The past year has presented several manufacturing challenges, from supply chain issues to labor shortages. At Manor Tool & Manufacturing company, we continue to provide a range of metal stamping services throughout these unpredictable times. From deep draw stamping, custom tooling, and fabrication to machining, design aid, and more, we can provide the services you need despite recent industry challenges and metal stamping trends.
What’s Going on With the Supply Chain?
Although the economy is beginning to heal from the COVID-19 pandemic, it has caused one major issue: disruption to the global supply chain. Worldwide lockdowns resulted in a decrease in demand; however, now that these lockdowns have lifted, demand for metal stamped components has increased tremendously. Because of the damage caused to the supply chain, manufacturers and distributors may face supply and production challenges.
Unfortunately, the supply chain may get worse before it gets better. With supply chain bottlenecks and widespread labor shortages, certain products and services may not be able to circulate normally until the summer of 2022.
The manufacturing industry has taken perhaps one of the biggest production and financial hits of all due to lagging shipments of parts and a dependence on international companies for different components. Supply chain issues have also led to higher prices and supply shortages within the metal market. Although metal prices are expected to recede in the near future, metal supply constraints may linger into 2022, posing challenges for metal stamping providers.
The Labor Shortage in Manufacturing
The manufacturing industry has experienced challenges with getting back up to speed. Although manufacturing activity has seen a recent increase in pace, labor shortages linger, inhibiting further capital and commercial growth.
Although the supply of experienced engineers is sufficient for manufacturing, manufacturing companies are short on labor and those who can work on the floor of facilities. Employers are having a hard time finding workers with the necessary skills, making it difficult to fill the many positions left open from the pandemic.
Despite this grim reality, manufacturers have managed to stay afloat, although it hasn’t been easy. This begs the question of whether a solution for the labor gap is in sight for the near future.
Can We Bridge the Labor Gap in Manufacturing?
With an abundance of open manufacturing positions, an essential question remains: Where can companies find employees to fill the gap?
One possible to solution is for manufacturing companies to partner with local schools and youth programs to scan potential talent. The younger generations are highly impressionable individuals whose interests in production and manufacturing may be peaked at an early stage.
Companies looking to ease their labor issues may be able to find consistent pipelines of talent in their local communities. From kids with engineering skills to youth program participants looking for hands-on employment opportunities, this grassroots effort may be a viable solution to the persisting labor challenge.
There are other small efforts manufacturing companies can make to potentially incentivize employment. Some of these steps may include keeping up with federal regulations, introducing technology, evaluating training, increasing workforce diversity, and providing optimal job benefits to employees.
The Future of Manufacturing
There is no doubt that various industries have suffered the impacts of COVID-19. Whether it’s permanent closure, financial uncertainties, or the need for adaptability, businesses have had to analyze the issue at hand and get creative with ways to offset the consequences.
Manor Tool & Manufacturing Company has pushed through the hard times to offer high-quality metal stamping services despite labor and supply chain challenges. To learn more about our services and metal stamping capabilities, browse our eBooks & Resource Library and sign up for our newsletter for consistent updates. For more information about how we mitigate supply chain issues to keep up with demand, contact us today.
Since Iron Man first appeared in Marvel Comics in 1963, comic book fans and engineers alike have wondered at the feasibility of an exoskeleton that could enhance human strength and abilities. Iron Man’s popularity has soared since the character was introduced into the Marvel Cinematic Universe in 2008, and many fans have constructed their own Iron Man costumes with varying degrees of functionality. But what about the real thing?
The military has a long history of experimenting with fiction-inspired technologies, and the Iron Man suit didn’t escape their notice. The Pentagon’s Tactical Assault Light Operator Suit (TALOS) program was casually referred to in defense circles as the “Iron Man Suit” until the TALOS initiative shut down in 2019. The commercial sector has also pursued the development of powered mechanical suits, tracing back to General Electric’s failed Hardiman Suit program in the late 1960s.
As technologies like robotics, artificial intelligence, and wearable solutions continue to advance, efforts to build a real-life Iron Man suit will undoubtedly begin to show more promise. As they do, metal stamping will undoubtedly play a critical role in producing electronics and structural components used in Iron Man suits.
