Metal stamping is the process of cutting and shaping
metal alloys into specific forms, especially to be used as components
for large machinery or structures. Metal sheets can be molded into
different pre-determined shapes for use as regular products like pans
and cans. The most common alloys that are used in metal stamping are
steel, zinc, nickel, aluminum and titanium. Metal stamping is a very
cost-effective and productive way of producing many kinds of metal
products on a large scale.
In metal stamping, the metal sheets
are placed in a die or a press tool that has a specially designed
cavity that gives the preferred shape to the metal sheet. The upper
part of the die connects to the press slide while the lower component
connects to the press bed. A specific component known as the punch
pushes the metal sheet through the die, thus performing the actual
shaping operation. After pressing, the metal is plated with gold,
palladium, nickel or tin to prevent corrosion.
Plating also
increases the wearability and solderable nature of the product.
Sometimes, the sheet is also pre-plated before the stamping process,
and then the product is cleaned to remove excess metal stamping oils
and films. The product is then heat treated to make it stronger since
it is still in the soft state after stamping. The product is then
subjected to the deburring process for removing the sharp corners. This
is done by using chemicals or abrasives. Metal stamping also involves
other metalworking processes like piercing, blanking, forming and
drawing on the same machines.
Stamping presses have specific
force, speed and precision for giving a specific shape to the metal.
There are two types of metal stamping presses: Mechanical and
hydraulic. These are available in an extensive range of capacities,
sizes, stroke lengths and operating speeds.
Metal stamping is
slowly replacing other metal forming processes like die casting,
forging, fabricating and machining. One reason for this is the very low
costs involved in metal stamping. The dies used for metal stamping cost
less than those used in forging and casting. Also, the metals used in
metal stamping can be harder than those used in other processes, thus
making the end product stronger. The cost of the secondary processes,
like cleaning and plating are also considerably reduced.
Moreover,
there are certain products that have to be produced only through metal
stamping: Base weights, brackets, balance clamps, brake flanges,
conveyer flights, bushing seats, engine bases, flywheel shrouds and
friction plates. There are also different kinds of metal stamping
including: Deep drawn stamping, electronic stamping, Fourslide
stamping, medical stamping, progressive die stamping and short run
stamping. The most commonly used type is the progressive die drawing
wherein a metal sheet is drawn through a series of dies and stamping is
done by all the dies simultaneously, thus considerably reducing the
time it takes.
