Hydroforming is the process of using pressure on sheets of metal to create shapes, many that are used in building automobiles. For example, if you look at the metal cradle holding the engine in an automobile, you are looking at something formed through tube hydroforming. If you look at the side of your automobile, it was probably formed through hydroforming used on a sheet of metal. While called by different names, there are two types of sheet hydroforming: Active and passive.
The hydroforming method has been around for more than six decades, but there have been many advancements and innovations that have changed the way each industry thinks about their profits, manufacturing strategies, design, etc. For many years now, die casting has been the preferred metal forming option for a variety of industries, including the following:
One of the more enjoyable aspects of living in a technological age is the ease with which we can access news and information. At any moment, we can learn about new inventions and fresh developments in any number of industries.
Just recently, an announcement of advancements in Finite Element Analysis (FEA) capabilities grabbed the attention of the hydroforming community.
Hydroforming and Midwest–both of these terms have seen their share of disinformation. Fortunately, we’re here today on a mythbusting mission, set on clearing the air and setting the record straight.
For many years, it has been understood that metal stamping or pressing is an effective and economical method for manufacturing parts that are quite complex. Although there may be a higher price to pay in the beginning to manufacture tooling, deep draw hydroforming can be a quicker and cheaper alternative to other processes, including fabrication. Deep draw hydroforming goes beyond what other methods can do in order to produce parts that are deeper and/or longer.
The hydroforming process has been used for quite some time in the manufacturing industry. The hydroforming process involves the use of stainless steel, aluminum, and other ductile metals. These ductile metals are eventually transformed into complex shapes through the use of pressure and fluid.
The process of using pressure and fluid over one sheet of metal results in a variety of benefits. Some of the great benefits of hydroforming include the following:
Since 2003, American Hydroformers has set high standards in the hydroforming industry and has continued to work hard to stay at the top of the manufacturing industry. American Hydroformers continue to invest in the equipment and technologies that we know our customers will appreciate. One of our goals is to provide high-quality products at a price our customers they can afford, and this is one of the reasons why we offer more than one way of forming materials.
Deep draw hydroforming is constantly in competition with other types of hydroforming processes that are able to create the same products or similar products. However, deep draw hydroforming has multiple differences that set it apart from the other processes.
We understand the choices are not always easy to make, but there are many hydrofroming professionals and experts are available to provide information for anyone who has been thinking about the deep draw hydroforming method. With so much information being shared, there is always a chance that false information will be shared.
The welding technique, friction stir welding, was developed almost 30 years ago in 1991. Although it was invented many years ago, it has seen a high rise in demand over the past few years. One of the main reasons that friction stir welding has seen such a massive increase is due to the rising demand for greater strength and durability in applications.
Tube hydroforming: a short history. In many ways, the past holds the keys to the present. If those who have gone before us had not accomplished great things, we would not be where we are today. That’s true in many aspects of life and industry; it’s also true in the world of hydroforming.
To that end, in order to appreciate where we are regarding the advancement of tube hydroforming, we must first discuss a brief history.
