Deep drawn metal stamping is a versatile process you can use to fabricate many sheet metal parts and components.
In this guide, you will find all information you are looking for about deep drawing – from benefits, limitations, and material choice to step-by-step process, just to mention a few.
Keep reading to learn more.
What Is Deep-Drawn Metal Stamping?
Sheet metal deep drawing is a method that transforms a material into a cavity, cylinder, or cup. This happens only because of tensile or compression forces.
Benefits Of Deep Drawing Sheet Metal
Sheet metal stamping is a popular fabrication technique since it offers many benefits. Let’s find out:
- Enables you to produce bulk products quickly
- Eliminates assembly processes, including welding/ cutting
- Offers seamless gas-tight and waterproof capabilities in the end products
- Features very high tolerances
- You can create complex structures and shapes on the go
- High durability products
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Limitations Of Sheet Metal Deep Drawing
At times, there are factors that can limit using this sheet metal stamping process such as:
- High radial, as well as compression stresses, contribute to cracking, fracturing, and wrinkling.
- Not suitable to manufacture fewer products. This is because of higher cost and expertise association.
How Deep Drawing Metal Stamping Works
The key stages in this sheet metal fabrication process are:
Step 1: Securing Metal Sheet
The process begins with placing a metal sheet on the die or blank holder. Next, you must ensure proper uniform placement to avoid improper production.
Step 2: Punching
In this step, the punch with a pre-set force directly hit on the metal sheet. This results in forming a cavity, cup, or irregular shape.
Step 3: Getting Product
After repeating the punching process, you will get the final product in the last step. Now remove it from the die, and you can use it on the go.
How Deep Drawing Vs. Stamping Compare
Probably, you could be wondering how deep drawing and normal stamping processes compare. The table below compares the two processes:
| Deep Drawing | Stamping |
| In deep drawing, you convert the metal into the desired shape by drawing it into a specific die. | The process involves hitting the die with force onto the metal sheet to make the desired product. |
| The process is accurate e | It is not as accurate as deep drawing |
| Final surface finish is smooth | To get the smooth surface finish, you must carry out various finishing operations such as debossing/ forming |
| Production cost is very high | Production cost is lower because of low high-tech equipment |
| This leads to more thinning | This leads to less thinning |
| You cannot achieve tight bends with this process | You can achieve tight curves with this process |
| This leads to higher strength | This leads to less strength |
Essential Design Tips In Sheet Metal Deep Drawing
There are many critical tips that will help you get the best parts. Let’s look at some critical options:
- Make sure the material is thick enough to enable higher stretch on more distances
- Determine the R and N values
- Blanks’ shape, size, and geometry of the product can affect the flow of metal. Therefore, try to avoid using a sizeable blank size and complex conditions.
- Ensure the usage of lubricants as well as a high surface finish to make the material flow smoother
- Keep the press speed within permissible limits to carry out uniform metal flow
- The spacing between the post and the blank does matter. If the spacing is small, it leads to thinning and vice versa.
- While forcing the blank, it creates resistance to flow. Make sure to keep it within limits; otherwise, it may lead to failure.
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Possible Deep Drawn Sheet Metal Stamping Tolerances
Tolerances are what lead to accurate sheet metal stampings. Increasing or decreasing affects the quality of the end product.
The table below gives an estimated value:
| Parameter | Standard Tolerances | Customer Requirements |
| Inside Diameter | + or – .001” | + or -.0005” |
| Outside Diameter | + or – .001” | + or – .0005” |
| Piercing | + or – .002” | + or – .001” |
| Angles | + or – 30 minutes | + or – 15 minutes |
| Radius | + or – .015” | + or – .005” |
| Overall Length (<3″) | + or – .006” | + or – .004” |
| Overall Length | + or – .010” | + or – .006” |
Best Metals For Deep Drawn Stamping
Stamping process is a versatile process that can handle a range of metals. For instance, you can use stamping technique to process any of the following materials:
- Brass
- Titanium
- Stainless steel
- Precious metals
- Cold rolled steel
- Aluminum
- Copper-based alloys
Standard Configurations For Deep Drawn Metal Stamping Parts
There is a list of configurations you can follow for deep-drawing metal stamping. The configuration you choose will depend on the design of metal part.
Some of the most common options are:
- Cupping
- Drawing
- Step Drawing
- Reverse Draw
- Wiping
- Bulging
- Roll Threading
- Piercing
- Stamping
- Curling
- Fluting
- Necking
- Body Flanging
- Knurling
- Bumping
Common Deep Drawn Metal Parts
You can deep-draw several components using deep drawn metal stampings. For example, you can make:
- Automotive body parts
- Bathtubs
- Cooking pots
- Sinks
- Yogurt Cups
- Plastic buckets
- Faucets
- Soda and Beer Cans
- Fuel tanks
Apart from this, you can also use deep-drawing sheet metal processes in various industries. Common ones include the automotive, communication, construction, military, medical, aerospace, and electronics industries.
Conclusion
No one can deny the importance of deep-drawn metal stamping in various industries. With this unique process offering many benefits, you can take the lead in the competition. Now you have in-depth knowledge of everything about the deep-drawn process. Besides, if you have any questions, feel free to reach out!
