Hydro Formed Frame

[reoraider00]

I have read in a number of articles that the new Dodge Ram as well as other competitior's are manufacturing frame rails and/or cross members utilizing a hydro forming process. Does anyone know what this process is and the advantage to useing it?

thanks,
John

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93 D350 LE CC, Auto, 65,000 miles, Stock, 94 11Z Elkhorn Camper

 

['956Wheel]

Hydro-form, and its many variations, has the advantage of forming a given material with a more uniform contact to the dies. In conventional dies, pan brake, pressbrake, stamping etc. the stress area is "concentrated" in a small area inviting fractures and other failures. Bathtubs and those hollow brass doorknobs are hydro formed, water or a hydralic fluid forces the material to conform to the die set. I am not sure how hydro will be used in frame fabication, however there are many variations of the method. Frames are, IMO, overdue for a better manufacturing process. It seems technology has somewhat passed them by.

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9535hundred

[This message has been edited by Statland (edited 04-15-2001). ]

 

[Randy J]

Hydro-forming simply means using a hydraulic fluid to help form tube metal. GM has been using this for some time in the C5 Corvette, as well as the new P/U's. A tube of steel is capped on each end and pumped full of a hydraulic fluid which is pressurized. This internal pressure helps form the tube steel to the die, giving uniform bends in appearance and strength. I was suprised to see Dodge was going to this manufacturing process, but all manufacturer's probably will use more of it in the future.

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Randy Jones, San Antonio, TX, rdj@gvtc.com, 98 1/2 QC, 4X4, American Racing BAJA's, 285/75/16, Amsoil throughout, Superstar 3000 export radio, Firestik antenna with fender mount, Fire-ring cable, Mag-Hytec Deep transmission pan

2000 VW Jetta TDI, auto, 45 mpg average