Punching a hole with an electromagnetic pulse
JAN 19, 2010
DOI: 10.1063/PT.5.024015
The Economist : Electromagnetic pulses (EMPs) are usually associated with warfare.In a less extreme fashion, however, EMPs have peaceful uses. They are already employed industrially to shape soft and light metals, such as aluminum and copper.Now a group of researchers at the Fraunhofer Institute for Machine Tools and Forming Technology in Chemnitz, Germany , has found a way to use an EMP device to shape and punch holes through industry’s metallic heavyweightâmdash;steel. This could transform manufacturing by doing away with the need to use large, heavy presses to make goods ranging from cars to washing machines.
© 2010. American Institute of Physics