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EP3778056B1 - Method for thermoforming aluminium sheets by means of stretch forming - Google Patents

Method for thermoforming aluminium sheets by means of stretch forming Download PDF

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Publication number
EP3778056B1
EP3778056B1 EP19191762.4A EP19191762A EP3778056B1 EP 3778056 B1 EP3778056 B1 EP 3778056B1 EP 19191762 A EP19191762 A EP 19191762A EP 3778056 B1 EP3778056 B1 EP 3778056B1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
tool
heatable
aluminum sheet
hold
stretch forming
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Active
Application number
EP19191762.4A
Other languages
German (de)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP3778056C0 (en
EP3778056A1 (en
Inventor
Hilko RUHR
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Umformtechnik Stade GmbH
Original Assignee
Umformtechnik Stade GmbH
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Filing date
Publication date
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Priority to EP19191762.4A priority Critical patent/EP3778056B1/en
Publication of EP3778056A1 publication Critical patent/EP3778056A1/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP3778056C0 publication Critical patent/EP3778056C0/en
Publication of EP3778056B1 publication Critical patent/EP3778056B1/en
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Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical

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Classifications

    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B21MECHANICAL METAL-WORKING WITHOUT ESSENTIALLY REMOVING MATERIAL; PUNCHING METAL
    • B21DWORKING OR PROCESSING OF SHEET METAL OR METAL TUBES, RODS OR PROFILES WITHOUT ESSENTIALLY REMOVING MATERIAL; PUNCHING METAL
    • B21D25/00Working sheet metal of limited length by stretching, e.g. for straightening
    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B21MECHANICAL METAL-WORKING WITHOUT ESSENTIALLY REMOVING MATERIAL; PUNCHING METAL
    • B21DWORKING OR PROCESSING OF SHEET METAL OR METAL TUBES, RODS OR PROFILES WITHOUT ESSENTIALLY REMOVING MATERIAL; PUNCHING METAL
    • B21D22/00Shaping without cutting, by stamping, spinning, or deep-drawing
    • B21D22/20Deep-drawing
    • B21D22/208Deep-drawing by heating the blank or deep-drawing associated with heat treatment
    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B21MECHANICAL METAL-WORKING WITHOUT ESSENTIALLY REMOVING MATERIAL; PUNCHING METAL
    • B21DWORKING OR PROCESSING OF SHEET METAL OR METAL TUBES, RODS OR PROFILES WITHOUT ESSENTIALLY REMOVING MATERIAL; PUNCHING METAL
    • B21D22/00Shaping without cutting, by stamping, spinning, or deep-drawing
    • B21D22/20Deep-drawing
    • B21D22/22Deep-drawing with devices for holding the edge of the blanks
    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B21MECHANICAL METAL-WORKING WITHOUT ESSENTIALLY REMOVING MATERIAL; PUNCHING METAL
    • B21DWORKING OR PROCESSING OF SHEET METAL OR METAL TUBES, RODS OR PROFILES WITHOUT ESSENTIALLY REMOVING MATERIAL; PUNCHING METAL
    • B21D35/00Combined processes according to or processes combined with methods covered by groups B21D1/00 - B21D31/00
    • B21D35/002Processes combined with methods covered by groups B21D1/00 - B21D31/00
    • B21D35/005Processes combined with methods covered by groups B21D1/00 - B21D31/00 characterized by the material of the blank or the workpiece
    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B21MECHANICAL METAL-WORKING WITHOUT ESSENTIALLY REMOVING MATERIAL; PUNCHING METAL
    • B21DWORKING OR PROCESSING OF SHEET METAL OR METAL TUBES, RODS OR PROFILES WITHOUT ESSENTIALLY REMOVING MATERIAL; PUNCHING METAL
    • B21D37/00Tools as parts of machines covered by this subclass
    • B21D37/16Heating or cooling

