Metal Stamping Parts:

It is a special shape of metal plates with a certain thickness of aluminum, iron, steel, stainless steel, etc. made by punching, bending, bulging and other molds under the action of a punch press. Its main process is stamping, and the material is metal, hence the name metal stamping parts. It can be seen everywhere in our environment. Metal stamping parts are used as parts in cars, bicycles, metal doors, metal brackets, washing machines, and point sockets. And a high-quality part needs to be strictly produced. Therefore, it is particularly important to choose a high-quality manufacturer. Below is our detailed introduction to materials, molds, processes, and supplier selection.

Materials of Metal Stamping Parts:

The materials of metal stamping parts used in daily life and ordinary processes are mainly aluminum, steel, copper, and stainless steel. In precision manufacturing, aerospace, stamping parts made of rare or precious metals such as gold, silver, and titanium are also used.

Because we serve the general manufacturing industry, we only introduce three metals here: stainless steel, steel, and aluminum.

Stamping Material Characteristic Parameters:

Yield Strength, Tensile Strength, And Yield Strength Ratio：

Tensile strength is the basic element for calculating stamping processing force. The so-called tensile strength is the maximum load value during the actual tensile test divided by the cross-sectional area of the test piece at the beginning.

That is: sb = PMAX / A (kg/mm2)

When the yield strength and tensile strength are high, the stamping forming force is large, the difficulty of forming increases, and the life of the mold is also reduced. If the yield strength is high, after the stamping forming is completed, when the stamping part is detached from the mold and unloaded, the elastic recovery deformation is also large, affecting the dimensional accuracy of the stamping part.

In general calculations, the shear stress of stamping materials t = 0.8 * tensile strength sb

Note: 1 Pa = 1 N/m2 = 1x10-6 N/mm2 = 1.01972x10-7 Kg/mm2

Elongation:

δ = (L1-L) / L

In the material tensile test, after the specimen is broken, due to the retention of plastic deformation, the specimen length changes from the original L to L1, and the ratio expressed as a percentage is called the elongation. The uniform elongation dU is the elongation when local necking occurs during unidirectional stretching, that is, when the stretching process becomes unstable. If the elongation of the sheet is large, it is beneficial to all elongation stamping. When the elongation is large, the forming limit of bulging and flanging is also large. Therefore, most high-quality stamping steels have a high uniform elongation.

Work Hardening Value(n):

Stainless steel plate stretch forming requires several processes to achieve the product shape. During the stretching process, the material will harden, which is generally called work hardening. The reason for work hardening is that after the material undergoes a plastic deformation, the load applied in the same direction will increase its yield point, thereby increasing the necessary deformation resistance to resist the recurrence of plastic deformation. The yield point is the initial point beyond the elastic deformation area and the permanent deformation occurs. From the tensile test, it is known that it is the point where the load does not increase and the stretching behavior continues. What does the high or low work hardening coefficient mean? Materials with high n values will have the following behaviors:

(1) Continuing processing will cause the material to harden and the elongation to decrease, making processing difficult.

(2) Continuing processing will suppress local deformation and obtain uniform deformation. Materials with low n values will have the following behaviors: Continuing processing will cause local deformation, and the weak part may even break. Therefore, elongation forming requires the plate to have a larger n value.

Plastic Strain Ratio (r):

It is a parameter that represents the anisotropic properties of the plate. Since the sheet metal undergoes rolling and annealing processes during the manufacturing process, the sheet metal forms a texture structure with a consistent crystal orientation, which is anisotropic in the macroscopic sense, that is, the performance of the sheet metal in different directions is different. In production, the r value is used to represent the anisotropy of the sheet metal, and its value is equal to the ratio of the width strain b represented by the logarithmic strain to the thickness direction strain t,

that is: r=eb/et=ln(b/b0)/ln(t/t0)

The r value mainly affects the drawing performance. The larger the r value of the sheet metal, the better its drawing performance.

Hardness:

Generally speaking, the lower the hardness, the better the plasticity. However, if the hardness of the material is high and the carbide spheroidization rate is above 90%, a good blanking surface can be obtained. On the contrary, if the hardness of the material is low but the spheroidization is insufficient, the blanking surface will also be torn. Therefore, hardness is a macroscopic indicator for judging whether it is suitable for shearing, while metal structure (uniformity and degree of spheroidization of carbides) is a microscopic indicator for judging whether it is suitable for blanking.

