heat-treatable metal that has been shaped and tempered according to specified protocols that facilitate formation of large contoured unitary metal structures having welds that are retained in the finished structure, and finished metal structures made according to such methods.

A shaped charge assembly for selectively expanding a wall of a tubular includes a housing comprising an outer surface facing away from the housing and an opposing inner surface facing an interior of the housing. First and second explosive units are each symmetrical about an axis of revolution. Each explosive unit includes an explosive material formed adjacent to a backing plate and includes an exterior surface facing and being exposed to the inner surface of the housing. An aperture extends along the axis from one backing plate to the other backing plate. An explosive detonator is positioned along the axis adjacent to, and externally of, the one backing plate. The first and second explosive units comprise a predetermined amount of explosive sufficient to expand, without puncturing, at least a portion of the wall of the tubular into a protrusion extending outward into an annulus adjacent the wall of the tubular.

A shaped charge assembly for selectively expanding a wall of a tubular includes a housing comprising an outer surface facing away from the housing and an opposing inner surface facing an interior of the housing. First and second explosive units are each symmetrical about an axis of revolution. Each explosive unit includes an explosive material formed adjacent to a backing plate and includes an exterior surface facing and being exposed to the inner surface of the housing. An aperture extends along the axis from one backing plate to the other backing plate. An explosive detonator is positioned along the axis adjacent to, and externally of, the one backing plate. The first and second explosive units comprise a predetermined amount of explosive sufficient to expand, without puncturing, at least a portion of the wall of the tubular into a protrusion extending outward into an annulus adjacent the wall of the tubular.

Methods are disclosed for forming metal workpieces made from a heat-treatable metal that has been shaped and tempered according to specified protocols that facilitate formation of large contoured unitary metal structures having welds that are retained in the finished structure, and finished metal structures made according to such methods.

An apparatus and method for treatment of articles, using glass failure generated pulses. The apparatus and method is directed towards the hardening and compaction of an elongated cylindrical article surrounded by a glass sleeve in a confined arrangement. The apparatus includes a striker for striking the glass sleeve to create an explosive reaction that pressure-treats the cylindrical article, thereby causing the hardening and compaction.

An apparatus and method for treatment of articles, using glass failure generated pulses. The apparatus and method is directed towards the hardening and compaction of an elongated cylindrical article surrounded by a glass sleeve in a confined arrangement. The apparatus includes a striker for striking the glass sleeve to create an explosive reaction that pressure-treats the cylindrical article, thereby causing the hardening and compaction.

An impact forming device and method for local small features on a metal thin-walled curved-surface part. The impact forming device includes impact forming dies, impact loading units and a forming supporting die, wherein the impact forming die is provided with an impact forming part, and the impact forming part is a convex part corresponding to a local small feature; the forming supporting die can support and fix a metal thin-walled curved-surface part without forming local small features, and the forming supporting die is provided with concave parts matched with the impact forming parts; and the impact loading unit includes a guide rail, an explosive ball and a detonating block, under the impact loading of the impact loading units, the impact forming parts can impact the metal thin-walled curved-surface part without forming local small features under the matching action of the concave parts to form the local small features.