The use of square and rectangular tubing is on the increase. Fabricators who understand the processes, material, and tooling stand the best chance of success in bending these shapes, which are substantially more challenging than like-sized rounds.

Kenmode Precision Metal Stamping, Algonquin, Ill., has announced the promotion of Adam Hoambrecker to tool- and diemaker after his completion of a five-year, 10,000-hour apprentice program in tool- and diemaking. The company’s rigorous apprenticeship program in metal stamping is registered with...

I recently had the chance to engage in some very interesting conversation with the head of sheet metal formability lab for a very large automotive stamper. During our discussion, we looked at numerous parts and talked about common formability problems such as cracks,necking, wrinkles, loose metal,...

Sheet hydroforming (SHF) was not considered for automotive manufacturing until recently because of its high cycle time. However, recent advancements in hydraulics, press design, and controls have reduced cycle time considerably, making SHF attractive to automakers. For example, General Motors...

Bradenton, Fla.-based Etco Inc., a manufacturer of custom precision metal stampings, wire termination parts, and molded products, has been recognized by the National Tooling and Machining Association (NTMA) Florida West Coast Chapter as Employer of the Year for 2017. The award recognizes companies...

When forming high-strength steel (HSS), selecting the proper tool material is vital because HSS’s yield stresses and work hardening induce high local pressures and forming loads during the press stroke. Die design modifications that compensate for increased springback,such as punch and die radii...

Selecting tool steel types is perhaps one of the most important factors to consider in die designing and building. Learn more about the best tool steel here.

To design and build a drawing die to form a box shape, you need to understand metal flow and stretching principles. Square and rectangular shapes have metal flow patterns that are difficult from simple axial symmetrical cups or cylinders. First Things First Before any processing takes place,...

During air bending a sheet is placed on the die, and bends the sheet into a V shape (see Figure 1a ). The process is common because dies don’t need to be changed to achieve different bending angles. For a given die opening, the bend angle is determined by the punch stroke. What is Bend...

Warm-forming techniques for magnesium and aluminum are based on partial heating or cooling of the tools. Heating and cooling have dramatic effect on the material’s formability, which is quantified in terms of the limiting draw ratio (LDR), the ratio of the maximum blank diameter to the punch...

Press brakes are expensive. Clamping systems can help extend a machine’s life, reduce labor costs, and improve accuracy. Several types are available to meet your requirements.

Modern press brakes have various drives, controls, and sension-bent products. Press brake bending is used extensively in the fabrication industry because it offers flexibility for forming different alloys, sheet thicknesses, and bending angles. For example, vertical-motion bending is performed...

Of all the geometric tolerances that are difficult to achieve, flatness is one of the hardest. Most stampers probably would much rather try to make a complex-shaped, thin, high-strength steel deep-drawn part than hold a small-tolerance part requiring a a tight flatness. Achieving part flatness is...

Cracking failure in a part’s stretch flange is one of the most common problems stampers face. And even if the flange is not splitting, it might not be flat, which also can cause problems. What is a Stretch Flange Stretch flanging is a deformation process in which the metal is bent along a...

Sterling Heights, Mich.-based Coe Press Equipment, a manufacturer of coil handling and servo roll feed equipment, has released a new animated video at www.cpec.com/cut-to-length that explains the benefits of bringing blanking operations in-house with a cut-to-length (CTL) line. The video explains...