|
Information Page Links:
Featured Short Run Stamping
Manufacturers
About Short Run Stampings
Short Run Stamping Terms
Short Run Stamping Associations
Short Run Stamping Resources
Trade Shows
Featured Short Run Stamping Articles
More Articles
|
|
About Short Run Stampings
Short run metal stamping is the manufacturing of small
numbers of stamped metal parts. Short run quantities vary, but generally
remain less than 5,000 parts. Some stamping jobs may require quantities
as low as 50 parts or fewer. If the cost of the dies is greater than
the cost of parts produced, then the job is considered a short run. Due
to inefficient stock utilization, the cost of materials may also be a
bit higher than that of regular stampings. Labor costs per piece are
usually higher because of the longer setup time and the many different
operations involved. Although bulk part production remains the most cost-effective
option, most short run stamping manufacturers provide low cost tooling
to make stamping an economical choice for the production of small quantities
of metal parts.
In short run stampings, a combination of machines, such as CAD-CAM, CNC
machining centers and wire
EDM, is used. These machines are able to produce stampings that meet
the stringent requirements of military specifications. The short run method
should be considered for experimental, prototypes or pilot-lot production,
especially when design changes are likely to occur and for spare-parts
production after the original tooling has been discarded. Since the short
run method has shorter lead time, it is ideal for the faster delivery
of products in cases such as when the development of a seasonal article
has been started late or taken too long. Short run stampings are also
useful for low budget business when it is not convenient to invest a large
amount of money in costly permanent tooling.
The separate dies used in short run stampings cost less than a multistage
die that incorporates all the necessary operations at the same time.
Short run stampings typically allow the use of existing universal-type
dies, especially for hole-punching and right angle bending, which lowers
the overall cost of the process. However, permanent-type tooling produces
higher quality of stampings than those produced with temporary dies.
It is therefore better to have interchangeability of parts. If the quantity
of parts needed is between 10,000 and 20,000, then it is a good idea
to have both short-run and conventional tooling quoted in order to compare
the costs.
Featured
Articles
http://archive.metalformingmagazine.com/2003/11/ShortRunDies.pdf
http://www2.thefabricator.com/Articles/Stamping_Article.cfm?ID=595
Types
- (http://deepdrawn.metalstamper.net)
converts flat sheet metal into three-dimensional shapes—including
cylindrical, shell-like, cup-like, rectangular and square shapes—whose
lengths (depths) exceed the radius of the part. As the flat metal moves
over the die, the metal blank is restrained on either side of the die
opening by a blankholder; the punch then pushes the secured blank into
the die cavity, creating the desired shape.
- (http://electronic.metalstamper.net)
are metal stamped electronic components.
- (http://fourslide.metalstamper.net)
is a specialized metal stamping process that allows fourslides to produce
complex stamped parts from strips and wires with multiple bends and
twists,
as well as parts requiring bends greater than 90°. During fourslide
forming, sliding tools, regulated by cams, glide into the metal blank
from four directions at right angles to one another, bending the metal
around a vertical mandrel.
- (http://medical.metalstamper.net)
are metal stamped parts created specifically for use in the medical
industry.
- (http://progressive.metalstamper.net)
utilizes several workstations, unlike the usual single workstation,
through which the sheet metal sequentially moves to complete multiple
operations of the stamping process.
|
|
