Tube Hydroforming: Dimensional Capability Analysis of a High Volume Automotive Structural Component Production Process

The rapidly developing hydroforming industry has become almost a mainstream technology for the manufacture of automotive structural components. Technical information and claims are often incomplete, unspecific and unsupported by production experience and data. This paper contains data accumulated from a hydroforming process that has been in high volume production for 8 years. An objective presentation, explanation and discussion of this information gives a unique view of what is being done at present. It should act as an authoritative reference point against which dimensional capability claims can be judged.