Definitions

  • the invention relates to a method for the hot forming of aluminum sheets.
  • the device that is used in the method includes a pressing device with a hot-forming stretch-drawing tool, which includes a first tool and a second tool that can be closed in a form-fitting manner with the first tool.
  • a corresponding method and a device for this purpose is available, for example DE 36 10 022 C2 known to the applicant, with which beads can be made in a sheet.
  • the metal sheet in the area surrounding a deformation area provided for forming a bead is firmly clamped between a lower tool and an upper tool, pressing surfaces facing one another and each having a recess, and pulled with its deformation area over a beading bar.
  • the metal sheet is inserted between the lower tool provided on a press table and the upper tool provided on a press beam and arranged opposite to this and movable, and the upper tool is non-positively connected to the lower tool.
  • deep drawing means that the sheet metal to be formed flows in a controlled manner in the hold-down area and thus takes part in the forming process.
  • the blank is larger before the forming process than after the forming process.
  • a deep-drawing process for aluminum sheets using hot forming is, among other things, DE 10 2006 035 239 B3 disclosed by way of example. In this case, a heated molten metal or molten salt is used, the volume of which is previously controlled, in order to bring the metal component to be formed to the right temperature.
  • the form-change work that can be performed in the deep-drawing process is relatively limited.
  • the deformation work that can be performed is even more limited, since this essentially occurs in the area of the drawing punch and die radii, i.e. in the edge area of the drawing punch or dies.
  • the failure of the aluminum sheet occurs in the form of so-called tears stretching process considerably earlier than in the deep-drawing process.
  • the forming must, depending on the requirements, take place in the sheet metal temperature range of approx. 350 °C (warm forming) to approx. 540 °C (hot forming). In this temperature range, aluminum sheets have a doughy consistency and care must be taken to ensure that the sheet does not crack during the drawing process.
  • a mask molding device for molding a shadow mask of a color cathode ray tube with a device applying hot pressing.
  • the device comprises a mold for applying pressure to the plate-shaped element, which comprises a heated inner section and an outer section, and insulating means between the inner and outer sections to reduce the heat transfer from the inner section to the outer section and the thermal to increase the efficiency of the device.
  • the mold includes a die having a defined shape, a punch cooperating with the die to form the sheet-like element into the defined shape, a clamp for holding the sheet-like element Elements during the molding process and an ejection to remove the mask from the die.
  • the inner section contains a heated portion of each of the die, punch, clamp and ejector and optionally a heater.
  • the heat for hot pressing is applied to those portions of the die that come into contact with the plate-shaped member.
  • the heat-insulating element inserted at the division with the other parts the heat is not conducted over a large area.
  • US 2014/0260493 A1 describes a hot stamping die having both a high strength and a low strength unit for producing shaped goods.
  • a steel sheet is heated to an appropriate temperature to perform forming in a die, and then quenching is performed to produce high-strength parts.
  • a heating mold which is installed on one side of a cooling mold to form a shaped surface together with the cooling mold, is provided with a cartridge heater or heating cartridge, which is installed on one side of the heater, and may include a plurality of landing blocks placed between the cooling mold and the heating mold are arranged.
  • the present invention is based on the object of creating a method with which it is possible to subject aluminum sheets to hot forming, with high flexibility being ensured even with high deformation work.
  • a method for hot-forming aluminum sheets by stretch-drawing in a device for hot-forming aluminum sheets by stretch-drawing comprising a pressing device with a hot-forming stretch-drawing tool, which has a first tool, in particular a lower tool, and a second tool that can be closed in a form-fitting manner with the first tool, in particular upper tool, wherein the first tool comprises a first base plate with a heatable drawing punch, at least one first heatable hold-down device, at least one first coolable hold-down device and at least one pressure-regulatable first hold-down cylinder, the second tool comprising a second base plate with a heatable die part, at least one heatable Sheet metal counter-holder, at least one second coolable hold-down device and at least one pressure-regulatable second hold-down cylinder, wherein the first base plate or the second base plate is attached to a movable, in particular path- and force-controlled, device of the pressing device, with an edge being held down by means of the first and second
  • the invention is based on the basic idea that instead of a deep-drawing process, a stretch-drawing process is used in which the aluminum sheet is held in a circumferential hold-down area for each stretch-drawing process, so that the outer part of the aluminum sheet does not take part in the forming. This is available for further forming processes, so that by repeated stretching with the same device and the same tool, a series of similar, but possibly differently spaced depressions can be introduced into the sheet metal.
  • the heatable hold-down elements i.e. the heatable hold-down device and the heatable sheet metal counter-holder
  • the respective coolable hold-down elements i.e. the first coolable hold-down device and the second coolable hold-down device, follow.
  • This measure is particularly favorable for using the device for multiple stretching on an aluminum sheet with intermediate displacement of the aluminum sheet from a first to a second position, etc.
  • non-coolable pressure receiving body in the first tool and a non-coolable one in the second tool Arranged pressure distribution body, which are adapted in particular in cross-section to the dimensions of the drawing punch and the die part.
  • Pressure-resistant insulation materials are preferably located between the heatable tool elements and the coolable tool elements and/or the non-coolable tool elements. These pressure-resistant insulation materials make it possible to better thermally separate the heatable elements and the coolable elements from one another and thus achieve an improved temperature profile in the aluminum sheet.
  • the heatable tool elements each have one or more heating cartridges.
  • the heating cartridges can be electrical resistances which, when closed by a current, give off heat in proportion to the intensity of the current.
  • the heatable tool elements each have their own temperature control, in particular with their own data storage. In this way, it is possible to locally heat the aluminum sheet to be formed differently in different areas according to the local needs of the forming work.
  • one or more of the heatable tool elements and/or one or more of the coolable tool elements have one or more temperature sensors which are arranged, in particular near the surface or in the surface facing the aluminum sheet, such that a temperature of the aluminum sheet is in the region of the respective temperature sensor can be determined.
  • the temperature of the aluminum sheet can also be determined indirectly, for example by measuring the temperature-dependent deformation work during forming as a function the deformation achieved. It is advantageous if the temperature is monitored over the entire area of the aluminum sheet that takes part in the hot forming process.
  • a path measuring device on the hot forming stretch-drawing tool which is designed and set up to measure the movement and speed of the moving first or second tool compared to the non-moving second or first tool in connection with the movable path and force-controlled device of the pressing device and the temperature control of the heatable
  • a very precise and safe process control is guaranteed.
  • both the path covered by the drawing punch or the movable tool and the force applied for this are measured and compared with setpoint values in the path and force control.
  • the force should be within a specified range of values depending on the path covered, in order to avoid tearing in the aluminum sheet.
  • this specified value corridor is left, the process is interrupted in order to bring the material of the aluminum sheet back to the specified temperature, in which case the force used also returns to the specified value corridor.
  • the forming process can therefore be discontinuous.
  • the aluminum sheet is repositioned and a further, similar stretch-drawing process is carried out on a part of the aluminum sheet that has not yet been stretch-drawn.
  • This is made possible by using the stretch drawing process with additional cooling of the aluminum sheet in the outer edge area of the hold-down area.
  • depressions of the same type can be made in the aluminum sheet at variable distances from one another using the same device.
  • the predetermined temperatures of any or all of the tooling elements and/or the aluminum sheet are monitored and the stretching movement is interrupted if one or more of the temperatures are outside a predetermined acceptable temperature range and resumed when all monitored temperatures are back within their predetermined ones are within acceptable temperature ranges.
  • different temperature controls are used between the at least one first hold-down device and the at least one sheet metal counterholder and between the drawing punch and the die part in order to compensate for different deformation forces in the areas of the drawing punch radius and sheet metal counterholder radii.
  • the drawing punch radius and the sheet metal counter holder radii are located in the area at the outer edge of the drawing punch or on the inner edges of the sheet metal counter holders, which are arranged towards the drawing punch.
  • the aluminum sheet gets between the drawing punch and the sheet metal holder(s) in this area and thus experiences the greatest change in shape.
  • the drawing punch and the sheet metal counterholder have rounded edges, the so-called radii, on their lateral edges.
  • the curvature of the radii has an influence on the drawing behavior of the aluminum sheet during the stretching process, since different friction conditions occur in the radii, especially in the corner radii.
  • a temperature gradient between the heatable hold-down elements and the central heatable elements, i.e. drawing punches and die part, can therefore ensure the safe forming of the aluminum sheet in this area.
  • the temperature controls of the heatable tool elements are preferably adjusted overall and among one another during a stretching process due to changing deformation work.
  • the heatable tool elements can be heated to a predetermined temperature between 515°C and 540°C. These temperatures are particularly favorable for class 5000 aluminum sheets. Other temperature ranges may be more favorable for other aluminum sheets.
  • a pressure is advantageously set in the at least one first hold-down cylinder which ensures that the aluminum sheet is held in place during the stretching process and/or a pressure is set in the at least one second hold-down cylinder which ensures that the aluminum sheet continues to flow during the stretching process.
  • temperatures and pressures to be used for the stretching process according to the invention depend on the material used and can be determined in tests.
  • FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a shaped aluminum sheet body 20 produced in a deep-drawing process.
  • the deep-drawing tool not shown, has a complicated geometry with several relief parts, which ensure the depressions 21 in the shaped aluminum sheet body 20, which extend towards the ends of side areas 22 of fixed width and are spaced from each other with webs 24 fixed width.
  • the opening areas 23 of the depressions 21 each have a fixed width that is dependent on the width of the respective drawing punch.
  • the aluminum sheet molding 20 is based on an aluminum sheet from an aluminum quality Group 5000 and can be produced in the deep-drawing process in the temperature range of approx. 350 °C. Following the deep-drawing process, cutting to the final dimensions is carried out using a laser or other cutting options, and the openings are created in the area of the depressions 21.
  • the dimensions and spacing of the depressions 21 cannot be changed with the selected deep-drawing tool.
  • the economic limit is exceeded if, for example, the center-to-center distance of the large-area depressions 21 is changed under otherwise identical conditions.
  • FIG. 1 shows 2 a perspective view of an aluminum sheet shaped body 20 produced in a stretch-drawing process according to the invention.
  • the stretch-drawing process is carried out several times in succession on the aluminum sheet, with the aluminum sheet being displaced in the device in each case in order to produce the next indentation 21 in each case.
  • the dimensions of the depressions 21 are otherwise the same, they are therefore at different distances from each other, which can be seen from the different dimensions of the webs 25 and 26 with variable widths in the lower area of the figure.
  • These center-to-center distances can be set differently from mold to mold because they only depend on the positioning of the aluminum sheet on the device.
  • the width of the side areas 22 can also be flexibly adjusted.
  • FIG. 3 shows a schematic representation of a device for the hot forming of aluminum sheets 14.
  • the device comprises a pressing device with a hot forming stretch-drawing tool, which has a first and a second tool.
  • the invention is not limited to this configuration, since the arrangement of the first and second dies can be reversed and the orientation of the aluminum sheet 14 need not be horizontal.
  • the first tool in this case the lower tool, rests on a first base plate 1 on which the other tool elements of the first tool are arranged.
  • a heatable drawing die 2 At its core is a heatable drawing die 2 which is supported on the first base plate 1 via a pressure-resistant insulating material 13 and a pressure-receiving body 11 which cannot be cooled.
  • the drawing punch 2 over which the aluminum sheet 14 is drawn in the stretch-drawing process, has a drawing punch radius 15 on its peripheral edge pointing towards the aluminum sheet 14, which ensures a transition between the central drawn part of the aluminum sheet 14 and the outer edge of the aluminum sheet 14 during stretching , which does not participate in the transformation.
  • the drawing punch 2 is surrounded by a likewise heatable, first heatable hold-down device 3 , which in turn is surrounded on the outside by a pressure-resistant insulating material 13 and a first, coolable hold-down device 4 .
  • These three tool elements serve to clamp a hold-down area of the aluminum sheet 14 in such a way that it is held during stretching so that the aluminum sheet 14, unlike in deep drawing, does not flow.
  • the first heatable hold-down device 3, the pressure-resistant insulating material 13 and the first coolable hold-down device 4 are held down by first hold-down cylinders 5 is subjected to a pressure which ensures that the hold-down area of the aluminum sheet 14 is held in place.
  • the second tool in the case of the 3 the upper tool comprises a second base plate 6 which is arranged parallel to the first base plate 1 .
  • a heatable matrix part 9 is supported centrally on the second base plate 6 via a correspondingly dimensioned, pressure-resistant insulating material 13, a likewise correspondingly dimensioned, non-coolable pressure distribution body 12 and second hold-down cylinders 8.
  • the die part 9 has the same dimensions as the drawing punch 2 in cross section and is arranged flush with the drawing punch 2 .
  • the second hold-down cylinders 8 ensure a pressure that is exerted by the die part 9 via the aluminum sheet 14 on the drawing punch 2, which ensures that the aluminum sheet 14 can continue to flow in this area during the hot forming process.
  • a heatable sheet metal counter-holder 7 connects outwards to the central die part 9 , which is opposite the first heatable hold-down device and is supported on the second base plate 6 via its own pressure-resistant insulating material 13 and a pressure-release body 18 .
  • a pressure-resistant insulating material 13 and a second coolable hold-down device 10 are connected to the outside, which is supported on the second base plate 6 in the exemplary embodiment shown.
  • the pressure-resistant insulation materials 13 arranged between the heatable tool elements 2, 3, 7 and 9 and the coolable tool elements 4 and 10 and the non-coolable tool elements 11 and 12 serve for thermal decoupling.
  • the representation in 3 is schematized and does not form concrete ones dimensions.
  • the tool elements of the hold-down area can be made significantly narrower in relation to the drawing punch 2 than shown.
  • the configuration shown, in which tool elements located opposite one another are aligned with one another in the direction of movement, is advantageous for a controlled setting of temperature gradients in the aluminum sheet 14, but is not essential. It is more important that, as is usual with stretching and deep-drawing tools, the inner edges of the first heatable hold-down device 3 and the heatable sheet metal counter-holder 7 on the one hand and the outer edges of the drawing punch 2 and the die part 9 on the other hand are aligned with one another and leave a space open for the aluminum sheet 14.
  • the dimensioning of the insulating materials, which are optionally inserted between the heatable and the coolable or non-heatable or coolable tool elements, can also be suitably selected. Also the fact that in the representation in 3 aligning the various tool parts with their edges in the horizontal is advantageous but not essential.
  • the first and second hold-down cylinders 5, 8 primarily serve to generate the pressure with which the aluminum sheet 14 is held in the central area on the one hand and in the hold-down area on the other hand between the upper tool and the lower tool.
  • the actual stretching process includes a relative movement of the second base plate 6 with respect to the first base plate 1, it being irrelevant for the invention which of the two base plates is moved and which is fixed. The process is explained below using the example that the second tool, in this case the upper tool, is moved and the first tool is fixed.
  • Each individual heatable tool element listed above has at least one, but preferably several heating cartridges and its own temperature control with appropriate data storage.
  • the pressure in the hold down cylinder 5 and its system is adjusted to the pressure that ensures the absolute hold of the aluminum sheet 14 in the hold down area during the hot forming process.
  • the pressure in the hold-down cylinder 8 and its system is adjusted to the pressure that ensures the continued flow of the aluminum blank during the hot forming process.
  • the method according to the invention is carried out as follows.
  • the tool in the pressing device consisting of the upper tool and the lower tool, is positively closed.
  • the heatable drawing punch 2, the heatable hold-down device 3, the heatable sheet metal counterholder 7 and the heatable die part 9 are heated by means of integrated, electrical heating cartridges to a temperature of, for example, 515 °C to 540 °C, which is suitable for aluminum sheets of the 5000 grade as has proven particularly suitable. Different temperatures may be more suitable for other grades.
  • the tool is opened, the aluminum blank 14, which may have been previously coated with a temperature-resistant drawing oil in the deformation area, is placed in the correct position in the tool and the Tool closed positively. So that the aluminum sheet 14 can be heated, the positive connection with the drawing punch 2 and the die part 9 as well as the hold-down device 3 and the sheet metal counter-holder 7 must be ensured.
  • the downward movement of the movable device of the pressing device in the example the downward movement of the second tool, is triggered.
  • the actual drawing process the aluminum sheet 14 is pulled over the drawing die 2 until the specified drawing depth is reached.
  • the force In the holding area, the force must be regulated in such a way that the aluminum sheet 14 does not tear.
  • the aluminum sheet 14 can be shifted and repositioned with complete variability in center-to-center distance. This variability is also given in every further drawing process.
  • the preselected temperatures of the heatable tool elements must be maintained in a controlled manner. A readjustment may be necessary. It follows that the drawing process can be discontinuous.
  • Different temperature controls may be necessary between the blank holder 3 and the sheet metal counterholder 7 and between the drawing punch 2 and the die part 9, since the different deformation forces in the areas of the drawing punch radius 15 and sheet metal counterholder radii 16 must be compensated. It may also be necessary that the temperature guides as a whole and among themselves during the drawing process changing deformation work must be adapted.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Thermal Sciences (AREA)
  • Shaping Metal By Deep-Drawing, Or The Like (AREA)

Description

Die Erfindung betrifft ein Verfahren zur Warmumformung von Aluminiumblechen. Die Vorrichtung, die bei dem Verfahren verwendet wird, umfasst eine Pressvorrichtung mit einem Warmumformungsreckziehwerkzeug, welches ein erstes Werkzeug und ein mit dem ersten Werkzeug formschlüssig schließbares zweites Werkzeug umfasst.The invention relates to a method for the hot forming of aluminum sheets. The device that is used in the method includes a pressing device with a hot-forming stretch-drawing tool, which includes a first tool and a second tool that can be closed in a form-fitting manner with the first tool.

