Stamping die

Abstract

A forming system includes a first die assembly having a first die surface, a second die assembly having a second die surface; a movable die block having a third die surface; and a cooling system. The first die surface, the second die surface and the third die surface are configured to cooperate to form a die cavity therebetween so as to receive a work piece therein. A relative movement between the first die assembly and the second die assembly along a first axis moves the die cavity between an open position and a closed position. The die block is movable relative to the first die assembly in a direction transverse to the first axis and applies a force to the work piece that is predominantly transverse to forces applied to the work piece by the first die assembly and the second die assembly.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A forming system comprising:
 a first die assembly having a first die surface;   a second die assembly having a second die surface;   a movable die block having a third die surface; and   a cooling system operatively associated with the first die assembly, the second die assembly and the movable die block,   wherein the first die surface, the second die surface and the third die surface are configured to cooperate to form a die cavity therebetween so as to receive a work piece therein,   wherein relative movement between the first die assembly and the second die assembly along a first axis moves the die cavity between an open position and a closed position,   wherein the die block is movable relative to the first die assembly in a direction transverse to the first axis, and   wherein the die block applies a force to the work piece that is predominantly transverse to forces applied to the work piece by the first die assembly and the second die assembly.   
     
     
         2 . The forming system of  claim 1 , wherein the die block applies the force to the work piece that is perpendicular to the forces applied to the work piece by the first die assembly and the second die assembly. 
     
     
         3 . The forming system of  claim 1 , wherein, in the closed position, the first and second die surfaces apply the forces to the work piece in a direction generally corresponding to the first axis. 
     
     
         4 . The forming system of  claim 1 , wherein increased force applied by the third die surface against the work piece increases thermal transfer between the third die surface and the work piece. 
     
     
         5 . The forming system of  claim 1 , wherein the first die assembly, the second die assembly and the movable die block having a cooling structure associated therewith so that the first die surface, the second die surface and the third die surface cool the work piece in contact therewith when the die cavity is closed. 
     
     
         6 . The forming system of  claim 1 , further comprising a biasing device that is configured to enable the movement of the die block relative to the first die assembly. 
     
     
         7 . The forming system of  claim 6 , wherein the biasing device is a gas cylinder spring. 
     
     
         8 . The forming system of  claim 7 , wherein the gas cylinder spring is a nitrogen cylinder spring. 
     
     
         9 . The forming system of  claim 6 , further comprising a cam driver member that is configured to be operatively connected to the biasing device, wherein the biasing device and the cam driver member are configured to enable the movement of the die block relative to the first die assembly. 
     
     
         10 . The forming system of  claim 9 , wherein the cam driver member and the movable die block have cam surfaces that are configured to engage with each other to enable the movement of the die block relative to the first die assembly. 
     
     
         11 . The forming system of  claim 10 , wherein the cam driver member and the movable die block are configured to translate a downward axial force of the cam driver member into a lateral or side applied force on the work piece by the movable die block. 
     
     
         12 . The forming system of  claim 10 , wherein the cam driver member and the movable die block are configured to translate a downward axial force of the movable die block into a lateral or side applied force on the work piece by the movable die block. 
     
     
         13 . The forming system of  claim 11 , wherein the force is translated from the downward axial force to the lateral or side applied force by 90 degrees. 
     
     
         14 . The forming system of  claim 1 , wherein the die cavity is configured to have a shape that corresponds to a final shape of the work piece after a hot forming procedure. 
     
     
         15 . The forming system of  claim 1 , wherein the cooling system includes cooling channels formed in the die block, wherein the cooling channels are constructed and arranged to carry a cooling fluid. 
     
     
         16 . The forming system of  claim 15 , wherein the cooling system includes a pressure source for forcing the cooling fluid through the cooling channels. 
     
     
         17 . The forming system of  claim 1 , wherein the first die assembly is an upper die assembly. 
     
     
         18 . A method of forming a sheet metal member in a forming system comprising a first die assembly having a first die surface, a second die assembly having a second die surface, a movable die block having a third die surface, and a cooling system operatively associated with the first die assembly, the second die assembly and the movable die block, wherein the first die surface, the second die surface and the third die surface are configured to cooperate to form a die cavity therebetween so as to receive a work piece therein, the method comprising:
 moving the first die assembly relative to the second die assembly along a first axis to move the die cavity from an open position to a closed position,   moving the die block relative to the first die assembly in a direction transverse to the first axis, and   applying a force to the work piece with the die block that is predominantly transverse to forces applied to the work piece by the first die assembly and the second die assembly.   
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the force applied to the work piece by the die block is perpendicular to the forces applied to the work piece by the first die assembly and the second die assembly. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the forces applied to the work piece by the first die assembly and the second die assembly are in a direction generally corresponding to the first axis. 
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein increased force applied by the third die surface against the work piece increases thermal transfer between the third die surface and the work piece. 
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the first die surface, the second die surface and the third die surface are configured to cool the work piece in contact therewith when the die cavity is closed. 
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the first die assembly is an upper die assembly.