Investigation on the Energy Efficiency of Innovative Hybrid Impact Hydroforming

Abstract

The innovative hybrid impact hydroforming (IHF) technology use high energy forming complex parts in very short time which can improving forming quality of hardforming materials like Aluminum alloy widely used in automotive and aircraft industries. The impact hydroforming technology means the most features are formed by hydroforming and the small features are rapidly reshaped by high intensity impact energy in a very short time after the traditional hydroforming. Thus, the impact energy is the most important parameter of Innovative Hybrid Impact Hydroforming. Using numerical simulation software MSC.PATRAN/DYTRAN, the whole system of hybrid impact hydroforming apparatus was analyzed. The initial gas pressure and the mass of hammer directly affect the energy efficiency. The results show greater initial gas pressure will linear increase the energy output. Moreover, the bigger mass of hammer will reduce the velocity of hammer, but it still increase the energy output. Therefore, the research is very useful for improving energy efficiency of IHFand widing its application.