Zur Warmumformung von Aluminiumblechen ist es, ähnlich wie bei Stahlblechen, bekannt, die Bleche einem Tiefziehverfahren oder einem Streckziehverfahren, auch Reckziehverfahren genannt, zu unterziehen. Im Reckziehverfahren wird das zu verformende Blech in einem umlaufenden Niederhaltebereich absolut festgehalten, so dass dieser Bereich nicht am Umformprozess teilnimmt.For the hot forming of aluminum sheets, it is known, similarly to steel sheets, to subject the sheets to a deep-drawing process or a stretch-forming process, also called a stretch-forming process. In the stretch drawing process, the sheet metal to be deformed is absolutely held in a surrounding hold-down area, so that this area does not take part in the forming process.

Ein entsprechendes Verfahren und eine Vorrichtung hierzu ist beispielsweise aus DE 36 10 022 C2 der Anmelderin bekannt, mit denen Sicken in einem Blech hergestellt werden können. Dabei wird das Blech in dem Bereich, der einen zur Einformung einer Sicke vorgesehenen Verformungsbereich umgibt, zwischen einem Unterwerkzeug und einem Oberwerkzeug miteinander zugewandten Pressflächen, welche jeweils eine Ausnehmung aufweisen, fest eingespannt und mit seinem Verformungsbereich über einen Sickenbalken gezogen. Das Blech wird zwischen dem an einem Presstisch vorgesehenen Unterwerkzeug und dem an einem diesem gegenüber beweglich angeordneten, an einem Pressbalken vorgesehenen Oberwerkzeug eingelegt und das Oberwerkzeug mit dem Unterwerkzeug kraftschlüssig verbunden.A corresponding method and a device for this purpose is available, for example DE 36 10 022 C2 known to the applicant, with which beads can be made in a sheet. In doing so the metal sheet in the area surrounding a deformation area provided for forming a bead is firmly clamped between a lower tool and an upper tool, pressing surfaces facing one another and each having a recess, and pulled with its deformation area over a beading bar. The metal sheet is inserted between the lower tool provided on a press table and the upper tool provided on a press beam and arranged opposite to this and movable, and the upper tool is non-positively connected to the lower tool.

Im Unterschied dazu bedeutet das Tiefziehen, dass das zu verformende Blech im Niederhaltebereich kontrolliert nachfließt und somit am Umformprozess teilnimmt. Die Zuschnittsplatine ist in der Draufsicht vor dem Umformprozess größer als nach dem Umformprozess. Ein Tiefziehverfahren von Aluminiumblechen in einer Warmumformung ist unter anderem in DE 10 2006 035 239 B3 beispielhaft offenbart. In diesem Fall wird eine erwärmte Metallschmelze oder Salzschmelze verwendet, deren Volumen zuvor geregelt wird, um das umzuformende Metallbauteil auf die richtige Temperatur zu bringen.In contrast to this, deep drawing means that the sheet metal to be formed flows in a controlled manner in the hold-down area and thus takes part in the forming process. In the top view, the blank is larger before the forming process than after the forming process. A deep-drawing process for aluminum sheets using hot forming is, among other things, DE 10 2006 035 239 B3 disclosed by way of example. In this case, a heated molten metal or molten salt is used, the volume of which is previously controlled, in order to bring the metal component to be formed to the right temperature.

Aluminiumbleche stellen für Warmumformungsprozesse eine Herausforderung dar, denn Aluminiumlegierungen der 5000er-Klasse haben bei Raumtemperatur eine Bruchdehnung A5 von ca. 20 %. Wegen dieser Limitierung ist die leistbare Formänderungsarbeit im Tiefziehverfahren allerdings relativ begrenzt. Bei Einsatz des Reckziehverfahrens ist die leistbare Formänderungsarbeit noch erheblich begrenzter, da diese im Wesentlichen im Bereich der Ziehstempel- und Matrizenradien auftritt, also im Randbereich der Ziehstempel bzw. Matrizen. Unter sonst gleichen Bedingungen tritt das Versagen des Aluminiumblechs in Form von sogenannten Reißern daher beim Reckziehverfahren erheblich früher auf als beim Tiefziehverfahren.Aluminum sheets pose a challenge for hot forming processes because class 5000 aluminum alloys have an A5 elongation at break of around 20% at room temperature. However, due to this limitation, the form-change work that can be performed in the deep-drawing process is relatively limited. When using the stretch-drawing process, the deformation work that can be performed is even more limited, since this essentially occurs in the area of the drawing punch and die radii, i.e. in the edge area of the drawing punch or dies. Under otherwise identical conditions, the failure of the aluminum sheet occurs in the form of so-called tears stretching process considerably earlier than in the deep-drawing process.

Müssen trotzdem erheblich höhere Formänderungsarbeiten verschiedener Aluminiumlegierungen ausgeführt werden, so muss die Umformung, je nach Anforderung, im Blechtemperaturbereich von ca. 350 °C (Halbwarmumformung) bis zu ca. 540 °C (Warmumformung) erfolgen. In diesem Temperaturbereich haben Aluminiumbleche eine teigige Konsistenz, und es muss sichergestellt werden, dass es beim Ziehvorgang nicht zu Reißern im Blech kommt.If, despite this, significantly greater deformation work has to be carried out on various aluminum alloys, the forming must, depending on the requirements, take place in the sheet metal temperature range of approx. 350 °C (warm forming) to approx. 540 °C (hot forming). In this temperature range, aluminum sheets have a doughy consistency and care must be taken to ensure that the sheet does not crack during the drawing process.

Eine weitere Einschränkung ist die mangelnde Flexibilität des Tiefziehverfahrens, weil Tiefziehwerkzeuge für die Halbwarm- bzw. Warmumformung extrem kostenintensiv sind, weshalb Änderungen vermieden werden. Sollen beispielsweise mehrere Vertiefungen in das Aluminiumblech eingebracht werden, so sind mit der Dimensionierung des Werkzeugs auch die Abstände zwischen den Vertiefungen und deren Dimensionen festgelegt. Änderungen der Abstände oder der Dimensionierung erfordern dann kostenintensive neue Werkzeuge.Another limitation is the lack of flexibility in the deep-drawing process, because deep-drawing tools for warm and hot forming are extremely expensive, which is why changes are avoided. If, for example, several indentations are to be made in the aluminum sheet, the dimensions of the tool also determine the distances between the indentations and their dimensions. Changes to the distances or the dimensioning then require expensive new tools.

Aus US 4,792,318 A ist eine Maskenformvorrichtung zum Formen einer Schattenmaske einer Farbkathodenstrahlröhre bekannt mit einer Vorrichtung, die eine Warmpressung ausübt. Die Vorrichtung umfasst eine Form zum Aufbringen von Druck auf das plattenförmige Element, die einen beheizten inneren Abschnitt und einen äußeren Abschnitt umfasst, und eine Isoliereinrichtung zwischen dem inneren und dem äußeren Abschnitt, um die Wärmeübertragung vom inneren Abschnitt zum äußeren Abschnitt zu verringern und den thermischen Wirkungsgrad der Vorrichtung zu erhöhen. Die Form enthält eine Matrize mit einer definierten Form, einen Stempel, der mit der Matrize zusammenwirkt, um das plattenartige Element in die definierte Form zu formen, eine Klammer zum Halten des plattenartigen Elements während des Formvorgangs und einen Ausstoß zum Entfernen der Maske aus der Matrize. Der innere Abschnitt enthält jeweils einen beheizten Teil der Matrize, des Stempels, der Klammer und des Ausstoßes und gegebenenfalls eine Heizvorrichtung. Damit wird die Wärme zum Warmpressen denjenigen Abschnitten der Pressform zugeführt, die mit dem plattenförmigen Element in Kontakt kommen. Gleichzeitig wird die Wärme dank des wärmeisolierenden Elements, das an der Teilung mit den anderen Teilen eingefügt ist, nicht über einen großen Bereich geleitet. Dadurch gibt es kein Festfressen der beweglichen Teile, das durch Unterschiede in der Wärmeausdehnung aufgrund der großflächigen Wärmeleitung verursacht wird, der Betrieb kann jederzeit reibungslos ablaufen, und die für die Erwärmung erforderliche Energie wird reduziert.Out of US 4,792,318A There is known a mask molding device for molding a shadow mask of a color cathode ray tube with a device applying hot pressing. The device comprises a mold for applying pressure to the plate-shaped element, which comprises a heated inner section and an outer section, and insulating means between the inner and outer sections to reduce the heat transfer from the inner section to the outer section and the thermal to increase the efficiency of the device. The mold includes a die having a defined shape, a punch cooperating with the die to form the sheet-like element into the defined shape, a clamp for holding the sheet-like element Elements during the molding process and an ejection to remove the mask from the die. The inner section contains a heated portion of each of the die, punch, clamp and ejector and optionally a heater. Thus, the heat for hot pressing is applied to those portions of the die that come into contact with the plate-shaped member. At the same time, thanks to the heat-insulating element inserted at the division with the other parts, the heat is not conducted over a large area. As a result, there is no seizing of moving parts caused by differences in thermal expansion due to large-area heat conduction, operation can be smooth at all times, and the energy required for heating is reduced.

