Stamping forms sheet metal between a punch and a die in a press, producing a part in one stroke or in a series of stations. Like moulding, almost all the cost is in the tool, so the whole decision turns on volume. Below the crossover, cutting and bending the same part costs a fraction; above it, stamping is not close to being beaten.
What kind of die you need
A single station die does one operation and suits simple blanks at modest volume. A compound die does several cuts in one stroke. A progressive die moves a strip through many stations and produces a finished part with each press stroke, which is the high volume answer and the expensive one. Transfer tooling handles larger parts moved between stations.
What drives the tool price
Number of stations, part complexity, material thickness and hardness, the tolerances required, and expected life. Forming features, drawn sections and tight flatness after forming all add stations. As with moulding, quote against a number of strokes rather than a number of years, because that is what the toolmaker designs to.
Where the part price comes from
Material is usually the largest component, so strip layout and scrap rate matter enormously. Press time per part is small. Secondary operations, deburring, tapping, plating and inspection are frequently where the rest lives, and they are often quoted separately, so read the quote for what is not in it.
When not to stamp
Low volume, frequently changing designs, very thick material, or parts where a single feature would add three stations. Laser cutting and press braking will make the same part with no tooling at all, at a higher unit price and a much lower commitment. Many programmes rightly start there and move to a die once demand is proven.
Questions people ask about metal stamping services
How many parts justify a stamping die?
It depends on the gap between the stamped and the fabricated unit price, but the crossover usually sits in the tens of thousands for a progressive die and much lower for a simple blanking die.
Who owns the die?
Whoever paid for it, if the contract says so. Put ownership, storage, maintenance responsibility and the right to move the tool in writing before the first stroke.
How accurate is stamping?
Very repeatable once the tool is proven, with the caveat that springback and edge condition are properties of the process. Features that need a machined edge or a precise hole are often reamed or machined afterwards.
Can stamped parts be formed and cut in one tool?
Yes, that is exactly what a progressive die does: blanking, piercing, forming and cutoff happen at successive stations as the strip advances.