Automatic Stamping Production Line Basics | MachineMFG

Automatic Stamping Production Line Basics

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Application of Press in Automatic Stamping Production line

Automatic stamping production process

In traditional stamping production lines, material handling between the front and rear equipment is performed manually. With the increasing pace of production, manual picking and unloading not only fails to keep up but also poses potential safety hazards.

Personnel tend to focus on speed, neglecting the dangers posed by moving equipment, leading to frequent accidents involving equipment pressing against hands and causing injury. To mitigate these risks and improve efficiency, a robotic automated production line was developed.

Automated production involves using equipment instead of manual labor for transporting sheets between the front and rear presses. This not only eliminates the risk of injury but also increases production efficiency by around 35%.

After 2005, automated production technology for stamping parts in domestic automobile manufacturing saw significant growth, marking the beginning of an era of stamping automation production. Figure 1 shows a schematic diagram of a stamping automation production line.

Schematic diagram of automatic stamping production line

Figure 1 Schematic diagram of automatic stamping production line

Main production process parameters of the press

Currently, the most widely used presses are mechanical closed presses, which can be used for various cold stamping processes such as blanking, forming, bending, correction, and shallow drawing of thin plate parts. The process parameters of the press are crucial, as they not only affect the quality of the product but also have a significant impact on efficiency, cost, and safety.

The following section provides a brief overview of the important parameters and accuracy of some presses:

Press basics

The foundation of the press must support its weight and withstand the vibrational forces generated when the press starts, and transfer these forces to the ground beneath the foundation. The foundation must be able to reliably withstand 0.15 MPa. The strength of the foundation is designed and constructed by the civil engineering department based on the local soil quality. The concrete foundation must be poured in one continuous operation without interruption.

After filling the foundation with concrete, the surface should be smoothed once and then smoothed again using a shovel or sandpaper. To protect against oil, the bottom surface of the foundation should be coated with acid-resistant cement. The basic drawing provides the internal dimensions of the foundation, which represents the minimum space required to install the press.

Indicators of strength such as the cement brand, the arrangement of reinforcing bars, the size of the foundation bearing area, and the thickness of the foundation must not be altered. The basic bearing capacity must be greater than 1.95 MPa.

Guide post synchronization

Guide post: It connects the beam gearbox and the slider, transmitting the decelerated motion of the gearbox to the slider to achieve the vertical movement of the slider.

Generally there are single-point, double-point and four-point types, that is, one guide post, two guide posts, or four guide posts.

Guide post synchronization: 

It refers to the synchronization accuracy of the two- or four-point press guide columns in their upward and downward movement. This parameter is typically established before the press leaves the factory. The accuracy of the guide post synchronization must be maintained within 0.5mm. Excessive misalignment will result in significant tensile stress on the slider force, affecting the quality of the product formed at the bottom dead point.

Mold mounting height

The mounting height refers to the distance between the bottom surface of the slider and the top surface of the table. There are maximum and minimum limits for the mounting height. When designing the die, consideration should be given to the possibility of installing and using the mold after grinding. The closed height of the mold should not reach the maximum or minimum limit values for the press mold height.

Figure 2 shows a schematic diagram of the press mounting height.

Nominal force of the press

Nominal force refers to the maximum punching capacity that the press can safely handle in its structure. In practice, factors such as material thickness and strength deviation, mold lubrication, and wear should be taken into account to ensure an adequate margin for stamping capacity.

Schematic diagram of the mounting height of the press

Figure 2 Schematic diagram of the mounting height of the press

When performing an impact load operation such as blanking, it is recommended to limit the working pressure to 80% or less of the nominal force. Exceeding this limit can result in significant vibration and damage to the connection between the slider and transmission, affecting the normal lifespan of the press. Figure 3 shows the nominal load vs. allowable load curve.

Allowable load curve of nominal force

Figure 3 Allowable load curve of nominal force

Compressed air pressure

Compressed air is the main source of power for ensuring the smooth operation of the press and also serves as the control loop source for the press’s power source. The demand for compressed air pressure varies at different locations. The compressed air pressure provided by the factory is based on the maximum demand value of the press. Parts with lower demand values are equipped with pressure-reducing valves for regulation.

