[TheForge] movable frame press

[James Binnion]

On Jun 6, 2007, at 1:12 PM, Bruce Freeman wrote:

> Would it make any sense to use heated dies?  Since there's no  
> hammering, these could be cast iron, for less flow when hot.  Then  
> preheat however - maybe even with electrical heaters.
>
> For that matter, can ceramic be used as dies on a press?  For low  
> thermal conductivity, of course.
>
> Bruce
> NJ

I have not found any ceramics that have both the compressive strength  
and thermal shock resistance needed to act as the die. However there  
are tools called hot presses that have heated platens and use ceramic  
fiber board as the insulating medium between the heated die and the  
press.

The way I deal with this is by using heated dies that are placed in  
the furnace along with the work. The dies are nickel super alloy and  
have excellent strength at up to 1300F. The heated dies and the work  
are stacked together and then placed between two flat dies in the  
press. The press is cycled and the dies and work placed back in  
furnace for more heat or allowed to cool if the work is done.

Jim

James Binnion
jbin at well.com