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  1. Metal Stamping Materials Explained

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    Steel Lateral Plate

    Metal stamping involves the process of forming metal into desired shapes using techniques such as punching, blanking, bending, coining, and more. Used in industries ranging from automotive to medical, construction, and more, metal stamping offers a cost-effective way of producing parts in large volumes.

    When choosing the best material for metal stamping, it’s important to consider the complexity of the final product and the characteristics you need it to exhibit. Copper, steel, and aluminum alloys are all common material options for metal stamping. Here, we will describe each material and its benefits to help you determine which metal is right for your next metal stamping project.

    Choosing the Best Metal for Stamping

    The material you choose for your metal stamping project greatly affects the final outcome of the finished product. To ensure that you select the right metal based on your project’s requirements, it’s important to ask yourself the following questions:

    • How much does the material cost and will it fit into your project’s budget?
    • Will the material be easy to work and shape into the desired product?
    • How strong and durable does the material need to be?
    • What sort of environmental conditions will the material need to withstand?
    • What long-term benefits does the material need to offer?
    • How will clients use the finished product?

    By answering the above questions, you can narrow down your search for the appropriate metal stamping material. Since there are so many material options, it can be challenging to find the one with the exact characteristics you need. Because of this, it’s always a good idea to work with a trusted metal stamping manufacturer, as they have the necessary knowledge and experience to guide you toward the best material for your needs.

    Copper Alloys for Metal Stamping

    Copper and its alloys, like brass and bronze, have appealing characteristics that make them ideal for many metal stamping projects. They’re too soft for products requiring strength and durability, but that softness makes them easy to form into complex shapes and incredibly thin components. Benefits that make copper alloys popular for metal stamping include:

    • Electrical and thermal conductivity
    • Corrosion resistance
    • Very good malleability
    • UV radiation and temperature resistance
    • Antimicrobial
    • Decorative

    Steel Alloys for Metal Stamping

    Steel tube plate

    Strong and versatile, steel is one of the most common metal stamping materials. Steel can be alloyed with various other metals to enhance specific physical properties. Steel can also be treated before or after the metal stamping process to increase hardness or corrosion resistance. Benefits of using steel alloys for metal stamping include:

    • Magnetic (except for most stainless steel)
    • Strong (with varying degrees of strength depending on the alloy)
    • Cost-effective and easy to obtain
    • Can be treated to enhance certain properties
    • Corrosion resistance

    High-Strength Low-Alloy (HSLA) Steels in Stamping

    High-strength low-alloy (HSLA) steel is prevalent in metal stamping processes, offering various beneficial properties for stamping product applications. Instead of being designed to meet certain chemical composition requirements, HSLA steels are made to deliver predetermined mechanical characteristics. Compared to carbon steel, for example, this alloy material offers enhanced mechanical properties and corrosion resistance.

    Advantages in Stamping Applications

    HSLA steel offers various advantages that can be bolstered by adjusting the composition of the metal. The primary benefits of HSLA steel include its higher yield strength, toughness, resistance to corrosion, cost-efficiency, and enhanced compatibility with forming and welding processes.

    Industry Applications

    Given its unique combination of advantageous characteristics, HSLA steel offers widespread application flexibility. Industries like the aerospace, automotive, and construction sectors, for instance, prize HSLA steel for its optimal strength-to-weight ratio. The material is a good option for reducing weight in products like wheels, suspension systems, chassis, subframes, and seat runners for vehicles while maintaining their durability and longevity.

    Advanced High-Strength Steels (AHSS)

    There are three types of advanced high-strength steels (AHSS) that manufacturers use in metal fabrication and stamping operations:

    • Dual-phase (DP). These steels are made up of islands of hard-phase martensite surrounded by a soft, continuous-phase ferrite matrix. A continuous-phase material is visually distinct in the material structure or is mechanically separable.
    • TRIP. Part of the high-strength steel alloy class, TRIP is suitable for automotive, marine, and naval applications.
    • Martensitic. This stainless steel variety performs well in applications in which corrosion resistance, strength, and durability are important.

    Benefits and Challenges

    AHSS offer superior strength as compared to low-strength steel, so they’re an optimal choice for load-bearing applications. However, before selecting AHSS for your metal stamping project, be sure to consider the following material challenges:

    • Strength versus cost. AHSS are costlier than lower-strength varieties. For structural fabrication projects or those that don’t necessitate AHSS’ level of strength, low-strength steel would be more cost-effective.
    • Welding considerations. If your project requires welding, keep in mind that you may have to preheat the AHSS material.
    • Sufficient force. Stamping or forming AHSS requires that you apply greater force than with other materials.

