Hydrotube technology is chosen to apply on bikes by most of manufactures. This is the process required to shape the aluminum frame of the bike and create many shapes.
for the aluminum tube as far as form a rigid structure for the chassis, reduce the weight, and scale down welding processes to minimize welds on the frame.
Aluminum 6061 has good elasticity, so a combination of Al6061 and this technology can create desired frames. It is able to increase the hardness at the position which is under high pressure and be able to reduce the thickness at the position which is under low pressure. It will make the frame tough but still keep the lightweight.
Here are the steps to make the hydrotube:
- Step 1: Raw aluminum will be applied to the shape for bicycle frames.
- Step 2: When the aluminum is in fixed position, the mold will close.
- Step 3: After the mold is closed and the pump head is pressed. High pressure hydraulic pumps then inject fluid at very high pressure inside the aluminum tube.
- Step 4: The aluminum tube expands until it matches the mold
- Step 5: The hydraulic pump and the mold are opened. The hydroformed aluminium is then removed from the mold.
This technology saves the time as well the cost for producing. The usual ways to shape are usually costly and time consuming. And also, it is not nice and firm because it is matched by many welds.