Stamping 101: Anatomy of a Mechanical Stamping Press

• What is stamping, and what does a stamping press do?
• What materials are stamped most commonly?
• What is a die or press tool, and how is it used?
• What are the main types of stamping presses?
• What are mechanical press drives, and how do they work?

Before you can examine the structure of a press, you must take a step back and look at a stamping press's function.

Stamped components are made by forming, drawing, trimming, blanking, or piercing metal—in sheet or coil form—between two halves (upper and lower) of a press tool, called a die (see "Stamping 101: Die basics," page 22). The upper member is attached to a slide, and the lower member is clamped or bolted to the bed or bolster. The die is designed to create the shape and size of a component, repeatedly, and in quantities that will meet production demands. The two halves of the die are brought together in the press. Both force (load) and accuracy are required to achieve the repeatability and tolerance demands for the final stamped and assembled part.

Stampings are manufactured from many different materials. For example, beverage cans are formed from aluminum; many automotive parts are stamped from high-strength steels; doorknobs and lock mechanisms are stamped from brass. Structural parts, such as nail plates and joist hangers, are stamped from galvanized steel.

Sizing the Die to the Stamping Press

To size a die to a press, two calculations need to be performed. The first is tonnage (force) and the second is energy consumed. Every press in the world is rated by the tonnage (force in tons) that it can apply from bottom dead center (BDC) of the press cycle to BDC of the same press cycle.

The tonnage rating of a press must not be confused with the energy generated by the flywheel of a press. Each press has a tabulated graph of energy supplied by the press manufacturer—and each one is different. This is because flywheel-generated energy is dependent on the size of the flywheel and drive ratio. This also makes a big difference in the cost of a press.

Due diligence is needed when sizing a die. Many engineers who are very experienced in die design or in production or in press procurement but who are not experienced in all fields fall into the trap of considering only one of the two calculations. This question is then asked too late in the day: "Why can we not run this part?"

Stamping Press Drives and Frames

Presses fall into four main categories—mechanical (seeimage at top of page), hydraulic, servo, and pneumatic. Each category derives its name from the drive source that generates the pressure (force) on the die to form the finished stamping. Each category can be further divided into one of two different frame designs: straight-side or C-frame. Each type of press can have single- or double-slide (ram) connections. A low-tonnage press can have a single- or double-ram connection depending on whether the accuracy required justifies the additional cost of a double-ram connection.

Straight-side presses have two sides and four to eight guideways for the slide. This reduces the deflection and enables them to handle off-center loads better.

C-frame presses are shaped like the letter C or G, and most are manually operated. Because of its open form, a C-frame press is subject to higher deflection under off-center loads than a straight-side press. The slide is guided by two V-guides or box guides.

Other types of presses, such as transfer, hydroform, hot forge, and friction screw, are built for special applications.

Mechanical Press Drive Transmissions

Mechanical presses also can be categorized by the type of drive transmission that exerts force on the die: flywheel, single-geared, double-geared, double-action, link (also called alternative slide motion [ASM]), and eccentric-geared.

All are powered by an electric motor that drives a large flywheel. The flywheel stores kinetic energy, which is released through various drive types. For each 360-degree cycle of the press, or stroke, energy in the flywheel is consumed as the part is made in the die. This causes the flywheel to slow, usually between 10 and 15 percent. The electric motor then restores this lost energy back into the flywheel on the upstroke of the press. The press is then ready for the next cycle.

If the percentage that the flywheel slows (slowdown), determined in strokes per minute (SPM), is greater than 15 percent, the electric motor will not have enough time to restore this lost energy, and the press will slow down too much. After several strokes, the press will jam on BDC. This occurs when the die tonnage or energy has been calculated incorrectly.

To stop and start the press, you use an electronic control to a clutch and brake, which in turn disengages the flywheel to the press drive. Most clutches and brakes are spring-applied and have either pneumatic or hydraulic releases. The stopping time of the clutch and brake is critical in determining both the speed that the press can be run and the safety of the operator and die.

Flywheel-drive Mechanical Press. Presses with flywheel drives (see Figure 1) are used for piercing, blanking, bending, and very shallow drawing with progressive dies. The normal press tonnage is between 30 and 600 tons. They run at high speeds—125 to 250 SPM on the low end, to speeds in excess of 1,000 SPM on the high end. Press stroke length is always kept as short as possible, as this affects press speed. The average stroke is 2 inches. If more energy is required at the lower speeds, an auxiliary flywheel can be added to the drive. However, the energy will never reach that of a geared press.

A flywheel-driven press normally is rated at full tonnage at 0.062 in. from BDC of the press cycle to BDC of the same press cycle. The flywheel, clutch, and brake are located on the eccentric or crankshaft. As a rule of thumb, full press energy is available between half of the top press speed and the top press speed. However, it is best to check with the press manufacturer for confirmation.

You need to check die calculations carefully when the material is thicker than the press-rated capacity. You must become aware of what to do with high snap-through (reverse loads) and press vibration when using ultrahigh speeds.

Flywheel presses are designed with dynamic balancing of the upper die and press slide (ram) weight using an opposing force. Without this opposing force, the press would walk around the floor at high speeds.

Single-geared Mechanical Press. This is the most popular press drive used by contract stampers in the automotive industry (see Figure 2). The tonnage ranges from 200 to 1,600, with a two-point connection to the slide. The gear ratio allows the flywheel to run fast, maintaining energy, while the press speed is much slower than a flywheel machine. Single-geared presses normally are rated at full tonnage between 0.250 and 0.500 in. from BDC to BDC. The correct rating to choose for your application depends on the die's energy requirement. This rating will make a difference in press price and drive size.

A single-geared press is used for progressive stamping with dies having shallow draw or forms with piercing and blanking. This type of press drive transmission can be run at continuous speeds down to 28 SPM. A typical press speed range is 40 to 80 SPM with a 12-in. stroke. Remember the rule of thumb regarding energy—full press energy is available between half of the top press speed and the top press speed.

Always look for a press with a twin-end drive that has opposing helical gears with an eccentric shaft. This will improve accuracy, reduce deflection, and increase longevity.