    Industry Applications

    Metal stamping can rapidly and precisely generate high volumes of durable, uniform, tight-tolerance components from AHSS and related materials. Advanced high-strength steel stampings are ideal for applications in the following industries:

    • Automotive
    • Electronics
    • Appliances
    • Industrial equipment
    • Construction
    • Medical
    • Consumer products

    Aluminum Alloys for Metal Stamping

    Aluminum alloys for metal stamping offer an excellent strength-to-weight ratio, making them popular in the automotive and construction industries, among others. Though often more expensive than steel alloys, aluminum alloys exhibit good corrosion resistance and long lifespans. Aluminum offers the following benefits for metal stamping:

    • Flexible and malleable, making it easy to form into complex shapes without becoming brittle
    • Electrical and thermal conductivity
    • Corrosion resistance
    • Low-maintenance finish
    • Rust-resistant
    • Less raw material is required for metal stamping

    Specialty Metals and Alloys in Stamping

    In addition to copper, steel, and aluminum, multiple specialty materials are compatible with metal stamping processes, including the following:

    • Titanium. A readily available, lightweight, and corrosion-resistant stamping material, titanium is a versatile metal with characteristics suited to a variety of applications and industries. Manufacturers can use deep draw stamping to cold-form titanium into simply shaped, deep components.
    • Nickel alloys. Offering superior strength to withstand extreme environmental conditions, nickel alloys are ideal for aerospace components. However, the mechanical properties of superalloys can make them harder to work with.
    • Magnesium. Magnesium alloy lends its applications impressive dimensional stability and damping capacity, all at one-fourth and two-thirds the weights of steel and aluminum, respectively. The material is a suitable replacement for these metals as well as acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (ABS) plastic in applications like manufacturing vehicle components. Without risking passenger safety, lightweight magnesium reduces overall automotive weight along with fuel consumption and emissions.

    Partner with Aranda Tooling for your Metal Stamping Needs

    Many materials are suitable for the metal stamping process, so it’s important to consider the needs of your application to narrow down your selection. If you’re not sure which one is right for you, turn to the professionals at Aranda Tooling. With over four decades of experience offering metal stamping and fabrication services, our experienced staff has the knowledge to help you find the best metal stamping materials for your project.

    For help with your material selection process, or to get started on your next metal stamping project, contact us or request a quote today.

    Materials Used in Metal Stamping

  2. Sheet Metal Stamping Process Explained

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    Stamped sheet metal parts

    The process of turning sheets of metal into a useful part or component is called sheet metal stamping. The metal is fed into a press, where the stamping tool, also known as a die, creates the desired shape. The die is pressed into or through the metal with tremendous force. The force used in the process is measured in tons.
    Except for some specialized processes, sheet metal stamping doesn’t use heat. Instead, it is done with a cold-forming technique. Even though no heat is used, the part can come out hot because of the friction that’s created between the metal and the die from the force of the press.

    What Is Sheet Metal Stamping?

    Sheet Metal Stamping Process

    There are basically only three components to sheet metal stamping—the sheet metal, die, and press machine—but any single part can require multiple steps to arrive at its final form. The following guide explains a few common processes that might occur during metal stamping.

    • Forming: Forming describes the process of transforming the flat metal into another shape by applying force. It is accomplished in one of several ways, depending on the design specifications for the part. With a series of operations, the metal can be altered from a relatively simple shape into a complex one.
    • Blanking: Blanking is the most basic technique and initiates when the sheet or blank is fed into the press where the die cuts out the desired shape. The resulting piece is called a blank. The blank may be the desired part, also known as a fully finished blank, or it may continue to the subsequent step of forming.
    • Drawing: Drawing is a more complicated operation and is how vessels or deep depressions are formed. Tension is used to carefully draw the material into a cavity to change its shape. Though the material might stretch while it’s drawn, technicians try to avoid stretching as much as possible to keep the material intact. Sinks, cooking equipment, and oil pans for vehicles are usually made with drawing.
    • Piercing: Piercing is almost the opposite of blanking, but instead of saving the blanks, technicians use the material around the outside of the punched area. As an example, think of cutting biscuits from a rolled-out circle of dough. During blanking, the biscuits are saved; during piercing, on the other hand, the biscuits are discarded, and the hole-riddled remains are the desired outcome.

    Role of Dies in Metal Stamping

    Whether you’re using the forming, drawing, piercing, or blanking process in sheet metal for your project, production will involve metal dies. Mounted on presses, dies are the fundamental tools that metal stamping operations rely on to precisely cut, form, and shape an array of metal parts. Manufacturers use custom dies to achieve components that match the exact specifications of your design, making anything from straightforward products like clips to intricate electronic parts.

    These durable tools facilitate high-volume, precision production and support economy of scale. To help ensure that metal stamping processes are generating high-quality products, however, it’s important to use the right die type for your project.

    Types of Dies

    To address the unique requirements of highly varied projects, there are multiple types of die available for manufacturers to use. Three common varieties in metal stamping operations are compound, combination, and progressive dies.

    Compound

    Compound dies provide compound functionality—every single press stroke carries out several operations at once. As a result, they can quickly and efficiently generate even complex metal parts. When choosing a die for your needs, keep in mind that compound dies are more adept at cutting than forming.

