National Material Company is regarded as a global leader in servicing the needs of the steel industry and leading industrial and consumer product manufacturers. With over 50 years of expertise in metals processing and supply chain management, NMC offers metal stamping services as a part of a wide array of steel processing capabilities. Read on to learn more about metal stamping:

Metal Stamping Process

Metal stamping is an incredibly versatile and efficient manufacturing process that takes flat metal sheets or coils and transforms them into precisely shaped and intricate parts. By utilizing force, pressure, and specialized tooling, components with diverse forms — including bends, curves, cutouts, and embossing, are possible. This process offers low costs and higher lead times — both for short and long production runs while keeping consistent quality, dimensional accuracy, and repeatability of the manufactured parts.

How It Works

At the core of metal stamping lies the stamp press, a component responsible for applying the necessary force and pressure to mold the metal sheets or coils into the desired shape or profiles. This powerful machine incorporates specialized tooling known as dies, which performs a variety of stamping operations on the metal. By carefully controlling the movement of the press and the interaction between the dies and the metal in the production line, the stamping process brings forth remarkable transformations in the shape and structure of the material.

Now, let’s dive deeper into the fascinating world of metal stamping and explore its different stages and intricacies.

Design and Tooling Preparation

Experts begin the process with meticulous design and engineering, where the desired part geometry is carefully planned. Stamping professionals consider multiple factors such as material properties, die design, and tooling requirements. Once the design is finalized, it is plotted using CAD (computer-aided design) or CAM (computer-aided manufacturing) software to ensure accuracy.  After the tool design is completed, the specialized tooling (such as blanking dies, forming dies, and piercing dies), is fabricated using a variety of machining tools and technology. The tool and die design must ensure proper material flow, adequate clearance for the metal sheet, and appropriate support for the part during stamping.

Material Preparation

Based on the requirements of the part, specialists select metal sheets or coils. Considerations include mechanical properties such as strength and ductility, as well as other factors like corrosion resistance, conductivity, and cost. The selected material should be compatible with the stamping process and the desired part’s functionality.

Feeding

The selected materials undergo preparation processes like cutting, slitting, and leveling to obtain the proper dimensions and flatness necessary for stamping. The prepared metal sheets or coils are then fed into the stamping press, where an automated feeding mechanism ensures precise positioning for accurate stamping.

Stamping Operations 

As the stamp press initiates its action, the dies close together, subjecting the metal to high force and pressure. This pressure deforms the material, shaping it according to the contours of the dies. There are also a variety of […]