Metal Forming
Shaping The Development of Armstrong Group
Capabilities
Metal Forming
Metal forming is an amazingly versatile manufacturing process that has played a pivotal role in shaping the development of Armstrong Group capabilities, from automotive and aerospace to construction and rail industry components. By subjecting metals to controlled forces and deformations, this process transforms raw materials into complex and intricate shapes to meet the demands of modern engineering.
Metal forming refers to the process of shaping metal components through the application of mechanical forces. Unlike subtractive processes like machining, which remove material to achieve the desired shape, metal forming involves deforming the material without changing its volume. This method not only ensures material efficiency but also enhances the strength and structural integrity of the final product.
At Armstrong Group, we use three main processes; pressing, bending and roll forming. Our engineers are equally skilled in using manual and automated processes where applicable to ensure production of the highest quality end product.
Metal forming is an amazingly versatile manufacturing process that has played a pivotal role in shaping the development of Armstrong Group capabilities, from automotive and aerospace to construction and rail industry components. By subjecting metals to controlled forces and deformations, this process transforms raw materials into complex and intricate shapes to meet the demands of modern engineering.
Metal forming refers to the process of shaping metal components through the application of mechanical forces. Unlike subtractive processes like machining, which remove material to achieve the desired shape, metal forming involves deforming the material without changing its volume. This method not only ensures material efficiency but also enhances the strength and structural integrity of the final product.
At Armstrong Group, we use three main processes; pressing, bending and roll forming. Our engineers are equally skilled in using manual and automated processes where applicable to ensure production of the highest quality end product.
Metal Forming Techniques
Pressing, Bending & Rolling At Armstrong
Metal Forming Techniques
Techniques of Metal Forming:
Metal Pressing: This process involves positioning a flat metal sheet in a press which then exerts high force on the sheet using specialized dies. The force applied causes the metal to deform and take the required shape. The pressing operation can involve a combination of techniques, such as blanking, piercing, bending, embossing, drawing and deep drawing.
Metal Bending: At Armstrong, our experts use state of the art metal bending machines to produce an array of components which start out in precision machined flat form. The component is clamped into the machine and force is then applied to accurately bend sections of the component as required to produce formed components such as brackets. Our machines allow extremely precise forming of components for industries where accuracy is critical, such as Automotive and Aerospace applications.
Stretch Bending: Stretch bending is a highly versatile metal forming process that plays a critical role in many modern engineering industrial applications. It involves subjecting a metal sheet to simultaneous tensile and bending forces, resulting in the desired shape without compromising the material’s integrity. The stretch bending process employs a combination of stretching and bending forces to deform a metal sheet into a predetermined shape. It typically involves clamping the sheet or while applying tensile force to elongate the material between the clamps. This elongation results in localized thinning, reducing material resistance to bending. As a consequence, the metal sheet takes on the desired shape without cracking or fracturing.
Rolling: Rolling is a process that utilizes rotating rolls to reduce the thickness of a metal sheet or to create specific cross-sectional profiles. The material passes between the rolls, which exert compressive forces, causing plastic deformation. Rolling is extensively used in the production of sheet metal, tubes, and structural shapes.
Techniques of Metal Forming:
Metal Pressing: This process involves positioning a flat metal sheet in a press which then exerts high force on the sheet using specialized dies. The force applied causes the metal to deform and take the required shape. The pressing operation can involve a combination of techniques, such as blanking, piercing, bending, embossing, drawing and deep drawing.
Metal Bending: At Armstrong, our experts use state of the art metal bending machines to produce an array of components which start out in precision machined flat form. The component is clamped into the machine and force is then applied to accurately bend sections of the component as required to produce formed components such as brackets. Our machines allow extremely precise forming of components for industries where accuracy is critical, such as Automotive and Aerospace applications.
Stretch Bending: Stretch bending is a highly versatile metal forming process that plays a critical role in many modern engineering industrial applications. It involves subjecting a metal sheet to simultaneous tensile and bending forces, resulting in the desired shape without compromising the material’s integrity. The stretch bending process employs a combination of stretching and bending forces to deform a metal sheet into a predetermined shape. It typically involves clamping the sheet or while applying tensile force to elongate the material between the clamps. This elongation results in localized thinning, reducing material resistance to bending. As a consequence, the metal sheet takes on the desired shape without cracking or fracturing.
