Longsheng

Metal stamping is a cold forming process that applies high pressure to sheet metal through dies, shaping it into parts with various complex geometries. This technology is widely used in industries such as automotive, electronics, home appliances, and aerospace, and is a key manufacturing method for achieving high efficiency, high precision, and high-volume production.

This article systematically introduces the main types of metal stamping, the process flow, common dies, and applicable materials. It also discusses how to choose professional metal stamping services, helping you make more informed decisions during your design and manufacturing processes.

What Is Metal Stamping?

Metal stamping is the process of using a stamping machine and specialized dies to plastically process sheet metal to produce parts of desired shapes and sizes. A stamping machine uses mechanical force to drive the die to perform various operations, including cutting, bending, stretching, and punching.

The stamping system primarily consists of:

• Frame: Supports the entire press structure;
• Slide: Provides up and down reciprocating motion;
• Die: The core tool that determines the part's shape;
• Feeder: Automatically feeds the material into the workstation.

What Are The Types Of Metal Stamping Processes?

1. Progressive Die Stamping

Progressive stamping involves fed sheet metal It is placed in a press and then passes through individual stations, each of which performs specific metalworking processes, such as cutting, bending, and punching. Throughout the process, the sheet metal remains attached to its baseband and moves through a conveyor system in the mold.
At each station, the workpiece is formed through a mold and then moves on to the next station. After all the operations are done, the press is raised and the plates move horizontally, gradually forming the parts. At the last station, the finished part is ejected from the sheet. The characteristics of this process are shown in the following table:

Characteristic	Description
Multi-task punching dies	A mold can include multiple processes such as blanking, bending, and drawing, with high productivity.
Safe to operate	Since all machining steps are carried out within the mold, there is less direct operator intervention and increased safety.
High material utilization	By designing the mold accurately, material waste can be reduced and material utilization can be improved.
Easy to automate	Progressive die stamping can be combined with an automatic feeding system to achieve fully automated production.

2. Transfer Die Stamping

In transfer die stamping, the workpiece is first separated from the sheet metal and then moved from one station to another. This allows the separated material to be transferred to different presses, allowing manufacturers to produce a variety of parts at the same time.
Transfer die stamping is ideal for forming large parts. Because the part is separated from the metal substrate, the punch can sprint deep without interfering with other operations, making it ideal for deep drawing applications. In addition, it is also beneficial for processes with multiple intermediate steps, as early separation of components can improve overall efficiency. The characteristics of this process are shown in the table below:

Characteristic	Description
Multi-station processing	Through the cooperation of multiple stations, complex machining tasks can be completed.
High precision	Since the molds at each station are precisely designed, it is possible to ensure that the machined parts are of high precision.
flexibility	The processing sequence and processing content of each station can be adjusted according to needs to meet different production needs.

3. Four-slip Stamping

In four-block or multi-slide stamping, the slide is placed horizontally and moves towards the workpiece. This process differs from conventional stamping using a press downstroke. Each slide in a multi-slide press is equipped with a tool that can simultaneously perform bending, twisting, cutting or forming actions in the horizontal direction. Multi-slide presses can be equipped with more than four moving slides. Four-slide stamping is particularly suitable for manufacturing complex and multiple bends, bends greater than 90 degrees, and forming cylindrical parts. Four-slide stamping features include:

Features	Description
High versatility	Different tools can be installed on each slide, so it can be adapted to a variety of different machining needs.
Low cost	Compared to other complex stamping processes, the cost of four-slip stamping is lower.
The production speed is fast	Thanks to the simultaneous use of several sliders, the production speed can be significantly increased.

4. Drawing and Stamping

Deep drawing stamping is a popular metal forming process, especially suitable for the manufacture of cans, cylinders and other deep space parts. In the deep-drawing stamping process, a sheet metal is placed on the retaining ring of the die, which is then pressed into the die by a punch to form a mold-like shape. Since the depth of the part to be formed is usually greater than its diameter (at least twice its diameter), this process is called "deep" drawing. By exerting pressure on the workpiece and the action of the lubricant, the material flow and forming process can be controlled to obtain the desired space part. The characteristics of deep drawing and stamping are shown in the following table:

Characteristic	Description
effective	Since the molding of deep space parts can be completed in one go, the production efficiency is high.
High precision	By precisely designing the mold and process parameters, it is possible to ensure that the machined parts have high precision and smooth surface quality.
High material utilization	By optimizing mold design and process parameters, material waste can be reduced and material utilization can be improved.