Compressed air in the stamping automation production process can be divided into two categories: product quality and action function. The product quality category is used for shaping the quality of the product, such as air cushion pressure. The action function category is involved in controlling the press’s actions, such as clutch pressure.

Using the press of one fabrication company as an example, Table 1 shows the compressed air pressure values required for each functional module of the press. There are many more parameters to the press than the five listed above.

The following is a brief summary and display of the company’s press parameters (Table 2) for your reference.

Table 1 Required compressed air pressure value of each functional module

No.ItemSupply air pressure MPaPressure regulating valve positionNote
1Total air supply≥0.5  
2Clutch0.32Beam walking platform 
3Balancer0.47Inside left front postCalculated value without mold
4Hydraulic protectionAir pump0.29Inside sliderCalculated
5Unloading valve0.32Inside sliderCalculated
6Stretch pad0.04 ~ 0.8Inside left front post 

Table 2 Summary of press parameters

NoItemValueUnit
1Nominal force10000kN
2Nominal force stroke (before the bottom dead center)12.5mm
3Slider stroke length1000mm
4Number of slide strokes (during dry running)Continuous8-12Times / minute
Maximum single8
Fine-tuning3
5Maximum loading height1350mm
6Loading height adjustment500mm
7Rail distanceL*R4970mm
8Slider bottom surface sizeL*R4600mm
F*B2400mm
9Worktable sizeL*R4600mm
F*B2400mm
10Worktable thickness300mm
11Movable worktableMoving wayMove left and right 
Quantity2Pcs
Height of moving table700mm
Carrying weight50t
12SliderRail typeRight-angle guide 
Beating type/ 
Beating force/kN
Beating stroke/mm
Number of beater/Pcs
13Stretch padTypePure gas single crown 
Quantity1Pcs
Ejection force4500kN
Blank holding force4500kN
Stroke0 ~ 300mm
14Balancer balance force (at 0.62MPa air pressure)200kN
15Inlet air source pressure0.7MPa
16Free air consumption1m³ / min

Conclusions

The press is the primary equipment in the stamping production process. With the rapid growth of the automotive industry, there has been a corresponding increase in demand for high-precision equipment. The development of the stamping process has gone through three stages: manual production line, automated intermittent production, and automated high-speed continuous production. In each iteration of the model’s update, the production equipment plays a crucial role.

Now that we have a basic understanding of the press, let’s move on to the topic of automatic production lines.

Types of automatic stamping production line

The automatic stamping production lines mainly include: progressive die stamping, multi-station stamping, and tandem stamping.

automatic stamping production line

Due to their unique characteristics, these production lines are used to produce different automotive sheet metal parts and play a significant role in automotive automation and efficient production systems. This article compares and analyzes the characteristics of these three stamping automation production lines and provides guidance on selecting a production line based on its characteristics.

This will make it easier for enterprises to choose a production line that suits their specific part characteristics. With the rapid growth of the automobile industry, the four major stamping industries for car manufacturing have also flourished. To meet increasing output, various automated production lines have emerged, each with its own characteristics suited to different products.

This article categorizes common stamping automation production lines into progressive die stamping, multi-station stamping, and tandem stamping, and briefly analyzes the characteristics and selection methods of each production line to aid enterprises in choosing the right production method for their product characteristics.

Progressive die stamping production line

(1)Overview:

The automatic production line for progressive die stamping is a production line that employs progressive die stamping and typically consists of an uncoiling feeder, a punch, a progressive die, and an automatic blanking line. It automates the process of unwinding the coil, flattening the strip, oiling the strip, stamping it into pieces, and collecting the finished products offline.

The most important component is the progressive die, which consists of multiple stations, up to over 20 stations. Each station is connected to one another to complete different processing tasks, such as punching, trimming, flanging, shaping, blanking, and so on. All these tasks are completed in a single stroke of the press. After one stroke is finished, the feeder advances the material strip by a fixed step, allowing multiple processes to be completed in a single reciprocating punch of the press.

