What Is Stamping Die?

Most stamping dies are highly precise tools. They are made of sharp steel for durability and accuracy. There is a wide variety of stamping dies that can be used for a wide range of different sheet metal stamping processes. Stamping dies are used in most fields such as automotive, aircraft, electronics, consumer goods, and appliance manufacturing.

In this article, we will describe what is stamping die is. How stamping dies work, types of stamping dies and uses of stamping dies.

What Is a Stamping Die?

When working with metal or manufacturing items, stamping dies are specialized tools used to cut, shape, or mold sheet metal or other materials into simple or complex shapes. They are important to the stamping process, which involves using a two-part tool to apply pressure to a sheet, machining the desired shape, and then pulling it out of the sheet.

There are many types of stamping tools, each made for a specific job. One example is the blanking process, which cuts sheet metal into flat pieces called “blanks.” The desired shape is retained, while the scrap around the blank is thrown away. A piercing die, on the other hand, punches holes or spaces in the material. Bending dies, on the other hand, bend the material into a straight or curved line, creating angles, creases or bends.

How Does the Process of Using a Stamping Die Work?

Making a set of stamping tools is the first step in the stamping process. These tools have a male die (or punch) and a female die (or mold) that are separate. The punch is on top and the die is on the bottom. The flat sheet or coil to be pressed is placed into the feeder of the press. It is necessary to punch or perforate the material in order to punch holes or remove certain shapes.

When the punch enters the die, it cuts the shape you want. While the rest of the material is left untouched (punched) or holes are punched in it (perforated). Then the organization of the material begins again. Bend or mold the material into the desired shape, making bends, angles, or complex contours (if the part has some kind of 3-D contour).

If the part has a deeper three-dimensional shape, a stretching mold is used. This is often the case when making cylindrical or cup-shaped parts. Once the pressing process is complete, the finished product is pushed out of the mold using a thimble or air jet.

If the part requires more than one molding and stamping stage, these steps can be combined into a single tool with multiple stations. As it passes through each step, the passing part moves along the locating pins. Stamped parts may undergo quality control checks to ensure that they meet quality standards and specified measurements.

What Are the Materials Used for Stamping Dies?

Stamping dies is a very basic tool in metalworking. They are usually made from tool steel by milling, hardening and heating. Increasingly, these tools are now made from hardened steel and cut using wire cutting (EDM). This means that after the main machining process, any distortion that may have occurred during hardening can be corrected without grinding. In addition to these two materials, there are other materials used to make dies:

Tool steel

Tool steel is renowned for its hardness and longevity. It can withstand high pressure and repetitive movements and is not prone to wear. It is therefore ideal for series production where precision and longevity are crucial.

Carbide

Carbide, like an uncut diamond, is stronger and more wear-resistant than tool steel. It is also particularly suitable for applications that require extreme precision or wear resistance. However, this hardness comes at a higher cost and is brittle. As a result, it makes an ideal material for professional, demanding applications.

High-speed Steel

High-speed steel is the leader among die materials. This material can withstand the high temperatures and pressures of rapid stamping operations while remaining sharp. As a result, it is more durable and heat-resistant than standard tool steel, making it ideal for high-speed applications.

Powdered Metal

Alchemists use powdered metal to create their concoctions. These materials are made by mixing powdered metal and heating it to form a solid. This process allows materials with specific properties to be developed to meet specific stamping requirements. For example, to improve toughness or wear resistance.

Impact-resistant Steel

Impact-resistant steel is like a shock absorber in the world of moulds. It can withstand rapid shocks and vibrations and is therefore ideal for tasks that require resistance to gravity and sudden moments. This material reduces wear on the mould and thus extends its service life.

High-carbon, High-chromium Steel

High-carbon, high-chromium steel is the strongest of the mould materials. It has good wear resistance and maintains high precision over a long period of time. This material is ideal for fine work that requires a high degree of precision.

What Are Stamping Dies Used for?

Stamping dies are very important tools in the manufacturing industry. They are used in many different ways to make sheet metal and other materials into specific shapes and parts. Many automotive parts, such as body panels, brackets, and chassis parts, are made using stamping dies.

Stamping dies are also used to make parts such as skin parts, aircraft structural components, and brackets. In addition, stamping dies are also used to manufacture utility parts and decorative parts for household appliances such as ovens, refrigerators, and washing machines.

