Prototype and Low-Volume Fabrication of Automotive Sheet Metal Parts Applying Flexforming ABB Industrial Systems Incorporated Troy, MI

Format:

Conference/Event

Author/Creator:

Nilsson, Stefan, author.

Conference Name:

SAE International Congress & Exposition (1989-02-27 : Detroit, Michigan, United States)

Language:

English

Physical Description:

1 online resource

Place of Publication:

Warrendale, PA SAE International 1989

Summary:

Flexforming is a new, emerging technique in the automotive industry for the forming and trimming of sheet metal parts for prototype and low-volume production.Forming of parts to final shape requires only one solid tool half. The other half is a "flexible die" consisting of a rubber diaphragm backed up by high-pressure fluid. When oil is pumped into the void behind the diaphragm and pressure is increased, the diaphragm expands over the press table and forces the blank to assume the shape of the solid tool half. After forming, pressure is released; and the diaphragm returns to its initial position.Some examples of the benefits of applying Flexforming are:As a result of the above, lead times of prototype parts can be reduced to less than half of what is required with today's methods, allowing for considerable time reduction in car development programs. This, in combination with reductions in tool cost of up to 90 percent with maintained or improved part quality, makes Flexforming ideal for the forming of all pre-prototype and prototype metal parts as well as for low volume production such as specialty vehicles, heavy trucks, limousines, et cetera

Notes:

Vendor supplied data

Publisher Number:

890507

Access Restriction:

Restricted for use by site license