What Are The Key Steps In The Metal Stamping Process?

thisThe metal stamping process is a processA force is applied to the metal material through a mold to deform the plasticity to obtain the desired shape and size. Here are the seven steps of the metal stamping process:

Step 1: Design the mold and make a prototype

First of all, according to the size, shape, material and other factors of the product, the structure and size of the mold are determined through calculation and simulation. The design of the die is the basis of the stamping process, which determines the shape and quality of the final product. Then, according to the designed mold drawings, the actual mold prototype is made for subsequent stamping production.

Step 2: Cut the metal blank

First of all, choose metal materials suitable for stamping, such as steel plate, aluminum plate, etc. Next, the original sheet metal or strip of metal is cut to the desired size for subsequent processing. This step is usually done using tools such as knives or scissors

Step 3: Press the metal into the desired shape

The cut metal blank is put into the feeding device of the stamping machine, and the metal is fed into the die through the feeding device. The pressure of the punch then causes the metal to be formed on the die through the punch and the die. This step is at the heart of the stamping process. Through the precise design of the mold and the precise control of the stamping machine, the metal parts of the desired shape and size can be obtained.

Step 4: Trim excess material

Stamped parts often need to be trimmed and formed to remove burrs, cracks, and other defects that arise during the stamping process. This step can be done using equipment such as dressing tools or grinders.

Step 5: Heat treat the part (if needed)

Depending on the material and performance requirements of the part, heat treatment may be required, such as quenching, tempering, etc. Heat treatment can improve the hardness, wear resistance and corrosion resistance of parts to meet specific usage requirements.

Step 6: Surface treatment or coating

In order to improve the anti-corrosion performance or aesthetics of parts, surface finishing such as electroplating, painting, coating, etc. may be required.

Step 7: Quality control and inspection

After the stamping production is completed, the quality of the parts is comprehensively inspected to ensure that the size, surface quality and physical properties of the parts meet the design requirements. According to different quality conditions, corresponding improvement measures are taken to improve the efficiency and quality of the stamping process.

What Types Of Metal Stamping Dies Are Used?

Single-punch dies

A single die consists of a die and a die or a plurality of dies and a plurality of dies. Each punch is only done with one punch or one shape formation because its structure and function are designed and designed for a specific process. Manufactured, cannot be used in other processes. It is typically used for small to medium-scale production, especially when frequent changes in punching position or shape are required. It can be flexibly adjusted and replaced during the production process, and the manufacturing cost is low. It is suitable for the production of small batches of metal stamping with a relatively simple process.

Advantages and disadvantages of single-punch dies

Advantage	Fraud
(1) The manufacturing and maintenance costs are relatively simple and the cost is low (2) Suitable for small-scale production and flexibility requirements (3) The flexibility is relatively low, but it is easy to adjust	(1) The production efficiency is relatively low (2) The material utilization rate is relatively low (3) Low degree of automation

Progressive

A progressive die, also known as a progressive die, is a type of cold stamping die that uses a strip of stamping raw material in a single stamping stroke and uses several different stations to complete multiple stamping processes simultaneously on a set of dies. Every stamping process of the die is completed. At one point, the strip moves at a fixed distance and the blanking part is gradually formed in a continuous die. Continuous molding is a process-intensive process method that can be trimmed, cut, grooved, punched, plastically deformed, and blanked. This process is done on the mold.

Advantages and disadvantages of progressive dies

Advantage	Fraud
(1) High degree of automation, suitable for mass production (2) High material utilization rate and low waste generation (3) It is suitable for the production of complex shapes and multi-process workpieces (4) High efficiency and improve production speed	(1) High complexity, high design and manufacturing costs (2) The flexibility is average, and it is difficult to adapt to the frequently changing workpiece design (3) It requires large investment and maintenance costs

Composite molds

A composite die is a stamping die in which the inner hole and the outer shape are machined at the same station of the die at the same time (multiple stamping operations can be performed at the same time in one stroke). Multiple processes can be completed in a single stamping, including multiple punching or shape forming. The multi-process design combines the advantages of single die and progressive die to a certain extent.

Advantages and disadvantages of composite molds

advantage	fraud
(1) The complexity is moderate, and the design and manufacturing are relatively easy (2) The production efficiency is relatively high, and it is suitable for medium batch production (3) The material utilization rate is high and relatively economical	(1) It is not suitable for mass production (2) It is difficult to remove the material

Transmit

Transfer die stamping is similar to progressive die, but the parts are transferred from one station to another through a mechanical transfer system. It is mainly used when the part has to be removed from the strip to allow operation in a free state. The transfer die can be a single mold or multiple molds or machines arranged in a row to form a production line. It is often used to produce more complex parts, where each workstation can perform different operations, such as punching, bending, stretching, etc.

