Heating And Transferring A Workpiece Prior To Forming

摘要

An apparatus and method are described for heating and transferring a workpiece to a forming press for superplastic forming. The apparatus includes a heater assembly 36 having upper and lower heated platens 38,40 mounted to a frame. The heater assembly heats the workpiece to a predetermined temperature. A shuttle assembly 50 operates to remove the heated workpiece from the heater assembly and transfer it to the forming press for forming.