Current tends in car body or rail traffic engineering aim at the realization of modern lightweight structures.In this context,demanding technological and economical requirements like the use of high strength materials,the forming of very complex geometries,and the reduction of costs,particularly with regard to low volume production,must be achieved.Novel approaches in the field of sheet metal hydroforming are able to overcome existing limitations of conventional forming technologies and feature a higher potential for an effective manufacturing of lightweight structures.This paper shows the current research work at the Institute of Forming Technology and Lightweight Construction (IUL) in the face of sheet metal hydroforming with a special focus on the design of tool and machine systems and the investigation of hydroforming processes.