Patent US5066351A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US5066351A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Hot/cold press forming methods for shaping thermoformable materials
Assignee: Boeing Co
•
Filing: 1990-05-31
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Granted: 1991-11-19
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Expires: 2010-05-31
Abstract
Abstract One method of forming a workpiece made of thermoformable material includes the steps of: (a) supporting a raw workpiece on a suspension tray; (b) moving a pair of relatively hot forming dies into position above the workpiece; (c) closing the hot forming dies against the workpiece to heat the workpiece and to form and shape the workpiece into the desired configuration; (d) opening the hot forming dies and removing the hot forming dies away from the workpiece; (e) moving a pair of relatively cold forming dies into position above and below the workpiece; (f) closing the cold forming dies against the workpiece to cool the workpiece while maintaining the workpiece in the desired configuration; and, (g) opening the cold forming dies and removing the finished workpiece form the suspension tray. Other methods are also disclosed.
Inventors
- 👤 Frederick L. Knoll
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 19:49
CPC Classifications
B; B29; B29C; B29C43/00; B29C43/02; B29C43/20; B29C43/04; B29C43/32; B29C43/34; B29C51/00; B29C51/18; B29C51/20; B29C51/26; B29C51/42; B29C43/021; B29C2043/023; B29C2043/046; B29C2043/3483; B29C43/36; B29C2043/3602; B29K; B29K2105/00; B29K2105/06; B29K2105/25; B29K2105/253; B29K2105/256; B29L; B29L2031/00; B29L2031/30; B29L2031/772; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T156/00; Y10T156/10; Y10T156/1002; Y10T156/1028; Y10T156/1043; Y10T156/1044
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 59
Claim 1
Independent Claim
209 words
A method of forming and shaping a workpiece made of thermoformable material using a first pair of forming means at a first temperature and a second pair of forming means at a second temperature, which comprise the steps of: (a) providing a tray means suspended in midair by suspension means; (b) loading said workpiece made of thermoformable material on said tray means suspended in midair; (c) moving said first pair of forming means horizontally into position above said workpiece and below said tray means; (d) closing said first pair of forming mean against said workpiece and said tray means to heat said workpiece and to form and shape said workpiece into a formed workpiece of desired configuration; (e) opening said first pair of forming means and moving said first pair of forming means horizontally away from said formed workpiece and said tray means; (f) moving said second pair of forming means horizontally into position above said formed workpiece and below said tray means; (g) closing said second pair of forming means against said formed workpiece and said tray means to cool said formed workpiece while maintaining said formed workpiece in the desired configuration; and (h) opening said second pair of forming means and unloading said formed and cooled workpiece.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
209 words
A method of forming and shaping a workpiece made of thermoformable material using a first pair of forming means at a first temperature and a second pair of forming means at a second temperature, which comprise the steps of: (a) providing a tray means suspended in midair by suspension means; (b) loading said workpiece made of thermoformable material on said tray means suspended in midair; (c) moving said first pair of forming means horizontally into position above said workpiece and below said tray means; (d) closing said first pair of forming mean against said workpiece and said tray means to heat said workpiece and to form and shape said workpiece into a formed workpiece of desired configuration; (e) opening said first pair of forming means and moving said first pair of forming means horizontally away from said formed workpiece and said tray means; (f) moving said second pair of forming means horizontally into position above said formed workpiece and below said tray means; (g) closing said second pair of forming means against said formed workpiece and said tray means to cool said formed workpiece while maintaining said formed workpiece in the desired configuration; and (h) opening said second pair of forming means and unloading said formed and cooled workpiece.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the thermoformable material is a thermoplastic material.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 2 wherein the thermoplastic material is selected from the group consisting of polyetheretherketone, polyphenylene sulfide, polyetherimide, polyamideimide, polyethersulfone, polyimide, and polypropylene.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the thermoformable material is a thermosetting material.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the thermoformable material is a metal material.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
35 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the first pair of forming means is at a temperature of about 750° F. and the second pair of forming means is at a temperature below about 290° F.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
35 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the first pair of forming means is at a temperature of about 650° F. and the second pair of forming means is at a temperature below about 180° F.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 1 wherein a cover sheet is placed on top of the workpiece.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 1 wherein one of the forming means of the second pair of forming means is a flexible head means.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 9 wherein the flexible head means is selected from the group consisting of a hydroform head, a hydropress head, and a modified hydropress head.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the tray means is made of an elastomeric material.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the tray means is made of a film material.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
39 words
The method of claim 1 wherein a conductive metal material is used either as the tray means or as a cover sheet laid on top of the tray means, and the conductive metal material becomes molded into the workpiece
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method of claim 1 wherein a conductive metal material is used as a cover sheet laid on top of the workpiece and the conductive metal material becomes molded into the workpiece.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
204 words
A method of forming and shaping a workpiece made of thermoformable material using a first pair of forming means at a first temperature and a second pair of forming means at a second temperature, which comprises the steps of: (a) providing a tray means suspended in midair by suspension means; (b) loading said workpiece made of thermoformable material on said tray means suspended in midair; (c) moving said workpiece and said tray means into position between said first pair of forming means; (d) closing said first pair of forming means against said workpiece and said tray means to heat said workpiece and to form and shape said workpiece into a formed workpiece of desired configuration; (e) opening said first pair of forming means and moving said formed workpiece and said tray means away from said first pair of forming means; (f) moving said formed workpiece and said tray means into position between said second pair of forming means; (g) closing said second pair of forming means against said formed workpiece and said tray means to cool said formed workpiece while maintaining said formed workpiece in the desired configuration; and (h) opening said second pair of forming means and unloading said formed and cooled workpiece.
