In everyday life, machining and manufacturing processes in different industries often require the use of precision metal stampings made from slit coil steel, copper, brass, and other materials. Metal stamping presses can be used to manufacture these metal stampings. Depending on the need for metal stamping parts, you can choose the right metal stamping machine accordingly. We have provided the Difference Between Multi-Slide & Progressive Die Stamping below!
There are several different types of metal stamping presses. The first is the progressive die stamping press, which can process metal parts until they are made into finished components. This type of machine has an automatic filling system that performs operations such as punching, embossing, and bending to change the raw metal material and make the finished product.
A four-slide or multi-slide press is another type of metal stamping machine. It can make shapes and bends of varying difficulty. A large number of machined parts can be made from cut coils or wires using this machine.
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What Is Progressive Die Stamping?
A new, cutting-edge metal-forming process is called progressive die stamping. It uses multiple stations to process a metal blank into a complex part. In a progressive die stamping machine, each station or die performs a different operation on the metal strip, such as cutting, embossing, or bending. The metal strip passes through the progressive dies in a precise sequence, which ensures that each part is formed correctly.
This metalworking process is unique because it allows complex parts to be produced quickly. This is why it is so important for high-volume production. In traditional stamping methods, each part may only undergo one operation. Progressive die stamping, however, combines multiple steps into a single, continuous, and highly efficient operation. Synchronization is the essence of this process. Each die reacts with the strip at the right time to ensure that each part is identical and of the highest quality.
How Does Progressive Die Stamping Work?
The advantage of progressive stamping is that it enables parts to be produced in a very precise and orderly manner. Let’s take a look at each step in the complex interaction between the metal and the machine.
First, the metal strip is removed from the coil and fed into the progressive press. As it moves through the press, the strip passes through a number of stations, each of which is responsible for a different process. Depending on the part required, these processes may include punching, cutting, bending, or embossing.
At each station, different parts of the die are used to perform a specific process on the metal strip. The machine works with great precision. As a result, each action is performed on the strip in the correct position and sequence. This is very important, as even the slightest variation could result in damage to the part.
After each process, the metal strip is automatically moved to the next station. This movement is carefully calibrated. If it is too little or too much, it can cause the machine to lose its rhythm, which can lead to production errors. When you see how the feeding system and the tooling stations work together, you can see the excellence of modern engineering.
As the strip of metal moves forward through the stamping process, each step builds on the previous one. It’s a bit like the way an artist creates a masterpiece, with each brushstroke adding depth and detail to the painting. By the time the strip reaches its final station, the metal blank has been carefully worked into a finished product.
Once this final step is complete, the part is cut or removed from the strip. It is then ready to move on to the next process step, whether assembly, finishing, or packaging.
Advantages of Progressive Die Stamping
Progressive die stamping is superior to other stamping methods, such as four-slide or multi-slide tools, in many ways.
Short Setup Time
Setting up a progressive die stamping takes 38% less time than a multi-slide stamping. Because of this, manufacturers can produce smaller batches and have better control over production schedules to produce the products their customers want, when they want them. This also reduces the amount of work involved in part manufacturing.
Reliability
Progressive die stamping presses have very good reliability and very tight tolerances. They are able to manufacture large quantities of parts without compromising on standards.
High Precision
Since each station does a different job, progressive die stamping presses are very efficient and can manufacture large quantities of parts with high precision.
Universal Mold
Since the molding process is very simple, only vertical pressure is used. Therefore it is possible to change the METAL STAMPING FACTORY without having to make extensive modifications to the mold. In most cases, if there is another press with the same bed size and tonnage, the tooling used on that bed size and tonnage can also be used on the other press.
Disadvantages of Progressive Die Stamping Presses
There are many benefits to using a progressive die stamping press to fabricate sheet metal, but there can be some disadvantages as well.
Cost
One of the biggest problems with this type of metal stamping machine is the high investment cost. Graduated die stamping can be very expensive, so metal stamping factories need to make sure that they can make enough money to cover the cost.
Time-consuming Project Switching
Graduated die-stamping presses can take a lot of time when you are switching between projects. This is because the settings need to be set up or changed for each job. As a result, it can be difficult to switch between jobs quickly.
More Waste
Progressive die stampers create waste. Throughout the process, the workpiece must move along the strip, thus wasting the material needed to keep the workpiece on the strip until the end of the process. Although metal scrap can be recycled, this method may not be cost-effective when processing copper or brass.
Four-slide/multi-slide Presses
A four-slide or multi-slide stamping press is a process that uses several dies and tools to stamp parts from wire coil or slit coil feedstock. The dies are attached to slides placed next to each other and move horizontally in four directions (more directions for multi-slide stamping). This allows complex shapes to be produced.
When a four-slide machine is first started, a roll of metal is placed. The machine then stamps and shapes the metal through a set of manually moving cams. Once the stamping and shaping is complete, the part is removed from the press and moves on to the next step in the production process.
Advantages of Four-Slide/Multi-Slide Stamping Presses
Four-slide and multi-slide stamping is superior to standard progressive die stamping in many ways.
Complex Parts Can be Manufactured
Four-slide presses work horizontally at right angles and can make complex or multi-part corners, even corners greater than 90°. Multiple folds, bends, cuts or punches can be made in a single step.
Burr Side Selection
You can choose whether the cutting burr is on the top or bottom of the strip because the pressure generated can come from any direction.
Less Waste
Four-slide and multi-slide tools save significant money by reducing scrap metal by an average of 31%. Thanks to this process, no test holes are required. It has slotted billet holders that allow parts to be moved from one stage to the next without guides. In addition, obtaining raw materials of a specific size is simple.
Quick Adjustment
All molding processes are controlled by a camshaft, which means that molds can be changed quickly and precisely without having to be removed from the machine. Less time is spent in the tool room and during breaks.
Flexibility
By changing molds, the same machine can produce different parts. This saves a lot of time in processing different items of metal parts.
Faster and Cheaper
Four-slide stamping can produce up to 375 parts per minute, which is typically faster than progressive die stamping presses. This makes it ideal for mass production.
Disadvantages of Four-Slide/Multi-Slide Stamping Presses
Despite the obvious benefits of four-slide and multi-slide stamping, there are some problems.
Long Setup Times
Setting up a multi-slide press takes longer than setting up a progressive die press because they are more complex.
Limited Material
Due to the construction of four-slide and multi-slide stamping presses, they can only be used with thin, pliable metal strips. This means they cannot be used for all tasks. Progressive die stamping is often the best way to make larger parts.
Learn More
Although progressive die stamping and multi-slide stamping are not identical, they both have their advantages. You can be sure that Yonglihao Machinery can provide you with any stamping method you need. We carefully study each inquiry to provide our customers with the most cost-effective method of manufacturing their products.
Yonglihao Machinery has been manufacturing custom metal stampings, assemblies, and wire forms for many years. Please contact us or request pricing to learn more about metal stamping or any of our other services.