Metal Forming Processes: Techniques, Industries, & Use Cases
July 24, 2020
Metal forming processes are an essential part of our society, and without them, our society would come to a grinding halt.
The products and components created by the different metal shaping techniques are used in creating everything from scaffolding and heavy machinery, to designing and creating microprocessors and artificial intelligence.
When it comes to metal forming, there are several processes to choose from, with each offering its own list of benefits and detriments, each suited to certain applications, and each suited for different types of metal.
Some of the most common types of metal forming techniques are:
Let's explore some of the common applications that each type is used for, as well as some of the industries that use each type.
In short, roll forming involves continually feeding a long strip of metal through drum rollers to attain a desired cross-section.
Some general notes about roll forming that you should be aware of:
Extrusion is a metal forming process that forces metal through the die of a desired cross section.
If you're thinking of pursuing extrusion metal forming, you should keep in mind that:
Press braking involves bending sheet metals (usually), forming the metals to a predetermined angle by pinching it between a punch and a die.
If you're interested in press braking, be aware that it:
Stamping is the process of placing a flat sheet (or coil) of metal into a stamping press, where a tool and die apply pressure to form the metal into a new shape, or cut out a piece of the metal.
Stamping is associated with:
Forging involves shaping metals using localized, compressive forces after heating the metal to a point where it's malleable.
If you're considering forging, keep in mind that:
Casting is a process that involves pouring liquid metal into a mold, containing a hollow cavity of the desired shape.
Those considering utilizing a casting metal forming process should keep in mind that it:
The type of metal forming process that you should choose will depend on many factors: What metal are you working with? What's your budget? What do you need created, and what will it be used for?
Each meal forming method has distinct advantages and disadvantages, and each is better suited for different metal types and applications. If you believe roll forming might be the way to go, the free, downloadable e-book below is a great place to get started.
(Editor's Note: This article was originally published in January 2017 and was recently updated.)
Topics: OEM Roll Forming, Metal Fabrication, Metal Forming, Processes, Roll Forming
Roll formed components often require hole punching -- after all, that’s a big reason why you chose roll forming to begin with, right?
Are you working on a project that involves metal cladding installation? If so, you may have questions about the strength, durability, and corrosion resistance of the 'tracks' (or anchor system) into which the metal wall cladding system will fit.
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