Automotive Sheet Metal Components - Importance, Types, and Processes

The transport industry is one of the world’s leading sectors & a primary contributor to environmental pollution. However, strict regulations have been imposed to control the underlying condition. On the one hand, these restrictions help the environment breathe again and on the other hand, lead to the development of the automotive industry. One of the most notable actions that brought immense changes is using lighter vehicles components and engine downsizing. Hence, the automobile manufacturers have mostly shifted to lightweight automotive sheet metal components that largely support lighter vehicles’ performance.

Despite the arrival of several other advanced fibers, sheet metal components in the automotive industry are still of great importance. All of these are made from sheet metal, starting from the high-volume production cars or bikes. Hence, one can conclude that metal is still the most prevalent in the automotive industry. Automotive sheet metal components also play a crucial role in the aircraft industry by supplying metal sheets for manufacturing various aircraft parts. Steel metal machinery has a wide range of applications in the automotive, medical, architectural & electrical industries. Automotive sheet metal components find broad utility in aircraft fuselage and wings. On the other hand, aluminum metal sheets find use in the main body due to their low density. Read more about the Automotive Sheet Metal Components Overview Custiv.

The automotive industry uses a wide range of sheet metal components manufactured out of several grades of Stainless Steel, Steel, Copper, and Brass. Their thickness can reach up to 10 mm, with presses operating at a capacity of up to 200 tons. Here is the list of different Automotive Sheet Metal Components used in the industry. Here’s an overview.

1. Sealing Caps Core Plugs & Welch Plugs: These parts are manufactured out of Stainless Steel and Mild Steel. They are available in conical and cylindrical shapes.
2. Clamps, Brackets, and Clips: Tractors, Automotive, Farm equipment, and Earth-moving equipment use these components.
3. Push Nuts, Self-threading Nuts, U clip Nuts: These parts are made from high and medium carbon steel using the processes such as hardening and tempering.
4. Constant Pressure Hose Clamps: These components are manufactured from carbon alloy and high carbon for fuel and liquid rubber pipes in engines. Learn more about automotive sheet metal fabrication services to source precision-built components at Custiv.

Automotive metal forming is frequently made of sheet metal, which can be stamped, cut, or bent into the shape required for the body of an automobile. One of the most fundamental properties of metal is its malleability. During the manufacturing of automotive sheet metal components, the metal workpiece is deformed in the following ways:

A. Sheet Metal Stamping In automotive manufacturing companies, stamping is a process that can reshape the metal permanently with sheer brute force. In simple terms, stamping is a process that transforms flat metal sheets into specific shapes. Blanking, bending, punching, and piercing are just a few metal-forming techniques used in automotive sheet metal stamping. Some automotive components manufactured using the metal stamping process are engine components, brackets, hose clamps, metal lightning parts, windshield wiper systems, etc. Automotive sheet metal stamping has several advantages over other processes. One significant advantage of this process is that there is almost no need to wait for the workpiece to cool down. Since the metal is reshaped during the sheet metal stamping process, it reduces the production waste, especially during the piercing operations. Dies used in sheet metal stamping are less costly to manufacture and maintain than those used in other processes. Cleaning and plating are also less expensive than similar treatments used in different metal fabrication processes. Get detailed solutions regarding automotive sheet metal components at Custiv.

B. Sheet Metal Fabrication One can use numerous fabrication techniques to achieve the desired shape of the metal. These methods include thermal cutting, mechanical cutting, punching, bending, assembling, and powder coating. Customization of cars as per the customers' needs is primarily possible because of the sheet metal fabrication. Also, the sheet metal fabrication techniques are extensively used to revamp a vintage piece of the car.
For automotive sheet metal fabrication-related solutions, you must check Custiv. Major advantages of sheet metal fabrication include that it leaves room for a wide variety of solutions, and offers a wide range of surface finishes. Also, it can be of all types of metals, including stainless steel, mild steel, brass, aluminum, and so on.

It is essential to modernize traditional manufacturing techniques for automotive sheet metal components to address future challenges. More contemporary automotive sheet metal parts forming methods such as curling, bending, ironing, laser cutting, hydroforming, and punching have been introduced. The manufacturing industry now uses them to manufacture automotive sheet metal components. Hydroforming and advanced forming techniques are expected to gain increased adoption and relevance in the automotive sector. Besides, more research is performed in the automotive sheet metal industry to render these methods more practical for significant volume manufacturing. Some components manufactured through these processes include bearings, casters, gas springs, handwheels, hinges, hooks, magnets, lever arms, custom cable, rubber & seals, vehicle hardware, etc. Also, the manufacturing costs of manufacturing the automotive sheet metal parts have decreased.

Custiv offers a digital manufacturing solution that aids the automotive industry in areas like automotive sheet metal stamping, automotive sheet metal fabrication, and automotive sheet metal parts. We help achieve a more streamlined and dynamically scalable supply chain as in automotive sheet metal fabrication. We have worked with several automotive OEMs and electric vehicle startups, reducing lead times and streamlining supply chains. In automotive sheet metal components, the industry demands scalability, efficiency, and flexibility in the supply chain to make a company leaner.

Custiv can assist you in creating dynamic and scalable automotive sheet metal parts. The business model allows Custiv to manufacture to exact specifications in case of any automotive sheet metal components. You can scale them up and down as needed. Custiv has worked with many automotive manufacturers and different automotive sheet metal fabrication sectors to reduce lead times and streamline their supply chains. If you’re looking to design or manufacture custom auto sheet metal parts, Contact Custiv to explore how our on-demand solutions can accelerate your production goals.