Forming press machines are an integral part of sheet metal fabrication and global production processes. Many manufacturers rely on these technologies as a complete solution for high-volume metal shaping, with many suppliers becoming global leaders in metal forming innovation.
From simple fittings and frames to energy and aerospace, you’d struggle to find an industry that hasn’t benefited from products produced by these revolutionary pieces of equipment.
Their high precision and extensive range make them one of the most important elements of the metal production process.
But because they’re so widely used today, it’s easy to forget the impact they’ve had on modern life.
Essential industries that have made huge contributions to the progression of society wouldn’t have been able to expand at such a revolutionary rate without the metal forming press.
Everything, from the way we transport goods to the way we produce food, would be significantly impacted without mechanical press machines.
In this blog, our experts at Cambridge Dynamics discuss the different types of industries that use forming press machines and how they could support your business operations.
What is a metal forming press?
Metal forming machines are designed to manipulate metals into a wide array of shapes, often using high pressure, to produce pieces for a variety of applications.
These can be simple shapes, or the forming process can become much more in-depth.
For example, a stamping press pins sheet metal between a die and a punch to stamp out a specific shape, whereas turning, which involves spinning a piece of metal and cutting away at it as it turns, is more intricate. Other types of forming processes, such as ring rolling, are used to produce seamless metal rings that are commonly required in industries like aerospace, energy, and heavy machinery.
Forming press machines can also be distinguished by their powering mechanism. For example, they may operate with a hydraulic press.
There are many versions of metal forming presses, each with their own uses and advantages. But most methods behind metal fabrication processes have changed drastically as a result of CNC forming, which uses computer numerical control technology to automate the process.
Producing metallic items by hand was once a costly and time-consuming process. Forming presses, with the added element of automation, are able to produce items and products at lightning speed compared to human workers.
This process has saved countless businesses time and money, as well as boosted productivity and revenue to massive levels.
Which industries use forming presses?
1. The automotive industry
Car parts can be shaped using forming presses for mass production.
Before the introduction of forming presses, all car parts were cast by hand. The forming press removed some of the human element, allowing internal and external parts to be produced quickly and accurately.
The introduction of the automated forming press made the process even faster, with presses now able to produce car parts hundreds of times faster than their human counterparts.
The automotive stamping industry is expected to reach a value of £133 billion by 2027, according to Global Newswire.
The most obvious use of forming presses in the construction of cars is the moulding of the car body to produce the desired shape. Cars come in countless shapes and sizes, differing in style from manufacturer to manufacturer.
But automated forming presses can produce these complex shapes out of metal with ease, which may be one of the reasons car companies have become more unusual in their stylistic choices in recent years.
With over 90 million light vehicles (cars, SUVs, and light trucks) sold worldwide in 2025, it’s safe to say that forming presses played a massive part in their manufacturing processes.
2. The construction industry
Tools and metals for the construction industry, both large and small, can be forged by forming presses.
Before forming presses and automated forming presses, the creation of these tools and metals was, once again, left in the hands of human workers.
Whether in the production of heavy-duty construction vehicles – like diggers and cranes – or smaller yet equally essential elements – like hand tools and screwdrivers – forming presses have a huge part to play.
But it goes beyond the tools used in construction; forming presses can also manipulate the metals that make up the framework of most modern buildings.
Thanks to the added speed, forming presses undoubtedly contribute to the rate at which we see new buildings appear.
3. Electronic components
Many modern electrical components are so small that you may think it’s impossible to produce them by hand. While it might not be impossible, it’s certainly difficult. Which is why forming presses are commonly utilised.
The time and dedication required for a human worker to produce such parts by hand is enormous compared to forming presses, which can produce these parts quickly and accurately every single time.
The accuracy afforded by forming technology, when matched with the automation of CNC forming, can produce incredibly specific results. These include many of the unseen electrical components we all take for granted.
Producing components this way, by removing the human element, drastically decreases the risk of production error.
4. Currency production
Coins have been pressed in some form for centuries.
Hundreds of years ago, pressing coins by hand was the only way to imprint them with the appropriate imagery of the time.
These printing tools will have been carved by hand, and wouldn’t have been very impressive, as we can see from some of the surviving coins of eras gone by.
But today, coins can be stamped in high volumes thanks to forming press technology, and feature far more impressive designs than would have been possible without it.
5. Home appliance production
We’ve already discussed the importance of forming presses in producing electrical components.
But many of those electrical components will be present in your household appliances, which are also produced using forming press machines.
Forming press technology can be used to craft robust metal parts for any appliance – from washing machines to fridge freezers and beyond. There won’t be many appliances under your roof that won’t have benefited from forming presses in some way.
Naturally, the added speed of forming presses afforded the production of home appliances, resulting in booming production numbers to keep up with supply and demand.
Global sales for major household appliances are expected to reach 639 million by 2028, and these gargantuan numbers won’t be possible without the help of the forming press.
Forming press solutions from Cambridge Dynamics
Through its many forms and functions, forming press machinery has changed the way we produce countless essential items across many types of industries.
At Cambridge Dynamics, our team is skilled and experienced in designing and manufacturing forming machine presses for a variety of industries.
If you need a machine press and would like to discuss your specific requirements, or need to know more about other metal fabrication processes, get in touch today, and we’ll help find the best solution for you.
Email us at enquiries@cambridgedynamics.co.uk, or give us a call on 01480 459555 today.