The Selection of Pre Process Steps for Body Structure Hydroformed Components

It has been suggested that hydroforming offers the mass, performance and cost benefits required for successful application in body structures. However, the process has not reached full maturity and requires significant work in several areas to successfully apply the technology to body structures.

This paper focuses on one such area, the characterisation of pre-process steps to hydroforming, highlighting the importance of a full understanding of the technical and commercial aspects that determine the selection of an optimum manufacturing process route.