    Combination

    Combination dies are alike compound dies in their single-stroke operational capabilities. However, this die variety is well-suited to both forming and cutting. This enables manufacturers to use them for products that require multiple metal forming techniques, such as bending, forming, piercing, and sheet metal blanking processes.

    Progressive

    These cold stamping dies move a strip of raw material through its various stations, with the die performing one stamping action per stroke at each one. The metal workpieces stay attached to the strip until they pass through the final die station, at which time they’re complete and cut loose. In this setup, multiple workpieces are going through the press simultaneously, with each at a different stage of the stamping process on a mold set.

    Understanding Metal Stamping Presses

    Just as there are multiple die types, you can use different press varieties to complete your stamping project. The three main options are:

    • Mechanical presses: These highly efficient presses utilize a motor-connected flywheel device to facilitate energy transfer and storage. They’re compatible with progressive and transfer die stamping processes and can produce between 20 and 6,000 tons of pressing force, depending on their size. Manufacturers can quickly ramp up production as mechanical presses offer the greatest operational speeds of the three presses and have the capacity for large runs of virtually identical, repeatable goods. Mechanical presses rapidly generate shallow components with simple designs from coil and sheet metal, such as hardware and appliance or automotive components.
    • Hydraulic presses: Compared to mechanical presses, hydraulic presses are slower but more versatile. They enable you to modify the die opening and stroke length and deliver a wider range of pressure levels. This accommodates deeper, more intricately shaped components requiring higher material flow. As long as your project’s schedule allows for this production method, hydraulic presses are the ideal choice for producing goods like bowls, cylinders, and tanks.
    • Mechanical servo presses: These presses combine the advantageous features of the previous two types, offering nearly the same speeds as mechanical presses with the versatility of hydraulic presses. Programmable mechanical servo presses, however, also heighten your ability to control everything from strokes and operational speeds to slide motion and positioning. These capabilities give manufacturers more flexibility in part production as well as their choice of press speed and die type.

    The ideal metal pressing process service provider will have the equipment, custom capabilities, and extensive expertise you need to sufficiently achieve your project goals.

    Precision Metal Stamping Services From Aranda Tooling, LLC.

    When your industry requires high-caliber precision parts, you need a stamping company that meets the most stringent quality standards. Aranda Tooling, an ISO 9001:2015-registered company, has been manufacturing precision tools for companies worldwide since 1975. Today, we produce over 1 million highly detailed parts every week for even the most technologically advanced applications.

    To find out more about our stamping services, please visit our services page, or request a quote online. If you have any questions, contact us at Aranda Tooling, LLC. today.

  3. Transfer Die Stamping vs. Progressive Die Stamping

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    Use for Tool and Die Design and Manufacturing

    Aranda Tooling specializes in transfer die stamping and progressive die stamping. We also provide ongoing education, so you can choose the right manufacturing processes and options to make your project successful.

    Learn more about the differences between transfer die stamping and progressive die stamping, why those differences matter, and how to start your next project with the right stamping process.

    What Is Transfer Die Stamping?

    Transfer die stamping is a key manufacturing process that uses several different dies to form the desired shape. The first station cuts a blank (the initial shape) from the workpiece, and a transfer mechanism moves it to the next station. The dies use bending, flagging, punching, and other techniques based on the shape. The final formed part is then ejected from the die, and the process starts over with a new blank.

    What Is Progressive Die Stamping?

    In progressive die stamping, a long continuous piece of sheet metal moves through each sequential die station. Every station forms the workpiece in a new way, which can include coining the surface, punching holes, and bending pre-formed tabs. Once the piece of metal has reached its final form at the last station, the machine cuts excess material from the final form for recycling.

    Progressive Die vs. Transfer Die Stamping

    The progressive die stamping process and transfer die stamping are useful when transforming sheet metal into complex goods. There are two key areas in which progressive die and transfer die stamping differ: the process workflow and the tooling needed to prepare the process.

    Process Flow

    Process flow is the sequence of steps used to create the stamped goods.

    • Progressive die stamping. This process involves a continuous strip of sheet metal moving through multiple stations. If you paused the process after a couple of cycles, you would have a strip of metal with several parts at various stages of completion. Each part is only cut away from the continuous strip once finished. This can make the overall production process much faster.
    • Transfer die stamping. In this process, the blanks are cut first, and the individual pieces move from station to station separately from other pieces. Transfer die stamping can be advantageous when producing larger parts and can often improve material yield. However, the overall process is slower.

    Tooling

    Tooling is the process of making the dies used to create stamped metal parts.

    • Progressive Die Stamping. Progressive dies are a single block used across integrated stations. The design development stage may be more complex, but the costs are also lower.
    • Transfer Die Stamping. Transfer die stamping requires multiple separate dies. As a result, the process is more expensive.

    Transfer Die & Progressive Die Stamping Services From Aranda Tooling

    With over 50 years of service and over 200 skilled individuals at the ready, Aranda Tooling is a premier service provider in die stamping. We are known for producing complex parts that meet the most stringent requirements, even on high-volume runs. You can depend on Aranda Tooling to meet your tooling, progressive die stamping, and transfer die stamping needs.

