Hydroforming machines form without surface pattern distortion

FluidForming Americas has introduced its FormBalancer line of hydroforming machines to the North and South American marketplace. The machines impart friction-free metal distortion on the water-only exposed side of the part, and clamping and forming pressures can vary throughout the part creation cycle. With this technique, brushed and patterned sheet metal can be formed with no distortion to the surface patterns.

The forming pressure of up to 60,000 PSI allows the creation of complicated parts with distinct features and details in metals such as titanium, aluminum, stainless steel, and copper from 0.002 to more than 0.2 in. thick. Minimum bend radii is 1.5 times material thickness.

Primary applications are in the aerospace, medical, and automotive industries.