US 2014/0260493 A1 beschreibt eine Heißprägeform, die sowohl eine hochfeste als auch eine niedrigfeste Einheit zur Herstellung von geformten Waren aufweist. Dabei wird ein Stahlblech auf eine geeignete Temperatur erwärmt, um die Umformung in einer Pressform durchzuführen, und dann eine Abschreckung durchgeführt, um hochfeste Teile herzustellen. Eine Heizform, die an einer Seite einer Kühlform installiert ist, um zusammen mit der Kühlform eine geformte Oberfläche zu bilden, ist mit einer Heizpatrone oder Heizkartusche versehen, die an einer Seite der Heizung installiert ist, und eine Vielzahl von Anlegeblöcken umfassen kann, die zwischen der Kühlform und der Heizform angeordnet sind. US 2014/0260493 A1 describes a hot stamping die having both a high strength and a low strength unit for producing shaped goods. Here, a steel sheet is heated to an appropriate temperature to perform forming in a die, and then quenching is performed to produce high-strength parts. A heating mold, which is installed on one side of a cooling mold to form a shaped surface together with the cooling mold, is provided with a cartridge heater or heating cartridge, which is installed on one side of the heater, and may include a plurality of landing blocks placed between the cooling mold and the heating mold are arranged.

Demgegenüber liegt der vorliegenden Erfindung die Aufgabe zugrunde, ein Verfahren zu schaffen, mit dem es möglich ist, Aluminiumbleche einer Warmumformung zu unterziehen, wobei auch bei hoher Formänderungsarbeit eine hohe Flexibilität gewährleistet wird.In contrast, the present invention is based on the object of creating a method with which it is possible to subject aluminum sheets to hot forming, with high flexibility being ensured even with high deformation work.

Diese Aufgabe wird gelöst durch ein Verfahren zur Warmumformung von Aluminiumblechen mittels Reckziehens in einer Vorrichtung zur Warmumformung von Aluminiumblechen mittels Reckziehens, umfassend eine Pressvorrichtung mit einem Warmumformungsreckziehwerkzeug, welches ein erstes Werkzeug, insbesondere Unterwerkzeug, und ein mit dem ersten Werkzeug formschlüssig schließbares zweites Werkzeug, insbesondere Oberwerkzeug, umfasst, wobei das erste Werkzeug eine erste Grundplatte mit einem beheizbaren Ziehstempel, wenigstens einem ersten beheizbaren Niederhalter, wenigstens einem ersten kühlbaren Niederhalter und wenigstens einem druckregulierbaren ersten Niederhaltezylinder umfasst, wobei das zweite Werkzeug eine zweite Grundplatte mit einem beheizbaren Matrizenteil, wenigstens einem beheizbaren Blechgegenhalter, wenigstens einem zweiten kühlbaren Niederhalter und wenigstens einem druckregulierbaren zweiten Niederhaltezylinder umfasst, wobei die erste Grundplatte oder die zweite Grundplatte an einer beweglichen, insbesondere weg- und kraftgesteuerten, Vorrichtung der Pressvorrichtung befestigt ist, wobei mittels der ersten und zweiten Werkzeuge ein Niederhalten eines Randes eines Aluminiumblechs und ein Reckziehen über das beheizbare Matrizenteil ermöglicht wird, wobei das Verfahren dadurch weitergebildet ist, dass die beheizbaren und kühlbaren Werkzeugelemente auf ihre jeweils vorgegebenen Temperaturen aufgeheizt oder gekühlt werden, nach Erreichen der vorgegebenen Temperaturen ein umzuformendes Aluminiumblech positionsgerecht zwischen das erste Werkzeug und das zweite Werkzeug eingebracht wird, und das Warmumformungswerkzeug formschlüssig geschlossen wird, wobei dann, wenn das Aluminiumblech unter Einwirkung der Hitze der beheizten Werkzeugelemente seine vorgegebene Temperatur erreicht hat, die Reckziehbewegung des beweglichen Werkzeugs gestartet und bis zu einer vorgegebenen Ziehtiefe durchgeführt wird.This object is achieved by a method for hot-forming aluminum sheets by stretch-drawing in a device for hot-forming aluminum sheets by stretch-drawing, comprising a pressing device with a hot-forming stretch-drawing tool, which has a first tool, in particular a lower tool, and a second tool that can be closed in a form-fitting manner with the first tool, in particular upper tool, wherein the first tool comprises a first base plate with a heatable drawing punch, at least one first heatable hold-down device, at least one first coolable hold-down device and at least one pressure-regulatable first hold-down cylinder, the second tool comprising a second base plate with a heatable die part, at least one heatable Sheet metal counter-holder, at least one second coolable hold-down device and at least one pressure-regulatable second hold-down cylinder, wherein the first base plate or the second base plate is attached to a movable, in particular path- and force-controlled, device of the pressing device, with an edge being held down by means of the first and second tools of an aluminum sheet and stretching over the heatable die part is made possible, with the method being further developed in that the heatable and coolable tool elements are heated or cooled to their respective specified temperatures, after the specified temperatures have been reached, an aluminum sheet to be formed is positioned correctly between the first tool and the second tool is introduced, and the hot-forming tool is closed in a form-fitting manner, wherein when the aluminum sheet has reached its predetermined temperature under the action of the heat of the heated tool elements, the stretching movement of the movable tool is started and carried out to a predetermined drawing depth.

Die Erfindung beruht auf dem Grundgedanken, dass anstelle eines Tiefziehverfahrens ein Reckziehverfahren eingesetzt wird, bei dem das Aluminiumblech für jeden Reckziehvorgang in einem umfänglichen Niederhaltebereich festgehalten wird, so dass der jeweils äußere Teil des Aluminiumblechs nicht an der Umformung teilnimmt. Dieser steht für weitere Umformungsprozesse zur Verfügung, so dass durch mehrmaliges Reckziehen mit der gleichen Vorrichtung und dem gleichen Werkzeug eine Serie von gleichartigen, aber gegebenenfalls unterschiedlich beabstandeten, Vertiefungen in das Blech eingebracht werden kann.The invention is based on the basic idea that instead of a deep-drawing process, a stretch-drawing process is used in which the aluminum sheet is held in a circumferential hold-down area for each stretch-drawing process, so that the outer part of the aluminum sheet does not take part in the forming. This is available for further forming processes, so that by repeated stretching with the same device and the same tool, a series of similar, but possibly differently spaced depressions can be introduced into the sheet metal.

In dem ersten Werkzeug und dem zweiten Werkzeug sind die beheizbaren Niederhalteelemente, also der beheizbare Niederhalter und der beheizbare Blechgegenhalter, jeweils benachbart zum beheizbaren Ziehstempel bzw. zum beheizbaren Matrizenteil angeordnet, wobei radial nach außen die jeweils kühlbaren Niederhalter Elemente, also der erste kühlbare Niederhalter und der zweite kühlbare Niederhalter, folgen. Diese bewirken in dem Aluminiumblech im Niederhaltebereich einen Temperaturgradienten, der von innen nach außen abnimmt, so dass der äußere Bereich des Aluminiumblechs im Niederhaltebereich eine geringe Temperatur aufweist, welche das Blechmaterial gegenüber dem Reckziehprozess stabilisiert und sicherstellt, dass der äußere Bereich nicht umgeformt wird.In the first tool and the second tool, the heatable hold-down elements, i.e. the heatable hold-down device and the heatable sheet metal counter-holder, are each arranged adjacent to the heatable drawing punch or to the heatable die part, with the respective coolable hold-down elements, i.e. the first coolable hold-down device and the second coolable hold-down device, follow. These cause a temperature gradient in the aluminum sheet in the hold-down area, which decreases from the inside to the outside, so that the outer area of the aluminum sheet in the hold-down area has a low temperature, which stabilizes the sheet material in relation to the stretching process and ensures that the outer area is not deformed.

Diese Maßnahme ist besonders günstig für die Verwendung der Vorrichtung zum mehrfachen Reckziehen an einem Aluminiumblech mit zwischenzeitlichem Verschieben des Aluminiumblechs von einer ersten in eine zweite Position usw.This measure is particularly favorable for using the device for multiple stretching on an aluminum sheet with intermediate displacement of the aluminum sheet from a first to a second position, etc.

In Ausführungsformen sind im ersten Werkzeug ein nicht kühlbarer Druckaufnahmekörper und im zweiten Werkzeug ein nicht kühlbarer Druckverteilungskörper angeordnet, welche insbesondere im Querschnitt an die Abmessungen des Ziehstempels und des Matrizenteils angepasst sind.In embodiments, there is a non-coolable pressure receiving body in the first tool and a non-coolable one in the second tool Arranged pressure distribution body, which are adapted in particular in cross-section to the dimensions of the drawing punch and the die part.

Vorzugsweise befinden sich zwischen den beheizbaren Werkzeugelementen und den kühlbaren Werkzeugelementen und/oder den nicht kühlbaren Werkzeugelementen jeweils druckfeste Isolationsmaterialien. Diese druckfesten Isolationsmaterialien ermöglichen es, die beheizbaren Elemente und die kühlbaren Elemente thermisch voneinander besser zu trennen und somit einen verbesserten Temperaturverlauf im Aluminiumblech zu realisieren.Pressure-resistant insulation materials are preferably located between the heatable tool elements and the coolable tool elements and/or the non-coolable tool elements. These pressure-resistant insulation materials make it possible to better thermally separate the heatable elements and the coolable elements from one another and thus achieve an improved temperature profile in the aluminum sheet.

