Component Suitability

You can quickly check whether your application is suitable for cold forming and how you can optimise your design to achieve the maximum benefits from the process.

This step by step guide shows you how

• Material selection


• Component shape


• Run length


• Component size


• Special features


• Tolerances and finish

Is the material suitable for cold forming?
Most metals and alloys can be cold formed, but components may have been specified with additives that make them suitable for machining and not necessarily cold forming. We can advise on specifications for cold forming. Steel, stainless steel, copper alloys, nickel alloys, aluminium alloys, bi-metallics and brass can all be used when cold forming.

Is the part basically cylindrical in shape?
A large variety of different shaped components can be cold formed, there are, however a few basic shapes.

• Parts can have stepped diameters, and can be hollow as well as solid.
• Parts should be symmetrical about at least one longitudinal axis.
• Features or tolerances that cannot be cold formed can be achieved by secondary operations. These include transverse holes, deep groves and sharp corners.
• On components that we can offer all normal finishing processes, including electroplating and heat treatment.

Is the required quantity sufficient to make it economical to run?
Economic batch quantities for cold forming vary according to component design and material, making specific guidelines difficult. Typical economic batch size for cold forming parts vary from 250,000 pieces each weighing 1g to 1,000 pieces weighing 1kg each.

Is the component the right size to be cold formed?
Floform can cold form a wide range of components, but there are practical limitations. Typical size of components made by Floform are:

Length: 1mm – 400mm
Diameter: 1mm – 100mm
Weight 1g – 1kg

Is there a special capabiliy required?
Floform are experts in making bi-metallic parts or multi-metal components by bonding different materials together prior to the cold forming process. Many special features can be produced without machining such as external and internal threads, splines, flats, knurling, socket heads of different geometries.

Are the tolerances and finishes within the capability of cold forming?
Surface finishes on cold forming parts are superior to standard turned parts. Cold forming can achieve close tolerances, but if required by the application, secondary machining can deliver even greater precision.

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