As we all know, there are many different metal forming technologies when purchasing new projects. But how do you choose between two common methods? Rolling and stamping? How to make custom steel parts is an important decision that requires you to weigh and prioritize various factors. To help achieve this, we have listed five main factors when making your metal purchase decision:
1. Metal parts length
Long parts cannot be efficiently produced during the stamping process. Stamping presses can indeed form shorter parts individually, which can then be joined to form longer parts, but the cost of secondary assembly for this technology may increase in the long run.
The only length limitation of roll forming is the length of the coils that are fed into the production line, with the added benefit of producing less scrap than sheet metal.
2. Metal parts
When the quantity is larger, the press forming tools can be distributed proportionally throughout the production process, and the final total work cost may be lower than that of metal Stamping Parts.
Having said that, roll forming and stamping are both well-suited for mass production, because as production increases, single-piece setup and labor costs should be reduced.
3. Cost of forming technology
Rolling is usually more laborious and may require higher cost per piece depending on the volume.
Regardless of the production method you choose, you can reduce costs and total cost of ownership early in the process by increasing efficiency and design.
4. Mold maintenance
Roll forming profiles often require less die maintenance than metal stampings because roll forming has the ability to produce parts in a continuous mode at one time.
The best way to determine the scope of tool maintenance required for each process is to evaluate the amount of operation.
5. Production time
One of the main benefits of stamping is that it can produce complex parts in a short time. Stamping can be highly automated, and value-added operations such as in-mold welding and assembly can be integrated without significantly increasing production time. Roll forming integrates secondary operations such as punching and trimming into an effective forming operation. In the long run, this will reduce your production time. Your metal purchase decision is not easy, it is important to weigh each factor and each option carefully. Whichever method you choose, the most important factor is to ensure that you are aligned with your strategic manufacturing partners, which will help you take your business to the next level.
Choosing the right production partner
In order to save costs through the most effective design, please find a partner with experienced engineers on site, who can recommend the most effective metal forming technology.
To learn how engineers work with you to save money and effectively create quality products, check out our engineering services.