What are the forming methods of sheet metal processing? What are the advantages and disadvantages of the sheet metal forming process?

Sheet metal processing Housing manufacturing involves many different sheet metal forming processes such as roll forming, stamping, shot peening, etc. This list compares the good and bad of each process to determine the right process for your unique needs.

What are the forming methods of sheet metal processing? What are the advantages and disadvantages of the sheet metal forming process?

1. Roll forming

This process is suitable for long parts with constant complex cross-sections. It produces a good surface finish and has high productivity. However, this process has a high tool cost.

2. Stretch forming

Stretch forming can be used to produce large parts with shallow profiles, but only in small quantities. While tooling and equipment costs vary by part size, the downside is high labor costs.

3. Painting

Drawing processes are used to produce shallow or deep parts with relatively simple shapes. Professionals are highly productive. The downside is its high tool and equipment cost.

4. Stamping

The stamping process actually includes various operations such as punching, blanking, embossing, bending, flanging and embossing. Drawings can be used to generate simple or complex shapes. The process has high productivity and low labor costs, making it ideal for high volume production. On the other hand, its tooling and equipment costs can be quite high.

5. Rubber pad molding

Rubber pad molding is used for stretching and embossing of simple or complex shapes. This process produces a sheet surface protected by a rubber film. Highly flexible operation and low tool costs are its main selling points.

6. Spinning

The rotational process is used to produce small or large axisymmetric parts. This process produces a good surface finish and has low tooling costs. However, unless the operation is automated, labor costs can be high.

7. Superplastic forming

Superplastic forming is used to produce complex shapes with fine details and tight tolerances. However, the disadvantages are long forming times, low productivity, and these parts are not suitable for high temperature use.

8. Shot peening

Shot peening is suitable for shallow contours on large sheets. This process is also used to straighten components. Its operation is highly flexible, but equipment costs can be high.

9. Explosive molding

Explosive forming is used to produce very large sheets with relatively complex shapes, but the shapes are usually axisymmetric. Due to its high labor costs and long cycle times, this method is suitable for low volume production. The main selling point is its low tool cost.

10. Magnetic pulse shaping

Magnetic pulse forming can be used for shallow forming, bulging and embossing operations on relatively low strength sheets. This process works best for tubular shapes. Although it requires special tools, it is highly productive.

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