Hydroforming Process Applications Benefit from Cost-Effective Approach to Quality
Hydroforming
,Aerospace
,automotive industry
Hydroforming process applications—in industries as diverse as aerospace, automotive, cookware and medical—share one thing in common. They all benefit from hydroforming’s distinctive metal forming advantages, cost-effectiveness and focus on quality.
The hydroforming process is especially suited for small runs of irregularly contoured parts, in contrast to metal stamping, which is more appropriate for larger runs of symmetrically shaped parts. Typically, parts in hydroforming process applications can be formed in a single operation, compared to two or three in metal stamping processes. Plus, hydroforming achieves precise tolerances, especially critical for the aerospace market.
Hydroforming halves the cost of tooling, compared to stamping. This makes it a cost-effective option for short-run hydroforming process applications. Instead of matching male and female dies like a stamping press, the hydroforming press features a rubber diaphragm that takes the place of the female die. High-pressure hydraulic oil pushes the diaphragm against a metal blank kept in place by a holding ring over a punch. The punch, serving as the male die element, forms the part.
View the hydroforming process in action.
Thanks to the rubber diaphragm, the exterior surface of hydroformed parts have a smooth finish, compared to stamped parts that come in contact with a metal die. This makes hydroforming an excellent choice for aerospace, cookware and medical applications. In addition, this characteristic further reduces cost, as it eliminates the need for extra finishing and polishing, in most cases.
Among the most common hydroforming process applications are automotive parts, which typically have complex shapes—manifolds, gas tanks, bell housings and sensor covers, to name a few. Hydroforming is especially valued in the auto industry for its ability to produce stronger, more rigid unibody structures that weigh less, furthering car makers’ efforts to improve fuel economy.
In the aerospace industry, hydroforming shapes aluminum and aluminum alloys into a wide range of parts. In addition, hydroforming forms stainless steel into jet engine components, nickel alloys for nozzle system parts and titanium for potable water tanks. Jones Metal Products also produces precision hydroformed parts for military applications.
For the medical equipment market, hydroforming produces surgical trays and reflectors and covers for operating room lights.
Contact Jones Metal Products today to learn how we can help you with your hydroforming process applications.
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