Tag: Cold Working

Metal flow forming, also known as spin forming or flow turning, is a metalworking process used to create hollow parts with a high level of precision and strength. It involves rotating a metal blank or preform while applying a radial force and shaping the metal against a mandrel or form tool.

The process typically starts with a cylindrical metal blank or preform that is loaded onto a spinning mandrel or chuck. As the mandrel spins, a radial force is applied to the blank using rollers or other tools, causing the metal to flow and stretch over the mandrel surface to take its shape. The process can be used to create a variety of shapes, including cylinders, cones, domes, and complex shapes with multiple curves and radii.

One of the advantages of metal flow forming is that it allows for precise control over wall thickness and dimensional accuracy, with minimal material waste. The process also produces parts with excellent surface finishes and strength, making it a popular choice for aerospace, defense, and automotive applications.

Metal flow forming is typically used with ductile metals such as aluminum, titanium, and stainless steel, and can be performed using both manual and automated equipment. The process can be used to create parts in a range of sizes and thicknesses, from small precision components to large structural parts for aerospace and defense applications.

Cold pilgering and cold drawing are both metalworking processes used to reduce the diameter and thickness of metal tubes and pipes, but they use different techniques to achieve this.

Cold drawing is a process where a metal tube or bar is pulled through a die to reduce its diameter and increase its length. The process involves pulling the metal through a series of dies that progressively reduce its diameter and increase its length. The process is called cold drawing because it is done at room temperature, without the use of heat.

Cold pilgering, on the other hand, is a process where a metal tube or pipe is rolled between two rollers to reduce its diameter and thickness. The rollers are tapered and the gap between them decreases as the tube is rolled through the mill. The process is called cold pilgering because it is done at room temperature, without the use of heat.

The main difference between cold drawing and cold pilgering is the way the metal is processed. Cold drawing pulls the metal through a die, while cold pilgering rolls the metal between two rollers. Cold pilgering is typically used for high-precision applications where a high degree of dimensional accuracy is required, such as in the aerospace and nuclear industries. Cold drawing is more commonly used in the manufacturing of everyday objects like wires, pipes, and tubes.