Seldom seen, always essential.
Types of Deep Drawn Automotive Components
Deep drawn automotive components can be found in several places in the cars we drive today. While you may not be able to see these parts, they are necessary when it comes to the operation of our cars. When you tune into your radio, deep drawn components are in the antenna system. When you steer your car, there are deep drawn components in the steering wheel and front end suspension components which allow you to turn and steer your vehicle with ease.
Prospect Machine Products has the capability to produce various auto components through the deep draw process including:
- Engine control components for fuel efficiency consumption
- Temperature regulation components
- Sealing applications
- Dashboards
- Seating
- Steering column areas
- Frame and suspension assemblies
- Antennas
- Oxygen sensors
- Power outlets
Benefits of Using Deep Draw Metal Stamping for Car Parts
The automotive industry is one of the largest markets to utilize deep drawn parts. There are several benefits for using deep draw metal stamping for car parts as it is an economical way to fabricate a range of various components in several sizes, shapes, complexity and precision.
One of the major advantages is that deep drawn auto parts are formed with a solid wall around the entire diameter. The benefit of a seamless construction is that components are leak-resistant, waterproof and airtight.
Another advantage of using deep draw for car parts is the increased strength properties making parts more durable under harsh automotive conditions. During the deep drawing process strain hardening occurs. Strain hardening (also called cold-working or work-hardening) is the process of making metal harder and stronger through plastic deformation. The strength of the metal is increased, and ductility decreases.
Deep draw stamping is the quickest and most cost-effective method for high volume production runs. Deep draw transfer presses, such as the ones used at PMP, allow for greater flexibility for adding secondary operations into the machine helping to reduce the outside secondary operations and added costs.
Sheet metals ideal for the deep draw stamping for car parts include aluminum, brass, cold rolled steel, copper and stainless steel.
The Process for Deep Drawn Auto Parts
The deep drawn stamping process is a practice of forming a flat piece of sheet metal into a die to make precise, round and shaped components. This is achieved by feeding a coil of flat metal into a press with stations of tooling, each performing repeated operations on the metal until the final shape is complete.
The first station cuts a blank from a strip of sheet metal. The blank is a flat circular piece of metal that will eventually turn into a finished part. The blank is then pushed into a die by a punch forming a cup shape and through subsequent stations, will be drawn out to length. After drawing the metal to length, the remaining stations will add any additional required features and trim off any excess material. With automated transfer presses moving each part from station to station, the deep draw process is very efficient, and by using the detached blank from the coil of raw material to travel through stations of the transfer press, raw material scrap is greatly reduced.
Furthermore, the process for deep drawn auto parts can be broken down into the following steps:
- Design review through 3D CAD
- Press selection
- In-house tool build
- Equipment setup
- Sampling/PPAP
- Final production
Want to discuss a design or project?
Our deep draw metal stamping experts at Prospect Machine understand the importance of effectively producing automotive components required to complete the assembly of a vehicle.
To find out if deep drawing is right for your next project, contact us for a quote or book a meeting today!
