Method for forming a sheet blank as a workpiece in a forming tool

Abstract

A method is provided for forming a flat metal blank as a workpiece in a forming die.

1 . A method of forming a workpiece from a hollow body blank in a forming die, comprising the steps of:
 providing at least one locking apparatus for a hollow body blank;   providing a forming die with at least one cavity for receiving the hollow body blank during the forming;   heating the hollow body blank to a solution heat treatment temperature;   disposing the heated hollow body blank in the forming die while the forming die is set to the solution heat treatment temperature specific to the hollow body blank; and   forming the hollow body blank by holding the hollow body blank by the at least one locking apparatus to enable the material of the hollow body blank to flow into the cavity; and/or   actively pushing the material of the hollow body blank into the at least one cavity, or forming on the basis of the material of the hollow body blank that is located within the cavity.   
     
     
         2 . The method in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein the heating of the hollow body blank is concluded before the start of the forming. 
     
     
         3 . The method in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein the heating of the hollow body blank is completed before introduction into the forming die. 
     
     
         4 . The method in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein the workpiece is removed from the forming die and is supplied to a hardening process after conclusion of the forming and/or after conclusion of the solution heat treatment process. 
     
     
         5 . The method in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein the forming takes place under gas pressure and/or mechanically. 
     
     
         6 . The method in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein a cycle time between the charging of the forming die with the hollow body blank to be formed and the removal of the formed hollow body blank from the forming die amounts to ≤a minute. 
     
     
         7 . The method in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein the heat treatment temperature follows a heat treatment temperature profile. 
     
     
         8 . The method in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein a cycle time between the charging of the forming die with the hollow body blank to be formed and the removal of the formed hollow body blank from the forming die amounts to ≤20 seconds on forming under gas pressure. 
     
     
         9 . The method in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein a cycle time between the charging of the forming die with the hollow body blank to be formed and the removal of the formed hollow body blank from the forming die amounts to ≤10 seconds on a mechanical forming. 
     
     
         10 . The method in accordance with  claim 4 , wherein the hardening process comprises a cooling process and/or a further forming process in a further forming die. 
     
     
         11 . The method in accordance with  claim 9 , wherein the cycle time is between 4 and 8 seconds.