Metal stamping is essential in the manufacturing operations of a wide range of businesses. Once the dies, and presses are made, the repetitive and readily automated stamping process makes manufacturing components incredibly efficient and cost-effective since vast numbers of parts are produced over time.
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Buying a metal stamping press for a company is a big investment. Therefore, it is vital to assess some aspects when selecting the best stamping machine. This article will discuss the types of metal stamping presses and what you need to know about them.
Presses are often linked to an automated feeder that sends sheet metal through the press in coil or blank form. Mechanical, hydraulic, and mechanical servo technologies are the three most common stamping presses.
Mechanical presses have the fastest production speeds, especially when running relatively flat pieces with simpler, shallower geometries. These components are typically formed using a progressive or transfer die from coil stock. This category includes a wide range of automotive, appliance, and hardware items.
The hydraulic press provides more flexibility because of its variable stroke, pressure, die space, and length. When creating items with deep, complicated shapes that demand a lot of material flow and are not dependent on production speed, the hydraulic press is generally the best choice. They are also frequently used to run pieces such as tanks, cylinders, bowl shapes, and parts that require a dwell at the bottom of the stroke.
The mechanical servo press provides much of the adaptability of the hydraulic press but at production speeds that are generally comparable to mechanical presses. In addition, the stroke, slide motion, position, and speed are also programmable, allowing for many combinations that operate with a wide range of dies, component types, and production speeds.
When choosing a stamping supplier, it is crucial to consider a vendor with the most suitable type of press and process for your needs.
The stamping press machine specifications should be chosen based on the punching pressure, deformation work required in the punching process, structural form and closure height of the die, and shape contour size.
The ideal machine provides maximum output with minimal utility requirements at a fair price. Further, your metal stamping press must be able to handle the volume requirements of your application or project.
A machine breakdown causes significant production delays in a company, resulting in lost sales. For a stress-free operation, choose a stamping press with a high output, huge batch, high flexibility, and easy maintenance.
Metal stamping presses have several advantages, particularly for businesses that require quick production of high-volume exact tolerance components. They are also cost-effective, accurate, easily adaptable, and suited for various products and applications.
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Manufacturing process selection is intertwined with part design and the quantity required. Two of the most commonly used processes are metal stamping and CNC machining. While in some applications its clear from the outset which is right, in many other cases a good argument can be made for using either. Heres a look at the pros and cons of each and some tips for choosing the right method for your design and volumes.
Metal Stamping Basics
Stamping is an umbrella term for a set of processes used to turn sheet metal into 2D and 3D shapes. Blanking and drawing operations cut and stretch or deform it in two or three dimensions, respectively.
Stamping operations are performed by tools mounted in a press. Typically, a punch and a die are brought together to blank, bend, and stretch the sheet metal to the shape required. Additionally, piercing can be configured if required. In high-volume operations coiled sheet is continuously fed into the press where progressive tools produce the finished form in a series of steps.
Pros and Cons of Metal Stamping
Stampings advantages include:
High material utilization
High production rate
The principle limitations are:
Restricted to thin material (many stamping operations consider ¼ (6mm) the upper limit although
Lutco can stamp thicknesses up to 0.375
(9.5mm).)
Usually requires complex tools that must be specially made for each part to be produced
Not all materials have sufficient ductility for stamping
Material springback limits the tolerances that stamping can maintain
CNC Machining Processes
Machining processes cut metal away from a solid bar, tubing, billet, or casting to produce the shape required. Machining processes are generally either prismatic, meaning the workpiece is fixed, or cylindrical, where the workpiece rotates. Milling is the prime example of a prismatic process that cuts straight planes while turning and grinding to produce cylindrical workpiece geometries.
CNC Computer Numerical Control refers to how the machine tools are controlled. In a CNC machine, each axis of motion is driven by a motorized spindle. These spindles (there may be several) are controlled by a computer program that moves each one to produce the required geometry.
Pros and Cons of CNC Machining
The principal advantages are:
Yields complex 3D parts and can hold very tight tolerances on critical features
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All metals can be machined (although some may require specialized cutting tools and conditions)
Cutting tools are mostly inexpensive consumable items (there are exceptions)
Good control over surface finish
Major limitations of CNC machining are:
Material utilization, (which is dictated by part design,) can be low
Production rate is limited by metal removal rate (which can be low on some materials)
Machined parts may need to pass through multiple machines and setups (again, this is design-dependent)
What to Consider When Choosing Metal Stamping or CNC Machining
Four factors to consider are:
Quantities required
Part geometry
Part tolerances
Material
How Quantities Impact Manufacturing Process Selection
Metal stamping is much faster than CNC machining and would be preferred were it not for the time needed to get a press ready to run. Depending on tooling size and complexity, this setup time can run into hours.
In comparison, CNC machines have quicker setup times, although a part program must first be produced using the CAD file.
A second consideration is tooling cost and lead time. In a process that can take weeks, press tools are constructed from very hard grades of tool steels. Lutco often uses electro-discharge machining (EDM) before being ground and polished to the required form. In contrast, CNC machine tools generally use disposable cutting inserts that are kept on the shelf ready for use.
Part Geometry Effects
Some complex shapes cannot be stamped. Engine blocks and cylinder heads are examples, and many housings and valve bodies would also fall into this category.
Some stamped parts may go through secondary machining operations. This is often to achieve specific dimensions or tolerances on particular features as well as surface finishes.
Machining imposes fewer limitations on part geometry. There is however always a requirement for the cutting tool to have access to the feature being machined, and for relative motion between the two.
For both stamping and machining, process constraints may mean that a part must be assembled from several components.
Part Tolerance Impacts
Precise stamping tools and tight control over material quality have greatly improved the consistency of stamped parts but tight tolerances remain challenging. CNC machining is capable of maintaining tighter tolerances and might be used as a secondary process for specific features.
Material Properties
Metals need ductility if they are to be stamped without cracking. Sometimes this can be put in through heat treatment but many very hard metals just arent suitable. Thickness is another limitation as thicker sheet needs far more force to pierce and deform. This requires bigger machines and more robust tooling.
As a counterpoint, its very difficult to hold thin sheet metal pieces for machining; they tend to distort under the clamping loads needed to resist the cutting forces.
Metal Stamping vs. Machining: Which is Right For my Parts?
This usually comes down to quantities and part design. Where possible, designing high production volume parts as stampings minimizes production costs.
The higher material utilization of stamping helps keep costs down. This is particularly important when working with more expensive specialty materials or exotic alloys.
Machining is generally used to produce complex parts that require multiple operations to complete, tight tolerances (in the vicinity of . or 2 ½ um), and control over surface finish.
Lutco: Experts in Metal Stamping and Machining Techniques
Because we use both metal stamping and CNC machining Lutco can offer unbiased advice on which process to design for and select. Combining the experience of our toolmakers, the technical know-how of our engineers, and the latest design and simulation software eliminates potential pain points and helps our customers compete globally. Contact us for more information.
The company is the world’s best stamping machine for sheet metal supplier. We are your one-stop shop for all needs. Our staff are highly-specialized and will help you find the product you need.