A Real-Life Iron Man Suit
A real-life Iron Man suit will require significant advances in the area of powered exoskeletons. A powered exoskeleton can be defined as a wearable machine that uses various electric motors, actuators, hydraulics, pneumatics, or other technologies to enhance the operator’s strength and endurance. Technologies have already emerged that establish a foundation for a future functional Iron Man suit:
Rex Bionics created a powered exoskeleton to help patients with neurological disorders and spinal cord injuries with rehabilitation exercises.
ReWalk robotics developed a wearable robotic exoskeleton that restores hip and knee mobility for people with spinal cord injuries.
Ekso Bionics has released a series of industrial exoskeleton products to help reduce injuries and improve lifting and material handling capabilities in manufacturing, construction, and other industrial settings.
Spoiler alert if you haven’t seen 2016’s Captain America: Civil War, but it’s worth noting that these suits don’t look so different from a fictional powered exoskeleton built by Tony Stark for his best friend, Colonel James Rhodes. After Rhodes incurred an injury that paralyzed him from the waist down, Tony Stark designed an exoskeleton that allowed him to walk again.
Materials for an Iron Man Suit
In the Iron Man movie, the original suit is built from old missile parts, which would contain the iron alloys that gave the suit its name. The second iteration of the suit used a chromed titanium-steel alloy that couldn’t handle atmospheric flight and caused the suit to nearly crash. Stark’s Mark III suit employs a titanium-gold alloy for its armor components.
Building a working Iron Man suit here in the real world will require the use of strong and lightweight materials—some which may not even exist yet. It’s worth noting, however, that Marvel may not have been too far off base with titanium-gold alloy. Research at Rice University created a titanium-gold alloy for use in artificial joints that is four times harder than steel.
Essentially, a real-world Iron Man suit will require a mix of materials that offer strength, durability, performance, and low weight. Other viable material options for some suit components may include aluminum alloys, fiberglass, carbon fiber, or carbon nanotube.
How Metal Stamping Could Contribute to Manufacturing Iron Man Suits
Medieval suits of armor were crafted by skilled blacksmiths using forging and forming techniques that would evolve into modern metal fabrication methods. While ancient metal fabricators relied on manual forging, cutting, and bending to create armor pieces, modern powered exoskeleton armor could leverage advanced metal stamping to achieve many of the same goals.
Metal stamping encompasses a variety of processes used to turn flat sheet metal into intricate design shapes. A metal stamping press offers a variety of capabilities, including bending, blanking, coining, deep drawing, punching, piercing, and much more. Many demanding industries already rely on metal stamping to create an expansive range of high-performance parts and components, including:
Aerospace
Aerospace manufacturers prefer metal stamping for its ability to create reliable parts and components from difficult high-performance sheet metals like titanium, aluminum alloys, and galvanized steel.
Automotive
Automotive OEMs turn to metal stampers to create structural components, chassis elements, and mechanical parts used in vehicles.
Electronics
Metal stamping produces critical electronics components used in robotics, Internet of Things solutions, smart technology, wearable technology, and virtual/augmented reality solutions.
Military and Defense
Metal stamping has long provided essential components for military and defense equipment, including brackets, bushings, clips, connectors, housings, EMI shielding, and much more.Given the demonstrated capabilities of this technology, it stands to reason that metal stamping will have a critical role to play in the production of powered exoskeletons at some point in the near future.
Waiting for the Avengers to Assemble at Manor Tool
While metal stamping sees broad use across numerous industries, it seems that Stark Industries may not have an urgent need to incorporate the process into manufacturing its Iron Man suits. However, the metal stamping sector stands ready to answer the call and fabricate essential parts and components to be used within the suits when the time comes.
In the meantime, Manor Tool provides advanced metal stamping and deep drawing capabilities for numerous industries. For more information, please view our portfolio of services, or feel free to contact us or request a quote today.
Since our founding in 1959, Manor Tool & Manufacturing has grown to become a leader in metal stamping. From prototyping to high-volume runs, we specialize in punching, bending, forming, and deep drawn stamping.
Over the last several years, and especially in the wake of COVID-19, many manufacturing companies have been reshoring their operations, bringing more careers in manufacturing back home to U.S. workers.
Begin Your Career in Manufacturing & Machining
Metal stamping is a fast, affordable process for creating complex metal components (and replicating those results precisely for hundreds or millions of units) for applications in a variety of industries. There are several techniques that can be used to achieve a desired result.
