Progressive Die Stamping vs. Other Common Metal Stamping Methods

Click to ExpandProgressive Die Stamping vs. Other Common Metal Stamping Methods

Progressive die stamping, compound die stamping, and transfer die stamping are the three most common metal stamping methods. With varying tolerance requirements, design elements, and production sizes required by each application, it is often the case that one of these metal stamping processes offers a superior solution for a particular project.

At Ohio Valley Manufacturing, our team has extensive experience in metal stamping, and we can guide you to the best stamping process to best fit your needs. Let’s take a closer look at when to use progressive stamping, compound stamping, or transfer stamping. 

Progressive Die Stamping

Click to ExpandHow Does Progressive Die Stamping Compare to the Competition?

Progressive die stamping is ideal for long production runs because of its ability to achieve high repeatability. This metal stamping process uses one machine with multiple die stations. A metal strip of stock material automatically moves through each station where a stamping operation is applied. The last step cuts the completed part free from the strip. 

Progressive stamping has a lower setup time. Setting up the metal strip requires careful attention to ensure the accuracy of the finished products. Progressive die stamping automatically and continuously feeds material into the machine, allowing for longer production runs, as well as the production of more parts in less time. Therefore, progressive die stamping is ideal for the fast and affordable production of complex components with high part-to-part repeatability.

Benefits of Progressive Die Stamping

  •   Faster production time
  •   Low setup time
  •   Lower labor costs
  •   Minimal scrap 

Compound Die Stamping

Compound die stamping is ideal for medium- and high-volume production of flat parts. The compound stamping process feeds a metal strip through a compound die that performs all cutting, bending, and punching operations in a single stroke. The one-stroke process is good for flat metal parts, like wheel blanks and 1st operation blanks for any application. The production time of this stamping process varies, as it is dependent on the size of the component being produced. Smaller and less complicated parts will finish more quickly than larger parts and parts with more complex design elements. 

Benefits of Compound Die Stamping

  •   Cost-effective
  •   Ensures high repeatability in single-die cases
  •   Quick and accurate production of simple parts

Transfer Die Stamping

Unlike progressive die stamping, the first step of transfer die stamping is to separate the workpiece from the metal strip. Transfer die stamping is typically used for large parts that can’t easily move through die stamping stations. The workpiece is transferred automatically between multiple stations, with automation effectively handling the required alignment between processes.

Transfer stamping is best when working with complex design elements. This metal stamping process requires precise execution and high die durability for successful completion. 

Benefits of Transfer Die Stamping

  •   More versatility
  •   Well-suited for producing complex parts
  •   Cost-effective
  •   Good for large parts

Ohio Valley Manufacturing: Your Stamping Professionals

Ohio Valley Manufacturing has extensive experience in stamping thin, standard, and heavy-gauge metal parts. We specialize in progressive and compound die stamping. We can handle production sizes ranging from prototypes to high-volume runs. We work closely with a variety of major OEMs and Tier 1 suppliers, and we’ve earned a reputation as one of the top Tier 2 metal stamping suppliers in the United States. 

 

To see how our metal stamping services can benefit your project, please contact us today.