TEHRAN - Faribourz Froohandeh, an Iranian professor at Azad University of Sahhroud, has invented and internationally patented a hydroforming sheet/ machine capable of shaping pieces of titanium parts, deputy of research and technology of the university announced on Saturday.

The machine, tested in the Indian Institute of Technology, has been given a patent in India’s ministry of Industry as well.

According to IRNA, Sahebali Manafi said the invention is designed to have dual symmetric and asymmetric forms.

Manafi added hydroforming has many applications in mechanics, among which is the possibility of manufacturing complex malleable metal parts.

Hydroforming is a metal fabricating and forming process which allows the shaping of metals such as steel, stainless steel, copper, aluminum, and brass. The process is a cost-effective and specialized type of die molding that utilizes highly pressurized fluid to form metal.

In the design of the machine, Manafi said, the precise shape of mold has not been a factor but instead the vacuum is filled with oil.

Titanium and its alloys, recognized for its high strength-to-weight ratio, have gained widespread applications in aerospace and biomedical industries; although regretfully, he said, it poses a hazard to the tools due to high strength, low thermal conductivity and chemical reactivity with tool materials.

Yet, Manafi concluded, the new apparatus is capable of forming cold, warm, and hot titanium parts without any problems and is ready to hit the market.