Hemming Services
With our unwavering commitment to innovation, Amino North America Corporation (ANAC) is always eager to expand the capabilities of our state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in St. Thomas, Ontario. To that end, we’re pleased to introduce hemming into our service portfolio.
What Is Hemming?
Hemming is a manufacturing strategy during which the edge of a sheet of metal is folded over itself meets the surface of the sheet. Unlike seaming, a similar process used to join separate edges of a sheet, hemming entails the bending of a single edge over itself.
Hemming consists of two distinct stages. At first, the edge of the sheet is bent to an acute angle, usually around 30°. A flattening die is then used to apply sufficient pressure to the sheet, finishing the hem in the process. Hemmed edges can be either closed or open, the former being fully flattened and the latter containing an air pocket.
Where Are Some of Its Applications?
In the automotive industry, hemming is a secondary process performed during assembly. Manufacturers use it to join parts together, typically applying it when assembling hoods, doors, tailgates, and fenders.
Since hemming is one of the last operations carried out on automotive body panels, it can have a significant effect on a vehicle’s performance and overall quality. Without accurate hemming, parts can be left with defects such as split or wrinkles. For this reason, manufacturers should consider using simulation tools to minimize the chance of mistakes during trials and production.
Types of Hemming
- Conventional die hemming
Conventional die hemming refers to a process during which a hemming tool is used to fold the flange along the entire length after drawing and trimming. This type of hemming is ideal for mass production, and while it does require a major investment, it also offers very low cycle times.
- Roll hemming
Roll hemming involves the use of a robot to guide a hemming roller, which gradually bends the flange of the outer panel over the inner panel. Roll hemming is much more flexible in closure manufacture because changes can be made quickly and cost-effectively through slight program modifications. Moreover, the robots can perform various tasks by simply activating the integrated tool. Roll hemming uses significantly cheaper tools than those employed in conventional die hemming, but it does come with significantly higher cycle times.
Since each type of hemming has certain advantages, manufacturers should take their specific needs and the demands of their typical applications before committing to a particular piece of equipment. Production volumes, the complexity of standard parts, and equipment investment costs are all among the factors that determine which type of hemming would work best for a particular company.
Since our founding, ANAC has offered customers in a variety of industries cost-effective manufacturing services that maximize productivity without sacrificing quality. If you have a project that might benefit from hemming, we’re here to use our expertise in it to simplify your manufacturing processes. Contact us today to see how our cutting-edge solutions can solve your metalworking challenges!