Learning About The Operation Of Industrial Machinery

Stamped metal products are not uncommon, and stamping produces identical parts or products over and over with very predictable results. Metal stamping is used in a lot of different industries and is often set up on an assembly line so that the process can be automated or to reduce the possibility of failure by hand making the part. Once the dies are made, the part it produces will only change if there is a problem with the press or the die has a failure.

What Metals Can Be Stamped?

Most metals can be formed using a stamping press but the most common material used is steel. The steel blank is strong and can be shaped with very good results. Aluminum, copper, and some alloys also work well for stamping parts but not every part can be formed this way. Sometimes very complex parts with compound bends are to difficult to stamp in one die. If this is the case, the part may need to be made as two separate pieces that are joined after they are complete. A few examples of stamped parts can be found right around you. The sheet metal parts on your car like the fenders, good, door skins, and trunk lid are all stamped out of steel blanks than assembled. Each of these parts starts as several single parts that are stamped then welded together to make each subassembly then attached to the car to create the finished vehicle.

Stamping Services

If you have a part that you need to be made that might be a good candidate for stamping, you can look for a company to stamp it but if it is one part, it will not be cost-effective to form this way. The cost of developing the die to make one part is just not practical, but if you need to make hundreds of the same part and need them to be precise, it might be worth spending the time and money to have a toolmaker work up the die for you. Some small companies start with outsourcing the production of parts this way and later move to producing the parts in-house when the demand for the produce grows.

Forming Metal

Sometimes there are parts that are made from sheet metal for a custom project that appears to have been stamped. It is not always the case though. These parts were more than likely formed by a craftsman, by hand, for the specific job. A good metal fabricator can form several parts by hand that will appear to be a perfect match but only after years of experience and practice. But it is so time-consuming that it is just not practical for a large number of parts.

For more information, contact a company like Hub Manufacturing & Metal Stamping.