Three Common Types of Automated Stamping Production Lines

With the development of technology, the automation level of stamping production lines is becoming increasingly higher. Common automated stamping production lines include tandem stamping, progressive die stamping, and transfer die stamping. This article will help you understand these three types of automated stamping production lines.

Tandem Stamping

Overview

Tandem stamping generally starts processing from sheet metal and consists of multiple presses and robotic arms. They can be categorized into independent manipulator, independent C-type manipulator, connecting rod type manipulator, or 6-axis robot.

Features

1. Large footprint: A typical tandem stamping line requires 4-5 presses, and robotic arms need to be placed between the presses, requiring a large space.

2. Wide applicability: The working space for the presses and robotic arms is relatively spacious, with fewer restrictions on the size, thickness, and shape of the workpieces, thus allowing for a variety of processing methods.

3. Higher initial investment: The multiple presses and robotic arms make the initial investment for tandem stamping production lines often higher than other production lines.

(Here is a 6-axis robot stamping line)

Progressive Die Stamping

Overview

Progressive die stamping typically starts with processing coiled material. One press is paired with one progressive die, and each die has multiple stations. Through continuous feeding, the coiled material passes sequentially through the stations of the progressive die and is stamped into shape.

Features

1. High production stroke rate: Progressive die stamping can generally reach over 30 SPM, suitable for mass production.

2. Low material utilization: To ensure stable, continuous stamping, there will be a certain distance between stamped products; this is called scrap.

3. Significant processing limitations: Due to the compact arrangement of progressive die stations, it is not suitable for processing with excessive stretching.

(Here is a progressive die stamping. After the NC straightener feeder process, the metal strip is fed into the punch press for stamping.)

Transfer Die Stamping

Overview

Transfer die stamping presses typically integrate dies with multiple independent stations, and a 3-axis robot completes the transfer of workpieces between dies.

Features

1. Multiple production modes: By combining an NC leveling feeder and a gantry-type destacking system, processing can start from either coiled or sheet material.

2. High degree of automation: The press can automatically change molds, and material sheet sensing and tapping positioning can be set before the press feeds in. In-mold sensors and gripper sensors can be installed inside the press.

3. High mold cost: The precision of a transfer die is often very high. A transfer die typically consists of multiple large, independent dies, and these dies can complete complex shapes and deep drawing processes.

(Here is a compound 3-axis transfer stamping line)

In general, if efficiency is prioritized, progressive die stamping lines or transfer die stamping lines can be selected. Transfer die stamping lines are slower than progressive die lines, but can handle more types of processing. If multiple types of parts need to be processed, or if high process requirements are needed, a tandem stamping line can be selected.