    Contact us today to learn more about how we can help with your future projects, and request a quote for specific pricing details.

  4. Types of Materials for Metal Fabrication

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    Metal fabrication is an umbrella term for a range of processes like folding, stamping, cutting, and welding that ultimately take a sheet of metal and form it to achieve a desired shape or component. In metal fabrication design, understanding the various fabrication processes as well as the compatible metals and their qualities will help you determine the right material for your application.

    Types of Metal Fabrication

    Metal fabrication and engineering cover a wide range of precise processes for manipulating metal, including:

    • Casting. For this process, fabricators fill a mold with molten metal, which then takes the mold’s shape as it cools and hardens.
    • Cutting. Relying on processes like laser cutting, shearing, and sawing, cutting separates a single metal piece into multiple ones.
    • Drawing. The drawing process pulls metal through a die to form a particular shape, such as a tube or wire.
    • Extrusion. A forming process that forces metal through a die to generate a workpiece of the desired shape, extrusion is common in producing rods, tubes, and other long components.
    • Folding. This fabrication process utilizes a press brake or manual methods to bend metal, achieving a desired profile.
    • Forging. Capable of strengthening metal material and producing complex profiles, forging involves applying heat to a metal workpiece so fabricators can work it with presses or hammers.
    • Machining. A subtractive manufacturing process, machining uses methods like milling, turning, and drilling to cut material away from a workpiece to achieve its final shape.
    • Punching. Punching utilizes a punch and die to cut shapes or holes in a metal sheet.
    • Shearing. This process uses a shear to cut one metal workpiece into multiple pieces.
    • Stamping. This sheet metal fabrication process involves shaping a workpiece into a specific profile using a die set and stamping press.
    • Welding. Using one of various methods, such as MIG, TIG, or stick welding, this process connects multiple metal workpieces, using heat to fuse them into a single component.

    Types of Metals for Metal Fabrication

    Many metals are compatible with fabrication processes and the metal fabrication tools list. Some of the most common include:

    • Steel. This carbon and iron alloy has widespread uses for its strength. Steel fabrication designs use carbon steel, a durable option for manufacturing and construction applications, and stainless steel, a stain- and corrosion-resistant material containing chromium for added toughness.
    • Aluminum. Known for its corrosion resistance and strength-to-weight ratio, aluminum has optimal uses in automotive and aerospace applications.
    • Iron. The primary metal in steel, iron is useful in manufacturing and construction applications and cast iron products for its durability and high strength.
    • Copper. This soft metal is a malleable option ideal for plumbing parts and wires.
    • Brass. An alloy composed of zinc and copper, brass is well-suited to crafting hardware and ornamental components.
    • Bronze. An alloy composed of tin and copper, bronze is applicable in manufacturing components like bearings with a low coefficient of friction to improve wear resistance.

    What Qualities Should You Look for in a Fabrication Material?

    To select the ideal material for a project, consider the following:

    • Application. Make sure the material can meet application-specific performance requirements.
    • Strength. Choose a metal with the tensile strength to resist breaking despite the stress or load the end product must withstand in its application.
    • Hardness. For applications requiring durable strength, select a material with sufficient hardness to resist lasting deformation.
    • Resistance to corrosion. If your application involves exposure to harsh environmental conditions, use a metal with high corrosion resistance to prevent degradation.
    • Ductility. For applications that need a part to deform or bend, choose a material with the ductility to resist breaking as it deforms under stress.
    • Machinability. Ensure that your material is compatible with the required machining processes, such as drilling or shaping, and can achieve the desired tolerances.
    • Weldability. When your project includes welding for joining parts into one larger component, opt for a material that’s compatible with welding processes.
    • Configuration. Select a material capable of forming the specific geometry, shape, and size necessary for its end use.
    • Prototype size. Like in regular production, consider if the material will meet the necessary shape, size, and formability requirements for a prototype.
    • Production run length. Consider the size of your production run and whether or not a metal is available in the quantities you’ll need.

    Metal Fabrication From Aranda Tooling

    Aranda Tooling, LLC. offers in-house metal fabrication as well as stamping, laser cutting, welding, assembly, and more. Our company is backed by over 48 years of experience and advanced tooling to assist you from initial design to production and assembly. We carefully adhere to your product specifications, timeline, budget, and material needs, with all fabrication materials subject to PPAP verification for maximum quality control.

    Aranda Tooling is ISO 9001:2015-registered, manufacturing over one million precision components weekly for worldwide industries ranging from automotive, construction, and medical to plumbing and hardware. To learn more about our metal fabrication capabilities, contact us today.

  5. Welding Techniques – What to Use for Your Industry

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    Generally speaking, welding utilizes heat and pressure to fuse multiple metal components together into one. However, several welding methods are available for sheet metal operations, and each has its optimal uses. Deciding which is right for your business will depend on your application and intended material. Learn more about the many welding techniques, the metals that are compatible with these processes, and common welding applications.

