Precision Die Manufacturing

Stamping dies are tools that pierce, bend, punch, and form parts from sheets or strips of metal. The equipment that performs these stamping operations are the die set and tooling, and they are critical to achieving correct features, dimensions, and tolerances in finished pieces.

Dies must be designed and manufactured carefully so they remain accurate and functional for the duration of production stamping. Dramco has expertise in progressive and transfer die making, along with press brake tooling, blanking, and forging dies. Learn more about precision dies and our capabilities.

What are Precision Dies?

Dramco designs and builds precision dies for progressive and transfer stamping, both of which are used to perform operations including piercing, punching, coining, bending, drawing, and others to form part features. Progressive dies include multiple operations in a single die, and a strip travels through the press, stopping for each successive operation. Transfer dies perform single operations, with the workpiece transferred to different dies for additional operations.

These methods differ in how the workpiece is managed, but both die types have similar components, including:

• Die Plates. Upper and lower plates hold all of the tooling and come together with the stroke of the press. All other tooling is mounted to them.
• Tooling. These create part features by cutting, bending, punching, or piercing the material.
• Stripper Plates. These keep the material in place when the press opens and tools are removed from the workpiece.
• Pilot Punches. These tools align the workpiece inside the press for precision.
• Guide Pins and Bushings. These mount opposite each other on the upper and lower parts of the die to help them move together and apart smoothly.
• Springs. Coiled metal or nitrogen gas die springs hold workpieces in place and help the die plates return to their open position.
• Fixtures and Positioners. These are the blocking, mechanical stops, pads, and cams that limit and control the movement of the workpiece, holding it securely in place during stamping.

Advanced technologies can be incorporated into the die making process and dies themselves. This makes stamping faster, holds tight tolerances longer, and keeps maintenance on schedule. Examples include:

• Modeling and Simulation. This includes computer-aided design (CAD) software for modeling and manipulating tooling and stampings in a digital environment, even before prototyping, to save on expensive materials.
• Automation. This includes equipment for loading material, unloading and transferring workpieces, collecting finished stampings, etc.
• In-die Sensors. These closely monitor stamping to enable quick adjustments, such as misalignment alerts, out-of-tolerance parts, and signs of tool wear.
• Quality Control. This includes machine vision inspection, digital process control, sensors, and coordinate measuring machine (CMM) integrations.

Our Process at Dramco

Dramco is a trusted manufacturing partner with over four decades of experience in providing high-quality, custom dies for a range of parts and industries. We provide these types of dies:

• Progressive and transfer dies.
• Dies compatible with robotics and automation.
• Hand-fed dies for specialized applications.
• Blanking and form dies.
• Forge dies.
• Press brake tooling.

Our manufacturing capabilities and equipment include:

• Computer-aided design with AutoCAD, Inventor, Solidworks, and Top Solid.
• Prototyping and part development for optimal manufacturability.
• Wire EDM, Graphite EDM electrodes, and Sinker EDM material removal.
• 5-Axis CNC turning, vertical and horizontal milling.
• Water jet cutting.
• Punch press and press brake fabrication.
• Heat treating.
• Die sharpening and maintenance services.
• Die try-out services (e.g., 400-ton press with 56 in. x 84 in. bed, and a 110-ton press with a 29 in. x 52 in. bed.

Our manufacturing process includes taking the time to understand your requirements and design intent. This includes making dies that hold tight tolerances throughout production to ensure parts fit and function properly in assemblies and products. We design and build dies to produce parts with minimal variation, even as tools wear over time.

Benefits of Metal Stamping with Precision Dies

Stamping is efficient for making components from flat sheets or strips of metal of varying thicknesses. Because the metal material can be punched, bent, and shaped in so many ways, stamping may be more superior for certain parts instead of material removal methods, like machining. Stamping can also be used in conjunction with machining, turning, or laser cutting to create part features and profiles.

Some of the biggest advantages of stamping include:

• Efficient production
• Tight tolerances and high repeatability
• Optimized use of materials and lower scrap rates
• Reduced manual fabrication and material handling
• Enhanced mechanical properties for some parts, like hardness, surface finish, and rigidity

Industries Served

Dramco serves many industries that rely on stamped parts and components for products, including:

Get a Custom Quote from Dramco

Whether your goal is bringing a new product to market, adding production capacity, or improving stamped part quality with a new die, Dramco can help.

Contact us to learn more about our capabilities or to request a quote.