FluidForming Americas

295 Trousdale Way
Hartsville,  TN  37074-2073

United States
800-497-3545
https://www.ffamericas.com/
  • Booth: D37100


 Press Releases

  • Why FluidForming Is the Future of Aviation and Aerospace Metal Forming

    HARTSVILLE, TN -- In the aerospace and aviation industries, precision, innovation, and efficiency are leading considerations. As manufacturers and engineers seek advanced solutions to meet these demands, FluidForming Americas' revolutionary sheet metal forming process is a game-changer for the industry.

    Combining unparalleled accuracy with rapid prototyping capabilities, FluidForming hydroforming  is redefining what's possible in aerospace manufacturing.

    Made in America: Strengthening Domestic Aerospace Manufacturing

    Operating out of Hartsville, Tennessee, FluidForming Americas is committed to bolstering domestic aerospace sheet metal hydroforming and manufacturing. By producing components in the U.S., companies can avoid tariffs, reduce supply chain vulnerabilities, and support the American economy. This approach aligns with the growing trend of reshoring, where manufacturers bring production back to the U.S. to enhance quality control and reduce lead times.

    Engineer-led Part Optimization: Helping Manufacturers and Contractors Achieve More

    Our engineering team works directly with manufacturers, prime contractors, and subcontractors to optimize parts. We use finite element analysis to improve part performance. Expect detailed simulations of progressive stamping, deep drawing, springback simulations, insights into all stamping process operations, and more.

    Unmatched Precision: Achieving 99.996% Accuracy and Repeatability

    FluidForming's process boasts a Six Sigma first-pass yield rate of 99.996%, setting a new standard in the industry. This level of precision ensures consistent part quality, minimizing defects and reducing the need for costly rework. The bladder-free technology and high forming pressures contribute to this exceptional accuracy, making it ideal for industries where precision is critical.

    Rapid Prototyping: Accelerating Aerospace Innovation

    In the competitive aerospace sector, speed is crucial. FluidForming enables rapid prototyping, allowing manufacturers to move from design to production in as little as three days. The use of 3D-printed tooling reduces costs by up to 50%, facilitating quick iterations and faster product development cycles. This agility is invaluable for companies aiming to stay ahead in innovation.

    Cost-Effective Production: Ideal for Low- to Medium-Volume Runs

    Traditional metal forming methods often require significant investment in tooling, making them less viable for low- to medium-volume production. FluidForming's single-die process reduces tooling costs by up to 90%. This cost-effectiveness, combined with the ability to produce complex parts, makes it an excellent choice for manufacturers with smaller production runs or specialized components.

    Complex Part Manufacturing: Expanding Design Possibilities

    The high forming pressures achieved by FluidForming's technology allow for the creation of intricate and complex parts that were previously challenging or impossible to manufacture. This capability opens new avenues for design innovation, enabling manufacturers to produce components with enhanced functionality and aesthetic appeal.

    Sustainability: Reducing Environmental Impact

    Sustainability is increasingly important in manufacturing. FluidForming's process minimizes material waste and eliminates the need for harmful lubricants and chemicals. By using recycled water as the forming force, the process is not only efficient but also environmentally friendly, helping companies achieve their sustainability goals.

    FluidForming Americas offer an advanced metal forming process that checks the precision, speed, flexibility, and sustainability requirements of the aviation and aerospace industry. Its alignment with the reshoring movement and commitment to American manufacturing further enhance its appeal. For aerospace manufacturers seeking to innovate and compete in a dynamic market, FluidForming provides the tools and capabilities to succeed.

    Contact us today to learn more about our precision forming solutions for the aerospace industry. Or, give us a call at 1-800-407-3545.

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

  • HARTSVILLE, TN -- FluidForming Americas was recently featured in Heat Exchanger World for their cutting-edge work. 

    FluidForming is a high-pressure, bladder-free sheet metal hydroforming process. The process has been used by product developers and manufacturers for rapid prototyping and low- to medium-volume production runs. Working closely with product developers at Evicient, the team at FluidForming Americas helped optimize part design using Autoform finite element analysis, and created production-ready prototypes of a counterflow, flat-plate, microchannel heat exchanger for testing, analysis, and product development.

    The FluidForming metal forming process was selected to form prototypes of microchannel heat exchangers from 28 gauge nickel plated 1006 steel. The dimensions of the prototype panels were 280 mm x 115 mm. The plates included headers to distribute the working fluids and 55 channels 1.7 mm wide x 0.2 mm deep. A forming pressure of 30,000 psi was employed, though the process can achieve pressures up to 60,000 psi. The fundamental benefit of this prototype — and all microchannel heat exchangers — lies in the fact that, as the cross-sectional area decreases, the surface area to cross sectional area of the media increases and the heat transfer coefficient increases. In addition, smaller channels can withstand higher pressures with thinner walls than larger channels. Microchannel heat exchangers therefore provide better efficiency with less material and more space efficient designs. Thus, the benefits of microchannel heat exchanger include:

    • Efficiency: pound for pound significantly more efficient than traditional heat exchangers.
    • Size: Typically significantly smaller than conventional heat exchangers.
    • Fluid savings: Depending on the use, the amount of operating fluid on the inside the tubing can result in cost savings.

    READ THE FULL ARTICLE AT HEAT EXCHANGER WORLD MAGAZINE

    Custom Microchannel Heat Exchanger Quotes

    For part optimization or to get a quote on precision micro channel heat exchanger manufacturing, contact us! Call 800-4973545 or email info@ffamericas.com.

  • HARTSVILLE, TN -- 

    Forming the “Impossible”

    In collaboration with J&N Metal Product, headquartered in Brazil, Indiana, the FluidForming engineering team used AutoForm to optimize part design for an aerospace manufacturer.

    The image above is a prototype of a part produced for a well-known aerospace manufacturer. Formed from Inconel 718, the part measures 18” x 13.5” x 2.15” (L x W x D).

    “The ‘Butterfly’ part was nearing un-manufacturable until we found Fluid Forming Americas. Working with them on the material thickness and orientation resulted in a usable part on a very complex assembly,” said J&N project engineering lead, Austin Eckstein.

    The simulation allowed the engineering team at FluidForming Americas to conduct an initial review of the part in terms of formability and material thickness. From there, the team was able to provide feedback to the customer regarding the process’s forming feasibility. It also enabled the team to recommend possible design changes that improved formability.

    In this instance, the team discovered that the initial approach with a single forming step would lead to material ripping due to the sharp corner in the tool to achieve the desired “butterfly” part shape. To ensure a successful and repeatable outcome, a nested two-tool approach with intermediate annealing was employed. This innovative solution resulted in less material thinning in the critical areas and no ripping.

    The forming pressures needed to form out the full geometry of the part was 120 kPa (17,500 psi) and 90 kPa (13,000 psi), respectively, for the first and second forming steps. Formed from Inconel 718, the material thickness was held above 0.030″ with a starting thickness of 0.039″ which equates to a total thinning of about 23% and was well within the desired range for the customer."

    Read the full article here!