    Types of Welding Processes

    Manufacturers can choose from several welding techniques. based on the required welds and an application’s unique needs.

    Stick/Arc Welding

    Employing simple, affordable equipment, this welding process involves melting a consumable electrode to form a weld. The needed heat comes from an electrical arc that develops between the metal material and the electrode.

    Metal Inert Gas (MIG) Welding

    MIG welding entails feeding a continuous wire through a shielding gas and welding gun, with an arc forming between the metal material and the wire. The benefits of MIG welding include the process’ capability to prevent contamination in the weld pool, generate smooth and consistent welds, and achieve speeds faster than that of other welding techniques.

    Resistance Welding

    This process uses a combination of electricity and pressure to generate heat that melts the metal to join components together. Metal’s resistance to the electrical current flow produces the heat necessary for this process. Like MIG welding, resistance welding offers a fast welding speed with smooth, clean welds.

    Gas Metal Arc Welding (GMAW)

    This alternative to MIG welding melts metal to produce a weld using a shielding gas, metal wire electrode, and constant voltage as the source of power. It’s fast like MIG welding, creates clean welds, and works in many of the same applications.

    Gas Tungsten Arc Welding (GTAW)

    GTAW uses a non-consumable electrode consisting of tungsten along with a shielding gas to form a weld, with the arc developing between the electrode and metal workpiece. This process is ideal for applications requiring precision welding and clean welds.

    Shielded Metal Arc Welding (SMAW)

    While SMAW shares similarities with stick welding, it uses an electrode coated with flux. This enables a protective shield to form around a weld pool. Equipment for SMAW, too, is simple and cost-effective.

    Flux Cored Arc Welding (FCAW)

    This process is also similar to stick welding, only it uses an electrode comprising a flux-filled tubular wire. The result is a rapid, efficient welding process that doesn’t require a separate flux.

    Types of Metals for Welding

    Different welding processes are compatible with different metals. Common options include:

    • Steel. Welding processes often use steel because of its supreme strength. This versatile metal is available in many types and grades from tool or mild steel to high-strength varieties.
    • Stainless steel. An alloy with chromium, this metal provides high rust and corrosion resistance. These properties make it popular in healthcare and food applications.
    • Cast iron. This carbon-rich iron is suitable for creating many types of cast parts from pipes to engine blocks.
    • Brass and copper. Both of these non-ferrous, conductive metals are good choices for the plumbing and electrical industries.
    • Aluminum. For a corrosion-resistant metal with an optimal strength-to-weight ratio, industries like construction, automotive, and aerospace use lightweight aluminum.
    • Titanium. Titanium offers the same benefits as aluminum, with the addition of its resistance to high temperatures. These qualities lend it to both healthcare and aerospace applications.
    • Magnesium alloy. Like aluminum and titanium, magnesium alloy is lightweight yet strong and corrosion-resistant, which is subsequently why it’s optimal for automotive and aerospace applications.

    Common Welding Applications

    Typical applications for the different welding techniques include:

    • Stick/arc welding. This welding process helps join thicker metals and works well for windy, outdoor environments.
    • MIG welding. Applications requiring welds for thin metal sheets often use MIG welding to achieve optimal results and clean, high-quality welds.
    • Resistance welding. Another welding process compatible with thin sheet metal, resistance welding integrates well with automation for high-volume production.
    • GMAW. This is another welding process like MIG and resistance welding that fuses components consisting of thin metal sheets for a high-quality and consistent weld.
    • GTAW. This technique is an ideal option for welding thin pieces of dissimilar metals.
    • SMAW. This welding process works for joining thick metals and is compatible with outdoor applications and windy conditions.
    • FCAW. FCAW is an optimal choice to achieve an efficient weld between thick metals.

    Welding & Assembly Services From Aranda Tooling

    For reliable welding services, trust Aranda Tooling, LLC. Our team provides comprehensive welding capabilities with an emphasis on automation and quality. We specialize in robotic welding services for optimized efficiency, cost-effectiveness, and precise, consistent welds.

    For superior quality control and assurance in our welding services and products, Aranda Tooling also offers quality testing and non-destructive, visual inspections, as well as assistance in implementing quality control systems. As a result, our clients can rest assured that they will receive top-quality products that meet their exacting standards.

    Our broad range of services also includes metal fabrication and stamping, laser cutting, assembly, and design and manufacturing for sheet metal dies. To learn more about our capabilities, contact us today.

  6. What Is Metal Fabrication & What Is the Scope of the Industry?

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    Metal fabrication is the process of making metal materials into various end products. The process can include bending, cutting, and assembling raw metal stock to form parts for electric appliances, chassis, automotive components, and more.

    These wide-ranging applications mean that metal fabrication is a broad-reaching, steadily growing industry. Learn more about specific metal fabrication processes, the scope of the metal fabrication industry, and trends in this field.

    How Is Metal Fabrication Performed?

