Deep drawing is the process of forming sheet metal by using a punch to radially draw the metal into a forming die. The mechanical action of the punch in combination with the hollow die applies both tensile and compressive forces that transform the shape under high pressure. Deep drawing retains the thickness of the sheet metal material and produces highly accurate, repeatable components.
Deep drawing is a cost-effective process for manufacturing applications requiring high precision and high volumes of parts. Deep drawing also works well for products of lightweight material that require a significant amount of strength.
Learn more about our deep draw metal stamping capabilities or request a free quote for your project:
Deep drawings are stampings that are deeper than simple stampings. In general, when the height of a stamped part exceeds its width, deep drawing in a metal stamping die is used to form them.
When it comes to deep drawings, ATACO can create both simple and complex shapes to serve a number of industries. Motorcycle gas tanks, stainless steel sinks, and lawnmower decks are a few examples of the types of stamped metal parts we can produce.
ATACO Steel has the ability to manufacture an extensive variety of metal components using several different production approaches including deep drawing, custom metal laser cutting, CNC machining, robotic welding, and fabrication.
We often get questions about what other differences there are between deep drawings and simple metal stampings. Though they may seem similar, the techniques are not interchangeable.
In deep drawing, we utilize hydraulic presses, ranging in size from 400 to 1,100 tons. Using state-of-the-art software, sensors I/O, and drives, our team varies the speed and pressure applied by a die throughout a forming stroke. This enables us to create seamless, tubular shapes with straight walls, as well as non-symmetrical products with holes or varying dimensions or shapes.
Typically with deep drawn stampings, there is more to the process than the initial stamping. Other forming techniques may be required to finish the process. Beading, ironing, hole formation, or flange forming may be done to complete the part.
Metal stamping, on the other hand, is often a finishing process whereby sheet metal is formed into a variety of designs. We work with a variety of materials with thickness up to 20mm, including stainless steel, carbon steel, aluminum, and other metals.
It can take place on one machine, or involve a series of stamping steps on separate machines. At ATACO Steel, we have machines that produce small parts with only 100 tons of force, to press machines that churn out 1700 tons of force to create large precision parts from 72” x 180.”
Benefits of metal stamping include cost savings with high volume runs and more consistent part geometry. It is a very versatile technique that can create many geometries in a single process.
Not sure which process is best to suit your needs? Our engineers can help you determine which service and product will work best for your specific parts or material.