Research on the controlling of the thickness distribution in superplastic forming

In superplastic forming, the controlling of the thickness distribution is a very important problem. Since 1982, the authors have been developing the technology for controlling the thickness distribution in superplastic forming. Up to now, some new methods, such as superplastic forming accompanied by compression in the axial direction, direct and reverse superplastic forming and superplastic moving die have been applied successfully to the fabrication of some parts with complex shapes. With the aid of finite element software, accurate control of the thickness distribution in superplastic forming has been achieved.