Cold heading vs cold forming

Cold heading and cold forming are both processes used in the production of metal parts, but they differ in their specific techniques and applications.

What is Cold heading?

Cold heading is the process of using high-pressure force to shape and form a metal blank into an finished fastener part,such as screw,bolt,nut,rivet. Small to medium-sized fastener parts like screws, bolts, and rivets are frequently produced in large quantities using this process. Cold heading machines can produce parts with high accuracy and consistent quality while operating at high speeds.

What is Cold forming?

In contrast, cold forming is a broader term that encompasses several processes used to shape metal objects without the use of heat. Cold forming processes include swaging, forging, bending, and extrusion, among others. This process is commonly used for larger parts such as gears, shafts, and other metal components. Cold forming is often preferred over other methods such as machining or casting as it creates parts with improved strength and durability, less material waste, and often at a lower cost. 

In summary, while cold forming encompasses a broader range of metal forming processes, cold heading is a specific type of cold forming process that is most often used for the mass production of small to medium-sized metal parts.