Stamping is one of the most widely used processes for forming metal parts in the world. It is also one of the most economical methods of manufacturing products out there, and it can be used to make parts out of almost any metal.
Stamping is a manufacturing process of forming metal parts by cutting material by means of a press using stamp tools. In order to form a part, the metal material is placed between two stamp tools, commonly called die and punch, and then the sheet metal is cut using a press and is subjected to a combination of compression and shear forces. The contour of the intended shape is obtained due to the fact that these formed pieces are bent around the contour of the punch and die forming tool.
Moreover, one of the great advantages of Stampings is that it eliminates the need for secondary operations, such as machining or welding, resulting in a decrease of cost and manufacturing time. Additionally, with the help of high-performance stamping machines, it is possible to make complex-shaped pieces in a very short time.
In many cases, due to the complexity of the product or due to the thickness of the metal sheet, metal stamping becomes highly ineffective and expensive. This is when the use of soft tooling comes along.
Soft tooling enables metal producers to form complex metal shapes and make components that are considerably more difficult to make with metal stamping. Soft tooling uses rubber molds and vacuum pressure to accurately form metal shapes with satisfactory surface finish in a fraction of the time and cost of metal stamping.
Soft tooling eliminates the need for expensive die sets and bulky metal punch tools, making the process significantly more cost-effective and the product significantly more efficient. This is a perfect option if the product demand is limited or the complexity of the part increases. Soft tooling is less expensive than metal stamping, and it allows designers to make very intricate parts with a high degree of accuracy and repeatability.
Soft tooling is also much more versatile than metal stamping. Metal stamping is limited to the shapes defined by the punch and die, and any modifications to the design require the dies to be replaced or modified. On the other hand, soft tooling allows for easy and fast changes to the product design simply by adding or removing rubber pieces from the mold.
When selecting a tooling solution for any metal forming process, it is important to consider both the cost and the process advantages of each technique. Soft tooling is an economical solution for metal forming, particularly for complex shapes and short-run production. Soft tooling provides metal fabricators with a cost-effective solution that can dramatically reduce production time while also showing significant improvements in product repeatability.
