Frequently asked questions about flow forming, deep drawing and other topics

Q: How can FlowformingPlus™ reduce the costs of my manufacturing process?
A: Flowforming rarely offers the solution to all the design requirements of a part or assembly. That is why we combine flowforming with other complementary, in-house processes, so that we can meet your design requirements without compromise on consistent basis. This approach reduces our customer's costs to further process or assemble our parts.

Q: When is flowforming and PMF's associated processes more appropriate than spinning or deep drawing?
A: Flowforming technology creates parts that exceed the capability of deep drawing or spinning, and approach the precision of machine parts. Flowforming increases the strength and wear resistance of the part over spinning or deep drawing. Flowforming can create parts from tough, difficult to form materials like stainless steel and Inconel much more easily than using spinning or deep drawing. Unlike spinning and deep drawing, flow forming can create parts with controlled changes in wall thickness over the length of the part, such as parts with heavier bottoms and tops and thinner side walls.

Q: Is Flowforming effective for low- or medium-range quantities?
A: Yes. Ideal quantities for production are up to 50,000 parts.

Q: What if my part has special requirements that would require design changes for flowforming to be appropriate?
A: PMF engineers can optimize your design for flowforming and our related
processes. This optimization often results in a part that eliminates manufacturing operations at your end and results in a part that makes your manufacturing process more cost-effective.

Q: Are flowformed parts expensive?
A: Flowforming is only part of a process which we follow to help optimize your manufacturing process. We have often made a company's finished product more cost-effective by supplying a flowformed part that eliminates quality problems, secondary operations at your facility and add strength and finishes that are impossible to achieve with other methods.

Q: Can PMF create a variety of finishes for my parts?
A: Yes, we can produce commercial grade satin or brush finishes to mirror finishes, as well as electropolished finishes in our facility.

Q: What kind of parts can PMF produce?
A: PMF produces hollow, symmetrical, relatively thin-walled shapes and complete assemblies. Deep cone, cylinder and contoured parts from stainless and heat resistant steels and other exotic materials are our specialty. Click here for a small sampling of the markets and products we have helped engineer and manufacture.

Q: Are flowformed parts reliable?
A: Flowforming consistently produces extremely durable products that outperform other components. This is because the flowforming process tests the quality of the material and welds. For example, laminations or other imperfections in the metal structure will cause the material to fail during flowforming. This is especially beneficial for parts used in stressed applications such as pressure vessels and aerospace.

Q: How does PMF achieve such tight part tolerances?
A: Flowforming can control tolerances within the range of machined parts because of the controlled, intentional and predetermined reduction of the metal.

Q: PMF sounds like the kind of company I'd like to work with. How do I get started?
A: You can contact us by phone or e-mail (information below) or you can fill out this form and we'll contact you.

Q: How do I contact PMF?
A: sales@pmfind.com

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