Method and device for processing extruded profile segments composed of magnesium or magnesium alloys and a lightweight construction element produced therefrom

Abstract

The invention for working extruded profile sections with respect to the outer contours thereof by way of hot shaping and/or hot stamping and/or cutting operations and/or punching operations comprises the following method steps: inserting the profile sections (1) heated to a temperature in the range of 250 to 450 C. into a two-part shaping tool (2) preheated to a temperature of 300 to 600 C.; and applying pressure to the shaping tool (2) by way of one or more pressing cylinders (3) of a press (4). The device for carrying out the method comprises a press (4) and a shaping tool, wherein the shaping tool (2) is formed of two tool halves I, II, which are displaceable with respect to each other, and between which the profile section (1) is inserted.

Claims

1. A device for straightening warped extruded profile sections made of magnesium or magnesium alloys, comprising a press which applies pressure to a shaping tool, the shaping tool being formed of two tool halves which can be displaced with respect to each other, and insertion elements which are inserted into end faces of a warped extruded hollow profile section, the insertion elements having pin-like projections with cross-sections which are adapted to an inner cross-section of the warped extruded hollow profile section, wherein the shaping tool receives the warped extruded hollow profile section and forms a straightened extruded hollow profile section by displacing the two tool halves towards each other.

2. The device according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the tool halves is shaped to match a cross-section of the straightened extruded hollow profile section.

3. The device according to claim 1, wherein stamping dies are disposed in at least one of the tool halves facing the profile section.

4. The device according to claim 1, wherein boreholes for receiving heating cartridges are provided in the tool halves of the shaping tool.

5. The device according to claim 1, wherein a gap is formed within the shaping tool when the two tool halves are pushed against each other, the gap defining outer contours of the straightened extruded profile section.

6. A method for working extruded profile sections made of magnesium or magnesium alloys with respect to outer contours thereof by way of hot shaping and/or hot stamping and/or cutting operations and/or punching operations, comprising the following method steps: providing the device as in claim 1; inserting profile sections which have been heated to a temperature between 250 and 450 C. into the shaping tool which has been preheated to a temperature between 300 and 600 C.; and applying pressure to the shaping tool by way of one or more pressing cylinders of the press.

7. The method according to claim 6, further comprising: cutting the profile sections to length, and inserting insertion elements into end faces of the profile sections that have been cut to length.

8. The method according to claim 6, wherein the method steps are carried out in a production flow subsequent to an extrusion process.

Description

(1) The associated FIG. 1 shows a device for carrying out the method for hot shaping extruded profile sections.

(2) The method according to the invention comprises the following steps:inserting the profile sections 1 heated to a temperature in the range of 250 to 450 C. into a two-part shaping tool 2 preheated to a temperature in the range of 300 to 600 C.; andapplying pressure to the shaping tool 2 by way of one or more pressing cylinders 3 of a press 4. In addition, insertion elements may be inserted into the end faces of the profile sections 1 that have been cut to size, if needed.

(3) The insertion elements can comprise pin-like projections, the cross-sections of which are adapted to the inner cross-sections of the profile sections 1.

(4) It is advantageous if the method steps for hot shaping take place subsequent to the extrusion process, since heating of the extruded profile section can then be dispensed with.

(5) FIG. 1 shows a representative illustration of the device for carrying out the method. The device essentially comprises a press 4 and a shaping tool 2. The shaping tool 2 has a two-part design and accordingly comprises two tool halves I, II, which can be displaced with respect to each other and between which the profile section 1 is inserted, wherein the tool halves are adapted to the cross-section of the profile to be shaped.

(6) By applying pressure to at least one of the two tool halves I, II via a pressing cylinder 3 of the press 4, the tool halves are displaced toward each other, and the profile section is shaped, which is to say the profile sections are brought to uniform dimensions, while being straightened.

(7) The tool halves I, II have boreholes, into which corresponding heating cartridges are inserted to heat the tool halves I, II or maintain these at the temperature.

(8) If needed, one or more stamping dies can be disposed in one or both tool halves I, II, with the aid of which surface stamping of the profile sections on one side, or on both sides, can be carried out simultaneously during the shaping process.

(9) Another option is to integrate cutting or punching tools into the tool halves I, II so as to simultaneously carry out cutting or punching operations in the profile sections 1 during the shaping process.

(10) Subsequent to the hot shaping process, the shaped and/or stamped and/or punched profile sections can be joined to form a lightweight construction element.

(11) The lightweight construction element can be designed, for example, as a supporting structure for a land vehicle, an aircraft or a watercraft, and the individual hot-shaped profile sections 1 of which, that form the lightweight construction element, are joined to each other by way of a non-detachable connection. This can preferably take place by way of friction stir welding, whereby shorter welding times and high economic efficiency are achieved during the joining process.

LIST OF THE REFERENCE NUMERALS

(12) 1 profile sections 2 shaping tool 3 pressing cylinder 4 press 5 boreholes I tool half II tool half