Tube hydroforming plays a critical role in manufacturing. Before the presence of hydroforming, there was no way to create solid and durable tubes in complex shapes that could withstand the test of time. Hydroforming creates opportunities that will allow one to manufacture and design automotive parts that cannot be completed using other methods.
There are two common types of hydroforming, tube hydroforming, and sheet hydroforming. But first, what is ‘hydroforming?’ It’s the process by which metals like steel, copper, aluminum, and brass are manipulated into a specific form or shape. Hydroforming is an efficient way of die molding that uses high-pressure fluid to fabricate metal.
The way of shaping various metals such as stainless steel, aluminum, brass, and other metals into weighted pieces that are durable and solid is known as hydroforming. Generally, hydroforming is used in the automotive industry and the aerospace industry because these industries are known for their complex shapes. The automotive and aerospace industries also need parts and components that are solid, durable, and light.
How hydroforming works and what it is. Hydroforming is a cost-efficient way of transforming and shaping ductile metals (like aluminum and stainless steel) into lightweight, sturdy pieces. It uses fluid pressure in place of punches and dies.
When discussing hydroforming with some who has never heard of the process, the obvious question that will arise is: what is hydroforming?
The technique that is used to create hydroformed metal bellows that are used in multiple industries is known as tube hydroforming. Tube hydroforming is used in a variety of industries that produce parts and components you use on a daily basis. Some of the industries that use the tube hydroforming process are listed below:
First developed in the late 1940s and early 1950s, tube hydroforming is the process by which pressurized fluid, either hydraulic fluid or water, is used to expand and shape metal tubes into the contours of a die. Since there are no welded seams, tubular hydroforming can be used to fabricate structural parts that are lighter, more rigid, and stronger than stamped sheet metal.
While it may still be seen as one of the newer methods in the industry, especially when compared to the conventional or traditional stamping processes, tube hydroforming continues to have a large impact in the automotive industry and a host of other industries. Why is tube hydroforming having such a great impact in these industries? Why is tube hydroforming a popular choice over the older techniques?
Most individuals are trying to cut costs and save money. One way is to purchase a fuel-efficient car. But most of those cars are compact cars and on the road with larger vehicles, safety can be a concern. Of most concern is getting hit and the car collapsing or trapping an individual inside the vehicle. Automobile manufacturers are always looking for ways to improve the safety of all vehicles and at the same time not make vehicles heavier.
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:
