An educational video made by Grumman Aerospace in the 1980s has been highlighted by technology website Hackaday, showcasing the company’s electromagnetic forming technique for creating strong metal tube joints.
The process involves placing a metal tube inside a coil, with an end fitting inside the tube, after which current is driven through the coil to create opposing electromagnetic fields.
The resulting explosive forming forces the tube to close bind into the grooves of the end fitting, creating a strong joint without the need for riveting or crimping.
The benefits of the technique, known as the EMF torque tube, include a stronger, lighter and more fatigue resistant bond than those created by traditional methods.
