Triform Hydroforming Benefits

Thanks to our single tool technology, Triform hydroform presses can reduce tooling costs by 50% to 90% compared to conventional presses. There is no need for a mating die to the punch (male die), as the flexible rubber diaphragm in the machine acts as a universal female. Triform tooling is easily manufactured from standard, inexpensive materials and typically has a longer life than conventional press tooling, due to the steady, uniform pressure applied during the Triform process.

A Triform press results in less than 10% variation in blank to finished part thickness, due to uniform elongation of the metal. The applied force during the cycle is multidirectional, drawing the metal around the punch, which greatly reduces stretching or thinning of the formed areas. This allows the starting material thickness to be reduced, greatly reducing costs.

Thanks to the flexible diaphragm of the Triform press, parts are produced with a smooth, uniform, scratch-free surface, typically requiring no additional finishing. By eliminating the need for secondary buffing, polishing and other hand work - caused by the marring and scuff marks left by traditional matched dies - labor costs can be significantly reduced. Many parts can even be painted before being formed, without damage to the surface finish.

In many applications, secondary finishing can risk product variation and can produce inefficient results. Other applications have precise clean room, sanitation or aesthetic requirements which benefit from a reduction in post-form finishing.

Tooling and material changes are simple and inexpensive with a Triform press, giving you the ability to eliminate multiple step processes, reduce tryout costs and realize more process efficiency. Compare this to the high tooling costs and precision alignment requirements of traditional deep draw systems, where even minor changes to prototype production are very costly and time consuming. Our sophisticated, easy-to-use controls minimize the part development process, greatly reducing scrap.

Precise tolerances can be achieved to form parts with extremely difficult configurations. Triform hydroforming can even complete airtight fits on mating parts and has enhanced dimensional precision through a reduction in springback.

Triform presses provide increased capability to form complex geometric parts over conventional systems where tool alignment must remain extremely accurate with little variation. A single operation can form stepped, irregular shaped parts that would require multiple steps with traditional press operations.

Triform hydroforming improves part quality and reduces rejection rates. Torn or wrinkled parts are easily eliminated with simple programmable pressure and punch position (on Deep Draw models) adjustments. The advanced computer-controlled platform gives the operator the ability to manipulate the process variables throughout the forming cycle. And, once the optimal recipe for a particular part has been determined, it can be saved and repeated consistently, even on different Triform presses.

A wide range of material can be formed with a Triform hydroform press, each with varying degrees of thickness. These materials include (but are not limited to): high strength alloys, carbon steel, aluminum, stainless steel, precious metals, copper and brass.

Material tensile strength is maintained for a longer period of time on a Triform press compared to conventional drawing applications.

Triform hydroforming can increase production by reducing setup and handling times. With only minor equipment adjustments, Triform presses have been known to reduce tool change time by 60%-70% due to the diaphragm replacement of the female die. This feature is perfect for applications with short to medium run parts or multiple configurations. Tools can be quickly changed and mounted with a self-aligning punch adapter for simple changeover.

With simpler, less expensive tooling, including using a single tool rather than a male/female matched set, tooling lead time is greatly reduced, allowing for a new part to be successfully made faster.

By consolidating multiple processes to one machine and minimizing or eliminating finishing, production becomes much more efficient. Parts requiring multiple operations on conventional presses - including complex deep drawn parts - can typically be achieved by a Triform hydroform press in just one cycle.

A Triform press can minimize the need for expensive and hard-to-find skilled labor. Many complex shapes are unable to be performed on a traditional system and must be hand reworked to achieve tight tolerances. This process can take time and may result in excess scrap. Many parts which require this 'human touch' after being formed on a conventional press come out of the Triform press needing little or no finishing.

Triform presses are manufactured with easily accessible, standard components that can be found across the globe when replacements are needed. Pumps, controls and other components are, in most cases, "off-the-shelf" components with short lead times from local distributors/supply houses.

Our advanced engineering and unique pressure containment system allows for significantly reduced press size and weight, without sacrificing integrity or durability. Typically, no special ceiling height requirements or expensive pits or foundations are necessary for installation and operation. Most Triform presses can be moved with a standard forklift, allowing you to quickly transport them from one work cell to another.

Machine installation is fast and simple. After spotting the Triform, connect it to the facility power, fill it with hydraulic oil and load the first set of tooling. Most Triform customers are running parts within hours of the machine delivery.

With a Triform press, there is virtually no limit to the number of different shapes and sizes you can produce (within the forming area). And you can quickly and easily change from producing one part to the next, and from one material to the next... making shorter run parts much more cost-effective.