Modern Metal Stamping
Slowly but surely the traditional forms of metal fabrication such as forging, casting and machining are being replaced where appropriate with metal stamping. Stamping is not only quicker to tool and produce but it is also more cost effective. Whether it is a small brass ferrule or a viagra galvanized steel basin there are tens of thousands of metal stamped parts and products being produced world wide every day.
## The basic process
A sheet of metal known as a blank is restrained at the edges and forced (or drawn) using a punch into a die to form a specific shape. When the depth of the die is less than the thickness of the blank, the process is referred to as shallow drawn stamping. When, on the other hand, the depth of the die is greater than the thickness of the blank it’s referred to as deep drawn stamping.
## Applications
Stamping is capable of producing a wide array of shapes in a broad range of metals. Fairly complex refined forms can be attained through multiple followup stamping. Holes can be pierced through the blanks within the stamping process. A limitation of the stamping process is that the thickness of the form must be uniform as it is derived from the thickness of the initial blank.
## Materials
A broad spectrum of metals may be used in the stamping process and therefore for almost any job there’s an appropriate blank that might be stamped. Some frequently stamped metals include aluminum, copper, brass, stainless steel along with coated and plated steel.
## The two forms of stamping
Modern metal stamping is generally achieved through one of two methods: mechanical and hydraulic. Mechanical presses make use of a large flywheel to exert the stamping pressure. They are faster than hydraulic presses and good for shallow drawn stamping as well as the cutting of blanks. Hydraulic presses are slower but can exert more pressure than mechanical stamping. They are also more controlled and can be used for both deep drawn and shallow drawn stamping as well as coining (by which a blank is compressed between two confined dies and deformed plastically so that the surface takes on fine detailed features).
If you have a metal product or part that you need manufactured it is worth your while to consult with someone to see if it can be produced through modern stamping technology – a fast cost effective alternative to traditionally cast or machined metal parts.
If you are looking for custom Ferrules or Hose and Fittings Truex Inc. has been a leader in precision manufacturing since 1976. Visit TruexInc.com or Call 800-458-7839
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