Many people wonder about the difference between sheet metal stamping and deep stretch stamping, and there are quite a few differences between these two manufacturing techniques. Read on to learn more about the differences and basic information such as production costs and quality.
Sheet metal stamping
Sheet metal stamping processes convert heated or cold rolled steel sheets into the shape required to make your parts. This technique allows a large number of components to be manufactured simultaneously, but it can also result in about 15% of raw materials becoming waste. The equipment used in this method needs less space than other methods, so if you have limited space, this type of manufacturing may be best for your business. There are three main types of dies used in sheet metal stamping -- cutting, punching, and bending.
Cutting implies cutting a part from a sheet of metal. This is accomplished by stamping the sheet metal with a punch die, which cuts the sheet metal into the desired shape. The edge of the punch will be burred, so it needs to be filed or machined before use.
Punching is accomplished by punching a hole in a sheet of metal by placing it between two stamping dies and forcing them together.
Bending is the deformation of metal by applying the pressure of a mold. This type of stamping is commonly used to create curved parts.
advantages
Low cost
Custom Sheet Metal Fabrication is a low - cost manufacturing technology. It generally costs less than other methods, making it ideal for small businesses with limited budgets. Since this method does not involve molds or tools to produce parts or parts, many consider it is also less costly. Nevertheless, the toolless aspect of sheet metal stamping can occasionally make it more costly because you need to hire someone for the layout and design work instead of using standardized tools.
Mass production
Sheet metal stamping can produce thousands of identical parts at a time, so this type of manufacturing allows you to efficiently create a large number of products while preserving quality standards. This benefit applies primarily to parts with simple shapes that do not require extensive customization.
Easy to use
Shears, punches, and bending dies make up most of the tools used for sheet metal stamping, so this type of fabrication is comparatively simple to learn. If you have employees who are already familiar with basic machine operations, they may know how to punch sheet metal without too much trouble.
multi-function
Sheet metal stamping is a very versatile manufacturing technique capable of producing parts of various shapes and sizes. This makes it a good choice for businesses that need high volume production. In addition, this type of stamping can generate both simple and complicated parts.
disadvantages
Scrap rate
Sheet metal stamping has an inherently high rejection rate. In order to work correctly, the stamping die requires a flat, smooth surface of the metal plate. If the plate is uneven, the impact will be very poor, and the metal must be scrapped. Because this manufacturing process involves large areas of sheet metal, you may waste many tiny pieces that do not meet quality standards. Clearly, mass production raises the amount of garbage you create.
Not easy to customize
Machine parts that are straightforward and require little customization work best with sheet metal stamping. Simple shapes and curves make production easy and inexpensive. Nevertheless, you may have to pay more when utilizing this technique on custom projects or deeply complicated parts due to design fees and additional labor costs required to complete the project.
Restricted design and size options
Sheet metal stamping is the best option for making simple parts, but if you need a more complicated or intricate part, this may not be the best manufacturing choice. The stampings used in sheet metal stamping cannot easily generate tight curves or complex details, so if you have a complex part design, you may have to look for other methods.
Production is slow
Sheet metal stamping is labor intensive and generally slower than other manufacturing techniques. This can be an important drawback if you need large quantities of products that are quickly manufactured.
What is deep draw stamping?
Deep stretching is a manufacturing process that uses a mold to stretch a material into its final shape by forcing a sheet of metal into the mold. The main benefit is that it can create complex shapes quickly and efficiently. If you need metal parts with a lot of curves or complex details, this type of stamping may be an ideal choice because it can accommodate almost any design limitation, and deeply drawn parts are more durable than stamped parts because they suffer slight wear and tear during production.
advantages
Mass production
Deep drawing can produce large quantities of high quality parts quickly and efficiently. This makes it an attractive option for businesses that need to create many products in a short period of time.
Easy to use
The deep drawing process is relatively simple, making it ideal for businesses looking to save on labor costs. This type of stamping does not require the same expertise as some other methods, so your staff can learn how to operate the machine relatively easily.
Adapt to complex designs
As mentioned earlier, deep stretch stamping can easily create complex parts with no design limitations. This makes it a good option for businesses that need unique or custom metal parts without having to spend extra money on design fees.
flexibility
The advantage of deep draw stamping is the ability to use a variety of material types. This can be particularly beneficial if you are trying to reduce costs or improve product quality by switching from one metal type to another.
Generality of industry
If you need help with mechanical problems, or need more information about this manufacturing process, you can reach out to more experts to assist you in your work, as deep stretching is used in many industries.
disadvantages
Risk of high rejection rate
Deep draw stamping can result in high rejection rates if the wrong materials are used or if the metal is not adequately prepared before manufacturing begins. For deep stretching to be successful, the metal needs to be free of any scratches, bumps, or other surface irregularities. If the part contains any defects, it will need to be scrapped and replaced with a new part.
Higher costs
Due to the complexity of the deep drawing process, tooling and tooling are more expensive than tooling used for sheet metal stamping. This can make it a challenge to produce high-quality parts at a reasonable cost.
Life is poor
Deep draw stamping reduces the life of parts because they are not as durable as sheet metal stamping parts made using other manufacturing methods, such as bending forming. Deep drawing parts are prone to surface deformation and bending because they are subjected to continuous tension during deep drawing stamping. This requires careful inspection of each part after production, which adds additional labor costs to the overall manufacturing budget.
High-end factories
Deep draw stamping requires specialized equipment, so it is usually used only in factories with high-end machines. If you move from sheet metal stamping to deep stretch stamping, you may need to invest in new or upgraded equipment, which may be too costly for some businesses.
Longer production times
Deep draw stamping requires more steps and time than other manufacturing processes, such as injection molding and thermoforming. This can make it challenging to remain competitive when meeting tight deadlines or production quotas.
What is the difference between sheet metal stamping and deep drawing stamping?
The cost of
The main difference between sheet metal stamping and deep draw stamping is cost. Sheet metal stamping costs less than deep stretch stamping because it requires more tools and setup time. This also makes it an economical option for businesses that need to produce large numbers of parts quickly.
durability
Sheet metal stamping produces parts that are more durable than those made through the deep drawing process. This is because the material is not subjected to as much tension during production, reducing the possibility of surface deformation or bending.
Easy to use
In contrast to deep stretch stamping, sheet metal stamping is a simple process that does not require as much highly skilled labor to operate the machine. That makes it a good choice for businesses looking to save on labor costs.
Shape and Size
Sheet metal stamping is limited to simple designs, while deep draw stamping can produce parts of considerable complexity, detail, and/or size, provided the size fits the capacity of the machine.
The tolerance
The tolerances for deep drawing stamping are not as precise as those achieved by sheet metal stamping. This means that the dimensions of deep drawn parts are more variable, which can be a problem for businesses that need parts with strict tolerances. At the same time, the technology also has higher requirements.
Material type
Deep stretching works best on sheet metal, making it a good choice for industries that work primarily with metal. Sheet metal stamping can make parts from any material, expanding its appeal in various fields.
Should you prefer sheet metal stamping to deep draw stamping?
Whether to use sheet metal or deep stretch stamping depends on the specific needs of your business. If you need parts with high tolerances, durability, and shape that are not possible in sheet metal stamping, deep draw stamping is better. However, if you need many parts quickly and at low cost, then sheet metal stamping is the better choice.
conclusion
Sheet metal stamping and deep drawing stamping are both feasible methods for manufacturing hardware parts. Your choice should be based on the specific needs of your business. If you need high quality, durable parts with complex shapes, deep draw stamping is a better choice. If you need many features fast and low cost, then sheet metal stamping is the better choice.