Deep Draw forming with conventional tool and die technology is the stretching of sheet metal stock, commonly referred to as a blank, around a plug in either a hydraulic or mechanical press. The edges of the blank are restrained yet allowed to slide by a precise pressure between two tool surfaces; normally in a ring shape. One ring is the blank holder and the other is the forming die. The plug passes through the blank holder ring into the cavity of the die ring at the desired depth to achieve the end shape. The dimensions on the part are set based on the shape of the plug, the shape of the die, and how deep the part is drawn. For fatigue strength and applications where uniform metal thickness is critical, drawing and hydroforming are preferred over metal spinning. Like hydroforming, conventional draw forming applications are typically enclosures, cans, cups, canisters, containers, covers, motor shrouds, tanks, shells, etc.
Our presses also offer another unique service as we can use them to create “Pre-forms” or preliminary part formings that will be used to ease the metal spinning process and allow us to achieve more complicated forms with metal spinning and ensure the highest quality part using this process. This helps us minimize the material strain in the metal by utilizing the best aspects of each process. Deep drawing and metal spinning as a combined process can produce parts that deep drawing alone or spinning alone might not be able to do.
Parts can be created utilizing sheet or tube forms of aluminum 1100-O, 3003-O, and 6061-O, carbon steels 1008-1020, CDA 655 copper, 655 and 718 inconel, and stainless steel series 304, 304 DDQ, 316, 410, and 430. Our state of the art equipment utilizes a punch force of up to 368 t and a pressure of 10 ksi to create custom parts, achieving tolerances of +/-.020 in and +/-.030 in., with +/-.010 in., in special cases. The maximum punch diameter is 12 in, blank diameters can reach 15 in, and flange diameters are also up to 15 in. Hydroform drawn parts are possible in sizes of up to 7 in. in height.
Once the part is drawn, if it needs a hole, a stamped feature, welded fitting, or a metal polish specification you can also increase the value of your TMS drawn part while saving time and money by taking advantage of our secondary stamping, spin forming, machining, welding, and metal finishing operations.
A part is considered “deep drawn” when the height of the entire part exceeds its diameter or cross-sectional area, and we quantify this relationship as a ratio. Depending on the depth to diameter ratio and the material type, we can draw, reverse draw and or redraw your part multiple times to achieve very deep drawn forms. While we can form most metals, deep drawing stainless steel is our specialty. 304 and 316 are common, readily available grades and ideal materials to design with since they have excellent formability and corrosion resistance. Deep drawing is an attractive option when compared to metal spinning for example because more challenging, deeper forms can be achieved at large annual volumes to minimize labor costs and to avoid the complications and corrosion issues common with welding and joining multiple pieces to achieve the full form of the part.
Drawing Capabilities
Our triple action hydraulic presses are state-of-the-art specifically developed for the production of deep drawn parts requiring more than one operation in a single press cycle. Our capabilities include presses up to 400 metric tons and a bed size of 48″ x 48″. If you need assistance in designing a drawing manufacturing process for a custom part, please give us a call today for prompt, courteous, professional service. We can assure you the finest quality job for any deep drawing process.
In-House Machine Shop
If we do not have the tooling to fit your needs, our machine shop can design a custom tool to fit your parts. Press tooling can be designed for prototype, or production value runs.
Turnkey in-house tool & die services for custom tooling & DFMA Support
With DFMA Support you will reduce part cost, assembly time and increase reliability. Place an order for an assembly with us and we’ll collaborate with your design team to perform design for manufacturing and assembly (DFMA) reviews to streamline your assembly to reduce cost, improve quality, minimize inventory and time to replenish stock.
Drawing Prototypes
Before releasing a large volume, you want to make sure your part is going to work for you. With TMS prototyping, you can use lower cost metal forming options to ensure the reliability of your product. We want to work with you! Prototype with us and you will receive direct support from our engineers and sales team.
Properties of materials have a direct impact on ability to form using the drawing process. For example, brittle and non-ductile materials cannot be drawn at ambient temperatures. So, aluminums and steels that are tempered (hardened) and/or strain hardened will often fail during the forming process. DQ (Draw Quality) or DDQ (Deep Draw Quality) steels, stainless steels, and ‘O’ condition Aluminums are best for the drawing process. Draw Quality material and these formable tempers are typically more stable, have smoother grain structure, and have a higher elasticity which overall makes the material more formable and reduces the die wear and maintenance required over time.
Standard materials we use for deep drawing are shown below. Have something else in mind? Let us know by sending us a request for a quote. Our sales estimators are ready to work with you to get exactly the part you are looking for!
| Grade | Form-ability |
|---|---|
| 304/L | Good – Lowest cost of high quality deep drawing stainless steel material. The high nickel content allows for good deep draw working. Mechanical Properties*: Elong = 60%, Yield 34/30 KSI, Tensile 85/75 KSI |
| 316/L | Good – More corrosion resistant than 304 grade due to the addition of molybdenum with the same higher levels of nickel, thus allowing for it to be an excellent deep drawing stainless steel. Mechanical Properties*: Elong = 60%, Yield 30 KSI, Tensile 75 KSI |
| 410 | Low – 400 series, generally lower cost stainless steel than 300 series since there is typically very little or no nickel, is not ideal for extremely deep parts since the lack of nickel reduces stainless steels deep draw ability. Mechanical Properties*: Elong = 30%, Yield 65 KSI, Tensile 95 KSI |
| 430 | Low – 430 is similar to 410 with little less strength. Like 410, material is readily available and is less expensive than 300 series stainless steel. Mechanical Properties*: Elong = 30%, Yield 45 KSI, Tensile 75 KSI |
| 444 | Low – 444 stainless steel is similar in its ability to form compared to 400 series stainless grades. Uncommon to 400 series, this specialty stainless grade has Molybdenum added with Titanium and Niobium added to stabilize the microstructure. This allows the material to be similarly corrosion resistant to 316, without the cost of 316 due to the lack of Nickel. The low Nickel also allows for excellent resistance due to corrosion cracking to chloride induced stress, which is why SS 444 is frequently used for parts in contact with tap water. Mechanical Properties*: Elong = 20%, Yield 40 KSI, Tensile 60 KSI |
In a hurry? We may have the deep drawn part for you!
TMS flanged cups are draw-formed, providing you with a seamless stainless steel part that can be used for motor shrounds, enclosures, cups, lids, storage containers and more. The elimination of seam welds reduces the issues common with welded containers such as leaks and corrosion. TMS can customize your deep drawn cup in-house, or work with your fabricator of choice. Common markets for deep drawing are: food manufacturing, hospitality, architecture and automotive industries.
Toledo Metal Spinning Company has designed and built the necessary tooling to manufacture several different sizes of metal domes offering various metal thicknesses and metal types. TMS utilitizes a unique one-piece flow manufacturing process to produce metal domes with very little throughput time and extremely high quality. This translates into quick delivery times and competitive pricing for customers.
Secondary forming options
With secondary forming options like Edge Rolling and Stamping, you can have your entire design fully fabricated with TMS.