For many low-volume, high-mix forming operations, sourcing a press with cost-effective tooling options and advanced forming capabilities can be a challenge. Beckwood offers two technologies which have been mainstays in the world of low volume / high mix part production: Rubber Pad Presses (also known as Guerin Box Presses or Elastoforming Presses) and Triform sheet hydroforming presses.
Rubber pad forming presses use an enclosed rubber or urethane pad box as a universal female die to form parts over a single, un-mated tool. The tool is placed unsecured onto the bed bolster, and downward pressure is applied. The fully-contained pad box prevents the rubber from extruding outside of the work area during the forming process.
The versatility of the forming area and tooling allows for multiples of the same part or several different parts to be run in a single cycle as long as the tools and blanks fit into the working area of the press. With Beckwood’s custom rubber pad presses, you can form large parts at a lower upfront cost than sheet hydroforming.
The simplified tooling can be made quickly and economically from a variety of materials including steel, aluminum, poured epoxies, 3D printed substrates, and even wood. This can reduce tooling costs by 50-90% and dramatically decrease changeover time when compared to conventional press tooling.
Advantages of rubber pad forming presses
- Cost efficient
- Un-mated, cost-effective tooling
- Durable rubber pads
Alternatives to Rubber Pad Forming and Elastoforming
The inexpensive tooling and ability to run multiple parts in a single cycle are amplified in our line of Triform sheet hydroforming presses. Similar to rubber pad forming, sheet hydroforming offers all of the same benefits plus a more even distribution of force across the part’s surface. The result is net-shape part production without secondary finishing.
Learn how Milford Fabricating improved their production time by 20% with a Beckwood Rubber Pad Press