A distortion rework reduction tool for thin plate
Induction heat straightening
Distortion effects encountered in the use of thin plate within the shipbuilding sector have been widely recognised as being a feature that will never be completely eliminated. Once the root causes have been identified and counteracted, the most economically and controllable form of heat straightening has to be established.
In the past there has been a significant lack of knowledge or control over heat straightening processes for thin plate, and in some instances this has led to more extreme distortion in the form of thin plate buckling. The application of the Terac induction heating system has been evaluated and its benefits in reducing the rework times have been established. In addition, work was carried out to evaluate the effects that the heating has had on the material properties and the microstructure of the plate. In each case, no detrimental effects were established. More about induction heat straightening