A Quick Guide to Metal Pressing Tools and Their Uses

Metal presswork tools play a crucial role in metal stamping, enabling metal sheets to be shaped, cut and formed into many different components or products. These tools are vital for metalwork across a wide range of industries, including aerospace, automotive and manufacturing, where precision and efficiency are critical.

Read on to learn about the most common metal presswork tools and their functions.



Bending Tools

Bending tools are used to bend metal sheets into desired shapes, offering precise angles. There are various types of bending tools, which each bend metal into a different shape. Common bending tools include:

●     V-Bending: As the most common bending method, v-bending uses a punch and die to bend the metal into a V shape. This can be performed in three different ways: bottoming, air bending and coining.

 ●     U-Bending: This method is similar to V-bending, the difference being that the die and punch are U-shaped, resulting in a U-shaped result.

Blanking and Punching Tools

Blanking and punching tools are used to create cutouts or perforations. Blanking tools are used to cut flat shapes out of metal sheets, which, once cut, are known as stamps or blanks. Punching tools, on the other hand, are used to cut holes in our shapes out of metal using a punch and die.

Drawing Tools

Another crucial metal pressing tool is a drawing tool, which can be used to perform axial elongation. This involves stretching the metal sheet by pulling it into a die, where it will be pressed into its desired form. This tool can be used to transform metal into cups, shells or other shapes.

Forming Tools

Forming is a process that shapes a workpiece into a curved shape by applying force. Unlike simple bending, where the deformation follows a straight line, forming tools create more complex shapes by inducing plastic flow in the metal. This process allows for smooth curves, making it ideal for components that require precision shaping without cutting or removing material.

Piercing Tool

A piercing tool is a precision instrument used to perforate metal sheets by creating clean, accurate holes. This process, known as die cutting, allows metal to be shaped into various sizes and forms. It is commonly used to produce components with high precision.

Cut-Off Tool

A cut-off tool is designed to separate usable metal blanks from excess sheet material. By making precise cuts, it cleanly splits the metal, ensuring that the intended part is retained while removing waste.

Reliable Metal Pressing and Metal Cutting Services

At Cotmor Tool and Presswork, we offer a wide range of metal pressing and metal cutting services to clients spanning many industries. With our extensive plant and equipment, we can offer both high-volume production or short runs utilising progression tooling and single-stage operations.

To discover how our metal pressing and metal cutting services can benefit your project, get in touch today.