Mid plate process and equipment for the superplastic forming of parts from plural sheets

摘要

Superplastic forming of sheet metal blanks is advanced both is quantity and quality with the utilization of a part separating and pressure distributing mid plate sandwiched between a pair of blanks. This arrangement is loaded between upper and lower die halves operatively mounted in a heated press which closes to effect the piercing of one of the blanks by a nozzle which subsequently delivers pressurized air or other inert gas to an intermediate chamber formed by the mid plate between the blanks to effect the simlayaneously forming of separate parts in both forming dies.