Metal Stamping
Metal Stamping
Vulcan Industries provides metal stampings and assemblies for some of America’s most successful and diverse original equipment manufacturers. Our design and engineering team works with you throughout the design, quoting, production, assembly, inspection, packaging, and shipping process to ensure that we meet your requirements.
To learn about how we solve tough manufacturing challenges, view our case studies.
What is Metal Stamping?
Metal stamping is a cost-effective process for manufacturing parts that require medium to high production volumes. The use of precision tooling ensures minimal dimensional variation during production resulting in high-quality parts.
We use a variety of processes based on a number of factors;
• Part shape - The complexity of the part along with the material thickness, part tolerances and the number of operations required, often dictate the best manufacturing approach.
• Stamping materials - We process a wide range of materials including cold and hot rolled steel, stainless steel, aluminum, copper, brass and other specialty alloys. Material thickness can range from 0.003” up to 0.312”.
• Tooling - We have the capability to design and build progressive dies for high-volume production parts. In addition, we offer single and multi-stage tools using manual and automated part transfer systems.
Technical Support Capabilities
Our technical support capabilities are a cornerstone of our success. We employ the most highly skilled engineers in the business with experience in all aspects of precision metal stampings, tool design and secondary processes. Each project is carefully analyzed to identify the critical factors for successful production to ensure we fully understand what needs to be done and how it should be done.
Vulcan Industries’ technical capabilities include:
• Design software - We use AutoCAD Mechanical and Solid Works. Our tool designers are experienced in the design of single, multistage and progressive tools.
• Design review - Design reviews are performed on all metal stampings to ensure that the part can be successfully manufactured. Collaborative design reviews results in lower customer costs, ease of manufacturing and seamless assembly.
• Tooling - We design and manufacture 95% of tooling in-house. Particular attention is given to features such as part accuracy, repeatability, reliability and tool life. Our team of skilled tool and die makers build, service and maintain all tooling.
• Problem solving - A project manager is responsible for monitoring production and resolving problems, whether in-house or with component suppliers. This ensures parts are correct and delivered on time.
• Continuous improvement - We continually seek ways to improve processes, reduce waste and, through lean manufacturing techniques, reduce overall costs.
Frequently Asked Questions about Metal Stamping
Vulcan Industries provides metal stampings and assemblies for some of America’s most successful and diverse original equipment manufacturers. Our design and engineering team works with you throughout the design, quoting, production, assembly, inspection, packaging, and shipping process to ensure that we meet your requirements.
To help you learn more about metal stampings, here are some commonly asked questions and answers:
How does metal stamping work?
Metal stamping uses punch presses to form shapes out of sheet metal or coils of material. The result is high quality, and you can expect consistent components for everything from automotive parts to medical equipment. Many different metal stamping processes are suited for forming any number of products. These processes are explained throughout this FAQ page.
What are the advantages of high-volume production metal stamping?
High volume metal stamping creates consistent and cost-efficient components for any number of industries. There are two main benefits to high-volume stamping.
• Cost-efficiency: High volume stamping is automated, which allows us to reduce and better predict labor and production costs.
• Consistent quality: Once equipment and dies are set, our facility can automate the creation of parts for everything from lawn to medical equipment. We ensure quality every step of the way.
How do you ensure quality with high-volume metal stamped parts?
Since 1947, we have built our reputation on manufacturing expertise, quality and customer service. Our customers have found our on-time delivery and world-class quality invaluable.
We ensure quality by making sure every essential function in our shop is working at its best. Here’s how we do it:
• We take pride in exceeding customer expectations.
• We’re ISO 9001 accredited.
• We take regulatory and environmental compliance seriously.
• We strive to continually improve our processes and methodologies.
• We have a highly trained and cross functional workforce.
• We have a strong sense of urgency and commitment to our customers’ deadlines.
What kinds of metal can be used in stamping?
We process a wide range of materials including cold and hot rolled steel, stainless steel, aluminum, copper, brass and other specialty alloys.
What are the various types of metal stamping techniques?
There are many kinds of metal stamping techniques. Here are some of the most common:
Blanking: Blanking is the process of cutting shapes from sheet metal or coils of material.
Piercing: Piercing is the process of perforating holes or shapes into metal parts. Piercing can be done at the same time as blanking.
Drawing: During drawing, a punch forces a section of metal through a die, giving a part shape.
Bending: During bending, a press pushes against the metal, giving it a bend where necessary.
Coining: Coining is a process using a metal stamping press that forces a shape onto a metal surface. Coining can also be used to set bending features.
Forming: Forming creates parts with multiple bends.
Lancing: Lancing is a relatively uncommon process, but an important one, nevertheless. During lancing, a part is cut along multiple edges and simultaneously bent, which limits scrap collection or secondary machining.
What are the advantages of progressive die metal stamping?
Progressive stamping is a method that uses punching, coining, bending and a number of other ways of modifying raw metal. It’s paired with an automated feeding system to make the whole process more efficient. The main advantages are speed, higher volume runs, greater consistency and cost-effectiveness.
What is the difference between progressive die stamping and four-slide metal stamping?
Progressive die stamping machines press metals in a vertical motion. Bending and cutting are performed at the same time so that the parts are complete with a single stroke of the machine.
Progressive dies can produce more than a single part per stroke, making them perfect for high-volume manufacturing. Here are a few parts that can be produced using progressive die stamping:
• Terminals
• Shields
• Lead frames
• Brackets
Four-slide metal stamping machines have—as the name suggests, four slides. The machines press horizontally, with slides in the machine pressing the raw metal to create a final product.
Four-slide stamping produces less scrap and is better for producing highly complex parts in comparison to progressive die stamping. Here are a few parts that four-slide stamping is ideal for:
• Bushings
• Clamps
• Jaws
• Fasteners
What types of metal stamping do you offer?
We’ve set out to become a one-stop-shop for all your metal stamping needs. We try and offer as many different stamping processes as possible, but we also know that quantity and breadth shouldn’t come at the expense of quality.
If you have any questions, or you are unsure which type of metal stamping is best suited for you, we’re happy to talk. Contact us for a consultation at (262) 253-5420.
What volume do you consider as high-volume production metal stamping?
We consider runs of over 100,000 high-volume.
What volume do you consider as medium-volume production metal stamping?
We consider runs of between 10,000 and 50,000 medium-volume.
What volume do you consider as low-volume production metal stamping?
We consider runs of between 1,000 and 5,000 medium-volume.
What is a Tooling Transfer Program?
There are instances where you may find that transferring tools from one metal stamper to another can improve quality, delivery and have financial benefits as well.
Schedule a Free Engineering Part Review
In the early stages of product development? Schedule a free consultation with one of our design experts and let’s talk about how we can identify ways to cut costs and prevent mistakes early on in the stages of product development.
Or call (262) 253-5420 to speak directly with one of our engineers.