Lockheed Idaho Technologies Company, P.O. Box 1625, Idaho Falls, ID 83415-3521

A -- CONTROL AND MONITORING SYSTEM FOR THE ELECTROMAGNETIC FORMING PROCESS SOL Cbd1599 DUE 041399 POC Paul Grahovac WEB: Idaho National Engineering & Environmental Laboratory, http://www.inel.gov/procurement/litco/index.htm. E-MAIL: Paul Grahovac, pg2@inel.gov. A -- Control and monitoring system for the electromagnetic forming process. U. S. Patent Number 4,962,656. This is a potential technology development and licensing opportunity with Lockheed Martin Idaho Technologies Company (LMITCO), the prime operating contractor for the Department of Energy at the Idaho National Engineering and Environmental Laboratory (INEEL). Electromagnetic forming is a process for shaping a metal product (called the workpiece) by means of the application of electromagnetic forces. The process has several clear advantages: no frictional contact results in a high quality finish, it can be readily adapted to an automated processes, and it can be adapted to shapes for which it would be difficult to apply a solid mold wall. However, several factors limit the utility of the conventional electromagnetic forming process. For example, the coils and capacitors must be designed to accommodate a large electromagnetic pulse, arcing of current across the turns of the workcoil or burnup of the capacitor can occur, and the coils and capacitors that are used may not be so precisely designed to produce a consistent electromagnetic force each time. Also, the performance of the process depends on the temperature, thickness, and composition of the workpiece itself. For these reasons, electromagnetic forming has been used primarily in relatively simple applications with thin workpieces where solid molds can be used to define a boundary or otherwise limit application of the electromagnetic force. The electromagnetic forming industry needs technology to precisely control the application of the force of the electromagnetic field to the workpiece and also to monitor the effects of the electromagnetic force on the workpiece. This patented technology meets these needs. It is a monitoring and process control technology for electromagnetic forming processes. It is based on the measurable interactions between the working electromagnetic fields and the material being processed. It permits dynamic control of force application and three dimensional displacement. This active process control allows fabrication of products with increased physical and microstructural complexity. It allows forming pieces of larger sizes and more complex shapes. It provides the ability to control electromagnetic forming in real time to enhance the efficiency and capabilities of the electromagnetic forming process. Using this technology provides direct monitoring of the process via inherent or externally injected electromagnetic fields. This provides data on the physical and metallurgical characteristics of the product such as geometry, cracking, temperature, and phase formation. This permits determination of the finished product's quality without the need for subsequent characterization or inspection steps, as well as providing information which can be used to control the process in real time. LMITCO is seeking a written indication of interest from industry partners interested in funding a collaborative technology development project and/orentering into a license agreement for the purpose of developing and commercializing this technology. License terms will include an up-front licensing fee and a running royalty based on a percentage of sales. This is not an opportunity to provide goods or services to LMITCO or the Department of Energy. This Request for Interest (RFI) will close to response 30 days after publication. Interested parties should send e-mail to pg2@inel.gov (Paul Grahovac, Account Executive, Technology Transfer Office, LMITCO). If you do not have e-mail access, send regular mail to Paul Grahovac, Account Executive, Technology Transfer Office, LMITCO, P. O. Box 1625, Idaho Falls, ID 83415-3805. Posted 03/12/99 (W-SN307923). (0071)

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