Metal Stamping Glossary

Within nearly every manufacturing process, industry engineers and designers speak a certain diction to easily communicate a project.

Understanding each other is critical for an efficient production metal stamping environment — for both customers and engineers. To eliminate confusion, we’ve compiled a list of common metal stamping terms you might find helpful.

metal-stamped-partsAnneal — Apply heat above the critical temperature to soften or relieve strain of a material, followed by cooling at a slow rate to avoid hardening.

Assembly — Integrating multiple capabilities to create an efficient production line. An assembly can include stampings, fasteners, plastic components, etc.

Auxiliary Operations — Any operation outside of the main stamping process, such as, drilling, welding, punching, etc.

Blank — The workpiece following blanking, or die cutting a part’s outer shape. Also sheet metal stock from which a part is created.

Burr — Sharp, raised edge frequently a result from cutting, such as blanking, punching or shearing.

Capacity (of a press) — The tons pressure at which a press’ slide safely applies at the bottom of a stroke.

CNC Turning and Machining — For a wide range of applications, turning and milling equipment can add complex features to your stamping.

Coining — In a cold, closed die, the squeezing operation in which metal is forced to fill a die shape.  Often used to flatten burrs in critical areas.

Fabrication — For low to medium volumes, a soft tool method using CNC punching and forming for consistency in part quality and quick production.

Fourslide Stamping — A fourslide stamping machine aligns horizontally rather than vertically, and utilizes four different tools to achieve multiple bends simultaneously.

Metal Finishing — Produce various textures on a workpiece using automated or manual equipment to grind, deburr and sandblast.

Plating — Adding a thin coat of metal to a part for asthetics and corrosion protection.

Prototype — A model of a potential product to be produced in a larger quantity. This model is tested and evaluated for performance prior to manufacture.

progressive-die-stampingProgressive Stamping — Involves using a number of stations at one press. As strip metal is fed through the press, each station in the tool performs a different cut, punch or bend in succession, resulting in a completed part.

Roll Feed — Two moving rolls, mounted vertically, feed strip or sheet stock to the press or other machine.

Slug — When scrap results from a piercing mechanism, it is called slug.

Stripping — Removing or disengaging tooling from the workpiece within a process.

Tolerance — The variation of a given characteristic allowed for a product. Cross-sectional, dimensional, angular, length and straightness are all common tolerances within metal stamping.

Tooling — Equipment designed to accompany or perform processes, such as CNC forming, inspection, welding and more .

Trimming — The cutting or shearing of an irregular edge on an already formed, forged or drawn part.

Welding — Join two workpieces together using mig, tig, projection and spot welding processes.

If you’re still wondering about metal stamping terminology, our team would be happy to clarify any questions or concerns.

Contact one of our ESI team members today for more information.





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