Flow Forming

Synonyms

Hydrodynamic spinning; Power spinning; Shear forming; Shear spinning; Shear/flow turning

Definition

Flow forming is a metal forming process, classified under DIN standard 8583, used for the production of hollow components with nonuniform thickness distribution. During a flow forming process, a hollow metal blank, a tube, or a disk is fixed on a rotating mandrel and plastically deformed by one or more rollers due to the fact that the distance between the mandrel and axially moving rollers is at least in some areas of the workpiece smaller than the initial thickness of the workpiece.

Theory and Application

Flow forming comprises processes during which rollers are moved along the axial direction of a rotating preform. The movement of the rollers leads to a reduced thickness and increased length of the part. Longitudinal sections of the created products can be cylindrical, cone-shaped as well as convex or concave curved. Processes leading to cone-shaped or convex or concave curved...