Outsourcing stamping is a type of technology and process used to create sheet metal parts or components that have been pressed, stamped or extruded into several shapes. It is a form of fabricating that is highly efficient, cost effective, and often used in large production runs. Therefore, it is usually the preferred choice for manufacturers looking to produce metal parts for their products quickly and cost effectively.
The main purpose of stamping is to quickly transform sheet metal into various shapes, sizes, forms, and functions. In the process, different machines and techniques can be used to produce tremendous forces to form parts or components with high accuracy.
The most common stamping machines used are hydraulic presses, mechanical or electric presses, or a combination of both types. The process begins when material, such as metal or plastic, is placed between two tools, or dies. The dies have a bottom or base tool which is stationary while the top one is being acted upon by either a motor or a hydraulic force. The force is so strong that it reshapes the metal into the pattern engraved into the top die.
Aside from metal and plastic, stamping can even be used for other materials such as rubber, foam, wood, and cloth. The main benefit of using stamping to produce metal parts is that it produces extremely precise results. It is especially beneficial to those in the automotive and aerospace industry, since it can produce parts that are exact replicas of the original design. This also makes stamping a more efficient process than other processes such as cutting and welding where more accuracy may not always be produced.
When it comes to costs, stamping is very economical since it can produce parts in large volumes without sacrificing quality. This is especially true for products that are being produced in a large run and the cost of producing each part or component is reduced significantly by utilizing a single tool. It also requires less man power, which can further reduce the production costs.
One area when outsourcing stamping is not the ideal choice is when a product needs to be produced with complex shapes, features or deep cavities. In such a case, other technologies such as casting or 3D printing may be more suited for the job.
Overall, stamping is one of the most cost-effective and efficient technologies that manufacturers can utilize when producing sheet metal components. By utilizing the right type of machine and tooling set-ups, stamping can produce parts and components with exact replicas of the original design with extremely high accuracy. It is especially beneficial for those in the automotive and aerospace industry who require parts that are of a consistent thickness, strength and durability.
