8 Types of Metal Forming Processes

Manufacturers use metal forming to build components and parts for the products and machines they make. If you’re designing and planning a project that requires manufacturing, you’ll most likely be using formed metal. However, not all metals are formed the same way.

What is metal forming?

Metal forming applies stress, compression or both to a piece of metal to give it the desired shape. It can include cutting, drilling, folding or bending. The process involves skilled craftsmen using highly specialized precision machines. If not done correctly, poorly formed metal can crack, bend and crease, so metal formers must strike a balance between form and strength.

Types of metal forming

There are several metal forming techniques, and each has a unique role. Here are some of the most common types of metal forming processes:

• Bending. There are several ways to bend pipes, tubes, structural steel or other metals. The primary method involves sets of rollers and fixed dies. The rollers apply pressure to the dies in different directions to achieve the desired angles and radii.

• Stretching. During the stretching process, a metal piece is stretched and bent at the same time. This process can produce complex, contoured pieces. This is also an excellent method to bend large pieces with accurate radii and smooth surfaces, such as architecturally exposed structural steel (AESS).

• Deep drawing. Used to make intricate components and designs, deep drawing is a process where a metal sheet is placed over a hollow die. A machine slowly punches the metal down into the die cavity, where it takes the die’s shape.

• Roll forming. As its name suggests, roll forming is a process in which metal sheets pass through successive sets of rollers that form the metal surface into the desired cross-section.

• Extrusion. During the extrusion process, metal is heated to an almost liquid form to become more pliable. A machine then pushes the super-hot material through a shape forming die.

• Punching. Punching involves using a punch and a die used to create holes in metal. You can also use punching to extract small pieces from a larger piece to use for parts.

• Stamping. Stamping is like punching but raises only specific areas of the metal to create a shape instead of perforating the metal.

• Ironing. Ironing refers to running a metal piece through a set of rollers or dies to achieve a uniform thickness throughout the piece’s length.

Metal bending experts for structural steel, bridges and arches

The Advanced Bending Technologies team at Advantec Global can bend just about anything for our clients’ projects, including materials previously not thought possible. Contact us today to learn how we can help you meet your metal-bending needs.