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FluidForming Americas Answers Your Questions

How accurate and repeatable is FluidForming?

FluidForming is the only Six Sigma metal forming process available to manufacturers. We can achieve up to a 99.996% first-pass yield rate. Click the link to learn more about the benefits of FluidForming.

Are FluidForming metal forming presses available for purchase?

Yes. FluidForming FormBalancer presses are the only 4-in-1 metal forming machine (deep draw, fluid cell, tube forming, and bladder optional capabilities) on the market. FormBalancer can be customized to your shop’s needs and specifications. Click the link to learn more about FormBalancers.

What is a 4-in-1 metal forming press?

FluidForming FormBalancers are the only metal forming press available to manufacturers that is capable of deep draw sheet metal forming, fluid cell sheet metal forming, tube forming, and optional bladder-based hydroforming. Visit our FormBalancer page to learn more.

Why is FluidForming so much more accurate than traditional hydroforming or metal stamping?

FluidForming is more accurate because it utilizes higher forming pressures than any other hydroforming-related process on the market. The high pressures help ensure minimal springback, warping and material fractures. It also improves repeatability. Refer to the benefits of FluidForming for more information.

What types of metals can you form?

If the metal can be cold-formed, FluidForming can do it. Commonly used metals and metal alloys include:

  • Aluminum & aluminum alloys
  • Brass
  • Bronze
  • Carbon Steel
  • Stainless Steel & stainless steel alloys
  • Copper
  • Nickel
  • Cobalt
  • Hastelloy
  • Inconel

Read our blog post, “Metals Commonly Used in the FluidForming Hydroforming Process” for more information.

What metal thicknesses can you form?

We can form parts from metals as thin as foil to … it depends. Component thickness is entirely dependent on the geometry required and the limitations of the metal itself. We offer finite element analysis to help determine ideal forming materials and conditions.

Can you form parts from pre-patterned, pre-painted, and pre-finished metals?

Yes! It’s one of the ways FluidForming is different from existing metal forming methods. With FluidForming’s bladder-free process, the die touches only one side of the metal. Water — the forming force — comes into contact with the other side. Because of this, FluidForming is an extremely low friction, controlled process.

Can you make more than one part at a time?

Yes, because of tool nesting capabilities, our FormBalancer machines can produce multiple pieces simultaneously. Read our blog post, “What is Lean Manufacturing?” to learn more about our efficient, cost-effective process.

Is FluidForming a good option for rapid prototyping?

Yes. Because we can utilize 3D printed or composite tools, ideation to production can happen in a matter of days. The prototype tool can also become the production tool, enabling production runs to commence immediately upon customer approval. Click the link to learn more about our rapid prototyping services.

Why is FluidForming more cost-effective than legacy metal stamping or traditional hydroforming?

FluidForming requires only a single tool and can yield a 50-90% reduction in tooling costs. Plus, the process is compatible with 3D-printed tooling and nested tooling. Its accuracy and repeatability further ensures minimal material waste. Click the link to learn more about the benefits of FluidForming and owning a FormBalancer metal forming machine.

What types of parts or components do you most frequently form?

We specialize in parts that require a high degree of precision, accuracy, and repeatability. We have formed hybrid battery cooling jackets for Mercedes-Benz, delicate medical equipment, microchannel heat exchangers, aerospace flanges, electronics covers, precision satellite dishes, wall tiles, sinks, valves, and more! Learn more about the industries we serve.

Why was the FluidForming process created?

FluidForming was invented to fill the market gap for a higher quality, more accurate, faster, intrinsically repeatable, and affordable metal forming process. Our process is perfect for prototyping and low- to medium-production runs. We created a system that offers enhanced design flexibility, vastly reduces capital costs, reduces time to market, and offers easily integrated product branding. Visit our about us page for more info!

How is FluidForming different from hydroforming?

How is FluidForming Different? We’re better! Seriously, though, we differ from traditional hydroforming in several significant ways. Most notably, our bladder-free technology employs pressures of 400 mPA (60,000 psi) and we use water as our forming fluid to achieve unmatched detail and repeatability. Legacy hydroforming systems are costly to maintain, lack the detail and quality we can achieve, and rely on environmentally harmful (and costly) hydraulic fluid to form components.

Ready for better, faster, smarter sheet metal hydroforming?

We’ll work with you to manufacture highly precise components, on-time and on-budget.

FluidForming Americas, Inc. is a member of the Precision Metal Forming Association and is AS9100 Rev D, ISO 9001:2015 certified.