July 17, 2019 - FluidForming Americas, Hartsville, Tennessee, is pleased to announce the development of an all-new large format precision metal forming machine, the FormBalancer 80 (FB80). The new machine was produced at the company’s German headquarters and joined the FormBalancer family in March.

The FB80 features a large forming area of 1300 mm by 1600 mm / 52 in. by 63 in. and is designed to produce metal formed precision components for the automotive and aerospace industries.

“There’s no other process or machine on the market that can form complex, large-scale components as precisely as the FormBalancer 80. This technology has the potential to revolutionize the automotive and aerospace industries,” said Paul Benny, President and CEO of FluidForming Americas. “The FB80 is ideal for prototyping and this technology can really set designers free to revolutionize the industry. It’s the best thing since Henry Ford invented the moving assembly line.”

The new machine is designed to accommodate exacting tolerances and utilizes FluidForming’s groundbreaking high-pressure hydroforming technology. The FB80 boasts high forming pressures of 3,000 bar/45,000 psi and an increased clamping force of 8,000 tons — well over industry standards. The machine accommodates tight radii requirements of 0.2mm and forming depths of up to 600mm/24 in.

Nested tooling capabilities, an operating cycle time of 120 seconds, automatic roll feed with automatic die trimming, and compatibility with challenging materials such as alloys and pre-finished and pre-painted surfaces make the FB80 ideal for prototyping through high production volumes. All FormBalancer machines, including the FB80, are compatible with 3D printed, metal sintered, steel, aluminum, and composite tools.

With unprecedented accuracy, repeatability, speed, and forming capabilities, the FluidForming technology and the FB80 can change how industries iterate and innovate,” said Jurgen Pannock, FluidForming’s Chief Technology Officer. “FluidForming is the only Six Sigma metal forming process available and the implications of FluidForming on the future of the manufacturing industry are astounding. Ideas that were once deemed too costly, or impossible, are a reality with our technology.”