Cold forming is a process where room temperature material is forced into a die. The forces are very high (500 ton). Because of the high forces the material cold flows into the die. An infinite number of shapes can be created using cold forming. This process can run at high speeds on the order of hundreds of parts per minute. Because the process is done at room temperature and at high speeds the process can be very economical. Image's manufacturing methods can provide custom shapes economically even at relatively low volumes.
Cold Forming Advantages
Cold forming can be used to create complex shapes. An assembly with two or more pieces can often be formed as a single piece.
Cold forming produces minimal scrap. Because there is no cutting
to achieve the desired form cold forming produces almost zero scrap.
Cold forming creates stronger components. Cold working can raise the
tensile strength of the component. Additionally, since there is typically no cutting as in a screw machine process, there are no
stress risers or fracture points.
Cold forming can fabricate components at speeds up to
and many times over 120 parts/min. Screw machining and other processes
may manufacture components at speeds of 10-40 parts/min.
Cold forming can produce near net shapes for screw
machining or grinding. Your designs which can not be directly cold
formed or those requiring very precise tolerances (better than +/-
.005) cost can be reduced by forming a blank which is very close
to the final component. Secondary operations can be performed to
achieve the final product. Scrap is reduced and secondary operation
time is kept to a minimum.
Each of the five items alone or in combination reduce your component's
final cost.
If you would like to submit a drawing we can accept most neutral
formats. For 2D drawings, we can read dwg, dxf, wmf, and emf. For 3D formats we can read iges, step, stl, acis, and all parasolid
formats. If you are unfamiliar with any of these formats, or prefer
another, let us know.
Please include a brief description and/or your drawing. to e-mail.
