Machining has sometimes been considered the only feasible manufacturing alternative for buyers to source low-to-moderate quantities of small metal components. Because of the modest volumes or the complexity of the components, customers have often not considered stamping the part. However, with up front discussions, stamping can offer a range of cost-effective alternatives for components that are complex and require high-precision tolerances. There are a number of cost and design advantages that can be obtained by converting to stampings. Engineers looking to decrease material waste, increase the strength of their product because of grain direction, incorporate complex features, reduce the number of components, or just reduce costs should consider stamping over machining.
There are four parts to the success of any stamping project – experience, the tooling, the equipment, and the quality inspection equipment. These variables are critical for obtaining a stamped component to specification. Attempts to stamp components using conventional methods could fail. It is important that the buyer understands the capabilities of the stamper and equipment being utilized. They then can make an informed decision, as to whether or not the stamper can provide a successful product.
Advantages of Stamping versus Machining
There are a number of benefits that can be achieved by converting to stamping the part. One major reason companies convert is the cost savings they receive per part. That’s because the amount of time it takes to stamp a component is a fraction of what it takes to machine a component and multiple parts can be stamped at one time. The stamping process produces finished parts on each cycle of the press no matter how complex, compared to machining needing multiple passes, cutter changes, and set-ups. Another benefit is stamping gives more freedom to designers to place intricate features in products thereby enhancing their ability to create more innovative products. Stamping is a stable production process, because of the controlled consistency of material thickness, mechanical and chemical properties, and also the better natural surface finish of the rolled strip materials.
Consider all the above mentioned benefits your company can achieve by converting your machined components to stamped parts. The stamping company of choice will use its experience, precision sensored tooling, well maintained press equipment, and advanced quality equipment, to provide the best low cost opportunity to create innovative cost effective parts.