As shown in Figure 1.

Simplified diagram of progressive automatic production line

Figure 1 Simplified diagram of progressive automatic production line

(2) Features:

The production cycle of the progressive die stamping automation production line is relatively high, generally up to 30 times / min.

  1. High production efficiency.
    The progressive die is a multi-task process die that can perform punching, bending, forming, and drawing within a set of dies, resulting in high productivity. The layout process of the progressive die is shown in Figure 2.
Figure 2 Progressive die layout process

Figure 2 Progressive die layout process

  1. Easy to automate.
    The progressive die production line enables automatic operation from loading, feeding, processing, and unloading parts, reducing labor costs and increasing production efficiency. Additionally, it eliminates inconsistencies and abnormalities that may occur during manual operations.
  2. Can use high-speed punch production.
    Depending on the product status, a high-speed punch can be considered to achieve higher production efficiency.
  3. Safeoperation.
    Progressive press equipment has safety doors to optimize material utilization. The work area is isolated from the operator area to create a relatively enclosed work area, ensuring safety during high-speed production. This results in higher production efficiency compared to traditional series production lines.
  4. Save production plant area.
    A machine tool makes up the processing component of a production line and is capable of producing a product. It has a compact design, simplifies the detection of material and semi-finished product transportation, and offers high safety.
  5. Material utilization is not high.
    In order to ensure the stability of feeding and meet various requirements, it is typically necessary to distribute the processing tasks evenly across each stage. This may result in sacrificing a portion of the material, resulting in a lower material utilization rate.

Multi-station stamping automation production line

(1)Overview: 

A production line with multiple independent station molds (usually 4 to 5) located on a large-tonnage press table uses a destacker or unwind feeder for loading, an automatic feed bar for transferring processed parts, and an automatic conveyor belt to collect finished products offline. As shown in Figure 3.”

Multi-station stamping automation production line

Figure 3 Multi-station stamping automation production line

(2)Features

The bottom material can be either a roll material or a blank, which provides flexibility and improves the material utilization rate. The production line uses automatic rod feeding and has a lower punch rate compared to the progressive die production line but a higher rate than the traditional tandem production line, resulting in higher production efficiency.

It can also incorporate sensors such as loading and unloading sensors, dual material detection, grip sensors, in-mold sensors, etc. to monitor the position and status of the material and product during production, ensuring high safety.

There are strict requirements for the feeding height and stamping direction of the molds at each station, and to maintain stability in feeding, the states of each process must generally be consistent.

Tandem Stamping Automation Production Line

(1)Overview: 

An automated production line is formed by arranging multiple presses in a series. Each press table holds a pair of molds, which represents one stage of the production process. The loading, transfer of processed parts, and unloading and packing work are carried out by an automatic mechanical arm or robot. As shown in Figure 4.

Automatic production line for tandem stamping

Figure 4 Automatic production line for tandem stamping

(2)Features

It has a wide range of applications and can be used in the production of various stamping components. There are no strict requirements on the size, shape, and thickness of these components, allowing for great flexibility in producing large-scale cover parts.

However, the production efficiency is low due to the use of a robotic arm for feeding, which limits the cycle time. Compared to progressive production lines and multi-station production lines, this method is less efficient.

On the other hand, mold maintenance and debugging is made easier. Each mold belongs to a separate press, allowing for independent clamping and working parameters. This means that maintenance and debugging of each mold can be performed separately without affecting other processes.

The downside is that this method requires a large production plant area. A traditional series production line typically includes 4 to 5 presses, taking up a significant amount of space.

How to select stamping automation production line

When choosing the type of stamping production line, the following factors should be taken into consideration:

(1) Product material:

The type of material, its forming performance, and hardness should be evaluated to determine the selection of coil or sheet forming.

(2) Material thickness:

The material thickness should be considered along with the type of material to determine the tonnage of the punching machine and the feeding mechanism’s support system.

(3) Monthly supply and demand:

Production capacity should be evaluated to determine the production cycle and weigh the choice of an automatic line.

