GENERAL NEWS
U . S ./ Canada metalforming business report
Metalforming companies forecast a downward trend in business conditions during the next three months , according to the November 2022 Precision Metalforming Association ( PMA ) Business Conditions ’ Report . Prepared monthly , the report provides an economic indicator for the next three months of manufacturing , sampling 121 metalforming companies in the United States and Canada .
PMA ’ s November report shows that 45 % of metalforming companies anticipate a decrease in general economic activity in the next three months ( compared to 35 % in October ), 50 % expect no change in activity ( the same
PMA President , David Klotz .
percentage reported in October ) and only 5 % predict an increase in activity ( compared to 15 % in October ).
The report also shows a dip in expectations for incoming orders , with 13 % of survey respondents forecasting an increase in incoming orders during the next three months ( compared to 18 % in October ), 44 % predicting no change ( compared to 43 % last month ) and 43 % anticipating a decrease in orders ( compared to 39 % in October ).
Current average daily shipping levels declined in November , with 32 % of
Image : Shutterstock . com .
respondents reporting a decrease in shipping levels ( compared to 23 % in October ), 47 % reporting no change ( compared to 50 % in October ) and only 21 % reporting an increase ( decreasing from 27 % in October ).
“ PMA ’ s November report shows the largest percentage of metalforming companies surveyed predicting a decrease in economic activity and a decrease in incoming orders since May 2020 ,” said PMA President , David Klotz .
“ The slowdown reflects the continuing supply-chain challenges that I am hearing about first-hand from members across the country . Manufacturers are having a difficult time obtaining the components they need , with lead times extending in some cases from more than six months to almost a year . Some sectors / industries also are being affected negatively by higher interest rates . However , the recent FABTECH tradeshow , one of the largest manufacturing shows in North America , was sold out and went into overflow space , with brisk sales activity reported , indicating that we may see increased manufacturing activity beginning in the first quarter of 2023 .”
Lead times continued to drop in November , with only 11 % of metalforming companies reporting an increase in lead times ( compared to 17 % in October ). Two per cent of companies had a portion of their workforce on shorttime or layoff in November ( compared to 4 % in October ), while 53 % of companies are currently expanding their workforce ( decreasing from 63 % last month ).
Dry deep drawing in focus
Deep drawing is one of the most important processes in sheet-metal forming . Conventionally , lubricants are used to reduce friction and wear . However , demands for increased sustainability , environmental protection and resource efficiency are driving the creation of lubricant-free forming processes or ‘ dry deep drawing ’.
A new era is now dawning in classic sheetmetal forming . Deep-drawing processes , especially for smaller components , will be able to function without lubricants in the future .
“ This saves up to 20 per cent in energy and resources . And it is much more environmentally friendly , if only because there is no longer any need for lubricants containing mineral oil . What is more , the process time is also reduced by 10 per cent ,” summed up Prof . Hinnerk Hagenah from the Institute of Manufacturing Technology at Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen- Nürnberg , Germany . The Professor also presented the Let ’ s Talk Science session on 30 November 2022 ( the monthly online
Above : As part of the science cluster , the LFT ( Institute of Manufacturing Technology ) was represented at Consumenta ( 26-30 October 2022 ) on the Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen- Nuremberg stand . Left : Prof . Hinnerk Hagenah from the Institute of Manufacturing Technology at Friedrich-Alexander- Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg , Germany . seminar in the run-up to EMO Hannover 2023 ).
Lubricant systems containing mineral oil are usually used during the forming of semi-finished sheet metal products to minimize friction and wear during the forming process . However , the desire for efficient and sustainable use of resources , and political requirements regarding environmental protection , are providing an incentive to avoid the use of lubricants completely .
The novel process known as dry deep drawing eliminates the need for calibration and cleaning . Companies can save themselves the need ( in some cases ) for huge washing facilities used for removing the lubricant film after forming . It is not necessary to retool the line for dry deep drawing ; the solution lies in innovative tool modifications .
Prof . Hinnerk Hagenah ’ s presentation outlined how lubricant-free forming processes are made possible by custommade changes to the tool surface . Different surface technologies were presented and compared with regard to operational behaviour , potential and fields of application . Interested companies , especially those working with 0.5-2mm thick sheet , discussed their own process conditions with the researchers . n
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ismr . net | ISMR December 2022 / January 2023