What Is Metal Stamping?

Metal stamping is a common method used to form flat sheet metal into a finished product, metal stamping is an industry that’s responsible for creating everything from household appliances to automobile parts. The main goal of a metal stamping process is to produce parts with dimensional precision. This is achieved by the use of automated controls and accurate tooling.

Drawing

Drawing is the process of forming two opposite ends of sheet metal into a specific shape and cross-section. This is done by holding the blank in place and then pushing it against a die with a certain form or cross-section below it, producing a strong impact force. The term deep drawing is also used to describe this process. It frequently produces products with a cup-shaped profile, where the depth of the draw is greater than the radius of the primary blank. Compared to stamping, deep drawn parts offer more dimensional accuracy because the redistribution of material throughout the process results in thinner and smoother cross-sections. They can also be formed to precise bend angles and features that may not be possible with stampings.

Piercing

Piercing is a common metal stamping technique that uses a punch or other machining tool to create multiple hollow areas in sheet metal. It is one of the most basic forms of stamping, but it can also be used to create a variety of unique designs. Piercing can be done with or without blanking, depending on the metal and the desired end result. It is often used to make small features, such as tabs and extruded holes.

Blanking

Before you start stamping, it’s a good idea to make sure your blank is square and that you don’t have any burrs on the outside of the metal piece. These can cause a lot of problems during the stamping process. You’ll want to use masking tape on your blank to help you position the letters and shapes properly. You can also use a pencil to help you get even spaces between all of your characters.

Bending

Bending is the process of transforming a two-dimensional metal sheet or coil into a pre-engineered shape. In most bending processes, the metal piece is pushed against or into a die to create the desired shape. The bending process can be done around a single axis or along a series of axes. Generally, 90-degree bends are most common. Steel is one of the most common materials that are used for bending. It has a wide variety of properties, including strength and toughness. The bending process can be affected by material thickness, bend radius, and the amount of spring back. It can also be impacted by the location of holes. If a hole is too close to the bend, it can stretch and deform the metal, which could cause a mismatch between the part’s dimensions and its final appearance.