AutoForm News

 
September 16, 2005:
AutoForm Releases AutoForm Hydroforming Version 4.0

AutoForm Engineering GmbH, leading supplier of sheet metal forming software solutions, has released version 4.0 of AutoForm Hydroforming.

Dr. Markus Thomma, Director of Marketing at AutoForm Engineering GmbH, explains: “AutoForm Hydroforming is a software solution for the rapid analysis and simulation of the entire hydroforming process. New version 4.0 offers several new benefits that significantly increase productivity and quality:

Users can now easily generate the entire tooling and define the complete bending process for subsequent tryout simulation. As a result, the time-consuming manual definition of bending tools and of the bending process in a CAD system is no longer necessary.

Side-frame member of BMW 1200 S

With a new tube generator, AutoForm Hydroforming now allows the design of complex hydroformed parts. Semi-finished products such as conical tubes and profiles are supported, as are tailor-welded tubes with varying wall thickness and/or material properties. Since the tube generator is fully integrated in the AutoForm Hydroforming software environment, users can quickly generate and evaluate many alternative tube designs.

AutoForm simulation of side-frame member, produced as double-attached part

Version 4.0’s increased accuracy in the bending simulation (due to a new shell element) is important during the preforming process when wrinkles may occur. Therefore, users can better predict part quality, and avoid wrinkles and cracks early in the development cycle.

AutoForm Hydroforming is currently used by leading manufacturers and suppliers such as BMW, Corus, DaimlerChrysler, General Motors and Schuler, for the design and engineering of hydroformed structural parts (roof and frame rails, engine cradles, side-frame members, etc.).

Press Release [pdf - 103 KB], Image 1, Image 2

Contact:
Dr. Markus Thomma
Director of Marketing
AutoForm Engineering GmbH
Technoparkstrasse 1
CH-8005 Zurich
Switzerland