Flow forming
Winkelmann MSR Technology, represented in France by CTI, produces a wide range of metal parts and other rotationally symmetrical parts from many types of metals.
The flow forming is a chip-less process that forms the metal into the desired shape using large hydraulic forces applied to rollers to stretch the metal over a mandrel as it is rotating. This “stretching” process work hardens the material which improves its strength while achieving very good tolerances and surface finish on the inner diameter and outer diameter of the part.
The flow forming is accomplished by starting with a relatively short and thick walled preform or blank piece which can have a number of shapes, all of which are circular or tubular. The process then transforms the preform into a much longer and thinner walled piece by flowing the metal along the longitudinal axis of the mandrel up to 6 meters.
The main materials used are :
- Steel
- Carbon steel
- Stainless steel (304, 316L, 15-5 PH -17.4 PH)
- Aluminium
- Copper & copper alloys
- Nickel alloys (Inconel, Hastelloy, Nimonic, Waspaloy)
- Titanium (TI -15-3-3-3)
- Niobium
The advantages of flow forming are :
- Reduced wall thickness and weight saving
- Low tolerances achievable and optimum material grain and uniformity
- Very high length-to-diameter ratios
Winkelmann MSR Technology flow forming capabilities with 14 flow forming machines is able to produce metal parts with external diameter up to 900 mm, inner diameter min.18 mm, a max. length approx. 6000 mm and a min. final wall thickness of 0.07 mm.
Winkelmann MSR Technology is active in the aerospace, space and defense sectors as well as the medical, oil & gas, general machinery and is certified :
- DIN EN ISO 14001-2009
- DIN EN ISO 9001-2008
- DIN EN ISO 9100-2009
- OHSAS 18001-2007
- AS EN 9100-2009