The Demonstration of a Low-Cost Tabletop Microscale Hydroforming System With a Self-Aligning Sealing System

Document Type

Conference Proceeding

Publication Date

2-5-2024

Department

Department of Manufacturing and Mechanical Engineering Technology

Abstract

A microscale/multiscale tube hydroforming tabletop test bed that includes the tabletop testbed, PLC controller, and high-pressure hydraulic pump has been developed. Currently, feedback and controls are being implemented along with adapting previously built open-die tooling as part of a collaborative initiative between researchers in Louisiana and at Michigan Technological University.

The tooling utilizes the floating die concept and was designed and built based upon conventional macroscale manufacturing processes to produce microscale components.

At this point in the system development, the objective is to implement controlled expansion of AISI 304 tubing with an OD of 2-mm using an existing floating rigid die. Later modifications to the system will allow the production of tubing with complex geometry such as tee-sections that can be used in microfluidic devices such as fuel cells, microscale heat exchangers, and MEMS.

Preliminary results for formed sample tubes are discussed.

Publication Title

ASME 2023 International Mechanical Engineering Congress and Exposition

ISBN

978-0-7918-8760-8

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