Metal stamping requires the use of tools and dies to form the metal—and that requires a tool and die maker. Lee Simeone, the founder of Manor Tool, was a tool and die maker prior to founding Manor Tool. It’s an important role that requires a highly trained individual to do the following tasks:
Use CAD and CAM technology
Check all measurements and tolerances
Operate manual and CNC tools
Inspect tools for defects and test them to ensure they perform correctly
Adjust parts to ensure they fit correctly
Becoming a tool and die maker generally starts with on-the-job training or an apprenticeship. It can be helpful to take courses in math and metal working, and there are vocational and community colleges that offer two-year degrees in machining or tool and die making. If you take on-the-job training, the process will likely include a full work week, where you start with simpler projects and progress to more advanced assignments. This is often accompanied by specific technical training in the evening or on the weekends. After a year or more of that type of paid training, your career is launched, and you’ll enjoy your full machinist salary.
Typically, the salary of a tool and die maker can average between $29 – 33.50/hour. For those who choose a more scaled-down role as a metal stamper, ZipRecruiter reports an average salary of $27,000. It’s important to note that experience, schooling, and training, as well as the employer you work for, may influence your salary.
“Stamp” Your Place at Manor Tool!
Careers in manufacturing are a great way to have a positive impact on the economy and within your community. It’s an exciting line of work that uses the latest technology and materials, and every day you’re face-to-face with the results of your hard work: tangible products that are essential to critical industries like medical and defense. You can hone your skills and follow a clear career path to success. You’ll have plenty of opportunities to grow as a professional as the industry changes, new technology comes available, and the company pivots to meet consumer demand.
Despite a difficult past, manufacturing jobs are safer than ever, thanks to automation, advances in technology, and growing awareness and commitment to employee safety throughout the industry. Employees receive the training and equipment they need to protect themselves and their fellow workers, and safety protocols are strictly followed in our facility.
Now is the time to pursue a manufacturing career, and Manor Tool is hiring! Take a look at our current openings, and check back regularly for updates and new positions. If you’re passionate about the future of U.S. manufacturing and are interested in an exciting career with us, we hope to hear from you. Contact us with any questions you have about metal stamping, and apply today!
With more than 60 years of experience, Manor Tool & Manufacturing has become a trusted metal stamping and fabrication provider, specializing in deep-drawn stamping and progressive die stamping services using steel, aluminum, brass, and many other materials. From prototyping to high-volume production runs, we manage even the most complex projects at competitive prices. Through the years, we’ve grown and adapted to a number of the metal markets and fabricating trends and technological advancements, and 2021 will be no different.
Here’s a closer look at what we’re anticipating for the industry and in the metal markets this year.
What’s Affecting the Steel Market for Fabricators in 2021?
Steel took a dive with the rest of the economy when COVID-19 hit last year, but it made a remarkable recovery by December. At about $900 per ton, the cost had doubled in just four months and continued its rise to reach a record high in January.
This price jump occurred due to high demand and short supply. Steel mills dramatically slowed production during the second quarter of 2020. Many businesses were forced to shut down during this period and U.S. steel producers haven’t all ramped up sufficiently to meet the growing demand for steel as of yet. Meanwhile, high tariffs enacted before the pandemic make it challenging to import steel, leaving many companies without a source.
Demand for steel is expected to remain high. The economy as a whole is rebounding more quickly than expected, and steel is needed for automotive production, infrastructure projects, construction, consumer goods, and many other industries currently experiencing demand spikes. We expect prices to remain high until the mills can produce enough steel to balance the demand. While there are several mills in the process of expanding their capabilities – which will add more than 7 million tons of steelmaking capacity to the market – we likely won’t see the results of that until the end of the year, or even into 2022.
While there is some concern that a massive increase in steel availability could cause the price to drop sharply, it’s likely that even that much additional steel won’t outpace the growing demand. Prices could remain high for several more months at least. There are several other factors at play, as well:
Steel users may seek alternate material options
Low import levels
Potential changes to trade policies and tariffs with new administration
A Review & Forecast of Aluminum
Though aluminum hit a four-year low in April — another slump attributed to diminished production during the pandemic — it has been on a generally upward trajectory ever since. Aluminum manufacturing in the U.S. is expected to rise 2.3 percent, while worldwide demand is expected to grow by 4.5 percent this year. Much of the global demand comes from China during their post-lockdown growth in construction and infrastructure. Trade restrictions between the United States and China are likely to continue in some form for the time being, which will impact the supply and cost of aluminum for U.S. buyers.