Claim 17
Independent Claim
204 words
A method of forming and shaping a workpiece made of thermoformable material using a first pair of forming means at a first temperature and a second pair of forming means at a second temperature, which comprises the steps of: (a) providing a tray means suspended in midair by suspension means; (b) loading said workpiece made of thermoformable material on said tray means suspended in midair; (c) moving said workpiece and said tray means into position between said first pair of forming means; (d) closing said first pair of forming means against said workpiece and said tray means to heat said workpiece and to form and shape said workpiece into a formed workpiece of desired configuration; (e) opening said first pair of forming means and moving said formed workpiece and said tray means away from said first pair of forming means; (f) moving said formed workpiece and said tray means into position between said second pair of forming means; (g) closing said second pair of forming means against said formed workpiece and said tray means to cool said formed workpiece while maintaining said formed workpiece in the desired configuration; and (h) opening said second pair of forming means and unloading said formed and cooled workpiece.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 15 wherein the thermoformable material is a thermoplastic material.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 16 wherein the thermoplastic material is selected from the group consisting of polyetheretherketone, polyphenylene sulfide, polyetherimide, polyamideimide, polyethersulfone, polyimide, and polypropylene.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
36 words
The method of claim 15 wherein the first pair of forming means is at a temperature of about 750° F. and the second pair of forming means is at a temperature below of about 290° F.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
35 words
The method of claim 15 wherein the first pair of forming means is at a temperature of about 650° F. and the second pair of forming means is at a temperature below about 180° F.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 15 wherein a cover sheet is placed on top of the workpiece.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 15 wherein one of the forming means of the second pair of forming means is a flexible head means.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 21 wherein the flexible head means is selected from the group consisting of a hydroform head, a hydropress head, and a modified hydropress head.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
36 words
The method of claim 15 wherein the tray means has a plurality of work stations with a real workpiece supported at one of the work stations and with dummy workpieces supported at the other work stations.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 15 wherein the tray means is made of an elastomeric material.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 15 wherein the tray means is made of a film material.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
39 words
The method of claim 15 wherein a conductive metal material is used either as the tray means or as a cover sheet laid on top of the tray means, and the conductive metal material becomes molded into the workpiece.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method of claim 15 wherein a conductive metal material is used as a cover sheet laid on top of the workpiece and the conductive metal material becomes molded into the workpiece.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method of claim 15 wherein one of the forming means of the second pair of forming means includes a flexible pressure pad placed on the face of the forming means.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 15 wherein one of the forming means of the second pair of forming means includes a tool which is moved by a ram cylinder.
Claim 32
Independent Claim
226 words
A method of producing a finished workpiece by forming and shaping a workpiece made of thermoformable plastic material using a first pair of forming means at a first temperature and a second pair of forming means at a second temperature, which comprises the steps of: (a) providing a tray means suspended in midair by suspension means; (b) loading and workpiece made of thermoformable plastic material on said tray means suspended in midair; (c) moving said first pair of forming means horizontally into position above said workpiece and below tray means; (d) closing said first pair of forming means against said workpiece and said tray means to heat said workpiece to an intermediate temperature and to form and shape said workpiece into a formed workpiece of desired configuration; (e) opening said first pair of forming means and moving said first pair of forming means horizontally away from said formed workpiece and said tray means; (f) moving said second pair of forming means horizontally into position above said formed workpiece and below said tray means; (g) closing said second pair of forming means against said formed workpiece and said tray means to heat said formed workpiece to a higher temperature while maintaining the formed workpiece in the desired configuration thereby forming said finished workpiece; and (h) opening said second pair of forming means and unloading said finished workpiece.
