Rhodes Interform are a world leader in the design, build and manufacture of flexible die presses.
The basic principle of operation of a Flexible Die Press is to drape a component sheet (usually aluminium) over a male former that is loosely positioned on the up-stroke press table.
Hydraulic pressure then forces the male former, together with the component sheet, into a pressing pad. Housed within a robust structure mounted inside the press, the pad provides controlled die-flow characteristics, effectively becoming the female die.
Two alternative pad material options
Rhodes Interform offers two alternative options of pad materials: one is a solid block of natural rubber, and the alternative is a multi-layered polymer construction.
A key advantage of the flexible die press is the simplicity of the tooling, which is far less costly than the conventional tooling required for eccentric presses. This is because, in most cases, only a single male or female forming tool is needed, and this tool can be manufactured from easily machinable materials such as Jabroc or low-melting-point alloys.
Produce multiple components simultaneously
The pressing area can also be used to form either one large component or several smaller parts simultaneously, significantly reducing production time per component.
Flexible Die Presses – Highly efficient hydraulic press solution
To meet tailored client requirements, we have manufactured several bespoke press models ranging from 450 to 10,000 tonne to offer a robust, versatile and highly efficient hydraulic press solution to meet various applications.
Benefits
- Low-cost tooling
- In one single press, operators can produce multiple high-volume components
- Quick cycle time
- Suitable for general applications
Applications
- General aircraft brackets and details
- Stiffener sections
- Fuselage skin panels
