Device and method for shaping workpieces by means of magnetic pulse forming

Abstract

An installation and method for forming a workpiece, in particular for forming sheet-metal body panels, includes a first magnetic forming device which includes a first forming tool and a first magnetic tool and a second magnetic forming device which includes a second forming tool and a second magnetic tool. The first magnetic forming device is configured to form the workpiece in a first magnetic forming process and the second magnetic forming device, subsequent to the first magnetic forming process, is configured to further form the workpiece in a second magnetic forming process.

Claims

1. An apparatus for forming a workpiece, comprising: a single installation, wherein the single installation includes: a first magnetic forming device which comprises a first forming tool and a first magnetic tool; a second magnetic forming device which comprises a second forming tool and a second magnetic tool; wherein the first magnetic forming device is configured to form the workpiece in a first magnetic forming process; wherein the second magnetic forming device, subsequent to the first magnetic forming process, is configured to further form the workpiece in a second magnetic forming process; a first changeover device, wherein the first changeover device changes over the first and the second magnetic tools in the single installation; and a second changeover device, wherein the second changeover device displaces and/or rotates and/or pivots the first and the second forming tools in the single installation; wherein the first forming tool is disposed on a first movable tool table and the second forming tool is disposed on a second movable tool table; wherein the first magnetic forming device and the second magnetic forming device are disposed in the single installation during both of the first magnetic forming process and the second magnetic forming process; wherein the first magnetic tool and the second magnetic tool are disposed directly mutually adjacent to each other in the single installation during both of the first magnetic forming process and the second magnetic forming process; and wherein the first forming tool is disposed on the first movable tool table in the installation during both of the first magnetic forming process and the second magnetic forming process and the second forming tool is disposed on the second movable tool table in the installation during both of the first magnetic forming process and the second magnetic forming process.

2. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1 further comprising a handling device which, upon a termination of the first magnetic forming process, is configured to supply the workpiece to the second magnetic forming device.

3. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first and the second magnetic tools each include a coil and wherein the first and the second forming tools are dies.

4. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first magnetic tool and the second magnetic tool differ from one another in terms of size, shape, and/or output.

5. A method for forming a workpiece, comprising the acts of: providing the apparatus as claimed in claim 1; providing the workpiece; forming the workpiece by the first magnetic forming device in the first magnetic forming process; and further forming the workpiece by the second magnetic forming device in the second magnetic forming process; wherein the first magnetic tool and the second magnetic tool are changed over in the single installation between the first magnetic forming process and the second magnetic forming process by the first changeover device; wherein the first and the second forming tools are displaced and/or pivoted and/or rotated in the single installation between the first magnetic forming process and the second magnetic forming process by the second changeover device.

6. The method as claimed in claim 5, wherein the workpiece is a sheet-metal body panel.

7. The method as claimed in claim 5, wherein the second magnetic forming process is performed immediately after the first magnetic forming process.

8. The method as claimed in claim 5, wherein the workpiece upon a termination of the first magnetic forming process is moved to the second forming tool by a handling device.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) FIG. 1 shows a schematic illustration of an installation for forming workpieces according to one exemplary embodiment; and

(2) FIG. 2 shows a further schematic illustration of the installation for forming workpieces from FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(3) The same component parts or component parts of equivalent function can in each case be provided with the same reference signs in the exemplary embodiments and Figures. The elements illustrated and the mutual size ratios thereof are to be considered as not to scale in principle. Rather, individual elements can be illustrated so as to be dimensioned in an exaggerated thick or large manner for the sake of improved illustrative clarity and/or understanding.

(4) FIGS. 1 and 2 show in each case a schematic illustration of an installation 100 for forming workpieces 3, according to one exemplary embodiment. The installation 100 has a first magnetic forming device 1 having a first forming tool 10 and a first magnetic tool 11. The installation 100 furthermore has a second magnetic forming device 2 having a second forming tool 20 and a second magnetic tool 21. The forming tools 10, 20 in the exemplary embodiment illustrated are in each case configured as dies which in each case have a specific shape-imparting surface. The magnetic tools in 11, 21 comprise in each case at least one coil for generating pulsed magnetic fields.

(5) The installation 100 furthermore has a first tool table 12 on which the first forming tool 10 is fastened, and a second tool table 22 on which the second forming tool 20 is fastened, and a changeover device 5 for changing over the work tables 12, 22. The installation 100 furthermore comprises a changeover device 4 for changing over the magnetic tools 11, 12.

(6) The end of a first forming procedure in which a workpiece 3, for example a steel sheet, is formed by a pulsed magnetic field 6 that is generated by means of the first magnetic tool 11 is schematically illustrated in FIG. 1. The workpiece 3 when being formed is pressed onto the shape-imparting surface of the first forming tool.

(7) After the first forming procedure, the first magnetic tool 11 and the second magnetic tool 21 are changed over by means of the changeover device 4. Upon the changeover of the magnetic tools 11, 21 the second magnetic tool 21 assumes approximately the position which was occupied by the first magnetic tool 11 during the first forming procedure. Furthermore, the first and the second tool table 12, 22 after the first forming procedure are changed over by means of the changeover device 5, wherein the workpiece 3 for the changeover of the tool tables 12, 22 is briefly raised by means of a manipulator (not illustrated) and after the changeover is lowered in such a manner that the workpiece is disposed on the second forming tool 20. Subsequently the workpiece 3, in a second forming procedure which is schematically shown in FIG. 2, is further formed by way of a pulsed magnetic field 6 that is generated by the second magnetic tool 21.

(8) Almost arbitrarily high degrees of forming in strong and high-tensile steels can be achieved by way of the installation 100 shown herein. Furthermore, undercuts can be carried out in a simple manner with the aid of the magnetic forming by way of the exchangeable magnetic tools and forming tools.

(9) Alternatively or additionally, the exemplary embodiments shown in the Figures can have further features according to the embodiments of the general specification.

LIST OF REFERENCE CHARACTERS

(10) 1 First magnetic forming device 10 First forming tool 11 First magnetic tool 12 First tool table 2 Second magnetic forming device 20 Second forming tool 21 Second magnetic tool 22 Second tool table 3 Workpiece 4, 5 Changeover device 6 Pulsed magnetic field 100 Installation for forming

(11) The foregoing disclosure has been set forth merely to illustrate the invention and is not intended to be limiting. Since modifications of the disclosed embodiments incorporating the spirit and substance of the invention may occur to persons skilled in the art, the invention should be construed to include everything within the scope of the appended claims and equivalents thereof.