New forming processes cut cycle times and production costs

Hydraulic forming Hydraulic forming New forming processes cut cycle times and production costsHydraulic forming is a technology that uses high fluid pressure to shape sheet metal or tubes into the desired geometry. Researchers in Chemnitz have now succeeded in significantly reducing production times in high-pressure sheet metal forming (HPSF) through intelligent process integration. Tool for passive high-pressure sheet metal forming. (Source: Fraunhofer IWU/ Rico Demuth)Cycle times in sheet hydroforming are typically longer than in conventional sheet metal forming processes such as deep drawing. Fraunhofer IWU has completely redesigned both the process sequence and the tool structure using its passive high-pressure sheet metal forming technology, enabling these steps to occur simultaneously.