    Metal fabrication involves processing sheet metals into specific shapes and sizes to form an end product. Common metal fabrication processes include the following techniques:

    • Cutting: Cutting is usually the first step in the sheet metal fabrication process and involves cutting sheet metals into smaller pieces using equipment such as lasers, saws, water jets, and plasma for precise cuts.
    • Machining: Machining is a manufacturing process that removes materials from a stock workpiece to create an end product. Most fabrication companies prefer computer numerical control (CNC) over manual machining technologies since CNC machining offers faster processing and more precise output.
    • Welding: Welding is the process of joining two or more metal pieces using pressure and heat.
    • Punching: This process uses a die and a punch to create holes in specific locations of a metal workpiece.
    • Drilling: Like punching, drilling also creates precise holes in metal workpieces, but it does so using a drill bit.
    • Forging: Forging is a common metal fabrication process that involves forcefully compressing metal into a specific shape.
    • Stamping: Stamping uses one or more punch presses to fabricate metal into various shapes and sizes.
    • Drawing: Drawing is the process of using force to pull metal into a tapered die.
    • Forming: Forming is any process that reshapes a metal workpiece using mechanical deformation rather than cutting away or adding material to the metal.
    • Turning: In metal turning, a lathe rotates and moves a workpiece against a stationary cutting tool, which removes material.

    Metal Fabrication Industry – Market Analysis and Size

    A recent study of the metal fabrication industry suggests it is expected to rise from $20 billion in 2021 to nearly $29.5 billion by 2029. This increase is due to increased demand for metal products in various industries and new technologies—like additive manufacturing—that require mass metal fabricated products. Key industries driving the growth of metal fabrication include:

    • Consumer goods
    • Aerospace
    • Automotive
    • Construction

    Industry Outlook and Opportunities

    The metal fabrication industry has a positive outlook and promising growth potential. Below are some of the key opportunities and trends to watch out for in the industry.

    Need for Greater Efficiency

    Because critical industries around the world are increasingly demanding high volumes of metal fabricated parts, there will be a need for greater efficiency. Using advanced equipment and software will help fabricators reduce labor costs and optimize production efficiency.

    Automated Fabrication

    Due to the need for higher efficiency, automated fabrication processes are expected to drive the growth of this industry. Robotics and other automated technologies like IoT devices will help companies minimize human error and free up employees for more specialized tasks.

    Demand for Metal Machining

    As the industry demands higher volumes and levels of precision from fabricated parts, there is an increased demand for companies like Aranda Tooling who specialize in multiple fabrication processes.

    Need for Digital Pre-Programmed Production Techniques

    Computer-aided design (CAD) and computer-aided manufacturing (CAM) programs are among the most crucial systems on any metal fabrication tools list. There is an increasing need for these systems as they facilitate the efficient design and manufacturing of precise metal products and components.

    The Future of Metal Fabrication

    Analysis of the growth of metal fabrication indicates there will also be significant growth in these industries:

    • Aerospace: The aerospace industry will continue to propel the growth of the metal fabrication industry, as more metal aircraft and spacecraft components are needed for future projects.
    • Construction: As commercial and residential construction projects continue to grow around the world, metal fabrication will be crucial to producing the necessary metal structures and other components.
    • Energy: Energy industries require fabricated metal components to aid in energy distribution and production.
    • Defense: The defense industry will drive the growth of the metal fabrication industry through increased demand for metal products in defense applications.
    • Automotive: Automotive manufacturing will continue being a key driver of metal fabrication, as automobiles require a variety of fabricated metal parts.

    Metal Fabrication and Engineering From Aranda Tooling

    The metal fabrication industry will continue to grow and impact other industries in the coming years. At Aranda Tooling, LLC., we provide high-quality metal fabrication and engineering to a variety of critical industries around the world. Our team of approximately 300 skilled professionals produces more than a million parts per week. As an ISO 9001:2015 certified manufacturer, Aranda Tooling ensures every customer receives the highest quality products and customer service.

    Contact us today to get started on your metal fabrication project.

  7. What is EV Stamping?

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    Metal stamping for electric vehicles (EVs) is a crucial element of the automotive industry. Metal stamping is an efficient machining process that uses stamping presses and dies to form sheet metal into various shapes.

    Metal Stamping / Fabrication Services for EV Manufacturers

    It is a common process in the automotive industry because it is highly efficient in manufacturing complex components that meet tight specifications and tolerances with high levels of repeatability. Metal stamping is especially beneficial for EV components due to its ability to produce complex, lightweight parts that aid in fuel economy and reduce carbon emissions. Some of the most appealing benefits of EV stamping include material efficiency and cost-effectiveness.

    Advantages of Using EV Stamping

    EV stamping advantages include:

    • Automation: Metal stamping is a process that can be easily automated. Automation in the EV industry reduces labor costs and the risks of injuries to personnel. With automation, you can produce large component volumes without spending a lot of investment in labor. Automation increases precision production by cutting out human error.
    • Material Efficiency: EV stamping uses sheet metal for component manufacturing. Working with sheet metal reduces waste since it can utilize the majority of the raw material to create the component.
    • Cost-Effectiveness: Once the die has been designed and formed, there is no additional overhead and the dies are simple and affordable to maintain. This makes it possible to manufacture high volumes of parts in different materials while maintaining minimal costs.

