Hydroforming Tool-Design Advisor: (HTDA) Programmatic Goals, Objectives, and Status Report.

摘要

The hydroforming process is important to the Y-12 mission because of its ability to produce precision, thin-wall part geometries that otherwise would be very difficult and expensive to manufacture using standard machining techniques. The hydroforming equipment was primarily obtained from commercial vendors; however, considerable expertise is required to utilize these machines with low-percentage part and/or tool-die rejection rate. Extensive engineering and operations ''know-how'' are necessary in order to maintain the current efficiencies, precision, and consistent quality. Key individuals who possess this knowledge are approaching retirement age and will be required to transfer their knowledge and expertise to other ''less experienced'' individuals. The primary focus of the HTDA effort is to capture the knowledge and hydroforming expertise of key experts who have established methods that are consistently accurate in determining compensations for the tool-die design, and to provide this information to the design engineer/draftsman.