Hydroforming

Hydroforming technology shapes metals such as aluminum into lightweight, strong, and complex shapes which would be impossible with traditional metal forming techniques. In the hydroforming process an aluminum tube is placed into a negative mold. Hydraulic fluid is then forced by pistons at very high pressures into the mold, causing the aluminum to be pressed into the mold. Hydroformed tubes typically have a higher strength to weight ratio than traditional tubes because tube thickness and shape can be very precisely controlled and optimized.