Spheroidizing:

The structure of low carbon steel is composed of soft ferrite as the matrix and a small amount of pearlite. Pearlite is a fine mixture of ferrite and cementite, of which cementite accounts for 12%. Ferrite has good plasticity, while cementite is hard and brittle. From the perspective of materials with the same carbon content, the plasticity can be improved and the quality of the blanking surface can be improved by spheroidizing carbides. Note: What is spheroidizing annealing? The purpose is to spheroidize the network secondary cementite and the layered cementite in the pearlite into granular cementite, reduce the hardness of the material, improve the machinability, and prepare for quenching. Because pearlite itself is hard, and because of the presence of network secondary cementite, the hardness and brittleness of the steel are increased. This not only brings difficulties to cutting, but also causes deformation and cracking during quenching.

Aging cracking:

When deep drawing certain plates (such as stainless steel plates and brass plates, etc.) is performed, due to the residual stress formed during deep drawing, longitudinal cracking will occur on the side wall of the cylindrical part after deep drawing. This cracking phenomenon may occur immediately after demolding, or it may occur after being placed for a period of time, or during the use of the stamping part, so it is called aging cracking.

Cylinder Deep Extension Test (LDR value):

The cylinder deep extension test method is one of the most basic methods for evaluating the deep extension of metal sheets. The purpose of this test is to obtain the limit drawing ratio (Limit Drawing Ratio, referred to as LDR) of the metal material. The larger the LDR value, the better the extension of the material. LDR = D/dp, where: D represents the billet diameter, and dp represents the punch (drawing product) diameter. The LDR value is positively correlated with the plastic strain ratio r value, that is, the material with a large r value has better deep extension.

Cone Dish Test (CCV value):

The cone dish test is one of the most basic methods for evaluating the formability of metal sheets (thickness 0.5-1.6mm). The CCV value can be used as an evaluation test for the combined formability of deep extension and stretching, and it is closely related to the work hardening value and plastic strain ratio.

Aluminum:

Aluminum alloy is one of the commonly used materials for stamping parts. Aluminum alloy stamping materials are mainly divided into two forms: plates and strips. They are usually composed of about ten major alloying elements, the concentration of which ranges from 0.1% to several mass percent, and the properties of pure aluminum can be adjusted according to user needs. According to the composition of alloying elements, aluminum alloys can be divided into six groups of deformed aluminum alloys. In order to select and specify aluminum alloys with specific properties for specific applications, their composition and tempering state must be clarified.

The grades of deformed aluminum alloys are usually expressed in four digits according to international ISO standards, and these digits are used to identify alloying elements. When the aluminum content is not less than 99.00%, we call it pure aluminum, and its grade is expressed in the form of 1×××, and the last two digits represent the minimum aluminum percentage. When the minimum aluminum percentage is accurate to 0.01%, the last two digits of the grade represent the two digits after the decimal point in the minimum percentage. The grades of aluminum alloys range from 2××× to 8××× series, and the last two digits have no special meaning and are only used to distinguish different aluminum alloys in the same group. If the second letter is A, it indicates the original grade; if it is any other letter, it indicates the modification. There are specific requirements for the chemical composition between the modified alloy and the original alloy. For details, please refer to GB/T 16474-1996 standard, which will not be described in detail here.

The six groups of deformed aluminum alloys are divided into two categories: heat-treatable and non-heat-treatable. Heat-treatable alloys can be strengthened by appropriate heat treatment. The basic strength of non-heat-treatable alloys depends on the alloy content and can be significantly improved by work hardening (strain hardening) and in some cases by grain size refinement.

Work hardening means that as the degree of cold deformation increases, the strength and hardness of the metal material are improved, but the plasticity and toughness decrease.

Heat-treatable Alloys

Heat-treatable alloys ("T" tempering) obtain the best mechanical properties through a heat treatment process. Common heat treatments include solution heat treatment (usually the state is represented by "W") and artificial aging.

Solution heat treatment is a heat treatment process in which the alloy is heated to a high temperature (about 530°C) and maintained at a constant temperature to fully dissolve the alloying elements or compounds into the solid solution, and then rapidly cooled to obtain a supersaturated solid solution. Quenching is usually performed in water to produce a supersaturated solution at room temperature.

Solution heat treatment is usually followed by aging. Aging refers to the precipitation of some elements or compounds from the supersaturated solution to produce the desired properties. The aging process is divided into two types: natural aging at room temperature and artificial aging at high temperature.

