How Metal Stamping Process is Done
Metal stamping is a cold-forming process that makes use of dies and stamping presses in order to transform sheet metal into different shapes. Blanks are pieces of flat sheet metal fed into a sheet metal stamping press, which uses a tool and die surface to form a metal into a new shape. Metal fabricators and production facilities offer stamping services, in which the material is to be stamped between the die sections where the pressure will shape and shear the material into a desired final shape. There are several stamping parts manufacturer available and they are experts in manufacturing the metal stamping parts such as metal sheets, terminals, lead frames, connector plug accessories, etc.
Metal stamping is one of the processes which is rarely completed after a single step. The following are the essential steps involved in the metal stamping process in order to produce certain parts.
Blanking:
Blanking is the first step in the metal stamping process. This process involves cutting a large sheet or coil of metal into a pieces, which are smaller in size and more manageable. This process is necessary when a metal-stamped part must be drawn or formed.
Piercing:
A finished part requires some types of holes, slots, or other kinds of a cutout, piercing is more essential in the metal stamping process. It can be accomplished in tandem with blanking and it causes required shapes to be punched out of the sheet metal which is being used.
Drawing:
Drawing is an important stamping procedure in the overall metal stamping process. When a punch forces a metal section through a die, the primary shape of the part is to be determined. If the depth of the part is less than the primary opening, it is called a hollow drawing. At the same time, when the depth is greater than the part, it is referred to as a deep drawing.
Bending:
This process involves placing the part on a specially designed die, where the RAM pushes against the metal imparting the necessary bend. Bending is done after the drawing process since trying to punch a piece that is already bent will almost cause the whole part to be deformed.
Air Bending:
This process is accomplished by having a punch bend the flat surface of a part into a die, which is generally in the V-shape. The space between the die and the punch is wider than the thickness of the metal. This results in a bend that relaxes somewhat after the part has been relaxed. Air bending uses less pressure and power than other bending possibilities.
Bottoming and Coining:
These processes are very similar to the results same as air bending, but they always use more pressure. The only difference between this method and air bending is that the material is fully forced into a tight-fitting die and causing a permanent band to be applied to the part.
Forming:
This is a type of bending process, which is more similar to the bottoming and coining method. It results in forming the part which is having multiple bends such as U-bends.
Pinch Trimming:
It is a process in which a piece is cut from a section of sheet metal in order to separate it from any scrap. It is an unconventional process in which the metal is pinched up against the surface which is flat and vertical. This process is generally used in cutting down deep-drawn circular cups from a sheet of metal.
Lancing:
This process is unique and used to make tabs or vents from any scrap. In this, one section of the parts gets cut along the three edges at the same time. Lancing creates the necessary hook-like opening while eliminating the need for a secondary machining step or any kind of collecting of the scraps.