What is Cold Working process? (R)

Cold Working processes 

The considerable success and continuous expansion of the sheet-forming industry are due to a number of unrelated but important developments. The introduction of the continuous tandem rolling mill has made it possible to produce wide strips that can either be coiled or cut to suitable operational sizes. 

At the same time, the cold forming of the sheet ensures greater resistance of the formed section to corrosion, since the preformed material has a good surface finish due to treatments such as pickling. Surfaces cleaned in this way form suitable bases for the application of protective layers of, for instance, paint or plastic coating and, furthermore, they can be galvanized and then rolled or drawn. 

The good dimensional qualities of the preformed sheet make it a good starting material for operations such as bending, piercing, dimpling, and drawing, by ensuring general uniformity of thickness. The exception here is the change in sheet thickness on transition sections where thinning is likely to occur. 

However, in a cold operation, strain hardening accompanied by changes in thickness will tend to counteract the effect of the actual variation in thickness. 

The five basic processes affecting a change in shape are: 
1. shearing, 
2. bending,
3. spinning, 
4. stretching, 
5. drawing. 

A wide range of sections and shapes, and a varied range of products for industrial, domestic or general use can be produced. 

Industrial applications are found in the following areas: 
1. the chemical industry; 
2. the aircraft industry; 
3. the car industry; and 
4. the food industry. 

Cold-formed sections are used industrially as components, plant, equipment, containers, panels, radiators, body parts, chassis, frames, racks, stiffeners, etc. 

 1. components, 
 2. cookers, 
 3. panels, 
 4. refrigerator bodies, 
 5. washing machines, and 
 6. shower cabinets. 

General applications range from building constructions and components through structural elements, to rail and road transport, civil and highway engineering, agricultural machinery and equipment, and architectural and shop fittings. A major part of the output is intended for the electrical heating and ventilating applications represented by conduits, casings, cable supports, electrical appliances, heating panels, and dust-extraction equipment.

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