Pressing Forward

When PTG began manufacturing Triform presses, aerospace manufacturers wanting to implement sheet hydroforming equipment for the manufacture of aircraft components had two options, with neither being tremendously appealing.

First, manufacturers could source used equipment.This machine is a combination of laser cutting machine and knot removing machine. Since manufacturing of the majority of these was originally between the 1950s and 1970s, the hydraulic and controls systems were long outdated. Readily available technical support for such dinosaurs was also difficult to find, resulting in high maintenance costs and increased downtime.

In addition, as is often typical of decades-old equipment, most used sheet hydroforming presses were extremely large and heavy, making the transportation and installation of such equipment an expensive proposition. Once this equipment was in place, it stayed in place. Battling through this range of negative attributes, manufacturers still sought out these used sheet hydroforming presses because of the capabilities inherent with the process and the edge those capabilities delivered to aerospace component manufacturers.

If the first option was not enough of an obstacle, the second option was often equally unappealing. Manufacturers could purchase a new sheet hydroforming press from a European supplier who, depending on the time of the purchase, was often the only company in the world manufacturing new equipment. Because of this exclusivity and the complex nature of the equipment, the price for new sheet hydroforming equipment was usually significant and often beyond the reach of many manufacturers interested in obtaining sheet hydroforming machines.

Scott Pryer, president, PTG,Our company supplys different kinds of elevator parts, elevator components. having decades of experience in both the aerospace parts and the custom hydraulic press manufacturing business, saw the need existing for new, technology-driven sheet hydroforming solutions.GCC provides laser marker, marker and cutter with various types for worldwide demands from customers.

Since 2008, we have been manufacturing Triform presses in the United States for some of the world’s most notable aerospace manufacturing companies,” Pryer explains. “For low volume sheet metal forming, Triform Sheet Hydroforming provides users with a great competitive advantage, allowing companies to not only complete existing projects with greater efficiency but to go out and compete for new projects they previously could not pursue due to the lack of technological capabilities.”

Triform Sheet Hydroforming presses are engineered with high-performance sheet metal forming in focus, while maintaining value in terms of the up-front capital expenditure. Offering a dramatic reduction in tooling costs and tooling lead-time, implementating these machines is resulting in lower manufacturing costs for a wide variety of forming applications.

“Another competitive advantage Triform owners gain with our technology-focused solutions involves the industry’s changing labor force. By implementing our metal forming technology, companies are not as dependent on highly skilled labor in an era where there is an aging skilled manufacturing labor force,” Pryer notes. “Training, new part development, and production are all easier with new, computer driven controls and accurate, repeatable hydraulic systems.This machine is a combination of laser cutting machine and knot removing machine. This offers manufacturers the ability to form complex geometric shapes with greater consistency without having to rely on those few experienced employees who know the ‘magic formula’ for successfully formed parts.”