In Ausführungsformen weisen die beheizbaren Werkzeugelemente jeweils eine oder mehrere Heizkartuschen auf. Bei den Heizkartuschen kann es sich um elektrische Widerstände handeln, welche Wärme proportional zu Stromstärke abgeben, wenn sie von einem Strom geschlossen werden. Vorteilhafterweise weisen die beheizbaren Werkzeugelemente jeweils eine eigene Temperaturregelung auf, insbesondere mit eigener Datenspeicherung. Auf diese Weise ist es möglich, das umzuformende Aluminiumblech entsprechend den lokalen Notwendigkeiten der Formänderungsarbeit in unterschiedlichen Bereichen lokal unterschiedlich zu erhitzen.In embodiments, the heatable tool elements each have one or more heating cartridges. The heating cartridges can be electrical resistances which, when closed by a current, give off heat in proportion to the intensity of the current. Advantageously, the heatable tool elements each have their own temperature control, in particular with their own data storage. In this way, it is possible to locally heat the aluminum sheet to be formed differently in different areas according to the local needs of the forming work.

In Ausführungsformen weisen eines oder mehrere der beheizbaren Werkzeugelemente und/oder eines oder mehrere der kühlbaren Werkzeugelemente einen oder mehrere Temperatursensoren auf, die, insbesondere oberflächennah oder in der Oberfläche dem Aluminiumblech zugewandt, so angeordnet sind, dass eine Temperatur des Aluminiumblechs im Bereich des jeweiligen Temperatursensors ermittelbar ist. Die Temperatur des Aluminiumblechs kann auch indirekt ermittelt werden, beispielsweise durch Messung der temperaturabhängigen Formänderungsarbeit bei der Umformung in Abhängigkeit der erreichten Verformung. Vorteilhaft ist es, wenn die Temperatur über die gesamte Fläche des Aluminiumblechs überwacht wird, die am Warmumformprozess teilnimmt.In embodiments, one or more of the heatable tool elements and/or one or more of the coolable tool elements have one or more temperature sensors which are arranged, in particular near the surface or in the surface facing the aluminum sheet, such that a temperature of the aluminum sheet is in the region of the respective temperature sensor can be determined. The temperature of the aluminum sheet can also be determined indirectly, for example by measuring the temperature-dependent deformation work during forming as a function the deformation achieved. It is advantageous if the temperature is monitored over the entire area of the aluminum sheet that takes part in the hot forming process.

Wenn vorteilhafterweise eine Wegmessvorrichtung am Warmumformungsreckziehwerkzeug vorhanden ist, die ausgebildet und eingerichtet ist, die Bewegung und Geschwindigkeit des bewegten ersten oder zweiten Werkzeugs gegenüber dem nicht bewegten zweiten oder ersten Werkzeug in Verbindung mit der beweglichen weg- und kraftgesteuerten Vorrichtung der Pressvorrichtung sowie der Temperatursteuerung der beheizbaren Werkzeugelemente zu regeln, so ist eine sehr genaue und sichere Prozessführung gewährleistet. Bei der Bewegung des beweglichen Werkzeugs wird bei der Weg- und Kraftsteuerung sowohl der von dem Ziehstempel bzw. dem beweglichen Werkzeug zurückgelegte Weg als auch die dafür aufgebrachte Kraft gemessen und mit Sollwerten verglichen. Für einen sicheren Umformungsprozess sollte sich die Kraft in Abhängigkeit des zurückgelegten Weges innerhalb eines vorgegebenen Wertekorridors bewegen, um zu vermeiden, dass es zu Reißern im Aluminiumblech kommt. Sobald dieser vorgegebene Wertekorridor verlassen wird, wird der Prozess unterbrochen, um das Material des Aluminiumblechs wieder auf die vorgegebene Temperatur zu bringen, in dem auch die aufgewendete Kraft wieder in den vorgegebenen Wertkorridor zurückkehrt. Der Umformungsprozess kann daher diskontinuierlich sein.If there is advantageously a path measuring device on the hot forming stretch-drawing tool, which is designed and set up to measure the movement and speed of the moving first or second tool compared to the non-moving second or first tool in connection with the movable path and force-controlled device of the pressing device and the temperature control of the heatable To regulate tool elements, a very precise and safe process control is guaranteed. During the movement of the movable tool, both the path covered by the drawing punch or the movable tool and the force applied for this are measured and compared with setpoint values in the path and force control. For a reliable forming process, the force should be within a specified range of values depending on the path covered, in order to avoid tearing in the aluminum sheet. As soon as this specified value corridor is left, the process is interrupted in order to bring the material of the aluminum sheet back to the specified temperature, in which case the force used also returns to the specified value corridor. The forming process can therefore be discontinuous.

Vorteilhafterweise wird nach einem Reckziehvorgang das Aluminiumblech neu positioniert und an einem bislang noch nicht reckgezogenen Teil des Aluminiumblechs ein weiterer, gleichartiger Reckziehvorgang durchgeführt. Dies wird ermöglicht durch die Verwendung des Reckziehprozesses mit zusätzlicher Kühlung des Aluminiumblechs im äußeren Randbereich des Niederhaltebereichs. Auf diese Weise können gleichartige Vertiefungen mit der gleichen Vorrichtung unter variablen Abständen voneinander in das Aluminiumblech eingebracht werden.Advantageously, after a stretch-drawing process, the aluminum sheet is repositioned and a further, similar stretch-drawing process is carried out on a part of the aluminum sheet that has not yet been stretch-drawn. This is made possible by using the stretch drawing process with additional cooling of the aluminum sheet in the outer edge area of the hold-down area. On In this way, depressions of the same type can be made in the aluminum sheet at variable distances from one another using the same device.

Vorzugsweise werden während eines Reckziehvorgangs die vorgegebenen Temperaturen einzelner oder aller Werkzeugelemente und/oder des Aluminiumblechs überwacht und die Reckziehbewegung unterbrochen, falls eine oder mehrere der Temperaturen sich außerhalb eines vorgegebenen akzeptablen Temperaturbereichs bewegen, und wird fortgesetzt, wenn alle überwachten Temperaturen sich wieder innerhalb ihrer vorgegebenen akzeptablen Temperaturbereiche befinden.Preferably, during a stretching operation, the predetermined temperatures of any or all of the tooling elements and/or the aluminum sheet are monitored and the stretching movement is interrupted if one or more of the temperatures are outside a predetermined acceptable temperature range and resumed when all monitored temperatures are back within their predetermined ones are within acceptable temperature ranges.

In Ausführungsformen werden zwischen dem wenigstens einen ersten Niederhalter und dem wenigstens einen Blechgegenhalter sowie zwischen dem Ziehstempel und dem Matrizenteil unterschiedliche Temperaturführungen angewendet, um unterschiedliche Formänderungskräfte in den Bereichen Ziehstempelradius und Blechgegenhalterradien zu kompensieren. Der Ziehstempelradius und die Blechgegenhalteradien befinden sich im Bereich am äußeren Rand des Ziehstempels bzw. an den Innenkanten der Blechgegenhalter, die zum Ziehstempel hin angeordnet sind. Während des Reckziehvorgangs gerät das Aluminiumblech in diesem Bereich zwischen den Ziehstempel und den oder die Blechgegenhalter und erfährt somit die größte Formänderung. In diesem Bereich weisen der Ziehstempel und die Blechgegenhalter an ihren seitlichen Kanten Abrundungen, die sogenannten Radien, auf. Die Krümmungen der Radien haben einen Einfluss auf das Ziehverhalten des Aluminiumblechs während des Reckziehvorgangs, da in den Radien unterschiedliche Reibungsverhältnisse auftreten, insbesondere in Eckradien. Ein Temperaturgradient zwischen den beheizbaren Niederhaltelementen und den zentralen beheizbaren Elementen, also Ziehstempel und Matrizenteil, kann daher die sichere Umformung des Aluminiumblechs in diesem Bereich sicherstellen.In embodiments, different temperature controls are used between the at least one first hold-down device and the at least one sheet metal counterholder and between the drawing punch and the die part in order to compensate for different deformation forces in the areas of the drawing punch radius and sheet metal counterholder radii. The drawing punch radius and the sheet metal counter holder radii are located in the area at the outer edge of the drawing punch or on the inner edges of the sheet metal counter holders, which are arranged towards the drawing punch. During the stretch-drawing process, the aluminum sheet gets between the drawing punch and the sheet metal holder(s) in this area and thus experiences the greatest change in shape. In this area, the drawing punch and the sheet metal counterholder have rounded edges, the so-called radii, on their lateral edges. The curvature of the radii has an influence on the drawing behavior of the aluminum sheet during the stretching process, since different friction conditions occur in the radii, especially in the corner radii. A temperature gradient between the heatable hold-down elements and the central heatable elements, i.e. drawing punches and die part, can therefore ensure the safe forming of the aluminum sheet in this area.

Die Temperaturführungen der beheizbaren Werkzeugelemente werden vorzugsweise während eines Reckziehvorgangs insgesamt und untereinander aufgrund sich verändernder Formänderungsarbeit angepasst. In Ausführungsformen können die beheizbaren Werkzeugelemente auf eine vorgegebene Temperatur zwischen 515 °C und 540 °C aufgeheizt werden. Diese Temperaturen sind besonders günstig für die Aluminiumbleche der 5000er-Klasse. Für andere Aluminiumbleche können andere Temperaturbereiche günstiger sein.The temperature controls of the heatable tool elements are preferably adjusted overall and among one another during a stretching process due to changing deformation work. In embodiments, the heatable tool elements can be heated to a predetermined temperature between 515°C and 540°C. These temperatures are particularly favorable for class 5000 aluminum sheets. Other temperature ranges may be more favorable for other aluminum sheets.

Vorteilhafterweise wird in dem wenigstens einen ersten Niederhaltezylinder ein Druck eingestellt, der das Festhalten des Aluminiumblechs während des Reckziehvorgangs sicherstellt und/oder es wird in dem wenigstens einen zweiten Niederhaltezylinder ein Druck eingestellt, der das Nachfließen des Aluminiumblechs während des Reckziehvorgangs sicherstellt.A pressure is advantageously set in the at least one first hold-down cylinder which ensures that the aluminum sheet is held in place during the stretching process and/or a pressure is set in the at least one second hold-down cylinder which ensures that the aluminum sheet continues to flow during the stretching process.

Die zu verwendenden Temperaturen und Drücke für den erfindungsgemäßen Reckziehprozess hängen von dem verwendeten Material ab und können in Versuchen ermittelt werden.The temperatures and pressures to be used for the stretching process according to the invention depend on the material used and can be determined in tests.

