When researching techniques used to manufacture nameplates — as well as other customized metal products — you may come across stamping. Also known as pressing, it involves manipulating the shape of sheet metal using a punch press. To learn more about metal stamping and how it works, keep reading.
The Basics of Metal Stamping
The purpose of metal stamping is to alter the shape of sheet metal by sandwiching it between a punch tool and die. Sheet metal, of course, is flat. To create a product in a specific shape, manufacturing companies may run sheet metal through a punch press. The sheet metal is secured to the punch press, at which point a hydraulically powered tool presses down on it. Below the sheet metal is a die featuring the desired shape. As the punch press compresses the sheet metal, the sheet metal takes the shape of the die.
Metal stamping has origins dating back to the 7th century B.C. Historians believe Turkey pioneered this metalworking process during the 7th century B.C. for use in the production of coins. Previously, coins were made by heating and hammering pieces of cut metal. Turkey, however, began to stamp pieces of metal, which was one of the first recorded uses of metal stamping.
Advantages of Metal Stamping
When compared to other metalworking processes, stamping offers several advantages. First and foremost, it supports mass-production. The die sets can be reused dozens, hundreds or even thousands of times.
Metal stamping also supports a wide range of materials. The punch presses used in metal stamping are incredibly powerful and able to deform nearly all types of materials. Some punch presses, in fact, produce up to 120 tons of hydraulic pressure, allowing them to manipulate the shape of otherwise hard and strong workpieces.
Stamping also protects sheet metal from heat-related damage. With other metalworking processes, metal is heated to make it more malleable. The use of heat, however, can alter the metal’s properties. With stamping, however, sheet metal is manipulated at or near room temperature. As a result, the sheet metal isn’t susceptible to damage from heat.
In Conclusion
Metal stamping is a metalworking process that uses a punch press to change the shape of sheet metal. The sheet metal is secured to the punch press, after which it’s sandwiched between a punch tool and die. The sheet metal then takes the shape of the die.
