Advanced metal-forming technologies for automotive applications

Abstract: In this chapter an overview is given of the forming technologies available to produce body and chassis parts in automotive manufacturing. First, a review is given of the metallurgical background of forming technology. Next the different forming techniques are presented and the materials available are discussed. Then some aspects of the modelling technology that has helped to advance forming technology in recent decades are discussed. The chapter closes with some economic considerations on the application of forming and materials for the automotive industry. Obviously a short chapter like this can never give full details on a subject so wide and essential to automotive manufacturing as forming technology, it could easily be expanded to a full volume, detailing various aspects, but it should give some insight about the subject and enable the reader to find information for further study.