A structural component for a vehicle may include an extrusion that is extruded into a first state and then expanded into a second state. The extrusion in the first state has a reduced size relative to a desired final size. The extrusion in the first state is placed within a die that defines the desired final size. Pressurized water is distributed within internal cells of the extrusion in the first state such that the walls defining the internal cells are expanded into engagement with the surface of the die, thereby creating surface features or sealing interfaces with tight tolerances. The relative shape of the die and the extrusion in the first state defines an open space herebetween, into which the extrusion may expand to define the final shape. Some of the internal cells may be plugged such that they are not provided with pressurized water.

A structural component for a vehicle may include an extrusion that is extruded into a first state and then expanded into a second state. The extrusion in the first state has a reduced size relative to a desired final size. The extrusion in the first state is placed within a die that defines the desired final size. Pressurized water is distributed within internal cells of the extrusion in the first state such that the walls defining the internal cells are expanded into engagement with the surface of the die, thereby creating surface features or sealing interfaces with tight tolerances. The relative shape of the die and the extrusion in the first state defines an open space herebetween, into which the extrusion may expand to define the final shape. Some of the internal cells may be plugged such that they are not provided with pressurized water.

Methods and devices are disclosed for tracking site-specific microstructure evolutions and local mechanical fields in metallic samples deformed along biaxial strain paths. The method is based on interrupted bulge tests carried out with a custom sample holder adapted for SEM-based analytical measurements. Embodiments include elliptical dies used to generate proportional and complex strain paths in material samples. One example holding device includes a base having a floor and walls that extend to form a chamber for a sample, the floor having apertures for receiving a pressure-supplying fluid, a cover having an opening and configured such that the cover and base can be coupled together to tightly clamp a sample in the chamber, and washers disposed between the base and the cover, each washer having openings extending therethrough change at least one of a shape and a size of the opening formed in the cover.

Methods and devices are disclosed for tracking site-specific microstructure evolutions and local mechanical fields in metallic samples deformed along biaxial strain paths. The method is based on interrupted bulge tests carried out with a custom sample holder adapted for SEM-based analytical measurements. Embodiments include elliptical dies used to generate proportional and complex strain paths in material samples. One example holding device includes a base having a floor and walls that extend to form a chamber for a sample, the floor having apertures for receiving a pressure-supplying fluid, a cover having an opening and configured such that the cover and base can be coupled together to tightly clamp a sample in the chamber, and washers disposed between the base and the cover, each washer having openings extending therethrough change at least one of a shape and a size of the opening formed in the cover.

The object of the invention is a multichamber structural element manufacturing method which for forming a multichamber structural element with chamber profiles (1) extending radially from the center defined by the connection of the chamber profiles (1) comprises the following steps: at least three chamber profile preforms (2) are provided, wherein each chamber profile preform (2) comprises two walls (3) made of a sheet of metal material and arranged with respect to each other in substantially parallel planes with a gap retained between them, wherein the edges of the individual walls (3) converge, and wherein a valve element (6) is arranged on at least one wall (3); the unconnected wall (3) edges of each of the chamber profile preforms (2) are sealed with a seal (5) for forming a closed hermetic empty inner space of the chamber profile preform (2); a fluid under pressure is introduced through the valve element (6) into the inner space of the chamber profile preform (2) for forming a deformed chamber profile (1), at least three chamber profile preforms (2) or chamber profiles (1) are connected in the area of the corresponding inner edges of the chamber profile preform (2) or the chamber profile (1), proximal with respect to the connection axis (4), along at least part of the inner edges. The object of the invention is also a multichamber structural element.

A component of a vehicle structure is obtained by a hot forming operation on a hybrid panel having a sheet element of light alloy and a sheet of plastic material. The hybrid panel is hot formed by pressing it against a forming surface of a mould element by a pressurized gas or by a second mould element. Following this operation, the hybrid panel assumes a configuration corresponding to the forming surface, whereas the light alloy sheet element and the plastic material sheet constituting the hybrid panel adhere to each other following softening by heat of the plastic material. Before the hot forming step, a surface of said light alloy sheet element which must contact the plastic material sheet is subjected to a roughening treatment, thereby defining surface asperities between which the plastic material of the plastic material sheet is inserted when it is softened by heat.

A component of a vehicle structure is obtained by a hot forming operation on a hybrid panel having a sheet element of light alloy and a sheet of plastic material. The hybrid panel is hot formed by pressing it against a forming surface of a mould element by a pressurized gas or by a second mould element. Following this operation, the hybrid panel assumes a configuration corresponding to the forming surface, whereas the light alloy sheet element and the plastic material sheet constituting the hybrid panel adhere to each other following softening by heat of the plastic material. Before the hot forming step, a surface of said light alloy sheet element which must contact the plastic material sheet is subjected to a roughening treatment, thereby defining surface asperities between which the plastic material of the plastic material sheet is inserted when it is softened by heat.

Provided is a forming device that forms a heated metal material, the forming device including: a die that performs quench forming by coming into contact with the metal material; a cooling unit that is provided inside the die to cool the die; and a temperature sensor that detects a temperature of the die, in which the cooling unit adjusts a cooling capacity on the basis of a detection result of the temperature sensor.

A fuselage heat exchanger having channels for dissipating waste heat generated by fuel cells that power unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) or drones. A heat exchanger built into the fuselage can dissipate such waste heat. Coolant flowing through channels embedded within an aircraft fuselage panel dissipates heat to airflow around the outer surface of the fuselage.

A method and a device for manufacturing a part starting from a cushion made of deformable material, in particular for an edge of an element of an aircraft. The device includes a preparation unit to create a cushion with two plates and, between the plates, an internal space with an opening, and a molding unit comprising a mold in which the cushion is positioned, the mold comprising two shells and an imprint corresponding to the shape of the part to be manufactured, the molding unit configured to inject a pressurized fluid into the internal space of the cushion through the opening to deform the cushion such that it matches the imprint and forms the part, the device being capable of manufacturing one-piece parts of various sizes, and in particular parts having complex shapes, in particular non-developable shapes.