A method for forming a workpiece by stamping that allows spring back to be eliminated, wherein tooling (20) is used, at least one of the forming parts (21, 23) of which includes a cavity (26) filled with a liquid (27) and provided with electrodes (28) capable of generating at least one shock wave in the cavity and through the wall (25) of the forming part, a blank material (18) is deformed between the two forming parts under the action of a deformation pressure and, without releasing the deformation pressure, at least one shock wave is generated in the cavity so that the shock wave passes through the blank material orthogonal to its surface. The tooling (20) and a press (10) adapted to implement the method are also described.

An electrohydraulic forming chamber to form a workpiece. The chamber includes a discharge frame that has an inner wall which delimits a discharge space provided to hold a volume of fluid, a female mold having a forming space which includes an impression configured to be complementary to the shape of the workpiece after deformation, and an electrohydraulic discharge system. The workpiece is placed between the discharge space and the forming space before the electrohydraulic discharge system is activated. Upon activation of the electrohydraulic discharge system, the workpiece is catapulted against the impression in the forming space and is deformed accordingly. All or part of the inner wall is provided with a non-metal coating.

An electrohydraulic forming chamber to form a workpiece. The chamber includes a discharge frame that has an inner wall which delimits a discharge space provided to hold a volume of fluid, a female mold having a forming space which includes an impression configured to be complementary to the shape of the workpiece after deformation, and an electrohydraulic discharge system. The workpiece is placed between the discharge space and the forming space before the electrohydraulic discharge system is activated. Upon activation of the electrohydraulic discharge system, the workpiece is catapulted against the impression in the forming space and is deformed accordingly. All or part of the inner wall is provided with a non-metal coating.

An improved electro-hydraulic clinching system involves generating, through a high potential electric shock, a forceful wave in a fluid such as water, and applying the force of the wave to a sheet of metal. The force of the wave results in deforming the sheet and making the sheet material move through a hole in a second sheet adjacent to the first sheet, thus joining the two sheets. In an alternative implementation, in which neither sheet includes an opening, the force of the wave moves both sheets simultaneously, thereby causing them to join together at the point of impact.

A system for electro-hydraulically forming a sheet metal part in an electro-hydraulic forming (EHF) machine. The part in a first shape is placed in the EHF machine between a one-sided forming die and a chamber that is filled with a liquid. An electrode is discharged in the chamber to form the part toward the forming die. The electrode is advanced within the chamber toward the part and a subsequent discharge is provided in the chamber to form the part. A gap discharge EHF machine and a wire discharge EHF machine may be used in the system.

A system for electro-hydraulically forming a sheet metal part in an electro-hydraulic forming (EHF) machine. The part in a first shape is placed in the EHF machine between a one-sided forming die and a chamber that is filled with a liquid. An electrode is discharged in the chamber to form the part toward the forming die. The electrode is advanced within the chamber toward the part and a subsequent discharge is provided in the chamber to form the part. A gap discharge EHF machine and a wire discharge EHF machine may be used in the system.

An electrohydraulic forming device comprising a framework, a tank, a movable enclosure comprising a cover, a mold connected to the cover by a support structure, a forming chamber and a discharge chamber with at least one electrode device. The enclosure is movable between a first position in which the tank is closed by the cover and a second position in which the discharge chamber and the forming chamber are outside the tank.

An electrohydraulic forming device comprising a framework, a tank, a movable enclosure comprising a cover, a mold connected to the cover by a support structure, a forming chamber and a discharge chamber with at least one electrode device. The enclosure is movable between a first position in which the tank is closed by the cover and a second position in which the discharge chamber and the forming chamber are outside the tank.

A method of producing an integrated monolithic aluminum structure, comprising: providing an aluminum alloy plate with a thickness of at least 38.1 mm, wherein the plate is a 2xxx-series alloy in a T3-temper and has a composition comprising, in wt. %: Cu 3.8-4.5, Mn 0.3-0.8, Mg 1.1-1.6, Si up to 0.15, Fe up to 0.20, Cr up to 0.10, Zn up to 0.25, Ti up to 0.15, Ag up to 0.10, balance aluminum; optionally pre-machining the plate to an intermediate machined structure; high-energy hydroforming the plate or intermediate structure against a rigid die forming surface having a desired curvature contour of the integrated monolithic aluminum structure, causing the plate or the intermediate structure to conform to the forming surface contour; machining or mechanical milling the high-energy formed structure to a near-final or final machined integrated monolithic aluminum structure; ageing the final integrated monolithic aluminum structure to a desired temper.

An electrohydraulic forming device includes a mold, a tank having a first wall, and a first electrode and second electrode both placed in the tank and adapted to generate an electrical discharge to create at least one pressure wave. The first wall is rotationally symmetric about an axis of revolution, the electrodes have axes of revolution that are coincident with the axis of revolution of the first wall, and the first wall has a concavity oriented towards the mold.