FOCUS ON HYDROFORMING
Image: Quintus Technologies.
facility,” confirmed Kevan Chisholm, PIMCO’ s business development manager.
“ Flexform™, our advanced fluid cell technology, offers economic and productivity advantages. The press uses a single rigid tool half to form sheet metal parts with accuracy and repeatability, significantly reducing tool costs and accelerating parts production. The high forming pressure ensures close-tolerance parts direct from the press, with little or no secondary hand work required, making it
Single-stage formed part with no post-processing required. Two hours were saved in this process.
Tooling reworked to improve fit. This reduced the number of hits from three to one.
This was previously formed with very costly two-piece dies. Now, it is high-pressure-formed in one die-half.
The Quintus model QFC 1.2x4-1000 offers a high forming pressure of 14,500 psi( 000 bar), making it especially suitable for intricately shaped components.
especially suitable for intricately shaped components,” Quintus Technologies told ISMR.
The QFC model 1.2x4-1000 generates a press force of 73,000 tonnes across the entire forming area of 47.2 inches x 157.5 inches( 1200mm x 4000mm), a technical challenge handled by Quintus wire-winding, pre-stress technology. The press includes user-friendly features such as equipment serviceability, remote system control and a high degree of self-diagnostics. It is also equipped with high-pressure hydraulics and a semi-automatic service system for the Quintus flexible rubber diaphragm.
Looking to the future
“ PIMCO will continue its participation in the Quintus ® Care Programme, a customised service solution that ensures operational reliability, maximum performance, controlled annual costs and long-term partnership. The programme provides for forming process and tool design support, access to our Application Centres, high availability of spare and wear parts and guaranteed and prioritised technical support. It also includes annual press inspections, training and recertification of PIMCO personnel to maintain and elevate their skills,” added Quintus Technologies.
“ Quintus Flexform machines and Quintus Care provide the tools that I need to deliver accurate and timely project outcomes,” explained Kevan Chisholm of PIMCO.
“ It is deeply gratifying to see our long and productive business relationship with Piper Aircraft continue with PIMCO,” added Ed Williams, General Manager – Americas, Quintus Technologies.“ This dynamic young company brings the strength of the Piper legacy to a broad and diverse range of industries, and we are pleased that Quintus equipment will play a significant role in this new venture.” n
Sheet hydroforming
The aerospace industry has a tradition of using forming techniques with only one rigid tool half, where the other tool half consists of a flexible rubber diaphragm, backed up by hydraulic oil under high pressure. This is typically referred to as fluid cell pressing or sheet hydroforming. This is designed to minimise tool costs and is suitable for producing many different components in small series.
Fluid cell forming is suitable for the relatively low-volume requirements of commercial, military and business aircraft. Quick cycle models can produce up to 120 parts per hour, and automated pallet systems can substantially improve efficiency in longer production runs.
About Quintus Technologies
Quintus Technologies is a global specialist in high-pressure technology. The company designs, manufactures, installs and supports high-pressure systems in three main areas: densification of advanced materials, sheet metal forming and high-pressure processing for food and beverage innovation, safety and shelf life.
Quintus has delivered over 1,900 systems to customers in industries such as energy; medical implants; space; aerospace; automotive and food processing. The company is headquartered in Västerås, Sweden, with a presence in 45 countries worldwide.
https:// pimco-piper. com
www. quintus technologies. com
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