The components heated to hardening temperature are first formed in a tool and then hardened in the same tool.
This can be done using a quetten press, which is fully submerged together with the tool in a cooling basin underneath.
It can also be done in a forming press with a closed tool. For this purpose Wickert has developed a new concept that combines both functions.
One of the advantages of this concept is that the press with tool no longer has to be submerged in a cooling basin, as the quenching medium is guided in a high-volume flow to the workpiece by an optimized groove system in the tool. This high and tight volume flow reduces the vapour phase and significantly shortens the cooling time.
The concept also eliminates the need for a press pit on site and considerably reduces the purchase price of the plant.
In addition, for sharply contoured forming operations which do not permit any grooves in the tool, a flux gap can be formed. This is done with servo-hydraulically driven contour pins which hold the component in suspension with the tool slightly open, thus allowing the hardening medium to flow effectively into the component.
