A Brief History of Pressings and Stampings
The practice known as stamping, or pressing, covers a variety of specific manufacturing processes that include a form of sheet metal, such as stainless steel, copper, brass or aluminium. The exact nature of the operation can take place within a single stage, or it can also be carried out through a multiple step procedure. Although sheet metal is usually the recipient for a pressing, similar enterprises can also be used upon other materials such as polystyrene.
In traditional metalwork, metal tended to be hand shaped using a hammer and an anvil. Even in later instances of blacksmithing, large hammers were still used for this purpose, albeit to press greater quantities of metal at once.
It was only with the advent of wind and steam power that mechanical presses such as steam hammers became readily available. Contemporary presses now utilise electric motors or hydraulics in order to attain the required levels of pressure that are needed to achieve an efficient stamping process. The evolution of dies alongside press technology has further advanced the capabilities of pressing, with customisable dies enabling ever more variable items to be created.
There are a range of different actions that can be covered under the umbrella term of stamping or pressing. Punching is one particularly widespread application, and typically makes use of a machine press to alter the shape of the target piece by subjecting it to high levels of pressure. Alternatively, a stamping press can be used to shape or warp the metal using one of the aforementioned die mechanisms. Other practices incorporated within the definition include blanking, embossing, bending, flanging and coining.
At European Springs, we are one of the market leaders when it comes to providing high speed press technology and bespoke stampings. Our qualified toolmakers have access to some of the very latest technology, meaning that our stampings and pressings conform to exceptionally high standards. We produce pressings and stampings on an international scale, and are also able to guide our clients all the way from the initial design process. For further information, please do not hesitate to call us on +44 (0) 208 663 1800 or email us at info.bec@europeansprings.com.
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