Low-volume, high-mix production improves

St. Louis, Missouri – Beckwood Press Co. recently built and installed a Triform deep draw sheet hydroforming press for one of the United States’ leading science, technology and engineering companies. The press, Triform model 25-10-12SC, features a 25" diameter forming area, 10,000 PSI of forming pressure and a 12" draw depth capacity.

The client facility is known for its diverse combination of low-volume, high-mix production, and was looking for a forming solution to handle that type of operation. Due to the nature of their operations, they also needed a process with extreme reliability, accuracy, and repeatability. The company had been working with an old hydroform from the 1950s, which was slow and difficult to maintain. The Triform 25-10-12SC was the perfect solution and a tremendous upgrade with its impressive programmability, minimal tool requirements, and simple tool changeover capabilities.

With the new Triform, bladder pressure and punch position can be programmed through the control system, in up to 30 individual recipe steps per cycle, and retained for future recall, which results in unprecedented process repeatability. New part development is further supported with on-board technologies such as Triform’s In-Sight feature. This allows operators the ability to set and open the chamber at precisely the point desired and as many times as required, during the form cycle, for a visual inspection of the part at each selected step.

“We are proud to announce the installation, and successful training and ramp up of another deep draw Triform this year,” said Beckwood President, Jeffrey Debus. “Our engineering team provided a machine with advanced forming capability, faster forming time, and a reduced reliance on skilled labor; and our support team provided the training and assistance the client needed to get their operators up to speed and working with the press on an expert level within days of installation,” he continued.

“For manufacturers in low-volume / high-mix environments, or those focused on rapid part development, the Triform sheet hydroforming presses are indispensable,” said Debus. “The client has been using the Triform for several months now and states the conversion to the new press has been smoother and easier than they ever could have anticipated; and the comprehensive training we provided allowed them to improve the way they were forming parts. The incredibly easy to use interface, extreme repeatability offered through the recipe handling function, and Triform’s technical training and support is game changing.”

Source: Beckwood Press Co.