Stamping dies are also used to manufacture many consumer products. Such as metal casings for smartphones, laptops, and other electronics, as well as decorative or utility metal parts for furniture and lamps.

What Types of Stamping Dies Are Available?

As a commonly used die in the precision metal stamping process, it comes in many different types.

Simple Dies

Simple dies can only perform a single action such as cutting or forming. They are therefore suitable for simple tasks that require only one action. They are efficient and easy to maintain, making them ideal for mass production of basic parts. Simple dies are advantageous because of their simplicity. They are therefore essential in any metal stamping workshop.

Compound Dies

They can perform several tasks at once, such as cutting and punching at the same time. These dies are ideal for items that require multiple precise operations but do not need to be processed in stages. Since they do not need to move parts between operations, they save time and maintain alignment and precision.

Progressive Dies

Progressive dies consist of a series of stations. As the metal passes through the die, each station performs a different operation in turn. Each station builds on the work of the previous station to form more complex parts. Progressive dies are the most efficient way to manufacture complex parts, especially in high-volume production. They are carefully designed to produce an amazing end product.

Transfer Dies

Transfer dies work differently from other dies. They move the workpiece from one station to the next. Progressive dies, on the other hand, hold the workpiece in place on a metal strip. Transfer dies are therefore ideal for large, complex workpieces that require multiple operations. They can handle larger components and offer unrivaled versatility.

Multiple Dies

Multiple dies offer the highest level of customization and productivity. These dies are a collection of different die sets. Each die set is designed for a specific operation and is placed in sequence. They can be simple dies, compound dies, or even progressive dies. Together, these dies produce a variety of parts or different features of the same part. This arrangement is therefore ideal for complex assemblies or the simultaneous production of large quantities of parts.

What Are the Two Basic Operations of a Stamping Die?

Forming

When a stamping tool is used for forming, a flat sheet of metal or other material is reshaped into the desired three-dimensional shape or contour. Some of the operations that can be performed are: crimping, flanging, folding, stretching, twisting, and bending.

When bending is performed using a stamping die, the material must be folded. For more complex shapes, bending can be accomplished in multiple steps. Shallow or deep drawing is a method of making a shallow or deep three-dimensional shape out of a flat piece of material by stretching and molding. A design, pattern, or designation that is raised or depressed on the surface of a material is called embossing.

An embossing die set has a male and a female die with the design you want, and the material is pressed between the dies. Embossing is a very precise method of molding materials to have very tight limits, smooth surfaces, and sharp edges.

In the flanging process, a continuous raised or lowered edge is formed around the edge of the piece. Folding twists and bends the edges of a piece to make it stiffer or more aesthetically pleasing. Like shallow tracing, stretching is the pressing of material into ridges to make it harder. Crimping is a method of bending or curling the edges of a piece. This method is used when making items such as jars, pipes, and barrels.

A different set of molds is needed for each type of crafting task. Precise control of material thickness, punch and die clearance, and lubrication are also required to obtain the desired results.

Cutting

When cutting with a stamping die, certain shapes or parts of the sheet are removed. These steps are very important for manufacturing precision parts with smooth edges. Some of the processes used for cutting include dropping, punching, grooving, trimming, shearing, slitting, slitting, and piercing.

Punching is the process of cutting a flat piece of sheet or blank from a plate. A die consists of a flat punch and a die. Using the punch and die to punch holes or create gaps in the material is called perforating. The punch usually has a beveled surface so that the notch is made from one point to a little further away.

When a notch is made, a small V- or U-shaped cut is made in the material. Again, this is done with an angle face punch and is often used to make tabs or holes to make assembly easier. Trimming is the process of cutting off excess material from the edges of a workpiece to give it the final shape you want. When shearing, cuts are made along a straight line to make the workpiece smaller.

Cutting is the process of making localized cuts or holes in the material. This is done to make tabs or hinges for parts such as lids or caps. Slitting is the process of making long, straight cuts in the material to make thinner strips or bands. Power rolling shears are usually used, but the circular linear blade method can also be used. Perforating operations create patterns of small holes or perforations in the material and represent sub-variants of perforations.

How do I choose a stamping die service?

