In the modern fastener manufacturing industry, the multi-station bolt former machine has become a core piece of equipment for high-precision, high-volume bolt production. As an advanced application of cold heading technology, it integrates multiple manufacturing processes into a single machine, enabling fully automated production from metal wire to finished bolt blanks. This technology has completely transformed traditional fastener manufacturing, which was previously limited by low efficiency and scattered production processes.

What Is a Multi-Station Bolt Former Machine?

A multi-station bolt former machine is an automated machine that manufactures metal fasteners by using cold heading forming technology.

Cold heading is a metal forming process performed at room temperature. Through the use of dies and punches, pressure is applied to metal wire materials, causing them to undergo plastic deformation and form the required shapes.

During the production process, metal wire is first fed into the machine through the feeding system and then passes through multiple forming stations in sequence:

1. Cutting the raw material

2. Initial upsetting forming

3. Head forming

4. Multiple precision stamping operations

5. Final formation of the bolt blank

Afterward, the products usually undergo additional processes such as thread rolling, heat treatment, and electroplating to complete the production of high-performance fasteners.

Main Structural Systems of the Multi-Station Bolt Former

1. Automatic Feeding System

The metal wire is accurately transported into the equipment according to the set length through a roller servo mechanism.

Its features include: High feeding accuracy; continuous production; reduced need for manual operation

A stable feeding system can ensure consistent product dimensions.

2. Multi-Station Forming System

This is the core part of the cold heading machine. It consists of multiple groups of dies and punches, which sequentially complete processes such as cutting, pre-upsetting, precision upsetting, head forming, punching, trimming, and other operations.

Different stations work together to perform various processing tasks, allowing complex bolt structures to be manufactured at one time.

3. Transfer System

It adopts a rotary swing-type clamp manipulator to achieve high-speed and accurate transfer of blanks between stations. Some models support 180-degree workpiece rotation.

4. Ejection and Knockout System

After heading is completed at each station, the formed workpiece is smoothly pushed out from the die, or the workpiece is ejected by the ejector rod inside the punch to prevent die sticking.

5. Automatic Control System

Modern models are generally equipped with PLC or servo control systems, which can monitor the pressure and speed parameters of each station in real time and support automatic fault alarms.

It improves production stability and automation levels.

What Are the Advantages of a Multi-station Bolt Former Machine?

1. High-Efficiency Production

The multi-station bolt former machine has extremely high production efficiency. It integrates multiple stamping dies and does not require transfer between individual machines.

A single feeding process can continuously complete multiple complex processing steps, greatly shortening the production cycle of each piece. Its production capacity is far higher than traditional single-station equipment.

2. High Material Utilization Rate

Using cold heading technology, metal is plastically deformed at room temperature. It not only eliminates the heating process but also avoids material waste caused by cutting processing, greatly reducing production costs.

3. High Product Strength and Good Quality

During the cold heading process, the metal flow lines are not cut off, which makes the manufactured bolts have higher tensile strength and better fatigue resistance. The close cooperation between each station ensures high dimensional accuracy and consistent appearance quality of products.

4. Wide Range of Processing Materials

The multi-station bolt former machine can process various metal materials, including copper, aluminum, carbon steel, alloy steel, stainless steel, and titanium alloy.

By replacing dies, the same machine can achieve processing of various types of components, providing strong flexible production capabilities.

5. Saving Labor and Factory Space

The highly automated operation process reduces manual loading, unloading, and transfer procedures, lowering labor costs. At the same time, the compact single-machine multi-station design saves workshop floor space.

What Industries Are Multi-station Bolt Former Machines Used In?