Welded Metal Bellows are mechanical elements taking a shape of a wrinkled tube which is made by welding multiple of very thin metal foils(0.05~2mm) formed by press machine. Its elastic characteristic enables movements on axis direction, angular direction, and horizontal/vertical directions yet maintaining airtight by isolating the interior from the exterior.

Welded Metal Bellows is used when high sealing performance is required where relative displacements (axis movement, angular movement, horizontal/vertical movements) take place. Aeronautic related devices, semi-conductor manufacturing equipments, extreme high vacuum devices, and radio-active ray accelerators demand such mechanical elements. Because extreme high quality bellows is required to meet the standard of such high-tech devices, only a few leading manufactures seize most of the world market.

KSM improved its design robustness by using new analyzing techniques such as FEA-fatigue analysis, and bellows engineering programming. Competitive strength was also reinforced by developing and stabilizing all of operations and production processes and by adapting latest quality management methods. In particular, our bellows design technique using FEA-fatigue analysis and bellows engineering program is the most competitive technique in the industry and is being world widely recognized.

FEA(Finite Element Analysis)is a method that can predict subject's performance level in actual operating conditions and reflect it to the design.

By using FEA analysis, KSM is able to acquire predicted information on lifespan, spring constant, MED(mean effective diameter) of the bellows currently being designed and can feedback necessary information to the design for enhanced performance.

Lifespan of bellows is acquired by fatigue analysis and fatigue strength calculated from applying stress-lifespan(S-N) graph derived from FEA analysis. By using fatigue analysis we can not only predict the lifespan of bellows, we can also acquire critical points and safety-ratio required for specific products which can lead to more stable and robust design.

Bellows Engineering Program is a design tool produced from accumulated technologies and experiences of KSM. By utilizing this program, optimized designing is possible with minimal time. It also enables to compare and analyze the selected design with former designs to make sure of its robustness. Information on inventory conditions and applicable dies contribute in minimizing time losses, saving redundant costs.

Results of FEA analysis, fatigue analysis, and Bellows Engineering Program is periodically being compared and tested to be used as a feedback for a better bellows design in the future.