Metal stamping is a cost-effective and high-speed manufacturing method that transforms metal sheets into products of different shapes using dies and stamping presses. The stamping process may consist of one or more techniques such as punching, embossing, blanking, coining, bending, and flanging.

Automotive metal stamping services are popular for manufacturing components for gas- and electric-powered vehicles thanks to their ability to produce a high volume of identical, complex parts that meet tight specifications. From forming to blanking, drawing, and piercing, metal stamping is a high-precision process that helps manufacturers like the experts at Aranda Tooling service the special needs of vehicle production.

Materials Used in Automotive Metal Stamping

Multiple materials are compatible with metal stamping for automotive industry applications. The right metal for your project will depend on several factors, such as your component’s intended use and necessary properties.

Common Metals: Aluminum, Steel, and Steel Alloys

Metals that are particularly advantageous to the automotive metal stamping industry include:

  • Aluminum: This material is lightweight yet strong, visually appealing, and resistant to corrosion. These benefits make it a top choice for visible automotive components as well as those that will be exposed to the elements.
  • Steel and Its Alloys: Known for being durable, steel is available in multiple varieties and alloys that offer varying levels of flexibility, strength, hardness, and wear or corrosion resistance. Examples include mild, high-strength, and specialized steel.

Material Selection Criteria

Choosing the ideal material for automotive metal stamping requires that you first assess a variety of factors, such as:

  • Application of the completed part (end-use, exposure to environmental conditions, etc.)
  • Durability, strength, and resistance requirements
  • Expectations for the part in the long term
  • Workability of the material for achieving the necessary part shape or design
  • Your project’s production budget

Key Components of an Automotive Metal Stamping Setup

The equipment setup for the automotive stamping process consists of a combination of machinery, tools, and systems.

Stamping Presses

Achieving 60 up to 1,320 tons of force, this standard stamping machinery is a cost-effective option for manufacturers that need to rapidly produce high volumes of stamped parts. Stamping presses utilize dies and various systems to feed in sheet metal off a coil, cut and shape the material, and eject finished parts.

Dies and Die Components

A stamping die is the precision tool that presses into the sheet metal and cuts it into parts of the desired shape. Manufacturers develop the design for these dies through computer-aided design (CAD) software for ultimate accuracy, and then experienced diemakers use it to produce stamping dies to those exact specs.

Feed and Ejection Systems

Following each stroke, the tool must be cleared of stamped parts and scrap material. Failing to do so could damage the tool on its next operation. To prevent this, stamping systems are equipped with ejection systems. As a protective measure, they have sensors that detect when stamped components effectively eject out of the tool.

Role of Stamping Presses in Automotive Manufacturing

The automotive industry requires large amounts of identical, accurate parts to accommodate high-volume manufacturing of vehicles and products that will operate safely. As high-speed stamping solutions, stamping presses are uniquely capable of fulfilling the needs of this market to create automotive stamping parts ranging from body panels to structural elements.

Types of Presses: Mechanical vs. Hydraulic

When a project requires high-volume production at rapid rates, mechanical presses are typically the go-to choice. Their impressive operational speeds allow for faster production cycles, enhancing productivity and efficiency. However, hydraulic presses offer greater flexibility and adaptability for smaller production runs and jobs that require frequent changes as they’re simple to set up.

Press Capacity and Specifications

Aranda Tooling specializes in precision high-speed stamping, supplying our customers with quality, high-performance metal components at competitive prices. Stamping presses are designed to withstand the excessive strokes per minute their operations entail, enabling us to offer precise yet efficient services that reduce lead times. Our services are a perfect fit for the large-scale production of accurate, uniform parts for electric vehicles (EVs) and other automotive applications.

To enhance our press capacity, our team is now utilizing the following new equipment:

  • Stamtec 1200-Ton Transfer Press: Bed size of 240×180 inches
  • Stamtec 800-Ton Press: Bed size of 180×70 inches

Further streamlining production, we have also incorporated new blank feeding capabilities into our stamping processes to optimize material handling, reduce waste, and improve overall efficiency. Together, this state-of-the-art technology allows us to better meet the demands of automotive manufacturers with accuracy and speed.

Automotive Metal Stamping at Aranda Tooling

Since 1975, Aranda Tooling has manufactured high-quality metal stampings, serving domestic and international customers. Leveraging our various capabilities, we use different types of automotive metal stamping services ranging from progressive die to compound die and transfer die stamping.

If you are interested in partnering with an affordable and efficient manufacturer for high-precision products, contact us or request a quote here.