Aerospace-Defense Supplier Readies for Custom, 114” Stretch Forming Giant
Beckwood Press Company is building a 200-ton Triform press to accommodate H&R Parts Company’s expanding aluminum aerospace parts production. Its jaws will move horizontally to a maximum distance of 72 inches and will clamp a wide range of sheet sizes.
Posted: April 14, 2020
Beckwood Press Company (St. Louis, MO), is manufacturing a 200-ton Triform sheet stretch forming machine for H&R Parts Company (Wichita, KS), which has been supplying sheet metal components and assemblies for the aerospace and defense industry since 1955.
The machine is designed for stretch forming of aerospace and defense parts made from aluminum sheets up to 3/16-in. thick and 114-in. wide. It will feature 40-in. of stroke with a 12-in. x 100-in. mounting table that includes +/-15-degree tilt. The jaws will travel horizontally to allow for a maximum distance of 72-in. and a minimum distance of 18-in. between them. The segmented jaws provide 6,000lbf/inch and will allow for clamping of a wide range of sheet sizes.
In 2018, H&R Parts Co. installed a Triform model 24-5 fluid cell sheet hydroforming press with a 24-in. diameter forming area and 5,000 PSI of pressure to support their aluminum aerospace part production.
“In a collaborative effort with the team at H&R Parts, we were able to design a solution that fits their needs and supports their growing operation for years to come,” said Beckwood Sales Engineer, Caleb Dixon. “By having the ability to design and build stretch form equipment around their specific requirements, H&R will experience a seamless transition from their existing machine to this modern and reliable solution. This will be H&R’s second Triform machine, and we look forward to continuing our partnership long into the future.”
“Due to a fire in January of 2019, our Skin Stretch Press was destroyed,” said H&R Parts Co. President Lon Legleiter. “With the previous experience we had on the purchase of a Triform Fluid Cell Press, I decided to give Caleb Dixon a call to see what they could do for me on a replacement Skin Stretch Press. Thanks to Caleb and the guys at Beckwood, they were able to design a press that would fit my existing pit with very little changes to the pit. I cannot wait to get the machine installed and up and running to increase my production the same way we did with the Triform Fluid Cell Press. A big Thanks to Caleb and the crew at Beckwood.”
In addition to H&R Parts Co.’s 24-5 unit, Beckwood’s Triform product line also includes a full range of fluid cell and deep draw sheet hydroforming presses, stretch forming machines, ring expanders, and joggle presses to support low-volume, high-mix production.
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