Sheet Metal Forming

Sheet metal forming is used in almost every sector of industrial production:

  • Automotive industry (e.g. doors, hoods, fenders)
  • Aircraft industry (e.g. wings, fuselage)
  • Home appliance industry (e.g. sinks, cooker hoods, freezers)
  • Food industry (e.g. cooking pots, canned goods)
Sheet metal forming – examples
Sheet metal forming is used for industrial manufacturing in many sectors – from car door to tin can.

In sheet metal forming, the final shape of a part is made from a flat metal sheet. The desired shape is achieved through plastic deformation, without undergoing any machining like milling. In most cases, a certain amount of elastic deformation leads to springback which occurs after forming is complete.

According to DIN 8582, the process is divided corresponding to the stresses which typically appear in the sheet:

  • Forming under compressive conditions
  • Forming under combination of tensile and compressive conditions
  • Forming under tensile conditions
  • Forming under bending conditions
  • Forming under shearing conditions

The forming of the sheet can be carried out using mechanical tools, with air or with liquids, magnetically or with explosives. Special sheet metal processes include superplastic forming and press hardening, as well as the hot forming of aluminum and magnesium.

Further information on sheet metal forming at AutoForm:

Solution for Sheet Metal Forming

An Integrated Approach

Software for Simulation of Stamping Processes