Artificial aging temperature is usually about 160°C. Many heat-treatable aluminum alloys can be welded in their solution heat treatment and artificial aging conditions. For example: 6061-T6, 6063-T4.

Non-heat-treatable Alloys 

Non-heat-treatable alloys ("H" temper) obtain the best mechanical properties through work hardening (strain hardening). Work hardening is a method of increasing strength by applying cold working. The temper designation is an extension of the alloy numbering system and consists of a series of letters and numbers after the alloy identification number, connected by a hyphen. For example: 5052-H32.

Steel:

In the JIS series of grades, ordinary structural steel mainly consists of three parts:

The first part indicates the material, such as: S (Steel) for steel, F (Ferrum) for iron;

The second part indicates different shapes, types, and uses, such as: P (Plate) for plate, T (Tube) for tube, K (Kogu) for tool;

The third part indicates the characteristic number, which is generally the minimum tensile strength.

For example: SS400-the first S stands for steel (Steel), the second S stands for "Structure" (Structure), 400 is the lower limit tensile strength of 400MPa, and the whole indicates ordinary structural steel with a tensile strength of 400MPa.

SPHC-the first S is the abbreviation of Steel, P is the abbreviation of Plate, H is the abbreviation of Heat, and C is the abbreviation of Commercial. The whole indicates general hot-rolled steel plates and strips.

SPHD-indicates hot-rolled steel plates and strips for stamping.

SPHE——indicates hot-rolled steel sheets and strips for deep drawing.

SPCC——indicates cold-rolled carbon steel sheets and strips for general use, equivalent to China's Q195-215A grade. The third letter C is the abbreviation of Cold. When the tensile test needs to be guaranteed, add T at the end of the grade to SPCCT.

SPCD——indicates cold-rolled carbon steel sheets and strips for stamping, equivalent to China's 08AL (13237) high-quality carbon structural steel.

SPCE——indicates cold-rolled carbon steel sheets and strips for deep drawing, equivalent to China's 08AL (5213) deep drawing steel. When non-timeliness needs to be guaranteed, add N at the end of the grade to SPCEN.

Tempering code for cold-rolled carbon steel sheets and strips: annealing state is A, standard tempering is S, 1/8 hard is 8, 1/4 hard is 4, 1/2 hard is 2, and hard is 1.

Surface processing code: matte finishing is D, bright finishing is B. For example, SPCC-SD indicates a general cold-rolled carbon sheet with standard quenching and tempering and matte finishing. Another example is SPCCT-SB, which indicates a cold-rolled carbon sheet with standard quenching and tempering and bright processing, and requires guaranteed mechanical properties.

The JIS mechanical structure steel grade is represented by: S+carbon content+letter code (C, CK), where the carbon content is represented by the middle value × 100, and the letter C: represents carbon K: represents carburizing steel. For example, the carbon content of carbon coil S20C is 0.18-0.23%.

Stainless Steel:

304 Stainless Steel

304 stainless steel is a commonly used material with good corrosion resistance, processability and heat treatment properties. It is widely used in household appliances, building decoration, chemical industry and food processing. The price of 304 stainless steel is relatively high, but its advantages can make up for this defect well.

316 Stainless Steel

316 stainless steel is better than 304 stainless steel in terms of corrosion resistance. It is suitable for processing in high temperature, high pressure and high corrosion environment. The price of 316 stainless steel is higher than that of 304 stainless steel, but its performance is also superior.

430 Stainless Steel

430 stainless steel is a low-cost stainless steel material with good corrosion resistance and processability. It is widely used in household appliances, kitchen utensils and other fields. The price of 430 stainless steel is lower than that of 304 and 316 stainless steel.

201 Stainless Steel

201 stainless steel is a low-cost stainless steel material suitable for the production of some medium and low-end products. Its corrosion resistance and mechanical properties are poor, but its price is much cheaper than other stainless steel materials.

Materials Table of Metal Stamping Parts:

Types of Stamping:

The temperature and production process of metal stamping parts can be used as a classification method for stamping. These are also the two most mainstream methods at present. The following is a detailed introduction.

Divided According to Stamping Temp:

Cold Stamping:

Metal processing at room temperature, generally the sheet thickness is <4mm.

The advantages are no need for heating, no oxide scale, good surface quality, easy operation, and low cost.

