Manufacturing System for the Integrated Hydroforming, Trimming and Welding of Sheet Metal Pairs

Kreis O, Hein.P

University of Erlangen-Nuremberg, Germany

The purpose of the presented work is to shorten the process chain for the manufacturing of complex hollow bodies made of sheet metal by developing a manufacturing system that integrates the process steps hydroforming, mechanical trimming, laser beam welding and hydrocalibrating. For the hydroforming process, a special tool is developed that integrates a trimming device. After the preforming and cutting, the flange is welded by a laser beam that is guided by a special CNC-controlled welding robot.

Keywords: sheet metal forming, process integration, shortened process chain, hydroforming, laser beam welding, welding robot