    EV Stamping Process

    There are several different stamping processes, but the general process involves placing the raw material between the two die sections and applying pressure to form the material into the intended shape for the final product. Some of the most popular stamping methods include:

    • Progressive die-stamping: In this metal forming process, sheet metal is passed through a series of stations to progressively shape the material into the final component.
    • Compound dies: This stamping process conducts multiple actions in a single stroke. It is an affordable, highly repeatable way to produce simple components fast.
    • Transfer dies: Components are taken via the tooling process as individual units. The components are disconnected from the metal strip in the initial operation to allow for the creation of more intricate design elements.

    The machinery involved in EV stamping includes:

    • Straight side presses
    • Tooling
    • A well-equipped tooling department

    EV Stamping Industry Applications

    Metal stamping is in the EV industry to consistently manufacture accurate and dependable precision components used in the design, manufacture, and operation of electric vehicles. EV stamping capabilities are applicable in producing components of virtually any size, including:

    • EV battery components
    • EV charging components
    • Battery trays
    • A-Frames
    • Floor panels
    • Brackets
    • Transmission components
    • BIW components
    • Seating components
    • Brake components
    • Heat shields

    EV stamping uses various materials in its applications, from aluminum to carbon steel and stainless steel.

    Metal stamping processes can also be applied to components in other industries, including:

    • Healthcare
    • Food and beverage
    • Appliances
    • Electronics
    • Automotive

    EV Stamping Vs. Other Stamping Methods

    At Aranda Tooling, we provide a range of stamping methods for EVs, including progressive die, compound die, transfer die stamping, and more. As previously mentioned, progressive die stamping uses a progressive die containing multiple stamping stations that conduct progressive operations on sheet metal strips. The ability of this process to perform several forming techniques progressively makes it highly viable for high-volume production runs.

    Our alternative stamping options include:

    • Fine blanking
    • Transfer
    • Compound
    • Stage tooling

    Our alternative stamping options reduce labor costs and production time through high-tech automation. Our stamping solutions are ideal for reducing lead times and increasing productivity.

    EV Stamping Services at Aranda Tooling

    At Aranda Tooling, we provide a wide range of tooling services, from fine blanking to compound stamping. We can help you optimize your production and lead times and reduce labor costs to increase your productivity. Our solutions encourage precision and high-quality end products. Contact us to learn more or request a quote for our services and products.

  8. Steel Alloys Used in Metal Stamping

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    Steel lateral plate made from laser cuttingOne of the most commonly used metals for metal stamping is steel. However, not all steel alloys are alike, and each type has its own unique qualities. Selecting a steel alloy for a metal stamping project depends on the application’s specific requirements. The most common types of steel used for metal stamping include carbon steel, alloy steel, and stainless steel.

    Types of Steel for Metal Stamping

    When choosing the right steel for a metal stamping project, consider whether you want carbon, alloy, or stainless steel. The following offers a breakdown of their differences to help you determine which is suitable for your application.

    Steel Alloys Used in Metal Stamping

    Carbon Steel

    Most applications that involve steel production use carbon steel. This metal contains various trace elements of different alloy products. Depending on your specific requirements, there are three subcategories of carbon steel, including:

    • High Carbon Steel. This carbon steel features carbon content comprising 0.60% to 1.4% of the total weight. While the high carbon content makes it the most durable of the carbon steel alloys, it’s also the least workable.
    • Medium Carbon Steel. Carbon contents for medium carbon steel are between 0.25% and 0.60% of the steel’s mass. This type of carbon steel is normally combined with other alloys such as chromium and molybdenum to increase its strength and resistance to wear.
    • Low Carbon Steel. Low carbon steels feature carbon contents of 0.03% to 0.08%. The low carbon content makes them highly resistant to corrosion, and they are far more workable than high carbon steel.

    Alloy Steel

    These steel materials are made with different types of alloying elements such as copper, titanium, nickel, aluminum, and manganese, which can change the properties of the steel. Some of these alloys may contribute to the metal stamping material’s overall strength, workability, weldability, and corrosion or overall wear resistance. Alloy steels are commonly used for a variety of parts, including transformers, electric motors, pipelines, and automotive parts.

    Stainless Steel

    Stainless steel is a type of steel alloy that contains approximately 18% chromium. This chromium content makes stainless steel both highly resistant to corrosion and visually appealing with a notable luster. Stainless steel is often more costly to use than other alloys, but the increased durability and corrosion resistance make it worth the higher price. Depending on your steel stamping needs, there are a few different stainless steel types available:

    • 301. This stainless steel features high tensile strength along with corrosion and rust resistance. It’s available in three subcategories including hard, half hard, and full hard.
    • 304. For products that need moderate tensile strength in addition to corrosion and rust resistance, 304 grade stainless steel is ideal. It’s frequently used for stainless steel disc stamping and various food-grade steel products.
    • 316 and 316L. This stainless steel grade serves as an enhanced version of 300 series stainless steel. This particular grade features molybdenum content that lends additional strength and corrosion resistance, and it’s often used for applications involving marine and pharmaceutical environments, along with food processing.

