Serial production of parts used in the assembly of technical products and devices provides for the impact of extreme temperatures and pressing. Based on these requirements, optimal technologies for ensuring mechanical processing are selected . For example, in the production of volumetric and flat thin-walled elements, the use of sheet stamping is widespread. This method allows you to cope with the release of a large number of parts in a single shift with a minimum load on resources. In addition, the operation of sheet stamping is also beneficial in the quality of the final result. The fact is that mass production of technical elements using metal at high frequencies is rarely characterized by obtaining high-quality products at the output. In this case, special manufacturing conditions also ensure that the material is endowed with properties that are optimal for future use.
General information about the stamping process
To obtain thin-walled axisymmetric parts, modern methods of shaping are used. In particular, such methods make it possible to work with articles of a tapering and truncated shape. Most often, these methods involve the use of plastic deformation tools for thin-walled blanks in special environments. For example, sheet metal stamping may be performed under all-round air tension. That is, in addition to the means of mechanical action, technologists also provide physicochemical processes that are beneficial from the point of view of molding to influence the source material.
With regard to stamping itself, this process allows you to work with metals, providing various forms of output in accordance with the objectives of the project. Stamping itself is just a variation of the general technology of plastic deformation. Unlike equipment for volumetric processing, this technique involves working with thin-walled workpieces, which also determines less high labor costs in the process of providing mechanical effort. However, the features of the method do not end there.
Features of sheet stamping
Since the technical means due to which this type of stamping process is ensured involve working with thin sheets of blanks, the main emphasis is on molding operations. That is, the operators perform work on the bending, twisting and clamping of the material, allowing the product to form the desired shape at the output. Equipment for volumetric stamping will not cope with such actions - or, at least, will perform such work less efficiently. There is another feature that sheet stamping has in the traditional sense. Again, if bulk processing focuses on force, then in this case it is not the main thing. This also explains the variety of materials that the sheet stamping method works with. So, in addition to metal, manufacturers also process cardboard, hard rubber, plastics, leather, rubber, fiber and blanks from other raw materials.
Cold Stamping Technology
Almost all alternative stamping methods are divided into cold and hot techniques. In the case of sheet stamping, cold processing is generally understood. As a workpiece, metal is used in the form of a tape or strip, which can initially be rolled up. Further, through special supply equipment or without it, the material enters the work site where the main technological processes are performed. When it comes to metal, the workpiece can undergo significant plastic deformation. That is, it is desirable that the source material itself has sufficient plasticity properties. At the exit, cold stamping of sheet metal allows the formation of spatial and flat parts of high quality. Finished products of this kind are used in many industries, including instrumentation and electrical engineering.
Sheet Stamping Operations
Despite the high efficiency of molding operations, the basis of the working process at most enterprises is mechanical processing by cutting, punching and cutting. In particular, it is common to separate part of a workpiece in a curve or straight line. Cutting is carried out by various types of scissors. This technique allows for the cutting of metal layers with obtaining strips of the desired size. By the way, if volumetric processing makes it possible to work with hard and thick metals, then sheet stamping in terms of mechanical cutting is highly accurate. In practice, this means obtaining products with parameters optimally suitable for use in further assembly. The same applies to cutting and punching operations.
Molding process mechanism
The method of manufacturing axisymmetric elements often involves deformation by sectional expandable punches. In this case, the formed parts after the stamping process around the circumference may have a cut that is unacceptable from the point of view of further use of the product. That is, when performing operations on bending, twisting and compression, the task is also to maximize the exclusion of additional refinement. In other words, a part ready for final use should be produced in one production and molding cycle. Achieve high quality in the formation of parts helps stamps for sheet stamping, the parameters of which correspond to the requirements of the design solution. Technically, the workflow is performed using a matrix, an active punch, sliding sectors and auxiliary equipment, through which the workpiece is impacted.
Applied Equipment
Most often, small production facilities are used, which are multifunctional sheet metal processing lines. But even an ordinary private master can organize in a small room a similar line of individual components. For the working process, the mentioned stamp made of tool steel will be required. It is important to use tooling made of high-strength steels, otherwise it will not last long. The basis for the operating function will be the press, which will provide the basic operations of cutting, cutting and molding. Sometimes, in order to reduce the cost of the technical organization of production, some components of the production line are replaced by improvised devices. For example, the sheet stamping process can also be carried out using a container with water, which will replace the base niche of the punch.
Product Characteristics
The method allows the formation of high quality products, which is expressed in exact dimensions and smooth geometric lines. Experts note that only this technology forms flat metal parts, the thickness of which remains virtually unchanged compared to workpieces. Products that sheet stamping produces are characterized by magnetic and electrical conductivity. This means that parts can be used in the electrical industry, performing the functions of current conductors. Depending on the source material, manufacturers can endow end parts with high strength, optimal viscosity and heat resistance.
Method Advantages
In addition to the advantageous technical and operational qualities of the products produced by this technique, it is advisable to use this approach to the processing of materials for economic reasons. The fact is that the wide variety of materials that can undergo such processing determines the universality of the method. Although there are obvious limitations on the use of solid and bulk billets, the spectrum of the same metal is quite wide. At the same time, stamping of sheet metal parts refers to traditional machining tools that do not require high investments. It will not be difficult to organize a powerful and productive stamp if you have basic skills in the metalworking industry.
Conclusion
When evaluating the effectiveness of a particular metal processing method, the performance indicators of the resulting products are less and less coming to the fore. This is due to the fact that plasma, waterjet and laser machines have virtually eliminated all the barriers to achieving high precision cutting. And it is clear that in terms of the quality of their products, they are noticeably inferior to a conventional metalworking machine. Nevertheless, sheet stamping of parts significantly minimizes this gap, while preserving the advantages of traditional equipment. In many cases, these advantages are of great importance for enterprises, since they are expressed both in lowering financial costs for processing and in simplifying the process of organizing production. It is enough to note that stamping, unlike abrasive cutting, does not need to supply consumables in the form of sand and water.