 | | | | | | | | Hydroforming is only one step of a manufacturing process. When designing hydroforms it is important to understand which processes are required and what limitations these may place on subsequent processes. Typical process used (in order) are Pre-bending, Pre-forming, Hydroforming, Hydropiercing and Trim and Wash. | |
| |
| | Pre-bending is used to obtain global part geometry. The most common process for pre-bending is Rotary Draw Bending, although press bending may also be considered.
|
|
| | Pre-forming has two primary functions: to deform the tube (or prebend) to enable it to be inserted into the hydroforming die or to manipulate the shape of the section before hydroforming to enable complex section shapes to be achieved.
|
|
| | The tube is placed in the lower half of the die and the upper half lowered onto it. At the same time sealing pins are inserted into the ends of the tube. Fluid is then pumped into the tube at high pressure (up to 3000 bar) expanding the tube to fill the die cavity.
|
|
| | At the end of the forming process holes may be pierced in the component. The forming pressure may be used to provide support against an advancing punch (Outside-In piercing) or to shear the material against a retracting support (Inside-Out).
|
|
| | The final process stage is trim and wash.
|
|
| |
| |
| |
| | | |
