superforming vs hydroforming

superforming vs hydroforming

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shirt

Original Poster:

24,350 posts

216 months

Friday 24th April 2009
quotequote all
re: this section of the morgan headline:

"It’s a little-known fact that Morgan was a trail-blazer for Superform technology in the automotive sector (a process whereby incredibly complex panels are formed against moulds using air pressure and 500 C degrees of applied heat), introducing it first to replace costly and time-consuming hand-beaten wings across the range in the 1990s"

sounds innovative, but this process sounds quite drawn out to me, especially having recently visited an automotive r&d facility where they used hydroforming [water pressure against a forming buck, no heat required] to meet much the same ends.

can someone please explain the difference. why is the heat required?


Nick_F

10,529 posts

261 months

Friday 24th April 2009
quotequote all
Presumably as part of the heat treatment of the aluminium they are using?

shirt

Original Poster:

24,350 posts

216 months

Friday 24th April 2009
quotequote all
why though?

Mojocvh

16,837 posts

277 months

Friday 24th April 2009
quotequote all

Nick_F

10,529 posts

261 months

Friday 24th April 2009
quotequote all
You shape it in the 'dead soft' condition, because it's easiest, and then heat treat to achieve the desired properties.