Flexform Technology applied to the Automotive Industry

Watch our latest video on the advantages of our unique Flexform technology to the Automotive Industry

Shaping the Automotive Industry with Flexform

For decades, Quintus Technologies has supplied Flexform solutions to major automotive manufacturers worldwide, including Ford, Daimler-Benz, Volvo, BMW, Rover, GAZ, and Saab.

As with the aerospace industry, Flexform is used widely by automotive manufacturers for fast, low-cost prototyping, validating tools and parts, and saving valuable time in the new model development process.

And although auto making typically involves high volumes, there are segments of the industry where Flexform is the preferred method for production parts. These include limited edition specialty cars, buses, trucks, commercial vehicles, and farm/construction equipment.

Formed components include fenders, doors, hoods, roof and floor panels, pillars, support beams, and similar items. Flexforming is considered economically viable for parts with production volumes up to some thousands of parts per year.

Quintus Prototype and development parts

Some of our Automotive customers:

Ford, Daimler-Benz, Volvo, BMW, Rover, GAZ and Saab

The right press for your business

An example of a Quintus Metal Forming Rectangular Tray Press

Fluid Cell Presses

Rectangular Trays

Quintus offers a full line of standard models of Flexform Presses with rectangular trays dimensions up to 1.8 x 3.6 m (71 x 142 in) and pressures from 800 bar (11,600 psi) to 1,400 bar (20,000 psi). The cycle time is normally one to three minutes, depending on press size, formed parts and selected pressure.

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An example of a Quintus Metal Forming Circular Tray Press

Fluid Cell Presses

Circular Trays

QFL presses are compact units with circular trays, designed for faster forming of smaller parts. Cycles average about one minute, with maximum pressure of 800 bar (11,600 psi). These presses are commonly used for off-loading and back-up for larger rectangular tray presses and for rapid forming of smaller parts.

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An example of a Quintus Fluid Cell Deep Draw Press

Fluid Cell Presses

Deep Draw Presses

Quintus offers a line of standard deep-draw press models with forming area/diameter ranging from 560 mm / 22 inch to 1100 mm / 43.3 inch. Pressure ranges from 800 bar / 11,600 psi to 1,200 bar / 17,400 psi. The cycle time is depending on the tool size and the pressure level required, but normally range from some 30 seconds to two minutes.

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Quintus Technologies High Pressure Warm Forming Press

Fluid Cell Presses

High Pressure Warm Forming

The Flexform High Pressure Warm Forming process is a new technology that can replace or complement existing Titanium forming methods, such as hot-forming, hot stamping, super plastic forming, SPF, and hot gas forming. Benefits: 50% reduction in production costs, five times increased throughput, and forming repeatability

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Latest Automotive Knowledge

Brochure
Brochure - Shaping the automotive prototyping industry
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White paper
White Paper - Flexforming of an automotive side impact beam
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Open Knowledge Center
Benefits and Applications for the Automotive Industry

Front fender

Front fender in 0.8 mm (0.03 in) mild steel formed in three steps over a Kirksite punch with fixed blank holder: (1) preforming with blank holding for stretching, intermediate trimming, (2) preforming, removal of filler pieces, and (3) final forming, including an undercut in the top area, to 800 bar (11,600 psi).

Front reinforcement

Front reinforcement part in 1.5 mm (0.06 in) mild steel formed in two steps over a Kirksite punch with fixed blank holder: (1) preforming, intermediate trimming, removal of filler pieces and (2) final forming to 1,400 bar (20,000 psi).

BMW shock absorber

BMW shock absorber support in 2 mm (0.08 in) mild steel deep drawn with a movable punch and blank holder in one step to 1,000 bar (14,500 psi). The part has also been formed in aluminum alloy. The punch was made of a low melting zinc alloy and the blank holder of steel.

User Benefits

Prototype and development parts:
Flexform results in high quality, low-cost parts with short lead times.

✓ forming with one rigid low-cost tool half and a flexible rubber diaphragm

✓ high, uniform forming pressure for parts with close tolerances

✓ easy tool modifications and no matching of tool halves

✓ varying material thicknesses formed on the same tool

Flexform results

Low-volume and niche vehicle parts:
Flexform results in high quality, low-cost parts.

✓  forming with one rigid low-cost tool half and a flexible rubber diaphragm

✓  forming including undercuts, flanging and trimming with a single tool half

✓ easy tool modifications and no matching of tool halves

✓  prototype tool can also be used for production

Watch video: Flexform Fluid Cell Press type QFC 0.7×1.8-800

Watch video: Flexform Press type QFC 1.2×3-1000

Watch video: Deep Draw Hydroforming Press QFM 0.8-800

Watch video: Flexform Fluid Cell Press type QFL 1.1-800

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We are truly commited to give you the best support, therefore we have support in the following areas:
America, Europe and Asia.

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