Every Deep Drawn Breath: Unveiling Deep Drawn Secrets
Leave a CommentEffective for creating hollow parts with depths that exceed their diameters, widths, and lengths, deep drawn is a versatile metal forming technique for fast and repeatable production. It successfully forms seamless parts with unique geometries and intricate details, and can generate components with a good strength-to-weight ratio. Read on to learn more about this transformative production technique, compatible materials for the process, and how deep drawn supports applications in multiple industries.
Deep Drawn Process
To envision the end result of deep drawing, consider the shape and dimensions of a round, square, rectangular, or arinc metal cup. The end product is a hollow vessel that’s deeper than it is wide, making it a compatible project for this metal forming technique. Manufacturers can easily draw a simple cup shape utilizing a specific size blank; the blank is the key to the desired shape of the final drawn size. This ratio for deep drawn has been used for 70 years or more to determine the necessary size for successfully drawing a part from aluminum sheets with material retention.
Whatever shape a manufacturer needs to achieve, the deep drawn process utilizes a punch for mechanical action and compressive force to draw a blank of sheet metal over a die for shaping. Manufacturers will start by positioning a punch and die on a Hydro press, after which the metal sheet can be placed on top of the die. The press will drive the sheet over the punch, forcing the metal over the die/punch where it deforms and takes the die’s shape. Depending on the required part depth, the draw process may require a single stroke of the punch, multiple draws, or re-strikes.
Materials Utilized in Deep Drawn
Deep drawn is compatible with a wide range of metals and alloys, with common options including:
- Aluminum alloys
- Brass
- Cold rolled low carbon sheet steel
- Copper and copper alloys
- Stainless steel (certain varieties)
The technique can create parts with complex shapes from these materials; however, it’s most appropriate for generating rectangles, cylinders, or other axisymmetric configurations.
Industries Served
Deep drawn is a versatile process, lending it to applications across a wide range of industries.
Automotive
The automotive sector requires high volumes of durable components that can withstand frequent, rugged use without breaking or degrading. Deep drawn can produce quality metal parts the industry can trust to perform reliably, with a reduced risk of leakage or part failure. The efficient process can also handle the capacity the industry needs, and at an economical price. Automotive manufacturers have the ability to complete several complex processes on a single machine to streamline operations.
Medical
Medical manufacturers turn to deep drawn not just for its precision but also for its cost-effectiveness. Compared to traditional machined components, deep drawn parts require less labor to produce and the process has high-volume capabilities for increased part yield. In the medical sector, this process is ideal for manufacturing everything from metal drug delivery and surgical devices to active implants and ultra-miniature components.
Aerospace
Safe and precise parts with a good strength-to-weight ratio are important for aerospace applications. With deep drawn, manufacturers can produce reliable, accurate parts from materials like aluminum, stainless steel, and CRS. The industry also adheres to multiple quality and safety standards, and the deep drawn process can effectively create compliant parts per a customer’s exact specifications.
Consumer Goods
In addition to more industrial goods, deep drawn is a common choice for producing numerous residential and consumer products, such as:
- Baking pans
- Casings
- Plumbing fixtures
- Kitchen sinks
- Soda cans
Deep Drawn Solutions by ZERO Manufacturing
Since our founding in 1952, ZERO Manufacturing has become a trusted name in protective enclosures, cases, and assemblies for a diverse client base around the world. We offer high-quality deep drawn as part of our core manufacturing services, creating custom products for markets such as automotive, medical, aerospace, consumer goods, and alternative energy.
Through our proprietary deep drawing process, the “ZERO Method,” we fabricate components with superior resistance to stress, cracks, tears, and corrosion. We can also assist you with deep drawn aluminum parts for applications involving EMI or RFI shielding, ESD/grounding, heat dissipation, and more. Contact us today to learn about our deep drawn capabilities and protective product solutions.