A Look at Sheet Metal Stamping

Sheet metal stamping is the system whereinare provided by the metal stamping companies
metal sheets are used for producing finalafter the metal sheet is stamped.
products. When a metal sheet is inserted into theThere are three main components in sheet metal
die or the press, it is molded into the requiredstamping -- the die, the punch and the binder
shape and size. Metal sheets of only a certainblank holder. The sheet is kept between the blank
thickness can be inserted into metal stampingholder and the die and the punch is driven into the
machines. The maximum limit for most metaldie wherein the sheet spreads over the die
stamping machines is ¼ inch. However,because of the drawing and stretching. The blank
machines can be designed to accommodateholder provides the restraining force that is
sheets of greater thickness also. Even the kind ofrequired to control the sheet flow into the die.
metal sheets that can be processed in metalThis force prevents wrinkling and tearing of the
stamping are also specific. Only certain metals orsheet as the quantity of material going into the
alloys can be used like aluminum, brass, steel (hotmachine can be controlled. For some processes
rolled or cold rolled), galvanized steel, stainlesswhere the blank holder force is too high for the
steel, copper, zinc and titanium.material, draw beads are used to create the
Before the metal sheet is inserted into therestraining force.
machine, the customer provides the prototype orSheet metal stampings are also known as thin
at least a diagram of the final product. In case thestampings. Sheet metal stamping is used most
customer doesn't have a clear idea of what theprimarily in the case-building process. It is also the
final product should look like, most metal stampingmost important part as each of the panels has to
producers also offer engineering services forbe stamped one by one. First the motherboard
designing the products as well. Even sometray is stamped, then one-side panels on the right
secondary services such as deburring and platingand left from bottom to top and back.