Hybrid matched tool-electromagnetic forming apparatus incorporating electromagnetic actuator, methods of use and article made therefrom

摘要

The present invention includes an apparatus (90) for forming a metal work piece (96) into a target shape, the apparatus (90) comprising: (a) a male mold portion (95) having a mold side and a back side; (b) a female mold portion (94) having a mold side and a back side; the mold side of male mold portion (95) and the mold side of female mold portion (94) adapted to mate incompletely so as to deform a work piece (96) disposed therebetween into a precursor shape, so as to leave at least one precursor area of the work piece (96) to be further or finally formed; (c) at least one of the mold portions comprising at least one electromagnetic actuator (97) so as to be capable of further forming the at least one precursor area. The invention additionally may comprise: (d) a current power source (91) adapted to produce a current pulse through the at least one electromagnetic actuator (97), so as to produce a magnetic field in the at least one precursor area so as to deform the at least one precursor area into a target shape.