| 摘要 |
A method of superplastically forming a workpiece comprises placing the workpiece (16) in a die (14) and heating the workpiece (16) to a temperature at which the workpiece (16) is superplastically formable. Pressure is applied to the workpiece (16) to superplastically form the workpiece (16) to the shape of the die (14). The temperature of the workpiece (16) is measured and is analysed to determine the measured temperature distribution of the workpiece (16) at stages in the superplastic forming process. A database of desired temperature distributions of the workpiece (16) at different stages in the superplastic forming process is kept. The measured temperature distribution of the workpiece (16) at each stage in the superplastic forming process is compared with the desired temperature distribution of the workpiece (16) at the stage in the superplastic forming process and heating means and/or cooling means (36, 38, 40, 46, 48, 58, 60, 66, 68, 94, 96) are controlled such that the temperature distribution of the workpiece (16) is adjusted to more closely match the desired temperature distribution of the workpiece (16) to control the thickness of the workpiece (16).
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