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15/01/2010
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A group of researchers at the Fraunhofer Institute for Machine Tools and Forming Technology has found a way to use an electromagnetic pulse to shape and punch holes through steel. According to the researchers, this could transform manufacturing by doing away with the need to use large presses.
 Dr Verena Kräusel and her colleagues based their approach on an existing electromagnetic forming machine, in which a magnetic field is created by a bank of capacitors discharging current rapidly through a coil.
Normally, the component to be worked is placed next to the machine and the field strength is enough to make the metal distort. However, the research team increased the rate at which the capacitors discharge and the resulting field strength was such that a hole could be created.
Holes of up to 30mm diameter have been created in 1mm thick sheet steel, but the researchers have also punched holes in hardened steels.
A further potential application is to form shapes out of metal without the need to use a mould or a die.
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Author
Graham Pitcher
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