31/1/2014

History of Hydroforming | Tech Talk

Hydroforming, Aluminum Heat Treating & Deep Draw Stamping

740-545-6381
SEND DRAWING C ONTAC T US

HOME

ABOUT US

HYDROFORMING

DEEP DRAW STAMPING

HEAT TREATING SERVIC ES

QUALITY

TEC H TALK

Serving:
Aerospace Lighting Automotive Cookware Healthcare Defense

Tech Talk

History of Hydroforming
January 11, 2012

Hydroforming, the alternative to conventional matched die metal forming, is a cost-effective forming solution, especially for lower volume production or parts with asymmetrical or irregular contours.
Hydroforming is often mentioned along with tube hydroforming and sheet metal hydroforming, all of which utilize the principles of fluid dynamics to form metal parts. Tube hydroforming, first referenced from an early 1900s process, has made its name in the auto industry. Sheet metal hydroforming, likewise, has found its place in auto-body structures (H. Singh, Fundamentals of Hydroforming, 2003, Society of Manufacturing Engineers, Library of C ongress Name: Company: Email: Phone: C atalog C ard Number 2003105327). The following is a brief history of the hydroforming process which developed in a different direction to produce parts outside the auto industry and several of the advantages offered by this unique forming process.

Cincinnati Milling Machine Company

The C incinnati Milling Machine C ompany was incorporated in 1889, founded by Frederick V. Geiger and Fred Holz. By 1890, the company was selling its productsvarious machines and tools across the US and Europe. In 1905, the company outgrew its original building and by the 1930s, the company was the largest producer of machine tools in the world.

Your Comments...

First Hydroforming Machine - 1957 Herb Boyer, Joe McCrea, Ed Mulligan, Frank Jones, Dal Donovan

Have a drawing to include? Escolher arquivo No

In the early 1950s, the company formed a division that produced its first metal forming machinethe hydroform. It was used to deep draw parts such as lighting reflectors and gearcase covers. Its unique design employed a rubber diaphragm backed by oil pressure instead of the traditional female die. For comparatively short production runs, it was very economical because it eliminated the need for costly matched die sets (1884 C incinnati Milacron 1984 Finding Better ways, Library of C ongress C atalog Number 84-72726). Some sources say that the C incinnati Milling

(.jpg, .gif, .png, .pdf, .dwg)

Categories
Aluminum Heat Treating Case Studies Certifications and Registrations Deep Draw Stamping Hydroforming Hydroforming Aluminum Hydroforming Sheet Metal Press Brake Forming Rubber Pad Forming Vacuum Heat Treating

Machine C ompany only manufactured 712 of these machines and as few as 50 of the 32 Hydroforms. The manufacture of C incinnati hydroforms continued into the 1970s when the company changed its name to C incinnati Milacron Inc., now known simply as Milacron, Inc. A 1970 sales brochure described the machine as designed specifically for medium production deep drawing at a low initial investment cost. By 1975 the Verson Allsteel Press C ompany in C hicago acquired the Milacron hydroform business and made improvements in forming capability and speed. The improved machines carried the name Verson Hydroform. There do not appear to have been more new machines manufactured; the manufacturebut not the use of hydroform machines of this type had come to the end of the line.

Hydroforming and Jones Metal

In 1956, Jones Metal began searching for new technology to replace their nearly obsolete draw presses and to leapfrog metal stamping companies. In the process they discovered hydroforming. Jones Metal purchased their first hydroforming machine, a brand new 32 C incinnati hydroform, in 1957, and the Jones Metal history of hydroforming excellence began. Now, Jones Metal has 11 C incinnati Hydroform machines, capable of up to 32 diameter x 12 deep capacity, and is currently the largest hydroforming contract manufacturer in the USA with three 32 presses, four 25 presses, two 20 presses, and two 15 presses.

Benefits of Hydroforming
Hydroforming presents several key benefits. For example, hardened tool steels are rarely required in the hydroforming process. Most draw rings and punches are made of cast iron, which is a cost-effective and easily machined material with a very long tool life. Tool changes are fast: tools are mounted very quickly, are self-aligning and self-centering, making setups quick and easy. The hydroforming method is extremely precise. Depending on the material and shape, inside measurements can be held to .005 or .002. Using the hydroforming process, there are fewer operations required. While a part may require two or three operations on a conventional press, many parts can be formed on one hydroforming operation.

http://www.jmpforming.com/techtalk/hydroforming/history-of-hydroforming.htm

1/2

31/1/2014

History of Hydroforming | Tech Talk

About Jones Metal Products -Based in West Lafayette, Ohio, JMP is an industry leader in hydroforming, deep draw stamping, and heat treating for the aerospace, commercial lighting, automotive, cookware, health-care and defense markets.

Tags:Hydroforming, hydroforming equipment Posted in: Hydroforming

Jones Metal: A Vacuum Heat Treatment Facility

Value of Hydroforming

Home | Hydroforming | Deep Draw Stamping | Vacuum Heat Treating | Aluminum Heat Treating | Tech Talk | Equipment | Send Drawing | C ontact Us
C opyright 2011 Jone s Me tal Products C om pany

http://www.jmpforming.com/techtalk/hydroforming/history-of-hydroforming.htm

2/2