Quote:
Originally Posted by tkb289
David,
Great video! 
Are all of the panels formed with the material stretched to 'yield' condition?
Is there a prescribed amount of tension put on the material or is it a matter of experience?
It looks like a pretty large sheet of aluminum will fit into this machine, what would be the biggest single piece you can form?
Thanks!
- Tim |
We try to stretch the panel and yield the material and hold it there as we push the form into the material...that is not always possible. We stretch the material by experience--sound, Lueder's lines (stretch marks), and other indicators.
Sometimes, you have to drape the aluminum over the form and then start pulling. The friction over the die doesn't allow the material to flow freely. However, sometimes that is the only way you can make the part.
The machine is quite large. I think we can stretch an 8 foot x 12 foot part. We bought the machine as scrap from a military auction. The rams were cut apart with a torch. The wires were just cut. We took the entire machine apart and rebuilt it. It is now a pretty incredible machine.
David