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 In GEA's Manufacturing Consulting business we design and
equip factories around the world for products ranging from 3,000 ton Absorption
Chillers to small ceiling mounted fan coils. Our clients range from large
established high volume manufacturers to those just starting in the
manufacturing business. This blog post is intended for those looking for the
Basics on Sheet Metal Forming.
Sheet Metal forming
can be classified into five areas:
- Stamping,
- Breaking,
- Drawing,
- Roll
Forming
- Spinning.
Stamping includes smaller parts produced by either a single
hit or multi-stage progressive dies on medium to high cycle mechanical presses.
Fin generation is an example of stamping. Breaking is performed on flat sheet
stock producing unit cabinetry parts. Examples are doors, side panels and drain
pans, most requiring pre-notched corners. The operation is performed with
mechanical or hydraulic brake presses, depending on the stock thickness.
Drawing requires a significant material re-configuration and may require
several stages or hits to produce the part. Examples are compressor housings,
washing machine tubs and auto body parts.  Deep draw parts require hydraulic
presses such as compressor housings whereas shallow draw heat exchanger halves
are produced on higher tonnage mechanical presses. Roll Forming on sheet stock
or the final operation on shear to length roll stock lines produces cabinetry
parts similar to break forming. Spinning will produce parts similar to draw
forming and requires material with a developed blank size. An edge trimming
operation is required to remove excess material as with draw forming. Fan orifice and hubs are some examples of
this process.
In future blogs we will get into more details on the five steps.
Editor's Note: CR4 would like to thank John Ramsden of GEA Consulting for contributing this blog entry, which originally appeared here.
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