Weitere Merkmale der Erfindung werden aus der Beschreibung erfindungsgemäßer Ausführungsformen zusammen mit den Ansprüchen und den beigefügten Zeichnungen ersichtlich.Further features of the invention will be apparent from the description of embodiments of the invention taken together with the claims and the accompanying drawings.

Im Rahmen der Erfindung sind Merkmale, die mit "insbesondere" oder "vorzugsweise" gekennzeichnet sind, als fakultative Merkmale zu verstehen.Within the scope of the invention, features that are marked with "particularly" or "preferably" are optional features to understand.

Die Erfindung wird nachstehend ohne Beschränkung des allgemeinen Erfindungsgedankens anhand von Ausführungsbeispielen unter Bezugnahme auf die Zeichnungen beschrieben, wobei bezüglich aller im Text nicht näher erläuterten erfindungsgemäßen Einzelheiten ausdrücklich auf die Zeichnungen verwiesen wird. Es zeigen:

Fig. 1
eine perspektivische Darstellung eines in einem Tiefziehverfahren hergestellten Aluminiumblech-Formkörpers,
Fig. 2
eine perspektivische Darstellung eines in einem erfindungsgemäßen Reckziehverfahren hergestellten Aluminiumblech-Formkörpers und
Fig. 3
eine schematische Darstellung einer Vorrichtung zur Warmumformung von Aluminiumblechen.
The invention is described below without restricting the general inventive concept using exemplary embodiments with reference to the drawings, with express reference being made to the drawings with regard to all details according to the invention that are not explained in more detail in the text. Show it:
1
a perspective view of an aluminum sheet molding produced in a deep-drawing process,
2
a perspective view of an aluminum sheet molding produced in a stretch-drawing process according to the invention and
3
a schematic representation of a device for the hot forming of aluminum sheets.

In den Zeichnungen sind jeweils gleiche oder gleichartige Elemente und/oder Teile mit denselben Bezugsziffern versehen, so dass von einer erneuten Vorstellung jeweils abgesehen wird.In the drawings, elements and/or parts that are the same or of the same type are provided with the same reference numbers, so that they are not presented again in each case.

Fig. 1 zeigt eine perspektivische Darstellung eines in einem Tiefziehverfahren hergestellten Aluminiumblech-Formkörpers 20. Das nicht dargestellte Tiefziehwerkzeug hat eine komplizierte Geometrie mit mehreren Reliefteilen, welche für die Vertiefungen 21 in dem Aluminiumblech-Formkörper 20 sorgen, welche zu den Enden hin von Seitenbereichen 22 fixer Breite und voneinander mit Stegen 24 fixer Breite beabstandet sind. Die Öffnungsbereiche 23 der Vertiefungen 21 weisen jeweils eine von der Breite des jeweiligen Ziehstempels abhängige fixe Breite auf. Der Aluminiumblech-Formkörper 20 beruht auf einem Aluminiumblech aus einer Aluminiumgüte der Gruppe 5000 und lässt sich im Tiefziehverfahren im Temperaturbereich von ca. 350 °C herstellen. Im Anschluss an den Tiefziehvorgang erfolgt ein Zuschnitt mittels Laser oder anderen Trennmöglichkeiten auf die finalen Abmessungen sowie die Erzeugung der Öffnungen im Bereich der Vertiefungen 21. 1 shows a perspective view of a shaped aluminum sheet body 20 produced in a deep-drawing process. The deep-drawing tool, not shown, has a complicated geometry with several relief parts, which ensure the depressions 21 in the shaped aluminum sheet body 20, which extend towards the ends of side areas 22 of fixed width and are spaced from each other with webs 24 fixed width. The opening areas 23 of the depressions 21 each have a fixed width that is dependent on the width of the respective drawing punch. The aluminum sheet molding 20 is based on an aluminum sheet from an aluminum quality Group 5000 and can be produced in the deep-drawing process in the temperature range of approx. 350 °C. Following the deep-drawing process, cutting to the final dimensions is carried out using a laser or other cutting options, and the openings are created in the area of the depressions 21.

Die Abmessungen und Abstände der Vertiefungen 21 lassen sich mit dem gewählten Tiefziehwerkzeug nicht ändern. Die ökonomische Grenze wird überschritten, wenn zum Beispiel unter sonst gleichen Bedingungen das Mittenabstandsmaß der großflächigen Vertiefungen 21 verändert wird.The dimensions and spacing of the depressions 21 cannot be changed with the selected deep-drawing tool. The economic limit is exceeded if, for example, the center-to-center distance of the large-area depressions 21 is changed under otherwise identical conditions.

Im Unterschied dazu zeigt Fig. 2 eine perspektivische Darstellung eines in einem erfindungsgemäßen Reckziehverfahren hergestellten Aluminiumblech-Formkörpers 20. Dazu wird das Reckziehverfahren mehrmals hintereinander am Aluminiumblech durchgeführt, wobei jeweils das Aluminiumblech in der Vorrichtung versetzt wird, um die jeweils nächste Vertiefung 21 zu erzeugen. Bei ansonsten gleichen Abmessungen der Vertiefungen 21 liegen diese daher unterschiedlich weit auseinander, was an den unterschiedlichen Bemaßungen der Stege 25 und 26 mit variabler Breite im unteren Bereich der Figur erkennbar ist. Diese Mittenabstandsmaße können von Formkörper zu Formkörper unterschiedlich eingestellt werden, da sie nur von der Positionierung des Aluminiumblechs auf der Vorrichtung abhängen. Auch die Breite der Seitenbereiche 22 ist flexibel einstellbar.In contrast, shows 2 a perspective view of an aluminum sheet shaped body 20 produced in a stretch-drawing process according to the invention. For this purpose, the stretch-drawing process is carried out several times in succession on the aluminum sheet, with the aluminum sheet being displaced in the device in each case in order to produce the next indentation 21 in each case. If the dimensions of the depressions 21 are otherwise the same, they are therefore at different distances from each other, which can be seen from the different dimensions of the webs 25 and 26 with variable widths in the lower area of the figure. These center-to-center distances can be set differently from mold to mold because they only depend on the positioning of the aluminum sheet on the device. The width of the side areas 22 can also be flexibly adjusted.

Fig. 3 zeigt eine schematische Darstellung einer Vorrichtung zur Warmumformung von Aluminiumblechen 14. Die Vorrichtung umfasst eine Pressvorrichtung mit einem Warmumformungsreckziehwerkzeug, welches ein erstes und ein zweites Werkzeug aufweist. In der in Fig. 3 gezeigten Darstellung ist das erste Werkzeug unterhalb des Aluminiumblechs 14 und das zweite Werkzeug oberhalb des Aluminiumblechs 14 angeordnet, so dass von einem Unterwerkzeug und einem Oberwerkzeug gesprochen wird. Die Erfindung ist jedoch nicht auf diese Konfiguration begrenzt, denn die Anordnung des ersten und zweiten Werkzeugs kann auch umgekehrt sein, und die Orientierung des Aluminiumblechs 14 muss nicht horizontal sein. 3 shows a schematic representation of a device for the hot forming of aluminum sheets 14. The device comprises a pressing device with a hot forming stretch-drawing tool, which has a first and a second tool. in the in 3 shown representation is that first tool below the aluminum sheet 14 and the second tool above the aluminum sheet 14, so that one speaks of a lower tool and an upper tool. However, the invention is not limited to this configuration, since the arrangement of the first and second dies can be reversed and the orientation of the aluminum sheet 14 need not be horizontal.

Das erste Werkzeug, in diesem Fall das Unterwerkzeug, ruht auf einer ersten Grundplatte 1, auf der die weiteren Werkzeugelemente des ersten Werkzeugs angeordnet sind. Zuinnerst handelt es sich dabei um einen beheizbaren Ziehstempel 2, welcher über ein druckfestes Isoliermaterial 13 und einen nicht kühlbaren Druckaufnahmekörper 11 auf der ersten Grundplatte 1 abgestützt ist. Der Ziehstempel 2, über den das Aluminiumblech 14 im Reckziehprozess gezogen wird, weist an seinem zum Aluminiumblech 14 weisenden umlaufenden Rand einen Ziehstempelradius 15 auf, welcher beim Reckziehen für einen Übergang zwischen dem zentralen gezogenen Teil des Aluminiumblechs 14 und dem äußeren Rand des Aluminiumblechs 14 sorgt, der nicht an der Umformung teilnimmt.The first tool, in this case the lower tool, rests on a first base plate 1 on which the other tool elements of the first tool are arranged. At its core is a heatable drawing die 2 which is supported on the first base plate 1 via a pressure-resistant insulating material 13 and a pressure-receiving body 11 which cannot be cooled. The drawing punch 2, over which the aluminum sheet 14 is drawn in the stretch-drawing process, has a drawing punch radius 15 on its peripheral edge pointing towards the aluminum sheet 14, which ensures a transition between the central drawn part of the aluminum sheet 14 and the outer edge of the aluminum sheet 14 during stretching , which does not participate in the transformation.

Nach außen wird der Ziehstempel 2 von einem ebenfalls beheizbaren ersten beheizbaren Niederhalter 3 umgeben, der nach außen hin seinerseits von einem druckfesten Isoliermaterial 13 und einem ersten kühlbaren Niederhalter 4 umgeben wird. Diese drei Werkzeugelemente dienen dazu, im Zusammenwirken mit entsprechenden Werkzeugelementen des zweiten Werkzeugs einen Niederhaltebereich des Aluminiumblechs 14 so einzuklemmen, dass dieser beim Reckziehen festgehalten wird, so dass das Aluminiumblech 14, anders als beim Tiefziehen, nicht nachfließt. Der erste beheizbare Niederhalter 3, das druckfeste Isoliermaterial 13 und der erste kühlbare Niederhalter 4 werden von ersten Niederhaltezylindern 5 mit einem Druck beaufschlagt, der das Festhalten des Niederhaltebereichs des Aluminiumblechs 14 sicherstellt.On the outside, the drawing punch 2 is surrounded by a likewise heatable, first heatable hold-down device 3 , which in turn is surrounded on the outside by a pressure-resistant insulating material 13 and a first, coolable hold-down device 4 . These three tool elements, in cooperation with corresponding tool elements of the second tool, serve to clamp a hold-down area of the aluminum sheet 14 in such a way that it is held during stretching so that the aluminum sheet 14, unlike in deep drawing, does not flow. The first heatable hold-down device 3, the pressure-resistant insulating material 13 and the first coolable hold-down device 4 are held down by first hold-down cylinders 5 is subjected to a pressure which ensures that the hold-down area of the aluminum sheet 14 is held in place.

