New patent granted for: Method of Forming Aluminum Alloy Airfoils

A method of forming an airfoil includes placing a material onto a die that is heated to a predetermined temperature to pre-heat the material to a first temperature, while the die is in an open position. The method further includes closing the die at a predetermined rate and holding the die in a closed position for a predetermined period of time at a first force. The method still further includes removing the part from the die, cooling the die, placing the part onto the die, and closing the die at a second force.