What is the difference between formed bellows and welded bellows?
Formed bellows are made from a single continuous piece of very thin wall tubing whereas welded bellows are made of multiple leaves of very thin flat discs. The convolutions on formed bellows are smooth curves versus the sharp, welded edges of the welded bellows. Formed bellows offer some flexibility and are used mainly for static misalignment purposes. Welded bellows offer great flexibility and are used primarily in devices requiring repetitive motion such as valves and motion feedthroughs. Formed bellows can be used for some motion applications, but mainly where repetition and stroke are both minimized.
