—- Deep Draw Fundamentals: Part 3

As we continue forward in understanding the deep draw process, let’s look at the different stations that we can have in the press and their functions. As mentioned previously, the first station is the blanking station. The blank is pierced out of the metal strip and then forced down to the transfer slide which moves the blank to the next station. The second station is called the cupping station. This is where the blank is first reduced. The reduction of the blank should not be any more than 45% of the blanks diameter which will avoid any tearing of the material. Following the second station or cupping station are a series of deep drawing stations. Depending on the press it is common to have up to 12 to 15 stations to form a finished part.

In order to have varying diameters in a part you would need to use a step draw. This type of draw can also produce different shaped diameters as well. Other common operations in these stations are sidewall shaping, reverse drawing, bulging, curling, threading, and beading, bumping and trimming.