An Overview of the Basic Metal Stamping Tools
Metal stamping is a procedure that transforms flat metal sheets into precise shapes. It’s a complicated procedure that involves blanking, punching, bending, and piercing, among other metal forming techniques. A tool manufacturer uses stamping in anything from household appliances to automobiles, so chances are you have a device in your house that uses it.
Stamping is ideal for various applications, including three-dimensional patterns, writing, and other surface engraving elements. Home appliance manufacturers, automobile industries, lighting companies, telecommunications services, military and defense, aerospace sectors, medical equipment makers, and electronics companies use stamping goods.
This article gives you an overview of the metal stamping process and the standard metal stamping tooling.
Basic Concepts of Metal Stamping:
Metal stamping tooling, often known as pressing, is a low-cost, high-speed manufacturing technique capable of producing many identical metal components in a short amount of time. Stamping operations are viable for short or long production runs and can be combined with other metal forming operations. They can incorporate one or more of the processes or techniques given below:
- Punching cut the material into precise shapes, essentially leaving a hole in the workpiece
- Blanking removes a workpiece from the parent material and repurposes it as the required workpiece
- Embossing creates a raised or recessed pattern in metal sheet by pressing or rolling the raw blank sheet
- Coining or press stamps the workpiece while it is sandwiched between a die and a punch
- Bending forms metal into desirable forms such as L, U, or V-shaped
- Flanging applies a flare or flange to a metal workpiece using dies, presses, or specialist flanging machines
Types of Stamping Operations:
- Progressive die stamping
Since the dies last a long time, the procedure is extremely reproducible, and it is an efficient approach for large volumes with minimal scrap. Until the required form and pattern are attained, each stage of the process cuts, bends, or punches the metal differently.
- Transfer Die Stamping
Transfer die stamping is used for more significant components that may need to be transported between presses. A motorized transit system, such as a conveyor belt, moves the detached metal part from one stamping station to the next.
- Four-Slide Stamping
The multi-slide or four-way stamping method is appropriate for intricate pieces with many bends and twists. Also known as fine-edge blanking, it helps achieve high precision and clean edges.
Types of Stamping Presses
- Mechanical, hydraulic, and mechanical servo technologies are the three most common stamping presses.
- Single-station dies both compound and combination dies.
- Combination dies include both cutting and non-cutting actions in a single press stroke.
- Multi-station dies include both progressive, and transfer dies that perform notching, punching, and cutting operations sequentially from the same die set.
- Steel rule dies cut and shape metals, such as aluminum, copper, and brass.
- Finishing Operations:
Deburring, tapping, reaming, and counterboring are post-stamping manufacturing activities performed on the stamped product. The tool manufacturer repairs finish flaws and eliminate sharp edges that compromise safety.
Stamping Advantages and Disadvantages:
Stamping has several advantages over other techniques, including cheaper die costs, lower secondary expenses, and a high level of automation.
✔ Metal stamping dies are less costly to manufacture and maintain than dies used in other typical processes.
✔ Cleaning and plating are also less expensive than equivalent treatments used in other metal manufacturing techniques.
✔ Stamping machines are generally simple to automate, and high-end computer-control systems may be used to give more precision, faster output, and faster turnaround times.
✔ The high level of automation also reduces labor costs.
Metal Stamping Tooling:
There are several steps in producing metal stamping.
#1 Designing and Manufacturing
#2 Secondary Processing
Conclusion
Certified tool manufacturers specialize in precision press die design, progressive die development, and the production of metal stamping components, plastic injection molds, insert and over castings, Electroplating (Barrel), Sub-Assemblies, and Value Added Services.
Tool manufacturing companies have their own processing machinery, allowing them to process, produce, and inspect objects independently, significantly reducing product delivery time and improving quality control. In addition, they are well-known for their competent after-sales support, including complete metal stamping components and speedy resolution of client issues.
