Progressive die stamping is a unique metal forming process that is used to create parts for various industries and applications. This type of metal stamping incorporates various work stations, each of which carries out different operations on the part. Key benefits of progressive die stamping include:
Progressive die stamping offers an efficient and cost-effective method for producing parts in large volumes, making it a great choice for industry applications such as:
Progressive die stamping uses a type of tooling called a progressive die, which contains multiple stamping stations to carry out simultaneous operations on a sheet metal strip. By combining all the necessary tools into one die set, progressive die stamping is a great solution for high-volume production runs.
To begin the process, the die is placed into the stamping press. At Hudson Technologies, our straight side progressive presses feature a 60 to 500 ton capacity. The die opens as the stamping press moves up and closes as the stamping press moves down. While the die is open, the metal moves through the die, being precisely fed into the die with each press stroke.
When the die closes, it performs its work on the metal, which can include coining, bending, cutting, embossing, and more. Once the metal has moved through each station, the finished part is ejected from the die.
When choosing between progressive die stamping and traditional metal stamping methods such as stage tooling and transfer press tooling, it’s important to consider factors such as cost, production volume, and lead time.
When considering cost, it’s important to think about tooling setup costs as well as per-piece cost. Stage tooling boasts lower setup costs but has the highest per-piece cost. Progressive die and transfer press tooling have higher setup costs compared to stage tooling but offer lower per piece costs.
Progressive die stamping is specifically designed for high volume production, typically exceeding 50,000 pieces per year. While transfer press tooling is also good for high volume production, it differs in that the part is separated from the metal strip during the first operation. Stage tooling, on the other hand, is ideal for small, low-volume production runs of less than 50,000 pieces per year.
When considering the needs of your project, it’s important to think of project timelines to determine which method is best. While stage tooling features a relatively slow fabrication speed, progressive die and transfer press tooling offer medium to fast production speeds.
