The Process of Cold Heading:

1. Material Selection:

• Typically, ductile metals like alloy steels, stainless steel, aluminum, titanium, and nickel alloys are chosen for cold heading due to their malleability.

2. Wire Preparation:

• A metal wire, which serves as the raw material, is cut to the desired length, often referred to as a “slug.”

3. Cold Forming:

• The wire or slug is inserted into a die and subjected to high-pressure force using a punch.

• The metal deforms plastically to take the shape of the die and punch, without requiring heating beyond room temperature.

4. Multiple Stages (Optional):

• Complex fasteners or components may require several stages of heading, where the part is progressively shaped into the desired geometry.

5. Trimming and Threading:

• Excess material is trimmed, and threads or other detailed features are added if needed.

6. Heat Treatment and Coating (Post-Process):

• While cold heading itself avoids heating, parts may undergo heat treatment after forming to enhance strength or other properties.

• Surface coatings can be applied for added corrosion resistance.

Advantages of Cold Heading:

Strength: The process aligns the grain structure of the material, enhancing the mechanical properties of the fasteners.

Precision: It allows for tight tolerances, critical for engineered components used in demanding applications.

Cost-Effectiveness: Material wastage is minimized compared to machining, and the process is highly efficient for mass production.

Surface Finish: Produces a smooth surface, reducing the need for additional finishing operations.

Applications in Engineered Fasteners:

Cold heading is particularly suited for producing high-performance fasteners used in industries like:

Aerospace and Defense: For lightweight, high-strength components.

Oil & Gas and Marine: For corrosion-resistant fasteners exposed to harsh environments.

Automotive and Robotics: For precision-engineered fasteners that require tight tolerances.