System and method for near net shape forging

Abstract

A method for near net shape forging a titanium component includes heating a titanium billet to a temperature in the alpha-beta temperature range and extruding the titanium billet into a first die having a temperature approximately 500° F. below the temperature of the titanium billet. A system for near net shape forging a titanium component includes a titanium billet having a temperature in the alpha-beta temperature range and a punch in contact with the titanium billet. A first die proximate to the titanium billet for receiving the titanium billet has a temperature approximately 500° F. below the temperature of the titanium billet.

1 . A method for near net shape forging a titanium component comprising:
 a. heating a titanium billet to a temperature in the alpha-beta temperature range; and   b. extruding the titanium billet into a first die having a temperature approximately 500° F. below the temperature of the titanium billet.   
     
     
         2 . The method as in  claim 1 , further comprising extruding the titanium billet into the first die having a temperature approximately 600° F. below the temperature of the titanium billet. 
     
     
         3 . The method as in  claim 1 , further comprising adiabatically heating the titanium billet. 
     
     
         4 . The method as in  claim 1 , further comprising maintaining the temperature of the titanium billet in the alpha-beta temperature range. 
     
     
         5 . The method as in  claim 1 , further comprising incrementally moving a first section of the first die against the titanium billet. 
     
     
         6 . The method as in  claim 5 , further comprising incrementally moving a second section of the first die against the titanium billet. 
     
     
         7 . The method as in  claim 1 , further comprising extruding the titanium billet into a second die, wherein the second die has a temperature approximately 500° F. below the temperature of the titanium billet. 
     
     
         8 . The method as in  claim 7 , further comprising incrementally moving a first section of the second die against the titanium billet. 
     
     
         9 . The method as in  claim 8 , further comprising incrementally moving a second section of the second die against the titanium billet. 
     
     
         10 . A method for near net shape forging a titanium component comprising:
 a. heating a titanium billet to a temperature in the alpha-beta temperature range; and   b. creating a differential temperature between the titanium billet and a first die of approximately 500° F.   
     
     
         11 . The method as in  claim 10 , further comprising adiabatically heating the titanium billet. 
     
     
         12 . The method as in  claim 10 , further comprising extruding the titanium billet into the first die. 
     
     
         13 . The method as in  claim 10 , further comprising extruding the titanium billet into a second die, wherein the second die has a temperature approximately 500° F. below the temperature of the titanium billet. 
     
     
         14 . A system for near net shape forging a titanium component comprising:
 a. a titanium billet, wherein the titanium billet has a temperature in the alpha-beta temperature range;   b. a punch in contact with the titanium billet; and   c. a first die proximate to the titanium billet for receiving the titanium billet, wherein the first die has a temperature approximately 500° F. below the temperature of the titanium billet.   
     
     
         15 . The system as in  claim 14 , wherein the first die has a temperature approximately 600° F. below the temperature of the titanium billet. 
     
     
         16 . The system as in  claim 14 , wherein the first die is configured to move with respect to the punch. 
     
     
         17 . The system as in  claim 14 , wherein the first die comprises a first section and a second section. 
     
     
         18 . The system as in  claim 17 , wherein the first section of the first die is configured to move independently of the second section of the first die. 
     
     
         19 . The system as in  claim 17 , wherein only a portion of the first die is in contact with the titanium billet at a time. 
     
     
         20 . The system as in  claim 14 , further comprising a second die that receives the titanium billet from the first die.