A Novel Warm Stamping Process for Manufacturing Disc Springs

摘要

Disc springs used in medical equipment, nuclear reactors and satellites have strict requirements for dimensional precision and quality. It is difficult to form disc springs accurately by traditional manufacturing processes as hardening and tempering heat treatments lead to considerable distortion which significantly affects the final geometrical precision. Adjustments of forming tools need to be completed iteratively in order to form the disc springs into the required size, which is time and energy intensive. In the present research, a warm stamping process for manufacturing disc springs was proposed, which aims to reduce cycle time and operational cost. The optimal processing window for the present forming technique is identified through thermo-mechanical analysis. Modified forming tools with cooling channels have been designed, fabricated and integrated into a dedicated pilot production line, Uni-form. Disc springs were successfully produced with required dimensional precision and strength by the present process.