A metal part is hot formed by placing a metal part blank on a forming tool and installing a fabric cover over the forming tool, overlying the metal part blank. The fabric is at least partially wrapped around the metal part blank. The metal part blank is heated to a temperature sufficient to allow forming of the metal part blank. Forming pressure is applied to the metal part blank that conforms the metal part blank to the forming tool by tensioning the fabric.

A method of forming sheet metal skins of the inner fixed structure of a blocker door thrust reverser assembly having convex and concave curvatures. The method includes plastically stretching a sheet of metal about a mandrel having a chordwise central first axis to form a substantially convex shape. The method further includes the addition of features after the substantially convex shape is formed to facilitate plastically stretching a portion or portions of the substantially convex shape into a substantially concave shape about an axis that is substantially parallel to the chordwise central first axis.

A method of forming sheet metal skins of the inner fixed structure of a blocker door thrust reverser assembly having convex and concave curvatures. The method includes plastically stretching a sheet of metal about a mandrel having a chordwise central first axis to form a substantially convex shape. The method further includes the addition of features after the substantially convex shape is formed to facilitate plastically stretching a portion or portions of the substantially convex shape into a substantially concave shape about an axis that is substantially parallel to the chordwise central first axis.

An apparatus for forming a nacelle leading edge includes an actuation assembly, a punch, and a die. The punch is in communication with the actuation assembly and annularly disposed about a first axis. The punch is configured to mate with an interior surface of a preform. The die is in communication with the actuation assembly and disposed within the first axis. The die is configured to retain an exterior surface of the preform. The actuation assembly is configured to effect relative motion between the punch and the preform. The actuation assembly is configured to offset the punch so that the punch is annularly disposed about a second axis, different than the first axis.

A method is provided for forming an annular object. This method includes: providing a frustoconical preform extending axially along an axis, wherein a sidewall of the frustoconical preform is angularly offset from the axis by a preform angle; externally drawing the frustoconical preform over an outer surface of a punch and an outer surface of a die clamp to provide an externally drawn body, wherein the outer surface of the die clamp is angularly offset from the axis by a die clamp angle that is different than the preform angle; mating a die with the die clamp to provide a die assembly, wherein the externally drawn body is clamped radially between the die and the die clamp; and translating the die assembly axially along the axis and into a bore of the punch to at least partially internally draw the externally drawn body against an inner surface of the punch.

A method is provided for forming an annular object. This method includes: providing a frustoconical preform extending axially along an axis, wherein a sidewall of the frustoconical preform is angularly offset from the axis by a preform angle; externally drawing the frustoconical preform over an outer surface of a punch and an outer surface of a die clamp to provide an externally drawn body, wherein the outer surface of the die clamp is angularly offset from the axis by a die clamp angle that is different than the preform angle; mating a die with the die clamp to provide a die assembly, wherein the externally drawn body is clamped radially between the die and the die clamp; and translating the die assembly axially along the axis and into a bore of the punch to at least partially internally draw the externally drawn body against an inner surface of the punch.

A method of stretch forming a double curvature panel having corrugations or other surface features formed therein includes providing a reconfigurable forming surface defined by a flexible interpolator sheet mounted on an array of height adjustable pins, the interpolator sheet having a profiled upper surface adapted to form corrugations or other surface features in a workpiece as it is stretched over the forming surface, adjusting the height of each pin to suit the shape of the panel to be produced, placing a workpiece onto the forming surface, and stretching the workpiece over the forming surface such that the profiled upper surface of the interpolator sheet forms the desired corrugations or other surface features in the workpiece.

A method of stretch forming a double curvature panel having corrugations or other surface features formed therein includes providing a reconfigurable forming surface defined by a flexible interpolator sheet mounted on an array of height adjustable pins, the interpolator sheet having a profiled upper surface adapted to form corrugations or other surface features in a workpiece as it is stretched over the forming surface, adjusting the height of each pin to suit the shape of the panel to be produced, placing a workpiece onto the forming surface, and stretching the workpiece over the forming surface such that the profiled upper surface of the interpolator sheet forms the desired corrugations or other surface features in the workpiece.

A stamping press binder assembly for forming a finished stamped product from a blank includes an upper die for at least partially forming the finished stamped product, a stationary punch, an inner lower binder, and an outer lower binder. The inner and outer lower binders are both supported by a single cushion.

A stamping press binder assembly for forming a finished stamped product from a blank includes an upper die for at least partially forming the finished stamped product, a stationary punch, an inner lower binder, and an outer lower binder. The inner and outer lower binders are both supported by a single cushion.