German Cold Heading is a process of cold forming or extruding of stainless steel parts. The process involves the conversion of a round or flat blank into a finished part through the use of a punch and die set. The process takes place at a cold temperature which is typically between -20 and -50°C, thus making the material more workable. This enables the materials to be shaped into parts with a greater accuracy and at a faster rate.
During the process, a precision-machined tooling is used to form a blank into a finished part. The tooling consists of a punch and a die which comes together and two external guide columns. The punch is placed into the material to be formed, the die holds the material in place and the guide columns control the parting direction. Once the process has begun the punch is then forced down into the material and the metal is extruded into a desired shape while being held in the die.
A number of different grades of stainless steel can be used in the German Cold Heading process, including nitrided steel and die-cast grades. Nitrided steel is an extremely hard material which is resistant to wear and tear but is also tough and ductile. It’s extremely durable and can be used for precision parts which require strength and accuracy.
Die-cast grades are designed for applications where the parts need to be extremely durable and require intricate shapes. These grades of stainless steel are extremely strong and can be used to create intricate features such as helix, and taper threads.
The process of German Cold Heading can be used to produce a wide range of stainless steel parts for various different industries, including aerospace and automotive. The parts created can be small, medium or large and can include bolts, screws, rivets and washers. This process can also be used to create complex shapes and designs, allowing for the production of custom parts.
The benefits of German Cold Heading include increased accuracy, high tolerance levels, faster cycle times and reduced costs. The process has a high rate of repeatability due to the precision of the punches and dies used, which results in greater accuracy and a more consistent part. Furthermore, the cycle times are faster because the punches and dies can be reused and can handle multiple materials. Finally, because the process is completed in a short time, the costs associated with it are significantly lower.
German Cold Heading is an ideal solution for anyone looking to produce precision parts in a cost effective and efficient manner. The advantages of using this process are clear and it can help to reduce production costs and improve the accuracy of product designs. Whether you’re looking to produce stainless steel parts for the aerospace, automotive or other industries, this process can provide the best results.