How FluidForming is Different: Forging vs. Forming
If forging is the past, then FluidForming is hydroforming for the future.
FluidForming is a modern, bladder-free reinvention of traditional hydroforming. By utilizing water pressures up to 4,000 bar (60,000 psi), it achieves a greater degree of detail, strength, and repeatability than any existing legacy hydroforming or metal forming method.
Traditional, bladder-based sheet metal hydroforming is based on a hydromolding patent that's nearly 100 years old. Although minor improvements to hydroforming were introduced over the years, the FluidForming process and FormBalancer metal forming press mark the most significant advancement in the metal forming and manufacturing in more than half a century.
Forging vs. hydroforming vs. FluidForming -- GAME ON!
What is metal forming & how FluidForming is different from forging or hydroforming?
Metal forming is the general term for a variety of different manufacturing processes that deform metal into a desired shape or geometry.
In order for metal to be formed (or deformed) into a particular shape, an external force must be applied to the material that exceeds the original strength of the metal sheet or tube that is being formed. Sheet metal forming and tube forming are both critically important to the manufacturing industry.
FluidForming vs. Conventional Hydroforming
Hydroforming is a cost-effective way of shaping conventional ductile metals and alloys such as aluminum, brass, steel, and stainless steel into lightweight, structurally stiff, and strong pieces. The automotive, aerospace, medical, and appliance industries frequently turn to hydroforming to create strong, complex shapes.
How FluidForming is different from conventional hydroforming?
How FluidForming is different from die stamping & pressing?
FluidForming vs. Die Stamping & Pressing
Die stamping, also referred to as “pressing,” is one of the oldest forms of metal stamping. During this process, a flat piece of sheet metal is placed into a press where a tool and die surface pushes the metal into a desired shape.
In some instances, the metal must go through several different stages of pressing which may damage the surface of the material and weaken the metal. Operating costs, equipment costs, tooling and die costs, and post production fixturing costs can be prohibitive.
Forging vs. Forming
Forging is the oldest known metal working process and is often classified according to the temperature (cold, warm, or hot working) at which the metal is formed. Forging produces strong pieces, however, capital expenditures, poor repeatability and accuracy, and its impact on the environment are significant.