Metalforming Matters

One consistent issue impacting metalforming companies across the country is the lack of qualified, skilled employees.  Since it is challenging to find qualified employees, metalformers must make sure to create an environment that encourages their employees to remain loyal.  Training can be a key tool to engage, strengthen and attract your most valuable assets – your staff. Training Engages . As said most eloquently by Doug Conant, former CEO of Campbell’s Soup, “To win in the marketplace you must first win in the workplace.”  Winning in the workplace requires engagement.  What does an engaged employee look like?  Engagement is not tangible, it is an emotional connection.  An employee is truly engaged when he is fully committed to a company and its goals.  An engaged employee will go above and beyond to ensure that goals are met.  He feels loyal to the company and is emotionally connected.  Training can be a key part of engagement, he w...

By: Jeff Jeffery Among the challenges facing the metal stamping industry is the increased use of high-strength steel (HSS).  Because of the lower cost and greater ease of welding and processing, HSS platforms continue to be attractive to automotive makers.  While HSS substrates offer many positive aspects, these alloys can be challenging in the pressroom. These alloys possess higher work-hardening rates, higher tensile strengths, and can be thinner than conventional steel.  With increased use of more advanced and ultra-high-strength steel, press shops face much higher deformation temperatures, causing more tool abrasion, galling, edge cracking and other issues solved by using “honey oil”. Historical practices would dictate the use of oil-based lubricants or products heavily fortified with chlorine and sulphur-based EP additives.  While these methods may address the forming of the parts, welding and pretreatment processes may be negatively impacted by the increa...