The disadvantages are work hardening, which makes the metal lose its ability to deform further in severe cases.

Cold stamping requires the thickness of the blank to be uniform and the fluctuation range to be small, the surface to be smooth, without spots, scratches, etc.

Hot Stamping:

A stamping method that heats the metal to a certain temperature range. When the sheet thickness is 8 to 10 mm or more, it needs to be heated before stamping.

Advantages;

1. Compared with cold stamping, hot stamping has better formability;

2. Good dimensional accuracy. The strength of cold stamping parts is only about 600M Pa, and there is obvious rebound. The strength of hot stamping parts is about 1500M Pa, and there is almost no rebound phenomenon;

3. The surface hardness, dent resistance and rigidity of parts are relatively good;

4. For automotive stamping parts, ultra-high strength body parts can be obtained, which can reduce the thickness of parts, reduce the number of body reinforcement plates, improve the collision performance of the body, and achieve effective weight reduction of the body. This also makes the use of hot forming technology in the automotive industry a trend.

Disadvantages:

1. The manufacturing cost of hot stamping parts is high, the price of hot stamping dies is high, the energy consumption is large, and laser cutting is required, so the cost is much higher than cold stamping;

2. The production and processing process is relatively slow.

Divided According to Stamping Process:

Forming Stamping:

It refers to the process of making the blank produce plastic deformation without breaking to obtain a stamping part of a certain shape and size.

Separation Stamping:

It refers to the process of separating the blank along a certain contour line to obtain stamping parts or semi-finished products with a certain shape, size and cross-sectional quality:

Molds(Dies) of Metal Stamping Parts:

The production of metal stamping parts depends on various types of molds, each designed for different process requirements. The following are common types of metal stamping parts molds:

Divided According to Process:

Blanking Molds:

Molds that separate materials along closed or open contours. Such as blanking dies, punching dies, cutting dies, notching dies, trimming dies, cutting dies, etc.

Bending Molds:

Molds that bend sheet blanks or other blanks along a straight line (bending line) to obtain workpieces with a certain angle and shape.

Deep Drawing Die:

It is a mold that makes sheet blanks into open hollow parts, or further changes the shape and size of hollow parts.

Bulging Die:

A mold that obtains convex belly-shaped parts by a stamping method that causes local plastic deformation of the ingredients, thinning of the material, and increase of the surface area.

Narrowing Mold:

A narrowing die is a punching die that reduces the radial size of the end of a hollow blank or a tubular blank.

Riveting Die:

It is to use external force to connect or overlap the participating parts in a certain order and manner to form a whole.

And So On:

The blank or semi-finished workpiece is directly copied and formed according to the shape of the convex and concave dies, and the material itself only produces local plastic deformation. Such as flaring die, undulating forming die, flanging die, shaping die, etc.

Divided According to The Degree of Process Combination:

Single-process Mold:

In one stroke of the press, only one stamping process is completed.

Compound Mold:

There is only one station, and in one stroke of the press, two or more stamping processes are completed at the same station at the same time.

Progressive Die (Continuous Die):

In the direction of blank feeding, there are two or more stations, and in one stroke of the press, two or more stamping processes are completed successively at different stations.

Transfer Mold:

Combining the characteristics of single-process mold and progressive mold, using the manipulator transfer system to achieve rapid transfer of products in the mold, can greatly improve the production efficiency of the product, reduce the production cost of the product, save material cost, and have stable and reliable quality.

Tips of Metal Stamping Parts Die Choosing:

In stamping processing, the selection of stamping die is crucial, which directly affects the precision, production efficiency and cost of the product. The following are several key points to consider when selecting stamping dies:

Material Selection:

Mold material: Select the mold material according to the strength, hardness and ductility of the processed material. Commonly used stamping die materials include cold working die steel, cemented carbide and high-speed steel. For mass production and high-strength materials, it is recommended to select mold materials with good wear resistance and impact resistance.

Workpiece material: Understand the characteristics of the processed material (such as tensile strength, elongation, thickness, etc.) to ensure that the mold material can withstand the stress during processing without deformation or damage.

Mold Design:

Mold structure: Select a suitable mold structure according to the shape and size of the workpiece. For workpieces with complex shapes, compound molds or multi-station molds may be required to improve processing efficiency.