    Metal Stamping from Aranda Tooling, LLC.

    If you require high-quality steel stampings for your next project, Aranda Tooling, LLC. can meet your needs. Since 1975, we have become a leading provider of metal stamping services, including progressive die stamping and transfer die stamping. We can produce parts of varying complexity and specifications, working closely with our customers to give them consistently great results.

    Browse the rest of our site to learn more about our metal stamping services. You can also request a quote for any of our services or contact us today with any questions, and we’ll put you in touch with a representative.

  9. Aluminum Alloys Used in Metal Stamping

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    Radiator frame assemblyMetal stamping is a metalworking process used to form various parts and products from sheet metal. It accommodates a wide range of materials, including aluminum.

    Aluminum is highly suitable for stamping operations due to its strength and workability. Stamped aluminum components find application in nearly every industry, including automotive, electronics, marine, medical, and more. Below we provide an overview of the aluminum stamping process, including typical metal stamping materials employed and the properties they exhibit.

    Commonly Used Aluminum Alloys in Metal Stamping Operations

    For stamping operations, pure aluminum is often alloyed with other metals to add or enhance certain material properties to improve the performance of the end product. Typical alloying materials include copper, iron, magnesium, manganese, silicon, and zinc. Each alloy is assigned a unique four-digit number, the first digit of which is determined by the primary alloying element. For example:

    • 1xxx is used for 99% pure aluminum with no alloying element
    • 2xxx is used for aluminum alloyed with copper
    • 3xxx is used for aluminum alloyed with manganese
    • 4xxx is used for aluminum alloyed with silicon
    • 5xxx is used for aluminum alloyed with magnesium
    • 6xxx is used for aluminum alloyed with magnesium and silicon
    • 7xxx is used for aluminum alloyed with zinc
    • 8xxx is used for aluminum alloyed with other elements

    The four-digit number may also include a letter tagged onto the end. This letter is indicative of the alloy’s temper designation. For example, fabricated is represented by F, annealed is represented by O, strain hardened is represented by H, solution heat-treated is represented by W, and heat treated (not applicable to F, O, or H designations) is represented by T.

    Some of the most commonly used aluminum alloys in metal stamping operations are:

    • 1100: This commercially pure aluminum exhibits high ductility, material softness, and workability. It is ideal for forming operations involving intricate part or product designs, such as for flatware or decorative components.
    • 3003: This aluminum-manganese alloy has greater strength than aluminum 1100. It also demonstrates good corrosion resistance and workability. Some of its typical applications include cooking instruments, kitchen equipment, and chemical handling products.
    • 5052: This aluminum-magnesium alloy has higher strength than any of the other common non-heat-treatable variations. It also offers better fatigue strength, high corrosion resistance, and good workability and finishing characteristics. Typical use cases include aircraft parts, home appliances, and heavy-duty cooking implements.
    • 6061: This aluminum alloy is heat treatable. It is highly versatile due to its numerous advantageous mechanical and chemical properties, including corrosion resistance, formability, and weldability. It is widely used for making structural parts such as the bodies and frames of automobiles.

    <Learn more about the metal stamping process.>

    Common Properties of Aluminum Alloys

    As indicated above, aluminum alloys may demonstrate different properties depending on the exact composition. However, there are some shared properties among the material group, including:

    • High strength-to-weight ratio
    • Flexibility and malleability
    • Electrical and thermal conductivity
    • Corrosion resistance
    • Low-temperature resistance
    • Smooth and shiny finish that requires little to no maintenance

    Aluminum Stamping Solutions From Aranda Tooling

    Aranda Tooling is an ISO 9001:2015 certified and minority-owned company that provides a variety of metalworking services. One of our core service offerings is metal stamping. Equipped with 45 years of industry experience and a state-of-the-art manufacturing facility, our team has what it takes to fulfill even the most complex stamping requests for domestic and international customers. In addition to aluminum, we accommodate a variety of other metals, including brass, bronze, copper, nickel, steel, stainless steel, and titanium. We offer metal stamping capabilities for workpieces up to 48 inches in width and between 0.005 to 0.5 inches in thickness.

    For examples of past metal stamping projects, check out our metal stamping portfolio. To learn more about our metal stamping capabilities and how we can benefit your next project, contact us or request a quote today.

  10. SEYI Highlights Aranda Tooling

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    SEYI, the manufacturer of many of Aranda Tooling’s stamping presses, has produced a video providing an overview of Aranda’s presses. Find out about the quality and reliability of our presses, as well as the reasons we’ve chosen SEYI presses.