Sheet metal forming die assembly with textured die surfaces

The die assembly for draw forming sheet metal stock into a desired part, the die assembly comprising:

• a first die assembly having an inner die surface arranged to engage one surface portion of the sheet metal stock during the forming operation and a perimeter die surface further arranged to engage one surface of a perimeter portion of the sheet metal stock;
• a second die assembly comprising an inner die surface for engaging an opposite surface portion of the sheet metal stock during the forming operation;
• a binder assembly arranged to encompass the second die assembly and having a surface further arranged to engage an opposite perimeter surface portion of the sheet metal stock to clamp the sheet metal stock between the binder surface and the first die perimeter surface during the forming operation;
• and
• a textured surface formed on and metallurgically bonded to the first die assembly perimeter surface by direct metal deposition of a plurality of particles into the first die assembly perimeter surface, wherein the textured surface is arranged to increase the coefficient of friction between the first die assembly perimeter surface and the sheet metal when the sheet metal is clamped between the first die assembly perimeter surface and the binder surface during a draw forming process.