FOCUS ON HYDROFORMING
Hydroformed structural components for motorcycle frame ( image : Salzgitter ).
Flexform TM , also called fluid cell forming , for sheet metal forming ( Quintus Technologies ).
Hydroformed components .
Hydroformed parts and profiles ( image : Shutterstock . com ).
production is expected to drive growth of the market . However , a rise in the usage of composite materials and high initial capital investments can hamper the growth of the market . Increasing sales of electric and hybrid vehicles , the rise in complex automotive parts and higher numbers of better and durable automotive parts are an opportunity for growth of the automotive hydroformed parts market ,” explained the analyst .
According to Coherent ’ s report , North America is expected to account for the largest share of the global automotive hydroformed parts market , due to the presence of large numbers of automotive manufacturers in the region . The U . S . is the largest market for automotive hydroformed parts in North
America , followed by Canada and Mexico .
“ North America has been a prominent market for automotive hydroformed parts . The presence of major automobile manufacturers and their focus on lightweighting vehicles has driven the demand for hydroformed parts . The region has witnessed the adoption of hydroformed components in various vehicles including passenger cars , SUVs and light trucks ,” continued the analyst .
The global automotive hydroformed parts market is estimated , by analyst Coherent Market Insights , at US $ 12 billion in 2023
The automotive industry is also seeing a trend towards miniaturisation , as manufacturers look to create more compact and fuel-efficient vehicles . Hydroformed parts can be used to create complex and intricate shapes ( e . g . the Chevrolet Corvette Stingray uses a hydroformed aluminium chassis ).
“ One of the main trends in the automotive industry is the increasing demand for lightweight vehicles . This is being driven by stricter emissions regulations , as well as the need to improve fuel economy . Hydroforming
A hydroformed part ( image : MSM Aerospace Fabricators ). is an ideal technology for manufacturing lightweight parts , as it allows for complex shapes to be created with minimal material waste . This is especially important for electric vehicles , which need to be as lightweight as possible to maximize range . For instance , Ford F-150 uses a hydroformed structural cage , made of high-strength steel , in its F-150 pick-up trucks . This eliminates the need for welding , which reduces weight and improves strength ,” added the analyst .
Market opportunities include the increased integration of Advanced Driver Assistance Systems ( ADAS ); hydroformed parts can provide the necessary structural support and mounting solutions for these advanced systems . The growing adoption of electric vehicles ( EVs ) means an increasing need for EV charging infrastructure . Hydroformed parts can be used to manufacture components such as charging station housings , mounting brackets and cable management systems .
Market restraints , cited the analyst , included the lack of standardised design guidelines and manufacturing processes for hydroformed parts as well as higher levels of complexity on manufacturing times .
Sheet hydroforming
Sheet hydroforming is a metalforming process that uses pressurised hydraulic fluid in a flexible diaphragm to shape sheet metal against a single , un-mated tool . The process can create a wide range of complex geometric shapes from a variety of materials including aluminium ; steel ; stainless ; titanium ; niobium ; Inconel ; copper ; composites and more .
“ Sheet hydroforming presses can combine or even replace different metal forming processes including spinning ; press brake forming ; traditional draw forming ; rubber pad forming ; progressive die forming and more . These machines can also consolidate multiple steps into a single cycle , virtually eliminating secondary finishing processes such as polishing , annealing or welding ,” added press manufacturer , the Beckwood Corporation .
The two primary types of sheet hydroforming presses are fluid cell and deep draw . Fluid cell presses create shallow parts with open corners while deep draw presses are used for taller parts with closed corners . Deep draw hydroforming machines use pressurised hydraulic fluid ( either water or oil )
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