Acrolab supports the manufacturing of aluminum automotive components made using a hot blow forming process. We can work with you to supply your team with thermal management services and components for your hot blow forming application(s).
How Acrolab Can Assist You With Your Hot Blow Forming Process Needs
Depending on what type of process you are currently running, thermal management of the process can play a key role in the final outcome of the product. In order to achieve success in the process at even higher forming rates, discrete temperature and process control is required. The result will be cost-effective, higher-volume manufacturing technology. Acrolab can supply complete thermal solutions to design and build your production process.
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Aluminum Hot Blow Forming Application Key Processes
- Review Current Tool Design Or Current Build For Solution Feasibility
- Recommend Key Thermal Components and/or system(s) (Heaters, Sensors, Controls, etc)
- Technology Feasibility Review
- Technology And Solution Design
- Client Approval
- Design And Development
- Execute: Design, Build & Test
- Deliver & Support
Typical Aluminum Hot Blow Forming Thermal Challenges
- Requirements To Heat & Cool Tooling/Dies
- Calculating Heating & Cooling Energy Requirements
- Defining Different Technologies Available
- RTD And TC Placement(s)
- Multi-Piece Tooling/Dies
- Non-Isothermal Conditions
- Odd shaped part geometries
- Thermal response during ramp phases
- Pressure to reduce forming time
- Part sizes
- Age Creep Forming
- Decision to use pre-heat station/platen(s)
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Requirements To Heat & Cool Tooling/Dies
- QPF is performed under high-temperature gas-blow-forming in order to pressurize air to form a single-sided aluminum tool. The difference between QPF and SPF is the temperature and strains rates.
- QPF process has become a key aspect for complex body closure panels production which cannot be produced by conventional stamping.
- Certain classes of automotive body panels are preferably formed under a two-stage process called double action QPF. The first stage is called the ‘pre-forming’ stage which increases the blank surface area and gives a general shape of the final product. The shape and thickness distribution facilitates the second and final stage that produce wrinkle-free panels without excessive thinning.
- Double-action tools combine two forming stages into one compact tool.
Preheating Station