METAL FORMING
50 Years' Experience and Innovation in Superplastic Forming / Diffusion Bonding Presses
Rhodes Interform incorporating John Shaw and Chester Hydraulics, has been at the forefront of Superplastic Forming (SPF) and Diffusion Bonding (DB) press technology and innovation for over 50 years.
Rhodes Interform is the only UK company, and one of only a few organisations worldwide, capable of developing commercially available automatic SPF/DB presses.
In the early years, group companies such as John Shaw, which supplied the first press in the late 1970s (still operating 24/7 today), and Chester Hydraulics, which supplied metal forming presses to the US market, both played a critical role in the early development of SPF press technology and helped shape the industry. Rhodes Interform, have also been involved in the development of SPF press technology.
With over five decades of experience and innovation, and more than 50 successful global projects delivered, you can be assured that the Rhodes Interform team will provide a bespoke, turnkey Superplastic Forming press solution tailored precisely to your organisation’s needs.
Explore some of the successful projects delivered to sectors including aerospace, automotive, and emerging industries.
Rhodes Interform Technical Innovation and the Future
Rhodes Interform continues to design, build and manufacture Superplastic Forming (SPF) presses that set the benchmark for industry performance and innovation.
Our press technology innovations include:
- Platen Heating technology
- Computer control technology
- Thermal Insulation technology
- Gas control technology
In addition, our expertise in material science, enhanced process methods, and in-house developments have led to innovations such as:
- Advanced platen support insulations
- Advanced platen materials
- Improved accuracy gas management system
- Gas balancing control (Patented)
These advancements enable us to meet the growing demand from both our clients and the market for complex shapes and stronger, lighter single-piece structures, achieving up to a 20% weight reduction while maintaining component integrity and delivering cost efficiencies of up to 30%.
Patent
Large components with big surface areas are highly susceptible to fluctuations in ambient conditions, particularly during controlled component cooling.
To reinforce our innovation and technical developments in Superplastic Forming Presses, Rhodes Interform have been granted patents in Europe, USA, India and China for our SPF/DB technology. This patent covers a method of automatically balancing the internal process pressure with the external ambient pressure. Together with accurately controlling the process pressure down to extremely low values.
Rhodes Interform Develop the Worlds Most Advanced Superplastic Forming Facility
Rhodes Interform Helps to Develop the World’s Most Advanced Superplastic Forming Facility to Meet UK Aerospace Clients’ Requirements
850 and 1800 SPF Press for Titanium Forming for Aerospace
1400 Tonne Superplastic Forming for Aerospace
A Chinese aerospace company was looking for a global press manufacturer capable of producing a novel Superplastic Forming / Diffusion Bonding (SPF/DB) press for the manufacture of light aero structures.