Metal stamping is a common manufacturing process that involves forming flat metal sheets into various shapes and sizes. The process can produce high-quality and consistent metal parts with precise dimensions and tolerances that are widely used in daily life. In this article, we will discuss the process characteristics of metal stamping parts and how they are manufactured.
Metal stamping is a process that involves a series of operations to transform flat metal sheets into complex shapes and sizes. The process includes cutting, bending, stretching, and punching the metal sheet with a stamping press. The stamping press applies pressure to the metal sheet using a die and punch set, which creates the desired shape of the metal part.
The process can be performed on various types of metals, including steel, aluminum, copper, and brass. The thickness of the metal sheet used in the process can range from thin foils to thick sheets.
There are several process characteristics of metal stamping parts that make it an ideal manufacturing process for producing high-quality metal parts. These characteristics include:
Metal stamping can produce highly precise and accurate metal parts with tight tolerances. The process can be controlled to achieve the desired dimensions and shapes of the metal part.
The product quality is stable and the interchangeability is good. The metal stamping die is used to form the product. There are a few factors affecting the change in product quality and the degree of harm is low. Some factors can be corrected by taking appropriate measures so that the quality of the product is controlled within the ideal range, and the stability of the product quality can effectively ensure its interchangeability. Good interchangeability is the basic guarantee for mass production of the assembly line. At the same time, it is also conducive to the maintenance and replacement of products.
Metal stamping is an efficient manufacturing process that can produce large quantities of metal parts in a short time. The process can be automated to increase production rates and reduce labor costs.
The number of parts or process content completed per unit of time is several times higher than that of ordinary processing methods, even hundreds of times. Moreover, the metal stamping process can further improve production efficiency by using one mold with multiple pieces and multiple process contents combined processing on a set of molds.
Through different layout methods, such as cross, oblique, multi-row, mixing, nesting, and even non-waste layout, the utilization rate of materials can be effectively improved and the material cost of products can be reduced.
The material does not need to be heated. Under normal circumstances, the material does not need to be heated during the stamping operation. This can not only save energy, reduce the occupation of heating equipment and space, but also avoid the unstable shape and size of products caused by surface oxidation, burns, and deformation caused by heating. It is also possible to prevent adverse effects on the mold due to temperature rise.
Metal stamping can produce consistent metal parts with uniform shapes and sizes. The process can be repeated to produce identical metal parts with the same dimensions and tolerances.
The product quality is stable and the interchangeability is good. The metal stamping die is used to form the product. There are a few factors affecting the change in product quality and the degree of harm is low. Some factors can be corrected by taking appropriate measures so that the quality of the product is controlled within the ideal range, and the stability of the product quality can effectively ensure its interchangeability. Good interchangeability is the basic guarantee for mass production of the assembly line. At the same time, it is also conducive to the maintenance and replacement of products.
Metal stamping can be used to produce a wide range of metal parts with different shapes and sizes. The process can be customized to meet the specific requirements of each metal part.
The mechanical properties of punching parts are improved. Affected by the hardening phenomenon of metal stamping, the surface structure of punching parts is tight, the hardness and wear resistance is increased, and the strength and rigidity of punching parts are also improved.
There are many products suitable for stamping and forming. It can solve many processing contents that cannot or are difficult to be completed by general machining, especially for the processing and forming of some thin, soft, difficult, strange, micro parts, or parts of non-metallic materials, metal stamping forming is almost only one method of processing and forming.
The manufacturing process of metal stamping parts involves several steps, including:
The metal stamping process is a cost-effective, efficient, and versatile way to produce high-quality metal components in large volumes. The process involves several steps, including design, material selection, cutting, forming, and quality control. Proper maintenance and safety precautions are essential for the longevity and safety of the stamping equipment. The future of metal stamping process is expected to include more advanced technologies and materials.
If you have any metal stamping needs or questions, welcome to contact us. We look forward to hearing from you and helping you take your products to the next level.
A company&#;s accomplishment to expand and innovate competitively lies beyond the proper planning and knowledge of the business. We need to make sure that everything fits into achieving the goal of giving high-quality services and products- just like in the metal stamping process.
We may wonder how they manage to create a piece of stamped metal to work in a product?&#; Of course, there are different ways to do stamped parts, but properly knowing the process by heart is fundamental. It should be based on the product and materials involved and the quantity of production, among others.
Gold precision will present you with nine (9) commonly used steps in fabricating stamped metals.