Blanking gap: Reasonably set the blanking gap of the mold to reduce burrs and improve the quality of trimming. Too large a gap will cause too many burrs, while too small a gap may cause increased mold wear or workpiece breakage.

Guide mechanism: Design a precise guide mechanism to ensure accurate alignment of the upper and lower molds to avoid mold damage or product quality problems caused by poor alignment.

Mold Hardness:

Surface hardness: The surface hardness of the working part of the mold should be high enough to improve wear resistance. Common surface treatment methods include quenching, carburizing, nitriding, etc.

Hardness distribution: Ensure that the hardness distribution of the mold during processing is reasonable to avoid cracking or deformation caused by too high or too low hardness.

Production Requirements:

Production batch: Select the mold type according to the production batch. For small batch production, you can choose a simple mold or a soft mold; for large batch production, you need to choose a durable hard mold.

Mold life: According to the requirements of the production task, choose a mold material and design with a long life to reduce the number of mold changes and improve production efficiency.

Cost Factors:

Mold manufacturing cost: Under the premise of meeting production needs and quality requirements, choose mold materials and design solutions with reasonable cost to control mold manufacturing costs.

Maintenance cost: Consider the maintenance and repair costs of the mold, and choose a durable and easy-to-maintain mold structure to reduce long-term production costs.

Safety and Operability:

Operational safety: Choose molds with reasonable design and safe operation to prevent operators from being injured during the production process.

Replacement and adjustment: The mold should be easy to install, replace and adjust to reduce downtime in production and improve production efficiency.

Process of Metal Stamping Parts:

Metal stamping parts are made in a variety of processes, suitable for processing different shapes, sizes and materials. Here are some common types of metal stamping processes and pictures:

Blanking

Use a punch to punch along a closed contour curve, and the punched part is a part, which is used to manufacture flat parts of various shapes.

Punching

Use a punch to punch along a closed contour curve, and the remaining part is a part.

Cutting

Use a punch to cut along an unclosed curve, which is mostly used to process flat parts with simple shapes.

Trimming

Trim the edges of the formed parts or cut them into a certain shape.

Bulging

Deformation achieved under the action of bidirectional tension, which can form parts with various spatial curved surface shapes

Undulation

Protrusions or depressions of various shapes are made on the surface of the sheet blank or part by local forming methods

Flaring

Deformation method to enlarge the radial size of a certain part of a hollow blank or tubular blank

Shrinking

Deformation method to reduce the radial size of a certain part of a hollow blank or tubular blank

Spinning

A method of gradually forming a blank with a roller in a rotating state

Shaping

A forming method used to improve the dimensional accuracy of formed parts or obtain a small fillet radius

Bending

Bending the sheet into various shapes along a straight line can process various complex shaped parts

Rolling

Rolling the end of the sheet into a nearly closed round head to process hinge-like parts

Twisting

Twisting the semi-finished product after punching to a certain angle

Deep Drawing

Making various hollow parts from the sheet blank by forming

Thinning and Drawing

Further processing the hollow semi-finished product after deep drawing into a part with a bottom thickness greater than the side wall thickness

Flanging

1.Punching a vertical edge on a pre-punched sheet semi-finished product or an unpunched sheet

2.Forming the edge of the sheet semi-finished product into a vertical edge according to a curve or arc

Stretch Bending

Bending deformation is achieved under the combined action of tension and bending moment to obtain parts with better precision

Application of Metal Stamping Parts:

Metal stamping parts are parts that are processed into specific shapes and sizes of metal sheets in a die through a stamping process. Due to its high precision, high strength and high production efficiency, metal stamping parts are widely used in various industries. Here are some of the main application areas:

Automotive Industry

Body structure parts: including large stamping parts such as doors, roofs, frames, bumpers, etc. These parts require high strength and good corrosion resistance.

Engine and transmission system parts: such as cylinder heads, connecting rods, gears, etc. These parts require high precision and durability.

Interior and exterior decoration parts: such as instrument panel brackets, door panels, seat frames, etc. These parts require a certain strength while requiring beauty.

Electronics & Electrical Industry

Electronic component brackets: such as circuit board brackets, heat sinks, etc. These stamping parts require high precision and good electrical and thermal conductivity.

Connectors and terminals: various types of terminals, plugs and sockets used for electrical connections, etc. These parts require high conductivity and good contact performance.

Shell and frame: such as mobile phone cases, TV frames, computer cases, etc. These stamping parts not only require high precision, but also require good heat dissipation and appearance quality.

