Precision Metal Stamping
Where Microscopic Accuracy Meets Volume Production
Vanmodel | Your Trusted Partner in Precision Metal Industries
Vanmodel specializes in high-volume precision metal stamping (50K-100K+ annual runs) for miniature components down to 0.002” thickness. Learn more about precision stamping for achieving tight tolerances and minimal part variation from vanmodel-sheetmetal.com.
Medical device components
At Vanmodel, we stamp a range of metal coil material in thicknesses from 0.002” to 0.080”, including pre-plated materials if required. Metals include, but are not limited to, aluminum, stainless steel, nickel-plated steel, pre-galvanized steel, high- and low-carbon cold rolled steel, brass, phosphor bronze, and copper.
Tight Tolerance Manufacturing: The Realm of Microscopic Accuracy
Tolerances are the degree to which a part feature can measure larger or smaller (in terms of length or angle) than specified by the part print. Tolerances have a cumulative effect and even a single out-of-tolerance feature can cause others, or the whole part, to become out of tolerance. This results in wasted time, material, and money.
VanModel brings years of experience to CAD modeling, tool and die building, and progressive stamping to achieve tight tolerances without compromising part manufacturability or design intent.
Precision Miniature Stamping Basics
Miniature stampings are commonly made from thin, narrow metal strips that are fed into a specialized press from a coil. They may also be made from a thin piece of metal called a blank. Coiled material is usually used for multi-operation progressive stamping, where blanks are generally used for single-operations or multiple operations that are carried out at different presses.
Common stamping operations include bending, coining, flanging, shearing, piercing, and notching.
Techniques for Stamping Micro Metal Components
Depending on the application, there are several types of stamping that can be used to create these tiny parts.
Progressive Stamping
This is a highly efficient stamping process in which a metal strip is advanced through a press and repeatedly struck by upper and lower dies. With each stroke of the press, the strip advances and each part is created step by step in rapid succession. Dies also align the strip as it travels, making it possible to achieve very tight tolerances, often to within hundredths to thousandths of an inch.
The finished parts are automatically knocked out from the carrier web strip and exit the press into a collection bin.
Deep Drawing
Drawing is the process of pulling material into a cavity in the die to create depressions, hollow shapes, and recessed features. Drawing operations can be made to different depths and are referred to deep or limited-depth drawing depending on specifications.
Fine Blanking
Blanking is performed on thin pieces of metal and is often used to produce components with smooth edges and superior flatness. VanModel can accommodate fine blanking operations with material up to 6 in. by 6 in.
Piercing and Cutting
These are two common stamping operations that can be performed as part of a series of steps in progressive stamping or separately on individual parts. They are used to puncture holes, cutouts, or sheared edges.
Contact us to learn more about our capabilities, or request a quote to get started on your next project.
