Stamping dies are the core equipment in stamping processes. They are specialized dies that apply external force to metal or non-metal sheets, strips, tubes, etc., using the pressure of a press, causing plastic deformation or separation to obtain stamped parts with specific shapes, dimensions, and properties. They are high-precision, high-efficiency specialized tools widely used in manufacturing industries such as automotive, home appliances, electronics, and aerospace.
I. Core Working Principle of Stamping Dies
Stamping dies typically consist of an upper die and a lower die, mounted on the slide and worktable of a press.
The blank is fed into the working area between the upper and lower dies; The press drives the upper die downwards, closing it with the lower die; The core components of the die, such as the punch and die, apply pressure to the blank, causing separation (e.g., blanking, punching) or plastic deformation (e.g., bending, stretching, flanging); The press drives the upper die back up, removing the formed stamped part or scrap, completing one stamping cycle.
II. Main Classifications of Stamping Dies
1. Classification by Stamping Process Type
Blanking Dies: Separate the blank along a closed contour; divided into blanking dies and punching dies. Used for blanking steel plates, punching parts, and making gaskets.
Bending Dies: Bend the blank into a specific angle or shape. Used for bending parts, U-shaped parts, and angle steel forming.
Drawing Dies: Stretch flat blanks into open hollow parts. Used for automotive fuel tanks, stainless steel water cups, and electrical appliance housings.
Forming Dies: Cause localized plastic deformation of the blank to obtain a specific shape. Used for pattern pressing, flanging, bulging, and necking.
Compound Dies: Complete two or more processes in one stamping stroke. Simultaneously complete blanking + punching, bending + drawing.
Progressive Dies (Continuous Dies): The blank is fed sequentially along the die, continuously completing multiple processes at multiple stations. Used for the efficient production of large batches of small parts (such as terminals and springs).
2. Classification by guiding method:
Guideless Die: Simple structure, low cost, but poor precision; suitable for low-precision, small-batch production.
Guide Plate Die:Relies on guide plates for guidance; moderate precision; suitable for small to medium-sized stamped parts.
Guide Pillar Die: Guided by guide pillars and guide sleeves; high precision, long lifespan; currently the most widely used type; suitable for high-precision, high-volume production.
III. Core Components of Stamping Dies A complete stamping die set comprises multiple functional components, mainly categorized as follows:
Working Components:** These directly contact the workpiece and perform forming, such as the punch (male die, the protruding part that deforms or separates the workpiece) and the die (female die, the recessed part that cooperates with the punch to complete the forming);
Positioning Components:** These ensure the accurate position of the workpiece or workpiece within the die, such as stop pins, guide plates, and positioning pins;
Guiding Components:** These ensure precise alignment of the upper and lower dies, such as guide pillars, guide sleeves, and guide plates;
Unloading and Ejection Components:** These remove the workpiece or scrap from the die after stamping, such as stripper plates, ejector pins, and springs;
Fixing Components:** These fix and install the various components of the die onto the press, such as the upper die holder, lower die holder, fixing plate, and pressure plate.