Construction & Household Goods

Construction hardware: such as door and window hardware, handles, hinges, etc. These stamping parts require corrosion resistance, high strength and beautiful appearance.

Household appliance parts: such as the outer shell of washing machines, the bracket of refrigerators, the mounting bracket of air conditioners, etc. These stamping parts need to have good mechanical properties and durability.

Furniture accessories: such as bed frames, table and chair brackets, drawer slides, etc. These parts require easy installation and stable structure.

Aerospace

Fuselage and wing structural parts: such as fuselage shells, wing frames, etc. These stamping parts require high strength, lightness and corrosion resistance.

Engine parts: such as blades, compressor shells, etc. These parts require high precision and high temperature durability.

Electronic equipment brackets: Mounting brackets and protective shells for aerospace electronic equipment, these parts need to have lightness and impact resistance.

Medical equipment

Surgical instruments: such as scissors, pliers, needles, etc. These stamping parts require high precision, sterility and corrosion resistance.

Medical equipment shells: such as monitors, ventilator shells, etc. These parts require beautiful appearance, easy cleaning and durability.

Implant components: such as brackets, joint replacement parts, etc. These stamping parts require strict dimensional control and biocompatibility.

Electrical & Energy

Electric power equipment parts: such as transformer cores, switch housings, etc., these stampings require good insulation performance and high strength.

Photovoltaic brackets: Mounting brackets for solar panels, these parts need to be corrosion-resistant, lightweight and easy to install.

Motor and generator parts: such as stators, rotors, etc., these stampings require high precision and durability.

Consumer Goods

Kitchenware: such as stainless steel pots, knives, tableware, etc., these stampings require corrosion resistance, high strength and exquisite appearance.

Sports equipment: such as bicycle frames, fitness equipment accessories, etc., these parts require lightweight, high strength and wear resistance.

Toys and tools: such as metal toy parts, hand tools, etc., these stampings require good durability and moderate cost.

Other Industries

Agricultural machinery: such as parts of harvesters and seeders, these stampings require wear resistance and fatigue resistance.

Railways and ships: such as carriage frames, hull accessories, etc., these stampings require corrosion resistance and high strength.

Packaging industry: such as metal cans, bottle caps, etc., these stamping parts require high precision and good sealing performance.

Whether the Part Can be Produced by Stamping:

When judging whether a part can be produced by stamping, the following key factors need to be considered comprehensively:

Material Properties:

Material type: 

Stamping is mainly used to process metal materials such as steel, stainless steel, aluminum, copper, etc. The material should have a certain plasticity to withstand deformation during stamping without breaking.

Material thickness: 

Stamping is suitable for a certain range of material thickness. Generally, thin sheet materials (0.1mm-10mm) are most suitable for stamping. Too thick materials may be difficult to achieve uniform deformation, while too thin materials are prone to breakage.

Material strength and hardness: 

High-strength and high-hardness materials may require higher stamping forces and more wear-resistant dies during stamping.

Part Shape & Size:

Geometric complexity: 

Stamping is suitable for producing flat parts, simple geometric shapes, and parts with holes, slots, and bosses. Complex three-dimensional shapes, deep-drawn parts, or shapes requiring high precision may require multi-station stamping or combined with other processes (such as deep drawing).

Dimensional tolerance: 

If the parts require high dimensional accuracy and small tolerance, stamping process can usually meet the requirements, especially in mass production with consistency advantages.

Forming depth: 

Stamping is suitable for shallow drawing parts, but for deep drawing or parts requiring large forming depth, it may be necessary to evaluate the ductility of the material and the feasibility of the mold design.

Production Batch:

Mass production: 

Stamping process is suitable for mass production because the initial cost of mold manufacturing is high, but the production cost of each piece is low, which is particularly suitable for long-term production to dilute the mold cost.

Small batch production: 

For small batch production or customized products, the cost of stamping molds may be high, so it is necessary to evaluate whether there are more economical process alternatives, such as laser cutting, CNC processing, etc.

Economic Efficiency:

Mold cost: 

The design and manufacturing cost of the mold is high, so before deciding to use the stamping process, it is necessary to evaluate whether the mold cost can be amortized through the production batch.

Material utilization rate: 

The material utilization rate of the stamping process is high, but the processing and cost of the blanking waste need to be considered. If the material utilization rate is low, it may lead to material waste and cost increase.

