Importance

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Abstract

Mold insert apparatus and a method is provided for high pressure solid phase forming of relatively thin web or sheet material. The apparatus includes a die set assembly provided with a forming die set unit having a die forming cavity which receives a forming die and an opposed high pressure chamber die set unit wherein the die set units receive material to be formed therebetween when in spaced relationship and functional to clamp the material therebetween when the die set units are in closed forming positions for solid phase forming of the material against the forming die upon introduction of high pressure fluid into the high pressure chamber die set unit. A material preheating station is provided outside but generally proximal to the die forming cavity of the forming die set unit. The preheating station includes a pair of duck-bill shaped preheating devices, with one of the devices being connected to the high pressure chamber die set unit for movement therewith while the other preheating device is connected to a stripper frame which is a part of the forming die set unit. The preheating devices open and close with the high pressure chamber die set unit and forming die set unit of the die set assembly so that preheating of web or sheet material is synchronized with forming of previously preheated material in the die set assembly. The preheating devices are provided with opposed heat insulating zones of predetermined shape which prevents the portion of material in general alignment with the insulating zones from being heated as high a temperature as material out of alignment with insulating zones. The heat insulating zones of the preheating devices are configured to conform to high force producing areas of the forming die. Selective preheating of the web or sheet before forming thus minimizes thinning of the material over the high force inducing areas of the forming die.

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First Claim