Series Production of Automotive Body Panels in 5083-SPF using a new Press Concept

摘要

This paper describes the series production of automotive body panels in 5083-SPF Aluminium alloy. The parts are superplastically formed using a press of novel construction. The press consists of a two level arrangement with four heated moving tables. Each table is capable of carrying up to three forming tools, allowing up to six parts to be formed simultaneously, thereby considerably reducing the effective forming time per part.