Production efficiency: 

Stamping is suitable for high-efficiency production and can manufacture parts quickly and in large quantities. If parts need to be produced quickly and have high precision requirements, stamping may be an ideal choice.

Process Limitations:

Deformation capacity:

The material needs to be plastically deformed during the stamping process. If the shape of the part design exceeds the deformation capacity of the material, cracking, wrinkling and other problems may occur.

Difficulty of mold design:

Parts with complex shapes, extremely small details or large deformation may increase the difficulty of mold design and manufacturing, and may require multiple processes to complete, which will affect the feasibility and cost of the process.

Surface quality requirements:

If the part has high surface quality requirements, it is necessary to consider defects such as indentations and scratches that may be generated during the stamping process. Additional surface treatment processes may be required.

Subsequent Processing:

Secondary processing requirements:

Consider whether the part requires subsequent processing, such as welding, heat treatment, surface treatment, etc. If the subsequent processing of the stamped parts is complex, it may affect the choice of the overall process.

Assembly requirements:

Evaluate whether the stamping forming of the part meets the assembly requirements, such as hole position, joint surface accuracy, etc. If stamping cannot meet these requirements, the design or process may need to be adjusted.

Actual Case Analysis:

Automobile door panel:

The material is thin steel plate, the shape is relatively complex, but it can be realized by stamping die, the production batch is large, and the surface quality requirements are high, so it is suitable for stamping process.

Small electronic equipment bracket:

The material is thin aluminum plate, the shape is simple, the batch is large, the size requirements are precise, and it is suitable for stamping process.

Thick steel plate structural parts:

If the thickness exceeds 10mm and the shape is complex, stamping is difficult, and the mold cost is high, other processes such as forging or cutting may need to be considered.

Try HULK Metal As Your Suitable Metal Stamping Parts Supplier:

When choosing a suitable metal stamping parts supplier, several factors must be considered to ensure quality, reliability, and cost-effectiveness. If you are considering HULK Metal as a supplier, here’s how they might meet these criteria:

Quality Assurance

High-Quality Standards: HULK Metal likely emphasizes strict quality control processes to ensure that each stamped part meets industry standards. This includes precision in dimensions, material consistency, and surface finish.

Certifications: Check if HULK Metal holds any relevant industry certifications, such as ISO 9001, which would be an indicator of their commitment to quality management systems.

Technical Capabilities

Advanced Equipment: HULK Metal is likely equipped with state-of-the-art machinery, including high-precision stamping presses and CNC machines, which allows for the production of complex and precise metal parts.

Design Support: If they offer design assistance, HULK Metal can help optimize your product design for manufacturability, potentially reducing costs and improving product performance.

Production Capacity

Scalability: HULK Metal's ability to handle both small and large production runs ensures flexibility, whether you need a prototype or mass production.

Lead Times: Evaluate their average lead times and production scheduling to ensure they can meet your deadlines, especially for large-scale or time-sensitive projects.

Material Options

Diverse Material Handling: HULK Metal likely works with a variety of metals such as steel, aluminum, copper, and brass, offering versatility depending on your project’s material requirements.

Material Sourcing: Ensuring that they source high-quality raw materials is crucial for the final product's durability and performance.

Cost-Effectiveness

Competitive Pricing: HULK Metal should offer competitive pricing structures, balancing cost with the quality of the metal stamping parts. Be sure to get a detailed quote that includes tooling, production, and any additional services.

Value-Added Services: They may offer additional services like assembly, packaging, and surface treatments, which can add value and reduce your overall supply chain complexity.

Experience and Reputation

Industry Experience: HULK Metal's years of experience in metal stamping can provide confidence in their ability to deliver high-quality parts across various industries.

Customer Reviews and Case Studies: Look for testimonials, case studies, or reviews from other businesses that have worked with HULK Metal. Positive feedback can provide insights into their reliability and customer service.

Location and Logistics

Proximity: If HULK Metal is located near your production facilities, this could reduce shipping costs and lead times. Consider their logistics capabilities and how they manage international shipping if applicable.

Supply Chain Management: Effective supply chain management ensures that raw materials are available and that there are no delays in production.

After-Sales Support

Customer Service: HULK Metal should offer strong after-sales support, including assistance with any issues that arise, such as part defects or adjustments to the production process.

Warranty and Repairs: Check if they provide warranties on their parts and how they handle repair or replacement services if needed.