During the blanking process, a large coil or metal is cut into smaller, easily manageable pieces. It uses a die to cut metal into a specific shape; the pierced-out part into the primary metal is then called &#;blank.&#; Manufacturers mainly use blanking to improve the efficiency of stamped metals for other processes and finishing operations.
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The blanking process involves many advantages such as:
This step is highly applicable for stamping materials like carbon steel, stainless steel, and aluminum. If you opt for mass production of components, blanking is the right one for your product. Most pieces for industries of aerospace, automobile, and home appliances go through blanking.
Piercing and blanking work simultaneously but are two different steps. Unlike blanking, piercing&#;s primary metal is from the scrap metal where blanking gets its workpiece. It is a shearing process needed for stamped metals with holes, slots, and other cutouts. Usually, it is a cold-forming process using a punch and a die, but it can also be used at hot stamping.
There are several types of piercing which is very useful for other processes, namely:
For less cost and fast production, the piercing process is an impeccable choice in helping you save up funds and staffing costs.
One of the most commonly utilized steps is the drawing process. This process produces hollow cylindrical or box-shaped stamped metals- just like products including oil sinks and metal sinks. Here, a sheet metal needs to undergo a die and mechanical pulling or stretching to achieve the desired length and shape.
There are two types of drawing- deep drawn and shallow drawing. This metalworking process is suitable for alloys, aluminum, copper, nickel, brass, and steel. Aside from its versatile application, many manufacturers use drawing because it has a long list of pros.
The drawing process may include:
Bending is a general technique of forming; it uses a specially designed die or a general die in bending or folding a metal sheet in a single and straight axis. This process typically assumes after the drawing process. A machine pushes into or against the metal forming three-dimensional components from a sheet or two-dimensional pieces.
This metal stamping step may involve cold bending or hot bending, depending on the tensile strength of the metal. Angles from a bend-processed stamped part make L, U, V, and other shapes. Meanwhile, bending metals using a machine can also be called mechanical bending.
Aside from all the information above, there are some considerations when bending:
The bending process offers a great deal in stamping metals as it produces higher precision and consistency in product development. However, in ensuring its quality and accuracy, the bending angle and radius of the metal must be controlled or reduced by the spring back of the bent part.
This step is somehow a division of the bending process and is also called free bending. The only difference is that the metal sheet is partially bent only, indicating low pressure and power. Here, the metal is bent by a punch into a die but not reaching the lower bottom of the cavity. Thus, air bending can have a slight downside in terms of bent accuracy but has a potential for flexibility.
Both bottoming and coining are bending techniques that can give more accurate stamped parts than air bending- pressing the metal against a die. Bottoming or bottoming punch is a forming process that is exclusive for V-shaped components only. It can eliminate spring back by applying additional force to the tip of the point.
On the other hand, coining, from the word itself, is traditionally known to make coins but is also capable of different shapes. It applies deep penetration or extreme pressure to push a metal sheet against a die, making it a good choice for thick and hard sheet metals.
Some advantages you can get from these two processes are:
Forming is a metal bending technique applying a condensed and malleable force in releasing the internal stress of metal deformation. Also, it is simply a re-shaping of a metal part producing multiple bends. Although, this step is not primarily applicable for some complex shapes and for bending very sharp angles. That&#;s why most of the time, forming is likely to be used in U-shaped vessels.
In this process, you must be mindful of controlling force to avoid cracking stamped metals. Industries such as aerospace are fans of the forming process.
Pinch trimming is a particular method of cutting vertical walls or stretched vessels by punching sheet metal between two dies- separating the scrap from the workpiece. Trimming is beneficial for nearly finished or finished stamped parts to remove excess edges.
In addition, this process serves as an edge treatment as well. It improves edge quality through refining and smoothening of surfaces.
Lancing is a cutting process; commonly applied for minor cuts to make metals more flexible. Here, sheet metal is cut in three sides, leaving one side connected or raised to the sheet- creating an opening or hook-like feature. This step may decrease metal heat by making tabs and vents. Others may find lancing as functional in the progressive stamping process.
There are nine excellent and typical steps in metal stamping that are functional in their ways. Whatever action you use and apply, always remember two things- quality and application. It is better to talk with professionals first, precisely create a plan, and choose the right step according to your project.
Contact us to discuss your requirements of sheet metal stamping processing parts. Our experienced sales team can help you identify the options that best suit your needs.