About Manor Tool
Undoubtedly, 2021 will present challenges and opportunities for the metal fabrication industry as indicated by the unpredictability of the metal markets. With our years of experience, extensive capabilities, and dedicated team of skilled professionals, Manor Tool will be here to meet your metal stamping needs with precise, cost-effective solutions in our 44,000-square-foot, ISO 9001:2015-certified facility.
Please contact us or request a quote to learn more about our extensive metal stamping and fabrication capabilities.
It looks to be an exciting year ahead for the metal stamping industry. The market grew steadily in 2020, and it’s expected to see continued increases through 2026 as demand for precise metal stamped products increases. Through the challenges that this year presented, Manor Tool has been proud to serve the manufacturing and fabrication needs of a diverse group of clients. We look forward to continuing these relationships in 2021.
The Impact of COVID-19 on Metal Stamping
The pandemic left its mark on all aspects of manufacturing, encompassing supply chain disruptions, massive demand changes, and operational changes to support social distancing and other safety measures. It’s been a year of uncertainty, and all businesses have been forced to take one day at a time and pivot to meet the ever-changing circumstances.
The industry was already facing challenges from unstable international trade relations when pandemic-related shutdowns started changing demand. With less construction and air travel, for example, there has been less need for certain metal components. As businesses deemed “non-essential” temporarily shut their doors, manufacturers lost many of their customers. Conversely, manufacturers of essential goods found themselves overwhelmed with orders for personal protective equipment, medical and testing equipment, and more.
As companies adapted to meet these challenges, they’ve hit fast-forward on the adoption of certain technologies and innovations that are likely here to stay. The metal stamping forecast includes two big changes:
Manufacturers will rely more heavily on data to guide strategic planning
With remote access capabilities for machinery, the location of many skilled workers will matter less moving forward
The technology for these advancements has been around for a while, but the upfront costs of comprehensive software and hardware changes have previously been difficult to justify. In light of COVID-19, many manufacturers will be adopting new technologies sooner rather than later.
What to Look for in 2021
Metal stamping trends in 2021 will be driven largely by low material costs and an ever-growing need for the type of intricate, lightweight parts that make airplanes and automobiles more fuel efficient without sacrificing safety. Increasing competition in the industry will fuel innovation, even in these challenging times.
The metal stamping forecast is promising. For aerospace and defense metal stamping alone, growth (according to Meticulous Market Research, Ltd.) has been projected at a CAGR of 4.6% through 2027, ultimately reaching $33.6 billion by the end of that period. Although COVID-19 has heavily impacted the aerospace industry, this sector has been on an upswing in recent years that will continue as we move beyond the pandemic. Many older aircraft are being replaced by planes featuring the latest fuel-efficient, sound-reducing technology. Clips, connectors, and fasteners for assembly and signal, communications, and power systems are expected to drive the greatest demand for metal stampers.
Steel also hopes to make a comeback by 2021, perhaps with lower prices. Though steel prices are currently rising after taking a hit over the summer, they’re expected to reach their peak and decrease moving into 2021.
To take the temperature of the industry, the Steel Market Update (SMU) polls steel buyers on a regular basis to see how they’re feeling about the market. SMU’s Future Sentiment poll has shown that steel buyers remain optimistic about the future of the steel sector.
Metal Stamping Services From Manor Tool
At Manor Tool, we’re excited about the metal stamping forecast and how we can contribute to the industry in 2021 and beyond. With six decades of experience, we offer the highest quality deep-drawn stamping, punching, bending, forming, and more. We’re dedicated to staying on top of metal stamping trends to deliver the products our clients need and want.
The metal stamping industry is gearing up for a bright future. In 2018, the worldwide value of the industry was more than $224 billion. That number is expected to show steady growth as metal stamping becomes more common—and necessary—in a variety of industries. Sheet metal is especially in demand within the automotive industry, particularly for transmission and structural components, as well as urbanization projects in developing countries.
These and other metal stamping trends are driving an expected compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.2% by 2025.
What are the Metal Stamping Trends to Look For in 2020?
Sheet metal is used in many industries, all of which contribute to the growth of metal stamping in 2020 and beyond. Some of the factors influencing this growth include strong international trade, urbanization, and disposable income. Metal forming within the automotive industry alone is expected to see a CAGR of 2.83% by 2025, reaching a worldwide value of more than $269 billion, and the electronics industry is poised for growing demand for metal stamping, as well.
