Manufactures classify automotive die stamping presses by the type of drive mechanism. The machines perform specific operations to form the metal. The top members of an automotive die attach to the side of a press, while the lower members are bolted or clamped to the press’ bed or bolster. When the upper and lower parts of the die come together in the press, they create the size and shape of the respective component.

Automotive Die Stampings: Common Operations

• Bend: Curving the material along a straight line to form an angle
• Blank: A piece cut out of metal for further processing
• Coin: Pressing a pattern into the material
• Curl: Giving material a tubular shape
• Draw: Stretching the material into a different shape
• Emboss: Stretching the materials into shallow depressions, usually to make decorative patterns
• Flange: Bending the material along a cured line
• Hem: Folding the edge of material onto itself for added thickness
• Iron: Squeezing the material to make it thinner along its vertical walls
• Reduce, or neck: Gradually reducing the open end of a tube’s diameter
• Stretch: Increasing a blank’s surface area using tension

Automotive Die Stamping Drive Mechanisms

• Mechanical presses: In this type of press, motors drive flywheels store the energy needed to produce a ramming motion. During each down-stroke, the flywheels slow because of their energy expenditure. Before the next stroke, the motor restores their energy. Mechanical presses are generally faster than hydraulic presses, but the strokes—the press’ vertical motion—are slower. This type of press is ideal for stamping low-depth or flat materials.
• Hydraulic presses: The presses use hydraulic fluid in cylinders. The pressure within the cylinders rams the presses together according to the force needed. Force control throughout a stroke is essential to ensuring the proper formation of the material. This type of press is good when you need to shape or stretch material.
• Servo-driven presses: This type of press is similar to a mechanical press, but uses servo drives for power, thus eliminating flywheels. Servo drives provide more control over a strokes’ velocity and length, which is particularly beneficial for forming material.

Sinotech offers custom high-quality automotive die stampings at competitive rates. Contact us to learn more about our process and to determine what type of press is best for your application.