So, if you are like the majority of people you may not have heard of metal stamping, or perhaps you have heard of it but thought it pertained solely to essentially putting a stamp onto a piece of metal, however, this is quite far off of the actual process and description.
The world of metal stamping is complicated and yet in the right professional hands can be made to look effortless, and if executed well the final product to look just as chic as its intended efficiency. So what is it, what’s involved, and could it be something to take your business or brand to the next level?
The world of metal and stamps
In a basic nut-shell explanation, so that the mere mortals of the world such as myself can understand, the act of metal stamping involves a large piece of sheet metal, reasonably thin and flexible and which is then pressed between to molded shapes to form a piece of the puzzle.
This puzzle could be the door to an automobile, a side of a rocket ship, or even something as fun as kitchen sinks. The options are endless and if you have an idea, a concept you want to come to life, then the right company can make that happen for you through metal stamping.
The fundamentals can be thought of as a two-step process with the stamping component, or action also known as pressing (see here https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Machine_press for a bit more information on that) consisting of a sheet metal pressed together using the tool and die surface and molded into the desired shape.
Then other forms such as punching or blanking among others are used to shape the metal even more adding those finer details and accent logos and taking your item to that next level, making it bespoke and essentially custom made just for you.
Could metal stamping be what you were looking for? Is it something you have thought about or considered, and if you are still hesitant then read on for the positives it could bring to the business table and features to your brand and company.
The plus side
- Accuracy. So business has taken off, your initial prototype and product is a hit, and suddenly you find yourself with a demand you had not expected. But much appreciated. Now comes the tricky part, meeting the order deadlines is easy enough but consistency is key if you want to continue to build on your brand and keep the customers happy.
Using metal stamping allows for high volume production whilst maintaining the quality you need for a well-made product. Precision machining gives the same result every time which is vital if your product is used in medical industries or as safety equipment.
- Cost-effective. Because more items can be done in one stamp the cost is essentially significant and one of the main reasons why people are opting to make the change from generic machining.
A company that is well-established and which has a reasonably sized factory will be able to offer you more for less, and this is what makes them stand out from the rest. Using new and innovative methods their next-level approach will only be to your advantage and finding a company that specializes in Metal Stamping Services is your best option if you want to elevate your product to the standard you have envisioned.
- Speed. High production rates along with accuracy make lengthy wait times a thing of the past, and knowing the flexibility of the metal stamping process you have the opportunity to make complex parts with intricate shapes as effortlessly as simple squares or circles. Win-win.
How metal stamping came about
The evolution of the metal stamping press has certainly been an interesting one with the initial attempt being conducted as early as the seventh century where the Lydians (from the country we know today as Turkey) would die the shape of coins and essentially carve the desired shape using a heavy hammer.
This then progressed onto a stamp press using a screw mechanism which was thought of by a German silversmith. The issue with this method was that the manpower was overwhelming with a dozen men needed to turn the screw to create enough pressure to form the metal. It is safe to say that this technique although fewer hand-made elements were needed did not last long and was again soon replaced.
It then turned to the workings of steam power of which we know some machinery is still operated with to this day. The steam energy would create enough force for a heavyweight to be dropped onto the die which was then stamped onto the coin allowing for a cleaner image, and more coins to be made at one time. Manufacturing soon took off and coins became the new wave of currency and bartering.
To top it all off a humble bicycle maker found that using a metal stamp to create the parts he needed for his bicycles was not only quicker but more efficient and he could do more in less time, it was then that the industrial industry took notice and made metal stamping what it is today in the manufacturing world. Nowadays you can find some form of metal stamping and technique across all industries and around the world. Who would have thought that a humble creation of pressed metal and a hammer would be the revolution we know today using metals and shapes. If not for that thought process we may never have been as evolved as we are.
To conclude
There are many methods and ways of going about things but if quality and efficiency are at the top of your priority list when considering product operations and manufacturing then stamping your metal parts and pieces with a press is the way of the future.
Your business may be doing well but if you strive for more and believe there is more to be had then what have you got to lose, am I right?
Leave a Reply