Automotive
The pressure is on automakers to design affordable, fuel-efficient vehicles. Consumers want to save on fuel costs—and support sustainability—without going beyond their means to buy a vehicle. Meanwhile, with larger cities and increased urbanization in developing countries, there are more consumers looking for vehicles.
This demand for innovation calls for blanking, embossing, bending, coining, and flanging for components used in passenger cars, as well as both light and heavy commercial vehicles around the world. Sales forecasts for new vehicles are promising, and metal stamping allows manufacturers to uphold safety standards and control costs while continuing to improve automobile efficiency.
Aerospace
2018 predictions for US aerospace production showed a 2.9% growth in 2018, with 3.4% growth in both 2019 and 2020. The expected annual growth for the United States, United Kingdom, Europe, and Japan combined is 3.1% in 2019 and 2020.
Even after a couple of slow years—which actually included a decline in aerospace growth in the U.S.—these predictions were made with consideration to the low cost of fuel, production plans from Boeing and Airbus, the strength of global trade, and trucking fleets that will be required to move products within countries and across borders.
Given the increased interest and development in space travel, there is additional need for durable, lightweight components of all shapes and sizes.
Industrial
Stamped components are used extensively in manufacturing and the maintenance of a variety of machines. Furthermore, sheet metal isn’t the only material being used in these machine components. Additional materials, like carbon fiber, may be used within the manufacturing industry and across many other industries, contributing to the demand for stamping.
Electronics
Consumer electronics may become the fastest-growing application for metal stamping due to increases in disposable income. As people find themselves with more money to spend, they turn to the ever-increasing availability of innovative electronics to make their lives more convenient and more enjoyable. Metal is used in this industry for impact resistance, helping to increase the lifespan of the final product.
Custom Metal Stamping Services from Manor Tool & Manufacturing
Manor Tool and Manufacturing is proud to contribute to the strength of America’s manufacturing and industrial sectors as we work with a variety of businesses to create high-quality components in the USA. With decades of experience, our services cover a wide range of metals, and we specialize in medium- and high-volume production runs. We work to develop lasting relationships with our clients—we’re happy to work with you to meet your needs, no matter how large or complicated your project is. We bring our experience, passion, and commitment to every project.
We offer custom tooling and fabricating services, including deburring, drilling, and machining as secondary support services. Contact us to learn more about our custom metal stamping services and how Manor Tool and Manufacturing can help your business.
In 1952, the Chicago Tribune reported that the city of Chicago produced more steel than the entire country of Great Britain. This remarkable feat was achieved through the combined efforts of the city’s numerous steel mills.
The long and colorful history of Chicago’s steel mills begins in 1857 with the opening of the city’s first steel mill, North Chicago Rolling Mill Company. Within three years, the mill became one of the biggest companies in the area, with its primary focus on making rails for the railroad.
Slowly but surely, more steel mills opened for business. A majority of them opened their doors on the South Side, including:
Wisconsin Steel. Originally known as the Joseph H. Brown Iron & Steel Company, the mill went through several names before settling on Wisconsin Steel. It ultimately shut down in 1980 after more than 100 years in operation.
Republic Steel. Business for Republic Steel grew steadily after the Second World War, but the mill is best known because of the Memorial Day Massacre in 1937. Ten people were killed and 105 injured when a peaceful protest in response to the company’s refusal to recognize the steel workers union turned deadly.
Acme Steel. Acme Steel was in operation until 2001, when it closed after several years in bankruptcy. It was home to Chicago’s last blast furnace, which was torn down a few years later.
Youngstown Sheet & Tube. Originally known as Iroquois Steel, Youngstown was one of four companies that went on strike—resulting in the Memorial Day Massacre.
South Works. This South Side plant was an expansion of the North Chicago Rolling Mill. It was once the largest mill in the area, employing nearly 20,000 people.
Over time, all of these mills became part of U.S. Steel, the world’s largest business enterprise at the time and founded by none other than J. P. Morgan, the steadfast financier who dominated the corporate landscape throughout The Gilded Age.
As the demand for steel grew, so too did the demand for labor. To fill the vacant jobs in the steel mills, immigrants began to flock to the area, resulting in significant overcrowding in parts of the city and surrounding towns.