Das zweite Werkzeug, im Fall der Fig. 3 das Oberwerkzeug, umfasst eine zweite Grundplatte 6, welche parallel zur ersten Grundplatte 1 angeordnet ist. Zentral stützt sich ein beheizbares Matrizenteil 9 über ein entsprechend dimensioniertes druckfestes Isoliermaterial 13, einen ebenfalls entsprechend dimensionierten nicht kühlbaren Druckverteilungskörper 12 und zweite Niederhaltezylinder 8 auf der zweiten Grundplatte 6 ab. Das Matrizenteil 9 weist im Querschnitt die gleichen Abmessungen wie der Ziehstempel 2 auf und ist mit dem Ziehstempel 2 fluchtend angeordnet. Die zweiten Niederhaltezylinder 8 sorgen für einen Druck, der vom Matrizenteil 9 über das Aluminiumblech 14 auf den Ziehstempel 2 ausgeübt wird, der sicherstellt, dass das Aluminiumblech 14 in diesem Bereich während des Warmumformprozesses nachfließen kann.The second tool, in the case of the 3 the upper tool comprises a second base plate 6 which is arranged parallel to the first base plate 1 . A heatable matrix part 9 is supported centrally on the second base plate 6 via a correspondingly dimensioned, pressure-resistant insulating material 13, a likewise correspondingly dimensioned, non-coolable pressure distribution body 12 and second hold-down cylinders 8. The die part 9 has the same dimensions as the drawing punch 2 in cross section and is arranged flush with the drawing punch 2 . The second hold-down cylinders 8 ensure a pressure that is exerted by the die part 9 via the aluminum sheet 14 on the drawing punch 2, which ensures that the aluminum sheet 14 can continue to flow in this area during the hot forming process.

An das zentrale Matrizenteil 9 schließt sich nach außen hin ein beheizbarer Blechgegenhalter 7 an, der dem ersten beheizbaren Niederhalter gegenüberliegt und über ein eigenes druckfestes Isoliermaterial 13 und einen Druckabgabekörper 18 an der zweiten Grundplatte 6 abgestützt ist. Nach außen schließen sich wiederum ein druckfestes Isoliermaterial 13 und ein zweiter kühlbarer Niederhalter 10 an, welcher sich im gezeigten Ausführungsbeispiel an der zweiten Grundplatte 6 abstützt.A heatable sheet metal counter-holder 7 connects outwards to the central die part 9 , which is opposite the first heatable hold-down device and is supported on the second base plate 6 via its own pressure-resistant insulating material 13 and a pressure-release body 18 . A pressure-resistant insulating material 13 and a second coolable hold-down device 10 are connected to the outside, which is supported on the second base plate 6 in the exemplary embodiment shown.

Die zwischen den beheizbaren Werkzeugelementen 2, 3, 7 und 9 und den kühlbaren Werkzeugelementen 4 und 10 sowie den nicht kühlbaren Werkzeugelementen 11 und 12 angeordneten druckfesten Isolationsmaterialien 13 dienen der thermischen Entkopplung.The pressure-resistant insulation materials 13 arranged between the heatable tool elements 2, 3, 7 and 9 and the coolable tool elements 4 and 10 and the non-coolable tool elements 11 and 12 serve for thermal decoupling.

Die Darstellung in Fig. 3 ist schematisiert und bildet keine konkreten Bemaßungen ab. Besonders die Werkzeugelemente des Niederhaltebereichs können in Relation zum Ziehstempel 2 deutlich schmaler ausgeführt sein als abgebildet. Die abgebildete Konfiguration, in der einander gegenüberliegende Werkzeugelemente in Bewegungsrichtung miteinander fluchten, ist vorteilhaft für eine kontrollierte Einstellung von Temperaturgradienten im Aluminiumblech 14, aber nicht zwingend. Wesentlicher ist es, dass, wie bei Reck- und Tiefziehwerkzeugen üblich, die Innenkanten des ersten beheizbaren Niederhalters 3 und des beheizbaren Blechgegenhalters 7 einerseits und die Außenkanten des Ziehstempels 2 und des Matrizenteils 9 andererseits miteinander fluchten und einen Zwischenraum für das Aluminiumblech 14 offenlassen. Auch die Dimensionierung der Isoliermaterialien, die gegebenenfalls zwischen den beheizbaren und den kühlbaren bzw. nicht beheiz- oder kühlbaren Werkzeugelementen eingefügt werden, ist geeignet wählbar. Auch die Tatsache, dass in der Darstellung in Fig. 3 die verschiedenen Werkzeugteile mit ihren Rändern in der Horizontalen fluchten, ist vorteilhaft, aber nicht zwingend.The representation in 3 is schematized and does not form concrete ones dimensions. In particular, the tool elements of the hold-down area can be made significantly narrower in relation to the drawing punch 2 than shown. The configuration shown, in which tool elements located opposite one another are aligned with one another in the direction of movement, is advantageous for a controlled setting of temperature gradients in the aluminum sheet 14, but is not essential. It is more important that, as is usual with stretching and deep-drawing tools, the inner edges of the first heatable hold-down device 3 and the heatable sheet metal counter-holder 7 on the one hand and the outer edges of the drawing punch 2 and the die part 9 on the other hand are aligned with one another and leave a space open for the aluminum sheet 14. The dimensioning of the insulating materials, which are optionally inserted between the heatable and the coolable or non-heatable or coolable tool elements, can also be suitably selected. Also the fact that in the representation in 3 aligning the various tool parts with their edges in the horizontal is advantageous but not essential.

Die ersten und zweiten Niederhaltezylinder 5, 8 dienen in erster Linie dazu, den Druck zu erzeugen, mit dem das Aluminiumblech 14 einerseits im zentralen Bereich und andererseits im Niederhaltebereich zwischen dem Oberwerkzeug und dem Unterwerkzeug festgehalten wird. Der eigentliche Reckziehvorgang umfasst eine Relativbewegung der zweiten Grundplatte 6 gegenüber der ersten Grundplatte 1, wobei es für die Erfindung unerheblich ist, welche der beiden Grundplatten bewegt wird und welche fixiert ist. Der Vorgang wird im Folgenden anhand des Beispiels erläutert, dass das zweite Werkzeug, in diesem Fall also das Oberwerkzeug, bewegt wird und das erste Werkzeug fixiert wird.The first and second hold-down cylinders 5, 8 primarily serve to generate the pressure with which the aluminum sheet 14 is held in the central area on the one hand and in the hold-down area on the other hand between the upper tool and the lower tool. The actual stretching process includes a relative movement of the second base plate 6 with respect to the first base plate 1, it being irrelevant for the invention which of the two base plates is moved and which is fixed. The process is explained below using the example that the second tool, in this case the upper tool, is moved and the first tool is fixed.

Jedes einzelne oben angeführte beheizbare Werkzeugelement hat mindestens eine, vorzugsweise jedoch mehrere Heizkartuschen und seine eigene Temperaturregelung mit entsprechender Datenspeicherung. An dem sich in der Pressvorrichtung befindenden Reckziehwerkzeug befindet sich eine Wegmessvorrichtung (ohne Darstellung), die die Abwärtsbewegung des Oberwerkzeugs und die Geschwindigkeit der Abwärtsbewegung in direkter Verbindung mit der beweglichen weg- und kraftgesteuerten Vorrichtung der Pressvorrichtung und der Temperatursteuerung der beheizbaren Werkzeugelemente regelt. Der Druck in dem Niederhaltezylinder 5 und seinem System ist auf den Druck eingestellt, der das absolute Festhalten des Aluminiumblechs 14 im Niederhaltebereich während des Warmumformprozesses sicherstellt. Der Druck in dem Niederhaltezylinder 8 und seinem System ist auf den Druck eingestellt, der das Nachfließen der Aluminiumplatine während des Warmumformprozesses sicherstellt.Each individual heatable tool element listed above has at least one, but preferably several heating cartridges and its own temperature control with appropriate data storage. There is a path measuring device (not shown) on the stretching tool in the pressing device, which regulates the downward movement of the upper tool and the speed of the downward movement in direct connection with the movable path and force-controlled device of the pressing device and the temperature control of the heatable tool elements. The pressure in the hold down cylinder 5 and its system is adjusted to the pressure that ensures the absolute hold of the aluminum sheet 14 in the hold down area during the hot forming process. The pressure in the hold-down cylinder 8 and its system is adjusted to the pressure that ensures the continued flow of the aluminum blank during the hot forming process.

Das erfindungsgemäße Verfahren wird wie folgt durchgeführt. Das sich in der Pressvorrichtung befindende Werkzeug, bestehend aus dem Oberwerkzeug und Unterwerkzeug, wird formschlüssig geschlossen. Der beheizbare Ziehstempel 2, der beheizbare Niederhalter 3, der beheizbare Blechgegenhalter 7 sowie das beheizbare Matrizenteil 9 werden mittels integrierten, elektrischen Heizkartuschen auf eine Temperatur von beispielsweise von 515 °C bis zu 540 °C aufgeheizt, welches sich für Aluminiumbleche der 5000er-Güte als besonders geeignet erwiesen hat. Für andere Güteklassen können abweichende Temperaturen geeigneter sein.The method according to the invention is carried out as follows. The tool in the pressing device, consisting of the upper tool and the lower tool, is positively closed. The heatable drawing punch 2, the heatable hold-down device 3, the heatable sheet metal counterholder 7 and the heatable die part 9 are heated by means of integrated, electrical heating cartridges to a temperature of, for example, 515 °C to 540 °C, which is suitable for aluminum sheets of the 5000 grade as has proven particularly suitable. Different temperatures may be more suitable for other grades.