Claim 33
Independent Claim
226 words
A method of producing a finished workpiece by forming and shaping a workpiece made of thermoformable plastic material using a first pair of forming means at a first temperature and a second pair of forming means at a second temperature, which comprises the steps of: (a) providing a tray means suspended in midair by suspension means; (b) loading and workpiece made of thermoformable plastic material on said tray means suspended in midair; (c) moving said first pair of forming means horizontally into position above said workpiece and below tray means; (d) closing said first pair of forming means against said workpiece and said tray means to heat said workpiece to an intermediate temperature and to form and shape said workpiece into a formed workpiece of desired configuration; (e) opening said first pair of forming means and moving said first pair of forming means horizontally away from said formed workpiece and said tray means; (f) moving said second pair of forming means horizontally into position above said formed workpiece and below said tray means; (g) closing said second pair of forming means against said formed workpiece and said tray means to heat said formed workpiece to a higher temperature while maintaining the formed workpiece in the desired configuration thereby forming said finished workpiece; and (h) opening said second pair of forming means and unloading said finished workpiece.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 30 wherein the thermoformable plastic material is a thermosetting material.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 30 wherein the thermoformable plastic material contains polyimide.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 30 wherein the thermoformable plastic material contains polyamideimide.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
35 words
The method of claim 30 wherein the first pair of forming means is at a temperature of about 430° F. and the second pair of forming means is at a temperature of about 560°-580° F.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
35 words
The method of claim 30 wherein the first pair of forming means is at a temperature of about 430° F. and the second pair of forming means is at a temperature of about 700°-750° F.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 30 wherein a cover sheet is placed on top of the workpiece.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 30 wherein one of the forming means of the second pair of forming means is a flexible head means.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 37 wherein the flexible head means is selected from the group consisting of a hydroform head, a hydropress head, and a modified hydropress head.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 30 wherein the tray means is made of an elastomeric material.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 30 wherein the tray means is made of a film material.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
39 words
The method of claim 30 wherein a conductive metal material is used either as the tray means or as a cover sheet laid on top of the tray means, and the conductive metal material becomes molded into the workpiece.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method of claim 30 wherein a conductive metal material is used as a cover sheet laid on top of the workpiece and the conductive metal material becomes molded into the workpiece.
Claim 46
Independent Claim
222 words
A method of producing a finished workpiece by forming and shaping a workpiece made of thermoformable plastic material using a first pair of forming means at a first temperature and a second pair of forming means at a second temperature, which comprises the steps of: (a) providing a tray means suspended in midair by suspension means; (b) loading said workpiece made of thermoformable plastic material on said tray means suspended in midair; (c) moving said workpiece and said tray means into position between said first pair of forming means; (d) closing said first pair of forming means against said workpiece and said tray means to heat said workpiece to an intermediate temperature and to form and shape said workpiece into a formed workpiece of desired configuration; (e) opening said first pair of forming means and moving said formed workpiece and said tray means away from said first pair of forming means; (f) moving said formed workpiece and said tray means into position between said second pair of forming means; (g) closing said second pair of forming means against said formed workpiece and said tray means to heat said formed workpiece to a higher temperature while maintaining said formed workpiece in the desired configuration thereby forming said finished workpiece; and (h) opening said second pair of forming means and unloading said finished workpiece.
Claim 47
Independent Claim
222 words
A method of producing a finished workpiece by forming and shaping a workpiece made of thermoformable plastic material using a first pair of forming means at a first temperature and a second pair of forming means at a second temperature, which comprises the steps of: (a) providing a tray means suspended in midair by suspension means; (b) loading said workpiece made of thermoformable plastic material on said tray means suspended in midair; (c) moving said workpiece and said tray means into position between said first pair of forming means; (d) closing said first pair of forming means against said workpiece and said tray means to heat said workpiece to an intermediate temperature and to form and shape said workpiece into a formed workpiece of desired configuration; (e) opening said first pair of forming means and moving said formed workpiece and said tray means away from said first pair of forming means; (f) moving said formed workpiece and said tray means into position between said second pair of forming means; (g) closing said second pair of forming means against said formed workpiece and said tray means to heat said formed workpiece to a higher temperature while maintaining said formed workpiece in the desired configuration thereby forming said finished workpiece; and (h) opening said second pair of forming means and unloading said finished workpiece.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 43 wherein the thermoformable plastic material is a thermosetting material.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 43 wherein the thermoformable plastic material contains polyimide.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 43 wherein the thermoformable plastic material contains polyamideimide.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
35 words
The method of claim 43 wherein the first pair of forming means is at a temperature of about 430° F. and the second pair of forming means is at a temperature of about 560°-580° F.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
35 words
The method of claim 43 wherein the first pair of forming means is at a temperature of about 430° F. and the second pair of forming means is at a temperature of about 700°-750° F.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 43 wherein a cover sheet is placed on top of the workpiece.
Claim 54
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 43 wherein one of the forming means of the second pair of forming means is a flexible head means.
Claim 55
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 50 wherein the flexible head means is selected from the group consisting of a hydroform head, a hydropress head, and a modified hydropress head.
Claim 56
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 43 wherein the tray means is made of an elastomeric material.
Claim 57
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 43 wherein the tray means is made of a film material.
Claim 58
Dependent Claim
39 words
The method of claim 43 wherein a conductive metal material is used either as the tray means or as a cover sheet laid on top of the tray means, and the conductive metal material becomes molded into the workpiece.
Claim 59
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method of claim 43 wherein a conductive metal material is used as a cover sheet laid on top of the workpiece and the conductive metal material becomes molded into the workpiece.
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