Metal forming describes the action of manipulating a workpiece into a desired shape or form. A key stage in the metal fabrication process, sheet metal forming is a core part of our work here at Knees Engineering. Read on to find out more about what metal forming is, how it works and the different types of metal forming processes.
Are you looking for metal forming services in Wiltshire or the surrounding areas? Contact our team today to request a free quote and discuss how we can fulfil your CNC forming requirements.
What’s on this page
- What is metal forming?
- What’s the difference between sheet metal forming and bending?
- Sheet metal forming processes
- Which industries use sheet metal forming?
- Metal forming services in Wiltshire
What is metal forming?
Metal forming refers to the process of manipulating a piece of sheet metal into a specific shape or form. The backbone of metal fabrication, forming may involve a combination of processes that stretch or bend a workpiece into complex or intricate shapes – and all without compromising the material’s strength and durability. Metal fabricators like us use an array of tools and machinery to do this, but the process is most commonly performed with a press brake.
What’s the difference between sheet metal forming and bending?
The terms ‘sheet metal forming’ and ‘sheet metal bending’ are often used interchangeably, which can cause some confusion. So is there a difference between the two? Essentially, forming is an umbrella term used to describe the act of deforming a piece of metal. It can can encompass several different techniques, one of which is metal bending. Other subdivisions of metal forming include techniques like roll forming, extrusion and sheet metal drawing.
Sheet metal forming processes
The process of forming sheet metal can involve a range of techniques, some of which are summarised below:
Bending
Bending is usually performed on a machine called a press brake. While press brakes can be operated manually, most are now controlled automatically using CNC technology. A press brake consists of an upper tool called a punch and a lower tool called a die. The sheet metal is carefully positioned over the die and the punch is then lowered, forcing the sheet metal to bend. The precise angle of the bend is determined by the depth to which the punch forces the sheet metal into the die.
There are various methods of bending sheet metal, including air bending, bottom bending and coining. You can read more about metal bending and forming services in Wiltshire on our website or check out our beginners guide – ‘What is sheet metal bending?’.
Roll forming
Roll forming is a metal forming process in which a piece of sheet metal is fed through a series of roller stations. Each station contains a roller die, the shape and size of which can vary depending on your requirements. When the sheet metal passes through each station, it’s forced to deform and bend to create the final desired shape. A roll forming line can also include other sheet metal fabrication operations such as shearing or punching.
Commonly used to fabricate parts with long lengths, roll forming is a popular metal forming process that’s capable of producing a variety of shapes and components. Roll-formed parts feature in everything from cars and ships to household appliances, solar panels and supermarket shelving.
Extrusion
Extrusion is a metal forming technique in which sheet metal is forced through a die. The shape of the die is then imprinted into the extruded metal as it passes through the cavity. The process can be performed under hot, cold or warm conditions depending on your project specifications. Extrusion is a relatively low-cost process that’s capable of forming thin and brittle materials.
Sheet metal drawing
Sheet metal drawing is another metal forming process that’s often performed by fabrication companies. In this technique, the machine stretches and pulls a piece of metal until it reaches the desired length and shape. The process is known as ‘drawing’ because the machine ‘draws’ the sheet metal in. Performed at room temperature, sheet metal drawing is an example of a cold drawing process. Other types of drawing processes include wire, bar, and tube drawing.
Which industries use sheet metal forming?
From metal cabinets to household appliances and car exhausts, sheet metal forming processes are used to fabricate parts and products for various industries. Some of the sectors that rely on CNC forming include:
- Automotive manufacturing
- Construction
- Agricultural machinery and equipment
- Medical and pharmaceutical
- Aerospace engineering
- Telecommunications
- Electronics
- Oil and gas
- Architectural
- Shipbuilding … and many more!
At Knees Engineering, we support businesses from a wide range of industries, both locally in west Wiltshire, nationally and even internationally. Get in touch today to find out how we can help you.
Metal forming services in Wiltshire
With decades of experience in metal fabrication, we can provide high-quality and cost-effective CNC forming and bending services to suit your project specifications.
Located in Trowbridge, Wiltshire, our modern workshop is equipped with a range of CNC forming and bending machinery including various Amada press brakes. Our expert team of engineers can form and bend a variety of materials into the most complex shapes and are always happy to embrace a challenge!
We can currently form sheet metals up to 12mm thick. These include:
- Mild steel
- Stainless steel
- Aluminium
- Brass
- Copper
We can also bend certain types of plastics, depending on your project specifications. Please refer to the table below for a breakdown of our press brake capabilities.
| Amada HD 1303 NT | Amada HF 5012 T | Amada HF EM 21003 | |
| Tonnage | 130 | 50 | 100 |
| Max material width/length | 3m | 1.2m | 3m |
Are you looking for an experienced metal fabrication company in Wiltshire or the surrounding areas? Give us a call on 01225 753894 to discuss how we can help. And don’t forget to visit our technical news section for more handy metal fabrication guides.