Chicago’s Immigrants Begin to Arrive
(Scrap salvaged during WWII – 1942) Pic courtesy of the Library of Congress
For several decades, the high wages offered by the steel mills attracted immigrants from around the world. In the 1870s and 1880s, people came from Ireland, Scotland, and Germany to find work in the blossoming steel industry. From the late 1800s until World War I, Polish and Serbian immigrants began to arrive. After the war, they came from the southern United States and Mexico.
The growth of Chicago’s steel industry can be largely attributed to the city’s close proximity to the Great Lakes and the Calumet River. This location provided access to both an immigrant workforce from the surrounding neighborhoods and easy transportation for raw materials and finished goods.
As the number of steel workers in the area grew, they began to recognize the need for safe working conditions and fair pay and attempted to organize to make their demands. When some of the smaller steel companies, known as “Little Steel” (in opposition to U.S. Steel— “Big Steel”), refused to sign a union contract, the Steel Workers Organizing Committee (SWOC) staged a strike which was more than unsuccessful: it was tragic. Police fired on the unarmed crowd of protesters, resulting in 10 deaths and more than 100 injuries, an event known as the Memorial Day Massacre.
The Steel Mills Begin to Close
As modern American industry began to change over the decades, one by one, the steel mills began to close.
Wisconsin Steel shut down in 1980 without warning its employees, leaving more than 3,000 people suddenly without a means of supporting themselves and their families. South Works closed its doors in 1992 after two decades of downsizing. After enduring several bankruptcies throughout the 1980s and 1990s, Republic Steel ended all of its operations in the early 2000s.
Although shutting down these massive companies had an overwhelming impact on the community and the people who relied on the mills to make a living, even as they went away, the immigrants remained. They had made their homes in the The Windy City.
Manor Tool & Manufacturing + Chicago
Chicago’s sprawling steel industry called for additional services to support steel production. With that in mind, Manor Tool opened in 1959 as a tool and die shop.
Since then, we have expanded our service offerings to include metal stamping, specializing in punching, bending, forming, and deep drawn stamping for prototype to high volume production runs. We work with a wide range of metals, including stainless steel, carbon steel, and much more. Our metal stamping capabilities include:
At Manor Tool, we’re proud to be a part of the long tradition of steel production and metal stamping in Chicago, and we look forward to helping shape the industry for years to come. We serve the greater Chicago area and beyond, so we invite you to contact us and request a quote to learn more.
When you think of pizza (and let’s face it, who doesn’t think of pizza on a regular basis?) your mind may wander into the various offerings depending on your geography. New Yorkers think of wide, foldable crusts with a touch of blistered char, just thick enough for a toothsome chew. Californians picture thin, crisp crusts topped with innovative combinations of ingredients. But if you’re in Chicago, pizza means a pie with a hearty crust and layers of toppings all served up via deep-dish pizza pans.
Chicago was a popular area for Italian immigrants from the end of the 19th century to the early 20th century. As they flocked to the city, they brought with them their love of pizza. This passion resulted in a new culinary creation that married Italian and American traditions: deep dish pizza. Thicker than a Neapolitan style pizza, but thinner than a Sicilian, deep dish pizza features a hearty crust, sauce over its cheese, and various meats and vegetables. To note, the first one was sold by Ike Sewell and Ric Riccardo at Pizzeria Uno in 1943.
The Deep-Dish Pizza Pan
Image courtesy of Pizzeria UNO
To facilitate the construction of deep-dish pizza, pizzamakers use pans that are specifically designed to allow the crust to extend up the sides and form a shallow container for the other pizza ingredients. In most respects, standard and deep-dish pizza pans are the same. However, deep dish pizza pans are distinguished by their taller metal walls. In addition to making it easy to cook deep dish pizza, they can be easily stacked and carried and used for proofing dough.
These pans are generally available in round and square shapes and are made from aluminum or tin-plated stainless steel. Non-stick coatings can also be added to allow for easier cleanup.
How Are Deep Dish Pans Made?
Manufacturers use deep drawn stamping to create a wide range of metal products, including deep dish pizza pans. This manufacturing technique employs a custom stamping die and stamping press to form sheet metal into hollow shapes.
Deep drawn stamping is ideal for producing deep dish pizza pans for a number of reasons, including:
Minimal warpage. As metal stamping is a cold forming process, it does not use heat to produce parts. This quality allows for the production of more precise and accurate parts as there is no chance of thermal warpage.