Advantages and disadvantages of transfer die stamping

Advantage	Fraud
(1) Multiple processes are completed at one time, and the production efficiency is high (2) It is suitable for complex parts such as automobile body parts (3) The material utilization rate is high and the waste generation is low (4) High degree of automation and integration of production lines	(1) The manufacturing cost is high and the equipment investment is large (2) Poor adaptability, changes in component design may require major adjustments. (3) Due to the complexity of the system, it is difficult to maintain. (4) It is not suitable for small-scale production

What Types Of Metals Are Best For Stamping?

Steel

• Cold Rolled Steel (CRS)Grades such as 1018 and 1045 are common. CRS is known for its strength and smooth surface finish, making it ideal for parts that require tight tolerances.
• Hot Rolled Steel (HRS): Common grades include A36 and A572. HRS is easier to form, making it suitable for larger, less precise parts.
• stainless steel: Use grades such as 304 and 316 for enhanced corrosion resistance. They are preferred for medical, food, and marine applications.

Aluminium

• Aluminum 1100: This grade is known for its flexibility and is used in applications that require deep drawing.
• Aluminum 6061: A versatile grade known for its strength and corrosion resistance for a wide range of applications.
• Aluminum 5052: Preferred for applications requiring high fatigue strength.

Brass

• Cassette Brass (C260): Due to its excellent electrical conductivity, it is often used in electronic components.
• Navy Brass (C464): Known for its corrosion resistance, it is suitable for marine applications.

Copper

• C110 Copper: High electrical conductivity, ideal for use in electronic components.
• Beryllium Copper (C17200): Combines strength and conductivity and is commonly used in aerospace and electronics applications.

Titanium

• Grade 2 titanium: Provides a good balance of strength and flexibility, and is widely used in the aerospace and medical industries.
• Grade 5 titanium（6Al-4V）: Known for its high strength and corrosion resistance, it is ideal for high-performance applications.

Why Choose LS metal stamping services?

In LSWe are not only proficient in various mold processing skills, but also have a professional technical team, which can provide leading die casting mold manufacturing services to manufacture high-quality parts for you at very competitive prices. As an ISO 9001:2015 certified company, we focus on the construction of a quality management system to provide reliable services to our customers. Our team of experts has experience performing DfM (Design for Manufacturability) analyses to improve your designs. We are not only a manufacturer, but also a partner committed to providing comprehensive support and professional advice to ensure that designs can reduce manufacturing costs while still meeting high quality standards.

If you have a design model to manufacture,Please upload it to us today and we will provide you with a quote immediatelyChoosing LS is to choose a high-quality, high-tech and cost-effective die-casting mold manufacturing partner, let us work together to create excellent parts for your project and achieve greater success.

FAQs

1. What is metal stamping?

Metal stamping refers to the process of machining sheet metal into the desired shapeSheet metal stamping diesIts principle is mainly to use the mechanical force of the punch machine to process the material into the desired shape. The press is mainly composed of a frame, a slider, a die and a transmission. When the metal stamping machine works, the sheet metal is first placed between the molds, and under the action of mechanical force, the sheet metal is processed into the desired shape. It can be processed into different stamping diesMetal stamping parts of different shapes.

2. What are the 7 steps of metal stamping?

The seven key steps of the metal stamping process include mold design and prototyping, cutting metal blanks, pressing the metal into the desired shape, trimming excess material, heat treating the part (if required), surface treatment or coating, and quality control and inspection. These steps are interrelated and together make up the entire metal stamping process.

3. What kind of steel is used for stamping?

ThisThe main steel grades used in stamping are: Cold Rolled Steel (CRS): Grades such as 1018 and 1045 are common. CRS is known for its strength and smooth surface finish, making it ideal for parts that require tight tolerances; Hot Rolled Steel (HRS): Common grades include A36 and A572. HRS is easier to form, so it's suitable for larger, less precise parts; Stainless steel: Grades such as 304 and 316 are used for enhanced corrosion resistance. They are preferred for medical, food, and marine applications.

4. What metal is best for stamping?

ThisThe most commonly used metals in metal stamping include aluminum, stainless steel, mild steel, copper, and brassIn practical applications, it is necessary to select suitable steel and metal materials according to the specific requirements and processing conditions of the product.

Summary

Metal stamping is a comprehensive technology that integrates materials science, mold engineering, and precision manufacturing. From simple blanking to complex deep drawing, from single-process dies to efficient progressive dies, every choice impacts product quality, cost, and delivery time. Whatever your needs, LS Precision Manufacturing is committed to being your most reliable manufacturing partner, empowering your products with our expertise and precision craftsmanship.