Process Design for the Tubular Hydroforming at Elevated Temperatures

온간 하이드로포밍 공정을 위한 시스템 설계

Process design has been performed for the warm hydroforming of light weight alloy tubes. For the heating of tubes, specially designed induction heating system has been adopted to ensure rapid heating of tubes. The induction heating system uses 30kHz frequency induction coil in order to concentrate the energy in the tube and prevent the energy loss. But the induced heat by the integrated heating system, consisting of induction coil, tube, pressure oil and dies, was normally not equally distributed over the length and circumference of the tube specimen, and consequent temperature distribution was non-uniform. So additional heating element has been inserted into the inside of the tube to maintain the forming temperature and reduce temperature drop due to heat loss to the molds. And for that heat loss, a heat insulation system has also been installed. The drop in flow stress at elevated temperatures results in lower internal pressure for hydroforming and lower clamping forces. The proposed warm hydroforming process has been successfully implemented when applying 6061 aluminum extruded tubes.