Method of manipulating and forming material at temperatures between solidus and liquidus

摘要

A method of manipulating and forming material where the material is a metal blank. The blank is inserted into an electromagnetic field that keeps it in levitation and heats it up to the temperature between solid state and liquid state. Temperature is measured by infrared thermometer. After the blank reaches the required temperature it is formed to the desired shape by external force. The temperature changes during the forming phase and this change can be controlled or uncontrolled. Forming of levitated blank is done by changing position of levitation device by inserting the blank between forming tools or levitated blank stays in place and forming tools move towards it and then the forming takes place.