Sobald alle der oben beschriebenen Werkzeugkomponenten die vorgegebene Temperatur erreicht haben, wird das Werkzeug geöffnet, die Aluminiumplatine 14, die vorher gegebenenfalls im Formänderungsbereich mit einem temperaturbeständigen Ziehöl beschichtet wurde, wird positionsgerecht in das Werkzeug gelegt und das Werkzeug formschlüssig geschlossen. Damit das Aluminiumblech 14 aufgeheizt werden kann, muss der Formschluss mit dem Ziehstempel 2 und dem Matrizenteil 9 sowie dem Niederhalter 3 und dem Blechgegenhalter 7 sichergestellt sein.As soon as all of the tool components described above have reached the specified temperature, the tool is opened, the aluminum blank 14, which may have been previously coated with a temperature-resistant drawing oil in the deformation area, is placed in the correct position in the tool and the Tool closed positively. So that the aluminum sheet 14 can be heated, the positive connection with the drawing punch 2 and the die part 9 as well as the hold-down device 3 and the sheet metal counter-holder 7 must be ensured.

Sobald durch indirekte Messung erkannt wird, dass das Aluminiumblech 14 ebenfalls die vorgegebene Temperatur erreicht hat, wird die Abwärtsbewegung der beweglichen Vorrichtung der Pressvorrichtung, im Beispielsfall die Abwärtsbewegung des zweiten Werkzeugs, ausgelöst. Während der Abwärtsbewegung, dem eigentlichen Ziehprozess, wird das Aluminiumblech 14 so lange über den Ziehstempel 2 gezogen, bis die vorgegebene Ziehtiefe erreicht ist. Im Festhaltebereich muss dabei die Kraft so reguliert werden, dass das Aluminiumblech 14 nicht reißt.As soon as it is detected by indirect measurement that the aluminum sheet 14 has also reached the specified temperature, the downward movement of the movable device of the pressing device, in the example the downward movement of the second tool, is triggered. During the downward movement, the actual drawing process, the aluminum sheet 14 is pulled over the drawing die 2 until the specified drawing depth is reached. In the holding area, the force must be regulated in such a way that the aluminum sheet 14 does not tear.

Nach Abschluss des ersten Ziehprozesses kann das Aluminiumblech 14 in vollständiger Variabilität des Mittenabstandes verschoben und neu positioniert werden. Diese Variabilität ist auch bei jedem weiteren Ziehprozess gegeben.After the completion of the first drawing process, the aluminum sheet 14 can be shifted and repositioned with complete variability in center-to-center distance. This variability is also given in every further drawing process.

Während des Ziehprozesses müssen die vorgewählten Temperaturen der beheizbaren Werkzeugelemente kontrolliert eingehalten werden. Eine Nachregelung kann notwendig sein. Daraus folgt, dass der Ziehvorgang diskontinuierlich ablaufen kann.During the drawing process, the preselected temperatures of the heatable tool elements must be maintained in a controlled manner. A readjustment may be necessary. It follows that the drawing process can be discontinuous.

Es können unterschiedliche Temperaturführungen zwischen dem Niederhalter 3 und dem Blechgegenhalter 7 sowie zwischen dem Ziehstempel 2 und dem Matrizenteil 9 nötig sein, da die unterschiedlichen Formänderungskräfte in den Bereichen Ziehstempelradius 15 und Blechgegenhalterradien 16 kompensiert werden müssen. Es kann auch notwendig sein, dass die Temperaturführungen insgesamt und untereinander während des Ziehprozesses der sich verändernden Formänderungsarbeit angepasst werden muss.Different temperature controls may be necessary between the blank holder 3 and the sheet metal counterholder 7 and between the drawing punch 2 and the die part 9, since the different deformation forces in the areas of the drawing punch radius 15 and sheet metal counterholder radii 16 must be compensated. It may also be necessary that the temperature guides as a whole and among themselves during the drawing process changing deformation work must be adapted.

BezugszeichenlisteReference List

11
erste Grundplattefirst base plate
22
beheizbarer Ziehstempelheatable drawing die
33
erster beheizbarer Niederhalterfirst heatable hold-down device
44
erster kühlbarer Niederhalterfirst coolable hold-down device
55
erster Niederhaltezylinderfirst hold-down cylinder
66
zweite Grundplattesecond base plate
77
beheizbarer Blechgegenhalterheatable sheet metal holder
88th
zweiter Niederhaltezylindersecond hold-down cylinder
99
beheizbares Matrizenteilheatable die part
1010
zweiter kühlbarer Niederhaltersecond coolable hold-down device
1111
nicht kühlbarer Druckaufnahmekörpernon-coolable pressure absorbing body
1212
nicht kühlbarer Druckverteilungskörpernon-coolable pressure distribution body
1313
druckfestes Isoliermaterialpressure-resistant insulating material
1414
Aluminiumblechaluminum sheet
1515
Ziehstempelradiusdrawing punch radius
1616
Blechgegenhalterradiussheet metal holder radius
1818
Druckabgabekörperpressure release body
2020
Aluminiumblech-FormkörperAluminum sheet molding
2121
Vertiefungdeepening
2222
Seitenbereichside panel
2323
Öffnungsbereichopening area
2424
Steg mit fixer BreiteFixed width bridge
2525
Steg mit variabler BreiteVariable width bridge
2626
Steg mit variabler BreiteVariable width bridge

Claims (13)

  1. A method for thermoforming aluminum sheets (14) by means of stretch forming in a device for thermoforming aluminum sheets (14) by means of stretch forming, comprising a pressing device having a thermoforming/stretch forming tool which comprises a first tool, in particular a lower tool, and a second tool, in particular an upper tool, which can be closed with a positive fit with the first tool, wherein the first tool comprises a first base plate (1) having a heatable drawing punch (2), at least one first heatable hold-down device (3), at least one first coolable hold-down device (4) and at least one pressure-adjustable first hold-down cylinder (5), wherein the second tool comprises a second base plate (6) having a heatable die part (9), at least one heatable sheet counterhold (7), at least one second coolable hold-down device (10) and at least one pressure-adjustable second hold-down cylinder (8), wherein the first base plate (1) or the second base plate (6) is fastened to a movable, in particular distance-controlled and force-controlled, device of the pressing device, wherein a holding down of an edge of an aluminum sheet (14) and a stretch forming via the heatable die part (9) are made possible by means of the first and second tools, wherein the heatable and coolable tool elements (2, 3, 4, 7, 9, 10) are heated up or cooled down to their respectively predefined temperatures, after the predefined temperatures are reached, an aluminum sheet (14) to be formed is introduced in the correct position between the first tool and the second tool, and the thermoforming tool is closed with a positive fit, wherein, when the aluminum sheet (14) has reached its predefined temperature under the action of the heat of the heated tool elements (2, 3, 7, 9), the stretch forming movement of the movable tool is started and is carried out up to a predefined drawing depth.
  2. The method according to Claim 1, characterized in that, following a stretch forming operation, the aluminum sheet (14) is repositioned and a further, similar stretch forming operation is carried out on a part of the aluminum sheet which has not yet been stretch formed.
  3. The method according to Claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the predefined temperatures of individual or all of the tool elements (2, 3, 4, 7, 9, 10) and/or of the aluminum sheet (14) are monitored during a stretch forming operation and the stretch forming movement is interrupted if one or more of the temperatures move(s) outside a predefined acceptable temperature range, and is continued when all of the monitored temperatures are located again within their predefined acceptable temperature ranges.
  4. The method according to any one of Claims 1 to 3, characterized in that different temperature controls are utilized between the at least one first hold-down device (3) and the at least one sheet counterhold (7) as well as between the drawing punch (2) and the die part (9) in order to compensate for different change in shape forces in the areas of the drawing punch radius (15) and sheet counterhold radii (16).
  5. The method according to any one of Claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the temperature controls of the heatable tool elements (2, 3, 7, 9) are adapted overall and among one another during a stretch forming operation due to varying change in shape work.
  6. The method according to any one of Claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the heatable tool elements (2, 3, 7, 9) are heated up to a predefined temperature between 515°C and 540°C.
  7. The method according to any one of Claims 1 to 6, characterized in that a pressure is set in the at least one first hold-down cylinder (5), which guarantees that the aluminum sheet (14) is secured during the stretch forming operation and/or a pressure is set in the at least one second hold-down cylinder (8), which guarantees the afterflow of the aluminum sheet (14) during the stretch forming operation.
  8. The method according to any one of Claims 1 to 7, characterized in that a non-coolable pressure receiving body (11) is arranged in the first tool and a non-coolable pressure distribution body (12) is arranged in the second tool, which are, in particular, adapted in cross-section to the dimensions of the drawing punch (2) and of the die part (9).
  9. The method according to any one of Claims 1 to 8, characterized in that pressure-resistant insulation materials (13) are in each case located between the heatable tool elements (2, 3, 7, 9) and the coolable tool elements (4, 10) and/or the non-coolable tool elements (11, 12).
  10. The method according to any one of Claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the heatable tool elements (2, 3, 7, 9) each have one or more heating cartridges.
  11. The method according to any one of Claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the heatable tool elements (2, 3, 7, 9) each have their own temperature regulation, in particular with their own data storage.
  12. The method according to any one of Claims 1 to 11, characterized in that one or more of the heatable tool elements (2, 3, 7, 9) and/or one or more of the coolable tool elements (4, 10) have one or more temperature sensors which are arranged, in particular near the surface or in the surface facing the aluminum sheet (14), such that a temperature of the aluminum sheet (14) can be established in the area of the respective temperature sensor.
  13. The method according to any one of Claims 1 to 12, characterized in that a distance measuring device is provided on the thermoforming/stretch forming tool which is designed and adapted to adjust the movement and speed of the moving first or second tool with respect to the non-moving second or first tool, in conjunction with the movable distance-controlled and force-controlled device of the pressing device as well as the temperature control of the heatable tool elements (2, 3, 7, 9), wherein during the movement of the movable tool during the distance and force control, both the distance covered by the drawing punch or, respectively the movable tool and the force applied for this are measured and compared with nominal values, wherein when a predefined value corridor is left, the process is interrupted in order to bring the material of the aluminum sheet back to the predefined temperature, in that the applied force also returns to the predefined value corridor.
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