Modern stamping press machines are undoubtedly an integral part of production processes the world over, with the parts produced by the process being utilised in virtually all industries. From tiny metal tools to large vehicle manufacturing, there’s barely a business anywhere that has not benefitted from stamp press machines in some form.
The stamping press as we know it today was not always this way, though. Improvements in technology, efficiency and accuracy have all helped the modern stamping press become an essential component in global manufacturing.
But what are metal stamping presses? Why are they so important and how have they changed over the decades to become the beloved tool we know them to be today? Let’s take a closer look.
What is a stamping press machine?
Stamping press machines are used to shape materials – most often coils or sheet metal (also known as ‘blanks’) – into specific shapes, so they can be used in a wide array of applications or further cut to meet the needs of the project.
The materials are warped using high pressure to essentially fold them around a specifically shaped upper die, after being placed at the dead center of the machine. The shape of the dies determines the shape of the final product.
How old stamping presses were operated
Like presses of all kinds, it used to be the case that 100% of the work involved was performed manually using mechanical press techniques. None of which benefitted from the sheet metal and coil handling equipment that is used today. This included the insertion of the materials into the press as accurately as possible, to produce the desired results, as well as replacing each piece of material every time a new press was required.
Without the use of a hydraulic press or hydraulic cylinders, the force needed to stamp the materials in question was also produced by physical workers, who would utilise cogs and weight systems in mechanical presses to press the materials into the dies. These dies are often made from very high-strength steels, so they do not fold under the extreme pressure and full tonnage of the machinery.
Given it was a very laborious job, involving a lot of physical force and heavy or potentially sharp materials, accidents were commonplace, with some workers suffering irreparable damage during the stamping process. However, modern stamping presses are equipped with much-needed safety mechanisms and more automated jobs to help keep workers safe.
Modern stamping presses
Modern stamping presses, when compared to previous iterations, benefit hugely from advancements in technology – both to the benefit of the worker and the production process as a whole.
High-speed stamping presses and similar hydraulic presses can perform approximately 1400 stamping strokes per minute, making them incredibly efficient at stamping many separate pieces of material into the correct formations. Plus, thanks to Computer Numerical Control (CNC) technology, much of the stamping process is completely automated, meaning these machines can remove completed pieces and insert new ones from a blank holder in rapid time with incredibly high precision.
Not only does this make the process super-quick, but it also removes the human factor, eliminating the chance of human error in the placement of the material, leading to better quality work, greater profits and lower excess material figures for businesses taking advantage of such technology.
Your stamping press needs are covered with Cambridge Dynamics
If you need expertly stamped materials for your business, or you are exploring onboarding industrial stamp presses to improve operations, speak to the team at Cambridge Dynamics.
As an industry leader with decades of experience in all things presses (including punch presses, stamp presses, CNC technology and more) and an extensive range of stamping services, we are your ideal partners to bring your vision to life and to help your business expand through its use of press processes.
For a free, no-obligation chat, reach out to the Cambridge Dynamics team today.