The Boeing Company
Apparatuses and methods for processing a metal ribbon

Abstract:

An apparatus (102) for processing a metal ribbon (116) comprising a main portion (118) and a sacrificial portion (120) adjoining the main portion (118) of the metal ribbon (116), is disclosed. The apparatus (102) comprises a heater (108), configured to heat the main portion (118) of the metal ribbon (116) to a first temperature, a first cooler (110), configured to cool the main portion (118) of the metal ribbon (116) from the first temperature to a third temperature lower than the first temperature, a second cooler (112), configured to cool the main portion (118) of the metal ribbon (116) at a first rate from the third temperature to a fourth temperature lower than the third temperature, a drive system (124), configured to successively advance the main portion (118) of the metal ribbon (116) from the heater (108) to the second cooler (112) through the first cooler (110), and a guide system (114) configured to route the metal ribbon (116) from the heater (108) to the second cooler (112) through the first cooler (110).