Deep Drawing

Deep drawing forms flat sheet metal into deep, seamless cup-like shapes using a punch and die, delivering high-speed repeatability at production volumes.

Overview

Deep drawing is a stamping process that pulls sheet metal into a die cavity with a punch to create deep, hollow shapes such as cups, shells, and cans. It produces one-piece parts with no seam, good surface finish, and high repeatability once tooling is proven.

Choose deep drawing for axisymmetric or near-axisymmetric parts with depth-to-diameter ratios that exceed what simple forming can hold, and when annual volumes justify dedicated tooling. It’s well-suited to steel, stainless, and aluminum when material formability supports the draw.

Tradeoffs: tooling cost and lead time are significant, and design changes after tool release are expensive. Draw depth, corner radii, and flange features are limited by material ductility and risk of wrinkling, tearing, or thinning. Secondary ops (trimming, piercing, flanging) are common to hit final features and edges.

Common Materials

  • Low carbon steel
  • Stainless steel 304
  • Aluminum 5052
  • Aluminum 6061
  • Brass C260
  • Copper C110

Tolerances

±0.005"

Applications

  • Beverage and aerosol cans
  • Stainless sink bowls and basins
  • Battery cans and cylindrical housings
  • Automotive oil filter shells
  • Motor and actuator housings
  • Appliance knobs and caps

When to Choose Deep Drawing

Deep drawing fits parts that are fundamentally cup/shell shaped, need a seamless wall, and can be made from ductile sheet without excessive thinning. It makes sense when you want low piece price and consistent geometry at medium to high production volumes. Plan for trimming/piercing and other secondary ops to reach final edges and holes.

vs Progressive Die Stamping

Choose deep drawing when the core geometry is a deep cup or shell that needs controlled material flow and wall formation. Progressive dies excel at flatter parts with multiple pierce/form stations; deep draws can be progressive, but the draw operation drives the tool complexity and press requirements.

vs Transfer Die Stamping

Choose deep drawing when you need multiple draw/redraw steps to reach depth without tearing, often with larger or thicker blanks. Transfer tooling handles bigger parts and more complex draw sequences with better part control between stations than a purely progressive approach.

vs Blanking & Piercing

Choose deep drawing when the part needs depth and sidewalls, not just a 2D profile and holes. Blanking/piercing is typically a precursor or secondary step in a deep-drawn part, but it won’t create a hollow form.

vs Coining

Choose deep drawing when you need significant shape change and wall height from sheet metal. Coining is best for localized detail, sharp features, or thickness redistribution in small areas; it won’t generate deep shells without separate drawing operations.

Design Considerations

  • Specify material grade, temper, and sheet thickness early; formability drives draw depth and thinning risk
  • Use generous punch/die radii and avoid sharp internal corners to reduce tearing and improve tool life
  • Keep hole features and tight cutouts away from high-strain draw regions; add them after drawing when possible
  • Control depth-to-diameter and wall-height requirements; consider redraw steps if depth is aggressive
  • Provide realistic tolerances for formed walls and concentricity; reserve tight tolerances for trimmed/reamed features
  • Call out surface/finish requirements and acceptable draw marks; tool polish and lubrication choices affect cost and appearance