High product strength. Deep drawing strengthens metal through a process called strain hardening, which rearranges the metal’s crystalline structure as it is pressed into shape. After deep drawing operations, finished stamped parts tend to demonstrate greater material hardness and strength.
No seams. Seams can serve as weak points in formed and assembled parts and increase the risk of leakage or breakage. Deep drawn pieces are stamped out of a single sheet of metal, meaning they have no seams.
By using deep drawing to produce deep dish pizza pans, the result is a sturdy pan that can be used to create a chewy crust with a crisp exterior and a bubbling cauldron of sauce, cheese, and toppings within.
Deep Drawn Stamping Services from Manor Tool
At Manor Tool & Manufacturing, we offer custom deep drawn stamping services for industries ranging from aerospace and automotive to refrigeration and restaurant service. Our stamping capabilities allow us to produce countless parts and components, including deep dish pizza pans.
Our team is equipped with a fleet of over 30 400-ton presses, each of which allows for various press strokes and stamping capacities. Combined with our team’s knowledge and years of experience in stamping, this equipment allows us to stamp several types of material, including aluminum, brass, copper, nickel, plastic, and steel, in thicknesses of 0.005 to 0.5 inches with tight tolerances. To ensure the quality of our products, all deep drawn stamped products, assemblies, and sub-assemblies are subjected to rigorous ISO 9001:2015 certified quality control measures throughout the production process.
If you need a deep drawn stamped product, our expert team can take your project from design to end product. For more information on our stamping capabilities or to partner with us, contact us or request a quote today.
According to international market research and consulting expert Grand View Research, global demand for metal stamping products and services will reach $299.63 billion USD by 2025. This trend is partially driven by the increasing variety of metal stamping applications in the automotive, industrial machinery, and consumer electronics industries. Similarly, increased reliance on sheet metal applications will support growth and innovation in these same industries.
Despite the increasing tariffs on imported Chinese materials and goods such as steel and aluminum, the U.S. manufacturing sector is showing signs of positive job growth. With no end in sight yet for the ongoing economic negotiations between the two countries, it’s more important than ever for OEMs and manufacturers to consider reshoring and tooling transfer initiatives to diversify their supply chains and minimize potential disruptions down the line.
Key Metal Stamping Trends
Metal stamping is a cost-effective process that allows manufacturers to meet customer expectations without risking profits. A diverse group of industrial manufacturers use metal stamping to control costs while delivering superior products.
In the automotive industry, passenger vehicles use metal stamped parts to maintain safety standards and control consumer costs.
In the aerospace industry, metal stamped parts facilitate the production of ultralight planes that use less fuel.
In the solar industry, metal stamping makes it easier to deliver power to impoverished areas with few options.
In the agricultural industry, farmers use metal stamped parts to decrease their repair and maintenance costs for automated processing equipment.
Metal stamping also supports a range of important processes that allow manufacturers to customize the look, fit, and function of the products they create. These processes include:
Embossing
Blanking
Bending
Coining
Flanging
Besides these trends, these factors directly impact the growth and benefits of metal stamping.
The popularity of sheet metal continues to rise in the manufacturing sector. Businesses find sheet metal to be a flexible and dependable material when compared to other options.
With the lower material costs, manufacturers that use sheet metal can produce their pieces with less investment. By using metal stamping techniques, industrial businesses will realize higher profits.
The increase in industrial metal stamping is driving competition, collaboration, and innovation among manufacturers. As businesses see the value of these methods, more manufacturers are offering these services to their clients.
Custom Metal Stamping Services from Manor Tool & Manufacturing
At Manor Tool and Manufacturing, we work with customers from a diverse range of businesses to create quality components right here in the United States. We’re committed to continuing to make America’s manufacturing and industrial sectors strong through our commitment to reshoring initiatives. To learn more about how a tooling transfer can help ease the potential for disruption in your supply chain, download our guide Everything You Need to Know About Transferring Tooling.
Find out how Manor Tool & Manufacturing can help you improve your manufacturing processes with our custom metal stamping services. Contact our representatives to talk about the benefits of metal stamping for your project.
What to Look for in 2021
Metal stamping is a cost-effective process that allows manufacturers to meet customer expectations without risking profits. A diverse group of industrial manufacturers use metal stamping to control costs while delivering superior products.