There is a little difference between metal stamping and metal punching. One is to drill and cut the required shape, and the other is to bend, shape, and stretch it into different shapes. Although both involve cutting, the tools, methods, and processes used are different. Let's take a look at these two confusing metal processing methods.
Concepts between metal stamping and metal punching
Metal stamping, as the name suggests, is mainly a stamping process for metal materials. Because its metal has high strength and hardness, metal stamping requires specific equipment and technology for processing. During stamping, the metal material is pressed by the stamping die to shape it to obtain the required material and size.
In automobile manufacturing, metal materials are processed by stamping to obtain a strong and stable structure. Metal stamping can produce various metal parts, such as auto parts, equipment housings, tools, etc. All processed under metal stamping, the products produced are high precision and good quality.
Ordinary stamping is a broader concept and is closely related to our lives. For simple stamping, the stamping die is used to separate or deform the material. For metal materials, metal stamping is an important form of stamping; for stamping of non-metallic materials, such as plastics, stamping can be squeezed into a specific shape through the die, such as plastic bottle caps, plastic tableware, etc. The basic principle of stamping is to use the shape and force of the die to make the material plastically deform or separate in the die to obtain the required product.
Metal punching, in simple terms, is to use professional punching equipment to drill holes of various shapes on metal materials. This process is very similar to engraving on the metal surface. The punching equipment is equipped with high-strength punches and dies. The punch strikes the metal sheet downward at high speed, and the die limits the shape and size of the hole. Under the strong impact force, the metal sheet is instantly deformed, and the hole is perfectly made.
Comparison and application of metal stamping and metal punching process
Metal stamping
Die: stamping template, copying various complex shapes.
Press: The machine presses the die down so that the die and the metal plate are tightly combined and formed.
Shearing: The metal sheet is cut into the desired shape.
Stretching: By applying force, the metal sheet is stretched into the desired shape.
Punching: Cutting part of the metal sheet and removing the unnecessary part.
Bending: Bend the metal sheet into a specific angle.
Precision forming: High-precision parts that meet the product.
Metal punching
Aperture: The size of the hole after punching.
Penetration: The force of the die to penetrate the metal.
Die design: Design the punching die into the desired structure.
Surface quality: The flatness and smoothness of the metal surface.
Metal sheet: The metal material used for punching (aluminum, steel).
Production efficiency: The number of holes processed per unit time.
The process range of the two is actually similar. Punching is a type of stamping process, mainly used for drilling holes, etc., while stamping covers a wider range. Stamping includes the punching process. Punching is only a part of stamping, but it is also a way of processing alone.
When to use metal punching?
When metal needs to be punched or cut.
When in mass production.
Suitable when the budget is limited.
When to use metal stamping?
Complex metal parts, shearing, stretching, bending and other reasons.
Requires higher precision.
A large number of parts, especially in the automotive and aerospace fields.