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Forging machinery in the automotive industry
Since the beginning of the 21st century, the Chinese automobile industry has experienced sustained growth and development. In the pre-1990s era, trucks dominated the domestic automotive market. However, after nearly a decade of progress, the industry shifted its focus to passenger cars, creating a more dynamic and diversified landscape. This transformation has significantly boosted the equipment manufacturing sector, especially in machine tool and forging industries. The automotive industry is one of the most closely related sectors to machinery, with over 50% of U.S. machine tools and 60% of industrial robots used in car production. As a major player in the global automotive market, the U.S. has also become a leading producer of machine tools, demonstrating how the auto industry drives technological advancement in manufacturing.
Forging machinery plays a crucial role in this ecosystem, particularly in the production of metal stampings and forged components. This paper explores the application of forging machinery in the automotive industry by examining typical sheet metal stampings and forgings. It highlights the evolution of stamping technologies, including mechanical presses, hydraulic presses, and multi-station presses, which have enhanced flexibility, efficiency, and precision in automotive manufacturing.
In car production, stamping, welding, painting, and assembly are the four main processes. Sheet metal stampings account for over 40% of car parts, emphasizing their importance. These parts can be categorized into body panels, structural components, and smaller stampings. Body panels, such as doors and hoods, require precise forming techniques, while smaller components like wheels and air conditioning units involve a variety of stamping methods.
The process equipment for metal covers has evolved significantly. Mechanical presses remain the backbone of stamping lines, but advancements in automation, rapid mold changes, and flexible manufacturing systems have improved production efficiency. Hydraulic presses have gained traction due to their superior performance in complex stamping tasks, although mechanical presses still dominate. Multi-station presses, with their ability to perform multiple operations in a single cycle, are becoming increasingly popular in the industry.
Flexible technology has also advanced, enabling mass customization and just-in-time production. Automatic systems for mold handling, control, and inspection have made it possible to produce high-quality, personalized components efficiently. Despite these developments, many companies in China are still transitioning from manual to semi-automatic or fully automatic press lines, as large-scale multi-station systems remain costly and technically challenging.
In addition, the production of steel plate forming wheels involves two main types: combined and integral wheels. Steel plate wheels are widely used, and their production methods include rolling, spinning, stamping, and forming. These processes continue to evolve, driven by the need for lighter, stronger, and more cost-effective components.
Overall, the automotive industry remains a key driver of innovation in forging and machining technologies, shaping the future of manufacturing on a global scale.