Metal forming is a general
term used for the variety of processes used in the manufacturing processes. In
the forming process, the metal is changed into the pre-specified shape. Before
giving it a shape, the metal must be deformed plastically in such a way that it
overshadows the yield strength of the material. Metal
Forming Equipment is used to perform this
function. Even, with the right kind of equipment and tool, temperature pays a
very important role in metal forming. When a metal is subjected to different
temperatures, it will react differently and will take a different shape.
Four Major Processes
There are different
processes of metal forming such as Rolling, Forging, Extrusion and Drawing.
Rolling is the process of forming where the metal is deformed with the help of
rolls which includes flat rolling, shape rolling, thread rolling gear rolling
and ring rolling. Different dyes are used to compress and shape a metal and die
may be flat or might be of specific geometry. Another type of forming is
extrusion in where the metal is forced to the die opening, producing work of
different length and regular cross section. Drawing is very similar to the
extrusion with the only difference in the application of force in both the
process. In extrusion, the metal is pushed through the dye opening and
vice-versa in Drawing. With changing technology and increasing competition,
computers have become one of the major forging equipments. There are new
processes that are hybrid of the old processes and more efficient that the old
one.
