Metal Stamping Processes for Custom OEM Parts
Learn how progressive die stamping, deep drawing, blanking, punching and precision stamping are used in automotive, electronics and industrial OEM production.
Our Stamping Capabilities
- Progressive die stamping
- Deep draw stamping
- Precision punching
- Bending & forming
- Prototype to mass production
Supported Materials
- Stainless steel
- Aluminum
- Copper
- Brass
- SPCC / SECC
- Galvanized steel
Manufacturing Specs
- Tolerance: ±0.01 mm
- Material thickness: 0.2–6 mm
- Mass production support
- Secondary machining & surface finishing
What Is Metal Stamping?
Metal stamping is a high-efficiency manufacturing process that uses dies and stamping presses to cut, form or shape sheet metal into custom parts. It is widely used for large-volume production because of its low unit cost, repeatability and fast cycle times.
This process is a core part of our sheet metal fabrication services, enabling us to deliver consistent parts for various industries.
Typical Industries We Serve
- Automotive brackets & components
- Electrical terminals & connectors
- Appliance housings & parts
- Medical device metal components
- Industrial hardware & fittings
Types of Metal Stamping Processes
We offer a full range of stamping processes to match your part requirements. Below is a quick comparison to help you understand the differences:
Progressive die tooling, used for high-volume precision stamping production
How to Choose the Right Stamping Process
Choosing the right process is critical to get the best cost and quality for your project. Here’s our quick guide:
Choose Progressive Die Stamping When:
- Your annual volume exceeds 50,000 pieces
- Your part has a repetitive, consistent geometry
- You need the lowest possible unit cost
Choose Deep Draw Stamping When:
- Your part has cylindrical or box-shaped deep cavities
- Structural strength is a top priority
- You want to reduce welding or assembly steps
Choose CNC Machining Instead When:
- Your production volume is low (less than 500 pieces)
- You need ultra-tight tolerances that stamping can’t reach
- Your part design changes frequently
Examples of deep drawn stamping parts
Understanding Metal Springback in Stamping
One common challenge in metal forming is something called springback. This is a natural behavior of metal that can affect your part dimensions if not handled properly.
What is springback?
During stamping, when we form metal into a shape, the material tries to “bounce back” slightly after the pressure is released. This is called elastic recovery, and it can cause small changes in angles or dimensions if we don’t account for it.
How we fix it:
Our engineering team compensates for springback by adjusting the die geometry and forming pressure during the tooling design phase. This ensures that after the material springs back, your part ends up with the exact dimensions you need.
This kind of engineering adjustment is part of our mold manufacturing process, and it’s why working with an experienced supplier matters for precision parts.
Design Tips for Better Stamping Parts (DFM)
Design for Manufacturability (DFM) is a process we use to help you optimize your part design before production. This reduces cost, improves quality, and speeds up delivery. Here are our top design rules:
Avoid Sharp Internal Corners
Sharp corners can cause stress points in the material and wear out your tooling faster. We recommend a minimum radius of 0.5x material thickness.
Hole Size Rule
Keep your hole diameter larger than the material thickness. This prevents punch breakage and ensures clean, burr-free holes.
Uniform Wall Thickness
Try to keep the wall thickness consistent across your part. This helps with material flow during forming and reduces warping.
Minimize Unnecessary Deep Draws
Unnecessary deep draws add cost and complexity. If you don’t need the depth, consider a simpler design to save on tooling and production time.
Our Metal Stamping Manufacturing Capability
We have the equipment and expertise to handle projects from prototype to mass production. Here are our core capabilities:
Case Study: Automotive Stainless Steel Bracket
Project Challenge
A leading automotive OEM needed a stainless steel bracket for their engine assembly line. The part required burr-free edges and stable flatness to work with their automated assembly system, with zero defects allowed.
Our Solution
We used a custom progressive die stamping process, optimized the die clearance to reduce burrs, and added a secondary deburring step. We also adjusted the tooling to compensate for springback in the stainless steel material.
Project Result
We achieved a production yield of 98.7%, met all the flatness and edge requirements, and delivered 200,000 parts on time. The customer was able to integrate the parts directly into their automated line without any issues.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between stamping and CNC machining?
Stamping is ideal for high-volume production with lower unit costs, while CNC machining is better for low-volume or ultra-precision parts. Stamping uses dies to form parts, while CNC removes material from a solid block.
What metals can be stamped?
We can stamp most common sheet metals, including stainless steel, aluminum, copper, brass, cold rolled steel, and galvanized steel. We can also work with other specialty metals upon request.
What tolerance can metal stamping achieve?
Our precision stamping can achieve tolerances as tight as ±0.01 mm, depending on the part size, material, and process. Standard tolerances for most parts are ±0.05 mm.
Is stamping suitable for low-volume production?
For very low volumes (less than 500 pieces), we usually recommend CNC machining instead, since the tooling cost for stamping can make it less cost-effective. However, we can handle small batch stamping for specific projects.
How long does stamping tooling last?
Our standard stamping tooling can last for 1,000,000+ cycles, depending on the material and part complexity. For high-volume projects, we can build more durable tooling to last even longer.
What is progressive die stamping?
Progressive die stamping is a process where multiple stamping operations are done in sequence on a single die, as the material strip moves through the press. This allows us to produce complex parts very quickly for high volume.
What industries use metal stamping?
Metal stamping is used across many industries, including automotive, electronics, medical devices, appliances, aerospace, and industrial hardware. It’s one of the most common manufacturing processes for mass-produced metal parts.
How much does metal stamping cost?
The cost depends on the part complexity, material, volume, and tooling requirements. Contact us with your part drawing and requirements, and we can provide a free, no-obligation quote within 24 hours.
Ready to Start Your Stamping Project?
Get a free custom quote for your metal stamping parts. Our engineering team will review your design and provide DFM feedback to help you save cost and time.
