Magnetic Fields to Form, Join and Bond Components

Improved quality and lower costs of industrial metal-forming and bending operations can often be achieved through the application of magnetic forming. In the Magneform process, the workpiece is not touched, but yet, high quality parts are formed without the disadvantages of traditional swaging, welding, pressing and hammering processes.

In Magneform* systems, an electric current is used to generate a pulsed magnetic field which applies uniform force to a selected area of the workpiece. The force can create pressures of up to 50,000 psi which move the surface of the workpiece at several hundred feet per second to reshape and join without excessive heat or mechanical contact. Precise control of the magnetic pressure even allows for the formation of high velocity, impact bonds which are stronger than the surrounding parent material. This presentation provides an introduction to magnetic forming and describes several applications used in the automotive industry. Process details are also explained.