A sheet metal forming process

摘要

A sheet metal forming process using a mechanical drawing step and a superplastic forming step is disclosed in which the mechanical drawing step includes using a double-action draw die to create a preform which is then transferred to a superplastic forming tool that uses a superplastic forming process to complete the forming process and create a finished workpiece. The mechanical drawing step enables rapid creation of a preform having a geometry that reduces overall superplastic forming time and provides the ability to draw in additional material to reduce part thinning.