Stamping is a critical part of metal stamping that transforms flat sheets of metal into precise components used in industries like automotive, electronics, and aerospace. With various types of stamping process available, each step in the method plays a vital role in ensuring the final product meets high standards for quality and accuracy. In this blog, we’ll walk you through the seven key steps in the stamping method, giving you a detailed look at how raw materials are shaped into essential parts for modern manufacturing.

What Is Metal Stamping?

Metal stamping is a manufacturing process that involves shaping flat metal sheets into specific parts or components using a stamping press and custom-designed dies. It’s widely used in industries like automotive, aerospace, electronics, and medical devices due to its ability to produce high-precision parts at a large scale. By applying force to the metal sheet, stamping can create intricate shapes and designs with a high degree of consistency, making it an essential technique for producing durable, complex parts quickly and efficiently.

What Are the Basics of Stamping?

At its core, stamping is about transforming raw metal into functional parts. The process starts with a flat metal sheet, referred to as a blank, which is fed into a stamping press. The press uses a die to apply pressure to the metal, cutting, bending, or forming it into the desired shape. Depending on the complexity of the part, multiple dies and stamping operations may be used to achieve the final design. This process can produce everything from simple components to intricate, highly detailed parts.

What Are the Four Types of Metal Stamping?

There are four main types of metal stamping, each suited to different manufacturing needs:

1. Progressive Stamping: Involves feeding a metal strip through multiple stations in a single die, with each station performing a different operation. It’s ideal for high-volume production.
2. Transfer Stamping: Similar to progressive stamping, but the part is transferred from one station to the next. This method is used for larger or more complex parts that require multiple forming stages.
3. Four-Slide Stamping: Uses four moving slides to shape the metal, allowing for intricate bends and twists. It’s perfect for producing parts with complex geometries.
4. Deep Draw Stamping: Focuses on forming deep, hollow shapes, often used in the production of items like automotive fuel tanks or kitchen sinks.

What Are the 7 Steps in the Stamping Method?

The metal stamping process step by step involves several crucial stages to ensure the precise shaping of metal sheets into desired parts. Below are the seven key steps in the stamping method, which form the foundation of the metal stamping process flow:

1. Design & Material Selection: The process begins with selecting the right metal and designing the custom die for the part. This stage is essential for ensuring the design meets the functional and aesthetic requirements while considering stamping process tolerances.
2. Blanking: In this step, flat metal sheets are cut into specific shapes, known as blanks. These blanks will serve as the raw material for the rest of the stamping process.
3. Forming: The blank is then bent or formed into the desired shape by applying pressure through the die. This is where the metal takes on its intended shape, involving operations like bending, coining, or flanging.
4. Piercing/Cutting: Holes or cutouts are added to the metal through piercing or cutting processes, depending on the part’s design. This is a critical step for parts that need precise holes or openings.
5. Trimming: Excess metal is trimmed away to refine the shape and meet the required specifications. This step ensures the part's dimensions match the design exactly.
6. Finishing: Any additional treatments, such as polishing, deburring, or coating, are applied to the part to improve its surface quality and functionality.
7. Quality Control: The final step involves inspecting the parts for accuracy and ensuring they meet the required stamping process tolerances. This step ensures that every part produced adheres to strict quality standards before moving to packaging or further processing.

What Are the Steps Involved in Metal Stamping at Mursix?

At Mursix, we take a client-centered approach to the metal stamping process, ensuring that every step is optimized for precision and efficiency. Here’s how we work through the metal stamping process step by step:

• Award & Kickoff: The journey begins with a new partnership. Our dedicated team—including sales, tooling, engineering, and program launch experts—works closely with you to review designs, identify cost-saving opportunities, and plan the entire project from start to finish.
• Design Phase: Our in-house design team takes charge, using advanced CAD technology to develop accurate and efficient designs. This stage focuses on manufacturability, ensuring the design can be produced smoothly and at a high standard.
• Tooling & Build: Once the design is locked in, our tooling experts get to work. Using state-of-the-art equipment, we construct the custom dies and tools necessary to move into production, all while collaborating closely with the design team for seamless integration.
• Approval & Launch: Before full-scale production, we meticulously test and validate everything through our Zero Defects process. With multiple validation gates, such as the Mursix Validation Process (MVP), we ensure that every part is production-ready and meets the highest quality standards.

At Mursix, our metal stamping process flow is designed to prioritize precision and efficiency, helping you bring your project to life with minimal hassle. Ready to partner with a stamping company that delivers excellence at every step? Contact us today to get started