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.; andapplying 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 method for working extruded profile sections made of magnesium or magnesium alloys with respect to the outer contours thereof by way of hot shaping and/or hot stamping and/or cutting operations and/or punching operations, characterized by 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 in the range 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).

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that in addition, if needed, insertion elements are inserted into the end faces of the profile sections (1) that have been cut to length.

3. A method according to claim 1, characterized in that the method steps are carried out in the production flow subsequent to the extrusion process.

4. A device for carrying out the method according to claim 1, characterized in that the device comprises a press (4) and a shaping tool (2), wherein the shaping tool (2) is formed of two tool halves (I, II), which can be displaced with respect to each other and between which the profile section (1) is inserted.

5. The device according to claim 4, characterized in that at least one of the tool halves (I, II) is appropriately adapted to the cross-section of the profile section (1) to be shaped.

6. The device according to claim 4, characterized in that stamping dies are disposed in at least one of the tool halves (I, II) on the side facing the profile section (1).

7. A device according to claim 4, characterized in that boreholes (5) for receiving heating cartridges are provided in the tool halves (I, II) of the shaping tool (2).

8. The device according to claim 4, characterized in that the insertion elements comprise pin-like projections, the cross-sections of which are adapted to the inner cross-sections of the profile section 1.

9. A lightweight construction element, which comprises multiple extruded profile sections joined to each other in a planar arrangement, which are produced using the method according to claim 1, characterized in that the lightweight construction element is designed as a supporting structure for a land vehicle, an aircraft or a watercraft, and the individual hot-shaped profile sections (1) forming the lightweight construction element are joined to each other by way of a non-detachable connection.

Description

[0018] The associated FIG. 1 shows a device for carrying out the method for hot shaping extruded profile sections.

[0019] 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.

[0020] 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.

[0021] 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.

[0022] 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.

[0023] 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.

[0024] 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.

[0025] 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.

[0026] 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.

[0027] 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.

[0028] 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

[0029] 1 profile sections [0030] 2 shaping tool [0031] 3 pressing cylinder [0032] 4 press [0033] 5 boreholes [0034] I tool half [0035] II tool half