Sheet metal
forming can be divided into shearing processes such as shearing,
blanking, and piercing, and forming process such as deep drawing,
bending, and flanging.
Shearing
Shearing is the process of cutting coil-shaped materials into
sheets. It is a process of making raw materials for product
forming rather than a product manufacturing process.
Blanking
Blanking involves the cutting of the sheared sheets into specific
shapes. It is the first step of the progressive process and
a continuous forming process. In general, the blanking materials
are made into a final product through post-processing such as
piercing or stamping.
Piercing
Piercing involves the cutting of the sheet into specified shapes
as in the case of the blanking process; however, this process
uses the part remaining after shearing as products. The piercing
is used mainly to work a guide hole for the final product to
connect or assemble with other products.
Trimming
Trimming is done following the progressive process and the continuous
forming process. The flange part remaining after sheet metal
forming is sheared to make the final shape of the product.
Deep drawing
Deep drawing uses steel sheet to form cylindrical or square
tube type products without reducing thickness. The word 'deep
drawing' is used as it can make products with deep hollows;
however, it is also used frequently to make products with small
hollows. Products made through deep drawing include the exterior
and interior panels of cars, beverage cans, kitchen utensils,
and vessels of various types.
Bending
Bending is a process of bending materials in a specified angle
where tensile and compressive forces occur simultaneously. Such
tensile and compressive force incurs 'springback' after bending.
As this phenomenon changes the product size after forming, it
is extremely important to prevent the springback from products
that require accuracy such as car parts or electronic products.
Flanging
Flanging is a process of bending the corners of steel sheets.
This can be divided into an extension flange and a contraction
flange. The extension flange incurs tensile force on the flange
and cracks may occur. On the other hand, the contraction flange
may incur wrinkles from the compressive force.
Hemming
Hemming is a process of folding the edge of steel sheet to increase
the product stiffness, beautify the exterior view, and eliminate
sharp edges. It is used as a finishing process of hemming the
edge of only one piece of sheet, or as a process of hemming
and combining two sheets. In general, it is used to finish the
hood, door, trunk lid, and other parts of cars.