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  1. Sheet Metal Stamping Process

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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.

    Common 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.

    Materials

    Though virtually any metal, including gold, can be stamped, sheet metal is by far the most common. The type of metal used depends on the type of part that’s needed and its desired properties, such as corrosion- and heat-resistance.

    Sheet metal stamping can produce parts from the following materials:

    Applications of Sheet Metal Stamping

    In the stamping process, sheet metal is transformed into complex parts using highly specialized computer-aided drafting and manufacturing programs. Sheet metal stamping produces superior, resilient, heavy-duty parts quickly and efficiently. The results are so precise, they’re typically more reliable and consistent than manual machining.

    The following industries use components that are created via sheet metal stamping:

    • Automotive
    • Renewable energy
    • Medical
    • Industrial
    • Aerospace
    • Hardware
    • Home improvement

    This list is by no means exhaustive. There is a considerable demand for sheet metal stamping, and the range of industries that depend on it is vast.

    <Learn more about stamping in our “What Is Metal Stamping?” guide.>

    Precision Metal Stamping Services

    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, Inc. today.

  2. 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 aerospace, automotive, electronics, marine, medical, and more. Below we provide an overview of the aluminum stamping process, including typical 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.

  3. 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.