Rolling: Rolling is a process that utilizes rotating rolls to reduce the thickness of a metal sheet or to create specific cross-sectional profiles. The material passes between the rolls, which exert compressive forces, causing plastic deformation. Rolling is extensively used in the production of sheet metal, tubes, and structural shapes.
Metal Forming Applications
Process Innovation & Evolution
Metal Forming Applications
A Wide Range Of Applications Across Various Industries
Automotive Industry: Metal forming plays a critical role at Armstrong in the manufacture of automotive components such as body panels and interior parts. The process ensures the production of lightweight yet strong parts, enhancing fuel efficiency, safety, and performance.
Rail Industry: Metal forming is vital for the production, maintenance, and repair of various components and structures in the rail industry, ensuring the safety, efficiency, and reliability of rail transportation systems.
Aerospace Industry: Metal forming techniques are pivotal in aerospace manufacturing, enabling the production of lightweight yet robust components for aircraft and spacecraft. This ensures improved fuel efficiency, payload capacity, and overall structural integrity.
Construction Industry: Metal forming is widely used by Armstrong for customers in the construction sector, to fabricate structural elements like beams, columns and trusses. The process allows for the creation of complex profiles, facilitating architectural innovation and structural stability.
Advancements and Future Prospects: Metal forming at Armstrong continues to evolve with technological advancements and innovative techniques. Advanced simulation software, such as finite element analysis (FEA), allows our engineers to predict material behavior and optimize the forming process for improved efficiency and reduced costs. Additionally, the integration of robotics and automation in metal forming, facilitates increased precision, productivity, and safety.
The future of this process holds tremendous potential, driven by advancements in materials, design and manufacturing technologies. The development of lightweight alloys, high-strength composites and additive manufacturing techniques will further expand process possibilities, enabling the production of components with enhanced performance, durability and sustainability.
It is a versatile and indispensable manufacturing process that has revolutionized various industries. By harnessing the forces of shaping and deformation, metal forming techniques produce components with superior strength, precision, and efficiency. As the manufacturing landscape continues to evolve, metal forming will undoubtedly remain a crucial process in shaping the future of industry, offering new possibilities and driving innovation in countless applications.
A Wide Range Of Applications Across Various Industries
Automotive Industry: Metal forming plays a critical role at Armstrong in the manufacture of automotive components such as body panels and interior parts. The process ensures the production of lightweight yet strong parts, enhancing fuel efficiency, safety, and performance.
Rail Industry: Metal forming is vital for the production, maintenance, and repair of various components and structures in the rail industry, ensuring the safety, efficiency, and reliability of rail transportation systems.
Aerospace Industry: Metal forming techniques are pivotal in aerospace manufacturing, enabling the production of lightweight yet robust components for aircraft and spacecraft. This ensures improved fuel efficiency, payload capacity, and overall structural integrity.
Construction Industry: Metal forming is widely used by Armstrong for customers in the construction sector, to fabricate structural elements like beams, columns and trusses. The process allows for the creation of complex profiles, facilitating architectural innovation and structural stability.
Advancements and Future Prospects: Metal forming at Armstrong continues to evolve with technological advancements and innovative techniques. Advanced simulation software, such as finite element analysis (FEA), allows our engineers to predict material behavior and optimize the forming process for improved efficiency and reduced costs. Additionally, the integration of robotics and automation in metal forming facilitates increased precision, productivity, and safety.
The future of this process holds tremendous potential, driven by advancements in materials, design and manufacturing technologies. The development of lightweight alloys, high-strength composites and additive manufacturing techniques will further expand the possibilities of metal forming, enabling the production of components with enhanced performance, durability and sustainability.
It is a versatile and indispensable manufacturing process that has revolutionized various industries. By harnessing the forces of shaping and deformation, metal forming techniques produce components with superior strength, precision, and efficiency. As the manufacturing landscape continues to evolve, this manufacturing process will undoubtedly remain crucial in shaping the future of industry, offering new possibilities and driving innovation in countless applications.