German hydraulic coupling technology provider Voss Fluid in June launched its VossForm 100 Compact forming machine, which shapes contours on hydraulic tubes and, when used in combination with a soft seal and function nuts, results in a leakproof and process-reliable tube connection.

The solution is ideal for steel and stainless steel tubes and is available in sizes ranging from 6 mm to 42 mm in outside tube diameter.

Safe and leak-free tube connections are important during repair and maintenance, and the mobile forming machine from Voss Fluid demonstrates its inherent advantages, as the size and weight of the unit make it ideal for shipping in a transporter, while a forklift mount and additional lifting rings provide the unit with improved mobility.

The forming machine shapes a 24° tube contour at the end of a hydraulic tube, which is supplemented with a soft seal and a function nut that is equipped with a special clamping ring. “The result is an extremely high-quality and leakproof connection that is exceptionally resistant to high bend change stresses,” says Voss Fluid.

Forming Process
The design of the VossForm 100 Compact makes hydraulic tube forming simple. An operator simply inserts a marked tool in the unit and pushes the tube end against the limit plate. During processing, the machine will display the next operational step. Even the forming pressure setting is automatically controlled.

The integrated tool is a negative mould of the contour shape needed, ensuring the contour is always executed to customer specifications.

Insertion mistakes and operator errors are limited, leading to faster and more precise results, as well as effectively preventing scrap. The forming power of the machine is about 100 t and is designed as a service unit for smallest-lot production.

Hydraulic Connection Training
Voss Fluid notes that tube-connection technology makes an important contribution to the cost effectiveness and leakage protection of hydraulic plants, making suitable product selection and flawless assembly a decisive process.

Therefore, training courses and detailed application consulting are indispensable to maintain high levels of process reliability and quality from the start, as training imparts the necessary background knowledge to reduce errors and costs.

“Tube-connection components in stationary and mobile hydraulics are safety-relevant components and, as such, in-depth theoretical and practical expertise on their applications are indispensable for mechanics, maintenance technicians and maintenance supervisors, as well as technicians from design, development and quality assurance,” the company asserts.

Voss Fluid offers individualised service and training courses for the different skill sets, with training contents specifically customised by the company’s trainers for the needs, desires and requirements of the participants.

The training has proven to provide tangible success, resulting in fewer errors, leaks and complaints, along with faster and better handling, which is the focus of the mechanics training courses. Depending on the training priorities, the maintenance technicians and constructors attain an in-depth overview of the market, as well as the study standards, regulations and the potential applications of the systems while gaining insight into the cost structures. All course participants will receive a certificate on completion of the training. Users can also have their existing preassembly devices, tools and auxiliary equipment checked.

Training and qualification of customer’s employees is a decisive pillar in Voss’s application consulting. The company also offers regularly scheduled audits on site for process documentation and improvement. Comprehensive consultation services on fundamental bolted-joint improvement round off the customer-orientated service spectrum of Voss Fluid.

About Voss Fluid
Voss Fluid is an international leading provider of hydraulic coupling technology, with about 400 employees. The company is based in Wipperfürth, Germany, and forms part of international corporate group Voss Holding.

Voss Fluid’s product range includes tube couplings for stationary and mobile hydraulics, including cutting-ring couplings, tube-forming systems and flange couplings. As a development and system partner in international mechanical engineering, the company’s focus is on application-specific system solutions.

Voss Fluid offers customers a host of fluid technology services from a single source, including project planning and engineering, production, assembly and cost-effective logistics services.