This chapter provides a concise, design-oriented summary of more than 30 sheet forming processes within the categories of bending and flanging, stretch forming, deep drawing, blank preparation, and incremental and hybrid forming. Each summary includes a description and diagram of the process and a bullet-point list identifying relevant equipment, materials, variations, and applications. The chapter also discusses critical process variables, interactions, and components and the classification of sheet metal parts based on geometry.

The various types of stainless steel have very different deformation characteristics in terms of strain hardening and anisotropy. It is important to understand and exploit these characteristics to optimize forming of stainless steels. This chapter discusses the various deformation processes involved in sheet-forming techniques, namely stretch forming and deep drawing. In addition, it provides information on some of the factors pertinent to cold-heading and hot forming of stainless long products.

This chapter describes the general characteristics of two commonly classified metalworking processes, namely hot working and cold working. Primary metalworking processes, such as the bulk deformation processes used to conduct the initial breakdown of cast ingots, are always conducted hot. Secondary processes, which are used to produce the final product shape, are conducted either hot or cold. The chapter discusses the primary objectives, principal types, advantages, and disadvantages of both primary and secondary metalworking processes. They are rolling, forging, extrusion, sheet metal forming processes, blanking and piercing, bending, stretch forming, drawing, rubber pad forming, and superplastic forming.

This chapter describes the equipment and processes used to form titanium alloy parts. It discusses the advantages and disadvantages of hot and cold forming, the factors that influence formability, and the effect of forming temperature and lubricants. It describes common processes, including brake forming, stretch forming, deep drawing, and spin forming as well as roll forming, drop-hammer forming, tube bulging and bending, and superplastic forming. It also discusses dimpling and joggling and the use of hot sizing to correct springback.

This chapter describes sheet metal forming operations, including cutting, blanking, piercing, and bending as well as deep drawing, spinning, press-brake and stretch forming, fluid forming, and drop hammer and electromagnetic forming. It also discusses the selection and use of die materials and lubricants along with superplastic forming techniques.