ISMR September 2024 | Page 31

FOCUS ON HYDROFORMING

Hydroforming in the automotive industry
Increased demand for lightweight automobiles , falling raw material costs and rising customer awareness of energy efficiency all contribute to the rising market share of vehicle hydroformed parts .
“ For the automotive industry , hydroforming is one of the most economical methods for producing asymmetrical parts . Additionally , because of differing NVH design specifications , the majority of components utilised in automobiles have asymmetrical designs . Hydroformed parts offer a strong strength-toweight ratio , improving the vehicle ’ s structural integrity . The use of hydroformed components in light commercial vehicles has recently expanded ,” added the analyst .
Hydroforming uses fluid pressure to mould ductile materials including brass , aluminium , low alloy steel and stainless steel into the appropriate component shapes . This procedure aids in producing intricate pieces with a high strength-to-weight ratio .
“ Using specialised die moulds , a unibody component structure can be generated in this technique rather than the pieces being welded together . Vehicle fuel economy is significantly influenced by vehicle weight . Automakers are being forced to develop creative ways to lighten automobiles due to government rules relating to vehicle economy ,” explained analyst , Business Research Insights .
“ For instance , the Corporate Average Fuel Efficiency ( CAFE ) mandate states that the average light vehicle fuel economy in the United States should be 54.5 mpg by 2025 . Additionally , OEMs and component producers throughout the world are concentrating on utilising a variety of production techniques and cutting-edge technologies to reduce vehicle weight without compromising the structural integrity of the cars . Hydroforming
Hydroforming is used in the automotive industry .
Hydroformed structural components for motorcycle frame .
offers versatility in component fabrication and improves the accuracy and quality of the manufacturing process ,” concluded the analyst .
Automotive market for hydroformed parts
According to Business Research Insights , the vehicle hydroformed parts ’ market is expected to develop as a result of rising
Image : Salzgitter . Image : Shutterstock . com .
demand from the passenger car segment , ongoing product innovation and a tendency towards outsourcing . The rising demand for lightweight cars and their safety features in passenger cars are the main factors driving this market ’ s expansion .
The global automotive hydroformed parts market was estimated , by analyst Coherent Market Insights , as US $ 12 billion in 2023 , exhibiting a compound annual growth rate ( CAGR ) of 7.4 % from 2023 to 2030 .
“ The rise in stringent government rules regarding emissions , the rise in demand for lightweight vehicles and an increase in vehicle 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 automotive industry is also seeing a trend towards miniaturisation , as manufacturers look to create more compact
Image : Shutterstock . com .
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