Custom Tooling Dies Available at Manor Tool
Leave a CommentAt Manor Tool, our custom tooling die capabilities include single and multi-station progressive dies ranging from 48 to 96 inches with a 400-ton press capacity. For more than 60 years, we’ve been offering precision metal stamping services to our clients in a range of industries, including aerospace, medical, oil and gas, agriculture, telecommunications, and more.
Our extensive capabilities and experience allow us to match specific types of tooling dies to the requirements for your project.
Types of Tooling Dies for Metal Stamping
A stamping die is the tool that forms a blank sheet of metal into a desired shape. There are different types of dies for cutting and forming, and the ones we work with depend on the needs of the project:
- Blanking Dies: Blanking is an accurate way to create flat, uniform pieces. It cuts your metal shape in one simple operation.
- Coining Dies: Coining is an ideal choice for pieces that require different features on each side—like coins, sporting medals, badges, buttons, and more. The die and punch squeeze the metal within a confined area to leave the die’s features on one side and the punch’s features on the other.
- Compound Dies: To cut both inner and outer features in one stroke, manufacturers use compound dies. The inner punch is in the lower die set, while the perforators are in the upper die.
- Forming Dies: These dies compress or pull the plastic or sheet metal over a formed surface to create the desired metal shape. There are a variety of forming processes, including bending, flanging, drawing, and stretching, among others.
- Piercing Dies: Similar to blanking dies, piercing dies are used to make holes in sheet metal.
- Progressive Dies: With these dies, you can perform multiple operations at the same station with a minimal number of punches. It’s an efficient process that’s used to make electronics, automobile components, and a variety of other complex parts.
- Draw Dies: Drawing dies are used to make cup- or box-shaped items by pushing the shape into the metal, then holding the metal in place to prevent wrinkling. Everything from oil filters to baking pans are made via drawing.
Features of Tool & Dies
Dies are made from special steel that can withstand the demands of daily operation. Steel for through hardening (material grade 1.2379) offers good dimensional stability after hardening and a working hardness of about 60-62 HRC. Another standard option is high-speed steel (material grade 1.3343), which, with a working hardness of about 63-65 HRC, offers greater wear resistance and hardness when compared to steel for through hardening. Both are used for medium-strength strip material (up to 400 N/mm² for steel for through hardening and up to 500 N/mm² for high-speed steel).
Not all dies are created equal. There are a few characteristics that will help you identify a high-quality die:
- Consistent Outcomes: No matter how complex the piece, the die should consistently produce a precise result.
- Minimal Variations Per Design: Watch for flaws like guidance pins that are too small or missing pressure pads.
- Easy to Turn Design into Production: Each new die for the same project/operation should match previous dies. The design should be able to be translated into real life again and again without variation.
At Manor Tool, high quality, precision, and customer satisfaction are our priorities. With our custom tooling, you’ll enjoy guided, in-press removable, and inserted cutting details, high-speed metals, and sensor automation to ensure each part, no matter how complex, is perfect for your application.
We work with alloy steels, carbon steel, stainless steel, aluminum, brass, copper, plastics, and a variety of composites to achieve your desired results. As a custom tool and die company, we’ve made countless components throughout the years, ranging from simple to highly complex, prototypes to high-volume production. We understand and stay compliant with a number of industry standards, including ISO, ITAR, Mil-Spec, and RoHS. To learn more about metal stamping and our wide range of services, contact us or sign up for our newsletter. When you’re ready to start your project, request a quote—we can’t wait to work with you.