Precautions for using precision metal stamping technology

SURFACE QUALITY

The surface quality of stamped parts depends on the hardness and thickness of the metal used, as well as whether heat treatment is carried out after stamping. Soft materials are prone to scratches during the stamping process, while thicker metals are less prone as they are more resistant to tool pressure. Heat treatment helps to improve the grain structure of metals, making them harder and more wear-resistant without affecting the strength of the material.

undercut

Undercuts can cause difficulties during the stamping process as they make it difficult for the tool to fully penetrate the metal plate.

One way to solve this problem is to use progressive dies instead of using large molds to cut out the shape of all parts at once. Multiple molds are used for small cutting until all the features of the parts are achieved. Progressive stamping also reduces the force required to release the bottom cut, but it also limits production speed and may result in irregular shapes that require cleaning through secondary operations.

Tolerance and accuracy

Tolerance refers to the allowable dimensional variation in part design, while accuracy refers to the degree to which the final measured value is close to the expected size.

Precision metal stamping can achieve accurate dimensions and strict tolerances because unlike other manufacturing processes, it uses controlled forces to produce parts.

Compared to parts manufactured using alternative methods such as CNC machining or welding, parts produced using this process are more compliant with specifications.

Material strength and tool wear

To maintain low costs, manufacturers typically use softer and cheaper metals to manufacture tools. However, using less robust tools will result in a compromise in material strength, which will have adverse effects on design and quality, especially when the product requires thin-walled geometric shapes. This tool will apply excessive compressive stress to the components.

The pressure from the tool is the main cause of material deformation, so this trade-off must be considered when designing metal stamping parts.

Product complexity and cost

The complexity of part design determines how many tools are required to manufacture all its features. However, manufacturers can address this cost by performing secondary operations on specific components within the same production process, rather than creating unique tools for complex shapes or geometries such as undercutting.

This enables manufacturers to produce multi-component products of various materials at once without increasing costs.

What are you looking for among precision metal stamping partners?

Experience and knowledge

When using precision metal stamping in assembly, experience plays an important role. Understanding the process itself and combining experience with different metals and tolerances is the key to ensuring that parts are manufactured according to specifications while maintaining strength.

Machine capacity

The design of parts directly affects the productivity of the machine. Production capacity may be limited by material thickness and the overall high pressure used on metal plates during the production process. Ensure that the machine used for this method can handle the weight and size of the components, and consider the geometric shape and quantity of the parts required for each run.

Mold quality

The materials used may reduce or increase tool wear, increase or decrease costs, so it is important to find a balance between hardness levels and tool life. The frequency of manufacturing parts with precision metal stamping parts determines the wisdom of investing in high-quality tools, which have a longer service life and less downtime between two productions.

Quality control measures

The best practice for quality control using this manufacturing method is to check the dimensions of the parts after they are released from the press, and then perform a secondary operation to reduce the number of unique tools required to produce each part.

Customized punch press

Machines used for precision metal stamping can be modified with different tool components to create unique shapes and features required for the product.

If necessary, the manufacturer providing this service can change the equipment control to reduce cycle time or create fixed devices for secondary operations.

CAPACITY

When choosing a manufacturing partner, please remember that the stamping ability of metals varies depending on the machine model, so it is necessary to consider the type of parts being manufactured, which metals are used in production, whether they are thick or heavy, etc.

It is also wise to inquire whether the provided secondary operations and the machines used in this process can be customized. This is because specific customization options may be more expensive, depending on the manufacturer.