The basic principle of operation of a Flexible Die Press is to drape a component sheet (usually aluminium) over a male former loosely positioned on the upstroking press table.
Hydraulic pressure forces the male former (complete with the component sheet) into a multi-layered flexible polymer pad. Housed within a robust structure within the press, the polymer pad offers various die flow characteristics effectively becoming the female die.
An important advantage of the rubber-bolster press is the simplicity of the tooling, which is thus far less costly than conventional tooling required for eccentric presses. This benefit arises because generally, only a male or female forming tool is necessary and this tool can be constructed from an easily machinable material, such as Jabroc or a low melting point alloy. The pressing area can be utilised to form one large component or several small parts simultaneously, thereby significantly reducing production time per component.
The Benefits
Simple low cost tooling, for producing multiple high volume components.
Typical Products Produced
General aircraft brackets and stiffener sections.
