Manufacturing process

Metal Forming

Metal forming shapes tube, plate, strip and blanks by plastic deformation — bending, rolling, drawing or hydroforming them into shape with little or no material removed.

Process overview

Metal forming changes the geometry of metal without removing significant material, using controlled forces to create required shapes and features. The category covers a range of cold and hot forming methods selected according to material, thickness, geometry and production volume. Projects may specify forming tolerances, material condition, tooling, secondary operations and dimensional inspection.

Several distinct routes sit under this process. Tube bending produces frames, handrails and fluid lines by rotary-draw or roll bending, where the bend radius relative to tube diameter and wall thickness decides feasibility. Plate rolling curves plate into cylinders and cones for tanks, ducts and towers. Roll forming passes strip through a series of roll stands to make long, constant profiles economically at volume. Deep drawing forms cups and housings from flat blanks, and hydroforming uses fluid pressure to form tubes or sheet into complex shapes with fewer welds.

Formability depends on ductility, thickness and grain direction. Springback, wall thinning, wrinkling and ovality are the typical challenges, managed through tool design, lubrication and process settings. Some routes need part-specific tooling (roll forming, deep drawing, hydroforming), while others work with adjustable or standard tools (plate rolling and many tube bends).

Press-brake bending of sheet parts and progressive-die stamping are described on the sheet metal fabrication and metal stamping pages.

Typical capabilities & what manufacturers can produce

What manufacturers can produce

  • Bent tube frames, handrails, exhaust and hydraulic lines
  • Rolled shells, cylinders and cones for tanks and ducts
  • Roll-formed profiles, rails and channels
  • Deep-drawn cups, housings and sinks
  • Hydroformed tubes and structural parts

Capabilities under this process

Suitable materials

Materials commonly used with this process — an editorial reference, not a statement about facilities in the Metraxio network. Suitability always depends on the part and its application.

Relevant industries

Industries whose Metraxio industry guides list Metal Forming as a common process, with the typical use in each.

What buyers should specify

The details that make Metal Forming quotes comparable and let facilities be assessed on the right criteria.

Geometry
3D model or drawing; for tubes, a bend table (XYZ or LRA data).
Material, size and condition
Tube outside diameter and wall, or plate and strip thickness, with grade and temper.
Bend radius and form tolerances
Centreline radius, ovality and wall-thinning limits, angular tolerances.
Tooling
Existing tools, or the need for new rolls or dies, and their ownership.
Quantity
Batch and annual volume — they decide between flexible and dedicated tooling.
Secondary operations
End forming, cutting, seam welding of rolled shells and finishing.

On Metraxio these details become a structured manufacturing requirement. Processes, capabilities, materials, certifications and part size are checked against facility profiles; tolerances, finishes and inspection details travel with your drawings and are reviewed during quoting rather than used as automatic filters.

Frequently asked questions

What is the minimum bend radius for a tube?

It depends on tube diameter, wall thickness, material and bending method; tight radii may need mandrel bending. Sharing the tube size and target radius lets suppliers confirm feasibility.

When is roll forming worth it?

Roll forming needs a dedicated set of rolls, so it suits long runs of the same profile. For small quantities, press-brake bending or extrusion may be more economical.

Can a plate-rolling shop also weld the shell?

Many plate-rolling shops weld longitudinal seams and fabricate complete tanks. Welding and inspection requirements should then be part of the requirement.

Start a Manufacturing Project

Upload a drawing or describe what you need. Process context from this page can be reviewed before it becomes a structured requirement.

Suggested process is prefilled for review — you can change it.