Choosing a stamping die service is a very important choice that can have a significant impact on the quality and efficiency of the production process. You can be sure you have made the right choice if high standards are met in most or all of the following areas: experience, materials knowledge, quality control, technology and facilities, price, and communication.

Look for a service company with years of experience in designing and manufacturing stamping dies. To get the best service for your needs, find out if the service provider has experience in your field. Find out how the service company checks the quality of their work.

Ensure that they meet the requirements of a quality management system that is well-known and suitable for your organization. Check the technology and skills of the service provider to ensure that they can fulfill your needs. If the products you want to use are difficult or uncommon, make sure the service provider knows how to use them.

Consider how many products the service provider can produce and how long the lead time is. Request detailed quotes and information from multiple service companies to ensure you get the best price. Ask for testimonials and reviews from repeat customers or people you know in the industry.

It’s important to be able to communicate clearly throughout the process of making molds. Early signs of miscommunication can lead to further problems. If your production needs change over time, it is important to make sure that your service provider is able to evolve and grow.

When to Use Stamping Dies?

Different types of stamping dies are used for different purposes, and when and how they are used depends on the following:

• When a large number of parts or components need to be manufactured. The initial price of the die is only important if the production volume is small.
• When accuracy and consistency are important.
• Are versatile and can be used to make parts with a variety of characteristics, such as complex shapes and patterns.
• Stamping dies are suitable for metals, steel, and brass, all of which have medium to thick thicknesses. With stamping dies, thicker materials can be precisely cut, bent, and shaped, but the maximum thickness depends on the strength of the stamping press and the characteristics of the material.
• When you need to produce parts quickly, economically, and cost-effectively.
• When additional work such as bending, threading, or welding is required, stamping die processing can be added to a multi-step manufacturing process.

What Are the Applications for Stamping Die Machining?

Precision metal machining is used in a wide variety of applications, so stamping tools can be used in many different areas.

• In the automotive industry, it is used to manufacture body panels, chassis parts, clips, brackets, and other parts.
• In the aircraft industry, stamping tools are used to make structural parts, engine parts, skins/control surfaces, and interior parts.
• It is used to manufacture electrical parts such as switch plates, connectors, and terminals.
• Many stamped parts, such as panels, brackets, and hinges, can be found in household appliances such as washing machines, freezers, and ovens.
• Stamped parts are also used in the manufacture of medical gadgets and devices such as surgical instruments, implants, and diagnostic tools.
• Stamping dies are used to manufacture small parts, fasteners, clips, and structural components for the construction industry.

What Are the Advantages of Stamping Dies?

There are many important benefits to using stamping dies, as long as the shape and design of the part meet the process requirements. The following advantages are associated with this family of processes:

• High accuracy and consistency
• High production speeds
• Large quantities of parts can be produced at low cost
• High material efficiency
• Versatility
• Complex geometries
• High strength and long service life of parts
• Growth capability
• Ease of secondary operations
• Ease of checking product quality

What Are the Disadvantages of Stamping Dies?

Die stamping has many advantages but there are some problems and limitations that you should be aware of:

• The high initial cost of manufacturing the mold
• Long lead time for molds
• Limited material thickness
• Limitations in material selection.
• Complexity pushes design constraints to the limit
• Installation time
• Maintenance and wear and tear
• Part size limitations

What Is the Difference Between Stamping Dies And Progressive Die Stamping?

In die stamping, the tools used are stamping dies. However, progressive die stamping is a method used to make more complex parts. It is a multi-step process. A stamping die is a simple tool that cuts, shapes, or forms one part or feature at a time.

The progressive die stamping method is more advanced and automated than die stamping operations. A multi-station die is used and multiple processes can be completed in one stamping. Each point on the die performs a specific job, such as cutting, forming, or piercing.

In progressive die stamping, the material is placed into the die and as it moves through the die, each station completes its own job in the correct order. This allows many features or parts to be stamped at once. Parts with complex shapes and many features can be produced using progressive die stamping.

Conclusion

This paper gives an overview of the basic concepts, working principles, and various types of stamping dies. It also discusses their important applications in manufacturing. The importance of stamping dies for manufacturing metal parts with high precision is highlighted.

As a professional metal parts supplier, Yonglihao Machinery has provided many high-quality stamping solutions through its advanced technology and rich experience and gained the unanimous recognition of customers. If you have any questions about stamping molds, please feel free to contact our engineers.