Hydroforming is an efficient and specialized molding process that uses highly pressurized fluid to form metals. Hydroforming’s metal fabrication and forming process can shape steel, stainless steel, copper, aluminum, and brass. The ability to preserve high-quality surfaces for finishing and seamless bonding are some advantages of hydroforming. Hydroformed parts have a higher stiffness-to-weight ratio, are more affordable per unit, and are lighter than conventional metal stamped and welded parts. Hydroforming can also produce components in a single step, saving time, resources, and materials. Read More…
Leading Manufacturers
Metal Craft Spinning & Stamping Ltd.
Buffalo, NY | 866-907-6333With four decades of metal spinning experience, Metalcraft offers spinning, stamping and many other metal processing services in an endless number of shapes & sizes. As a metal spinner manufacturer, we work with brass, copper, aluminum, stainless steel and cold-rolled steel. With automatic & CNC lathes, our spinning services are cost-effective for any production volume and great for prototypes.
Quality Metal Spinning
Palo Alto, CA | 650-858-2491Quality Metal Spinning is a leading full-service metal fabrication company. We specialize in metal spinning, 5-axis machining, 3D printing, and waterjet cutting. We offer cutting-edge prototype, inspection, and design services. Our clients trust us to deliver some of the best metal spinning solutions for the aerospace, energy, semiconductor, and defense sectors. We are ISO 9001-2015 certified, and our quality control standards are unparalleled. Contact us today.
Hy-Grade Metal Products Corp.
Syracuse, NY | 315-475-4221Hy-Grade Metal Products Corp. specializes in metal spinning and metal spinners to serve various industries. Serving the industry since 1918, we have been providing stainless steel metal spinning, aluminum metal spinning and metal spinnings of many exotic materials. Check out our website for more information. We look forward to working with you!
Precision Wire Products, Inc.
Blairsville, PA | 724-459-5601Precision Wire Products designs wire products for the industrial sector. We specialize in filter wire cages, but we also have metal spinning, metal stamping, and CNC wire forming capabilities. Our clients trust us to design effective filter rings, baghouse components, wire display racks, filter bags, and more. We offer PVC vinyl and epoxy coatings for our custom products. Call us for more information!
Ratliff Metal Spinning
Englewood, OH | 937-836-3900Ratliff Metal Spinning is a full-service metal fabrication shop specializing in CNC metal machining services. We also offer custom tooling, fabrication, engineering, and warehousing services. We outsource coating, polishing, and laser-cutting services. Our customers respect and trust our professional expertise.
Types of Hydroforming
Sheet Hydroforming
When shaping sheet metal against a single, unmatched tool, sheet hydroforming uses a pressurized hydraulic fluid in a flexible diaphragm. Presses for sheet hydroforming can combine or even replace various metal forming techniques, such as progressive die forming, press brake forming, classic draw forming, rubber pad forming, and more. Additionally, by combining several operations into a single cycle, these machines can do away with secondary finishing procedures like welding, annealing, or polishing.
Fluid Cell Sheet Hydroforming
Fluid Cell sheet hydroforming machines are the best choice for creating parts with intricate bends and curves. First, the blank sheet material is stacked atop a single fixed-form block or tool resting unsecured on the lower plate or working surface during a fluid cell cycle. Next, a hydraulic fluid-filled compressed diaphragm is extended across the tool and blank, expanding as it applies equal pressure to every place inside the chamber. As a result, the part is almost net-shaped and needs little to no further finishing.
Deep Draw Sheet Hydroforming
Sheet metal is stretched and bent into the correct shape during deep draw hydroforming. A tool is pressed down on the sheet metal to force it into a die cavity in a predetermined shape. The metal takes on the shape of a cup because of the tensile force. The deep drawing process can begin starting with a blank, a blank holder, a punch, and a die. Over the die, the blank holder receives the blank or piece of sheet metal. The desired part's shape can be seen in the hollow. The part is then drawn, or bent/stretched, into the required shape using a punch that descends onto the blank without weakening it. The deep draw is frequently applied to ductile metals like mild steel, copper, and aluminum.
Tube Hydroforming
Hydroforming can also form tubular components like brackets for bicycle frames or pipe fittings. Internal pressure and axial force may be applied to the tube; this induces compressive stress in one direction, which causes the tube's elements to deform without thinning and delays tearing. Hydroforming can form many parts at a low cost using specially-built forming equipment.
Steps to Tube Hydroforming
The raw tube is loaded into the tube bender if the shape has bends that don't follow a straight line. This causes the tube to bend, providing it with the required curvature to fit into the dies. The pre-form press is often used to insert the tube into the die. After that, the liquid enters the die. The hydroforming press receives the portion next. The liquid inside the tube will be pressurized by this press, giving the component its final shape and appearance. The thrust actuators' actions may occasionally aid in forming the tube. If a parts wash is necessary to achieve precise laser cutting or stenciling, it is applied to freshly hydroformed components.
Benefits of Hydroforming
- Hydroforming allows the metal tube to be formed into lengthy, complicated forms with fewer welds. This lowers resistance and increases airflow effectiveness compared to traditional methods that require joining many separate metal sections together.
- The entire procedure is completed quicker, often in just 20 seconds, from filling the blank tube to unloading the final product. This allows a seamless assembly of exhaust chain components to be created.
- While metal is under tremendous pressure inside the tool, the computer regulates it within ten-thousandths of an inch. This results in very high precision.
- By repeating the procedure, one can eliminate waste from dented or unintentionally bent pieces and use less material because the sections are combined into one assembly.
- Thinner walls can obtain the necessary stiffness during hydroforming, resulting in lighter products. This was not achievable in earlier procedures.
- Hydroforming allows for creating complex structures out of pre-bent tubes that can even include inlet and exit openings.
- Due to fewer sections and the removal of the burring and punching procedures, the number of tools can be considerably decreased.
