In order to ensure proper design of complicated products or mockups, more sophisticated procedures are often needed. When faced with this problem, manufacturers look for a stamping company that uses new stamping techniques to achieve an intricate result. By using advanced technologies, it is now possible to perform cutting and engraving with a level of accuracy that was previously unattainable. Precision metal stamping refers to the use of press lines and stamping dies to produce large quantities of sophisticated products that require careful attention. A metal sheet is forged into a component or a complete part using these machines. Workpieces can be manipulated in this way by stamping, cutting, bending, and folding.
Press Lines and Stamping Dies
Hard metals like copper, aluminum, and steel can be engraved and marked with precision stamping machines. Most metal stamping press lines use two kinds of devices. They include both hydraulic and mechanical presses.
- Mechanical presses use a flywheel to transfer and store rotational energy. This press is usually smaller than a hydraulic counterpart and can be anywhere from 20 to 6,000 tons, whereas hydraulic machines are as big as 10,000 tons. When a component is tiny, mechanical presses are the preferred machine and can stamp metals as small as 5 millimeters.
- Hydraulic presses transfer liquid under immense pressure to a workpiece to achieve the stamping. Adjustable piston heads make it possible to change the amount of water being displaced and allow for better control. The speed and stroke can also be modified to tailor a project to the manufacturer’s expectations further. Using a hydraulic press provides for greater versatility compared to the mechanical press, and is best used on workpieces as small as 10 millimeters or large, intricate pieces up to 800 millimeters.
Unlike traditional methods, which produce dull industrial-grade parts, these machines produce shiny, well-finished parts. Metals have the advantage of retaining their malleability and ductility after being stamped, while other materials are sometimes used as well. In stamping dies, sheet metal is cut and formed into any desired shape.
Two main applications:
- Metal microstamping: Micro-precision stamping machines can support parts with diameters as small as 0.1 microns. Specifications as small as 0.002 inches are common. Precision metal microstamping uses advanced 3D computer software and photo etching technology to achieve a highly specialized operation.
- Intricate precision metalwork: When very complex products and innovative designs demand extremely detailed processes, a company specialized in “impossible” designs can ensure customer satisfaction. We have extensive experience creating products with complex geometries, cuts, and folds. The in-die method is used by us extrusion and tapping, progressive die design, deep draw stamping, transfer stamping, magnified optical devices and class A dies to make intricate precision metalwork possible.
Comparison to Traditional Methods
While manufacturing small parts, precision stamping increases accuracy, accelerates processes, reduces risk, and enhances flexibility. We can achieve a much higher degree of tolerance and flatness than traditional methods. With this kind of automation, the target process can be completed at a much faster rate than manual processes. Examples include folding, cutting, and piercing. Additionally, you can more easily make necessary changes to product designs with the process than with alternative stamping methods.