(4) Volume and difficulty of stamping products:

The complexity of the modeling and product quality requirements should be considered to comprehensively determine the mold design method and corresponding stamping automation production method.

Selection and Application of Stamping Automation Production Line

Progressive die stamping automation production line

According to the characteristics of each process distributed on a strip and the maximum process punches that can be achieved, it can be used for producing small parts on the car body and can provide a high supply.

Multi-station stamping automation production line

It can be utilized for rapid production of medium-sized parts that are resistant to deformation. Symmetrical parts with complex left and right shapes, as well as products that can be gripped by the automatic lever, can be produced on an automatic line.

Tandem stamping automation production line

Due to the independent distribution of each process on each press, this production line boasts the highest level of flexibility. It is ideal for producing large, complex parts and facilitates the debugging of individual processes and independent production, making it easy to maintain high quality control over the products.

The characteristics of the three production lines are shown in Table 1

 AdvantagesDisadvantagesApplications
Progressive① High impact times, high efficiency and high output

② Small footprint

① Poor material utilization
② Only suitable for small parts
③ The mold for individual pieces is large and challenging to debug.
① Small structural parts with high demand
Transfer① High level of automation efficiency
② Capable of producing a wide variety of products
③ High utilization of materials
④ Equipped with numerous automated safety detection devices.
① The design process of the product has higher demands for the joint installation of molds.
② The combined installation of molds leads to inconvenient debugging and maintenance.
③ The production lines have low interchangeability and require specific molds for production on a single line.
① Beam parts, reinforcement parts, baffle parts, etc. are regular in shape and easy to clamp, and the whole process can be distributed on the same workbench.

② Parts with larger demand

Tandem① Most applicable product types
② Flexible delivery methods for loading and unloading and process parts
③ High interchangeability of production line
④ Easy debugging and maintenance
⑤ High material utilization
① Large footprint

② Low production efficiency

① Large parts and covering parts
② Parts with complicated technology and high quality requirements

The choice between stamping automation production lines can be made based on two priorities: high output and high flexibility.

For a large volume of parts, an automated production line with high efficiency and high output should be selected.

If the parts are complex and require advanced production technology, a flexible production line should be considered.

This is depicted in a simple illustration in Figure 5.

Special intention of 3 production lines

Figure 5 Special intention of 3 production lines

Based on their unique characteristics, stamping automation production lines are widely used in major automobile factories, providing robust support for the growth of the automotive industry and the rapid increase in automobile production.

Understanding and analyzing the stamping automation production line helps in the selection of the stamping production method and leverages the strengths of the respective automatic lines to benefit the automotive sector.

  • Progressive
  • Multi-station Transfer
  • Tandem

Abbreviated abroad::P.R.G /T.R.F/T.D.M

Which stamping automation production method should be selected is generally considered from the following factors:

  • Material (Material hardness and whether coils are needed)
  • Material thickness (Punch specifications and supporting considerations for leveling feeders)
  • Monthly production quantity (For large number, continuous molds are available, general or less can use multi-station or tandem mode)
  • Difficulty of stamping product shape (select the corresponding stamping automation method according to the product design mold)

Progressive die automation method

A progressive die is a type of cold stamping die that uses a strip-shaped raw material and performs multiple stamping processes simultaneously in one stamping cycle using multiple stations.

With each punch, the strip moves a fixed distance until the final product is completed.

Progressive die automation method
Progressive die automation method

Multi-station automation method (Transfer)

The multi-station punching technique involves arranging multiple process molds on a punch press and utilizing the one-time reciprocation of the punch slider to perform various operations such as blanking, punching, bending, stretching, trimming, etc. simultaneously on the molds installed on the machine tool. The robot transfers the workpiece from one station to the next during each cycle to produce a finished part.

It can be classified into two-dimensional and three-dimensional manipulators.

Multi-station automation method

Three-dimensional handling method

Three-dimensional handling method

Tandem Automation Method (Tandem)

Multiple punches are arranged in a series to create an entire stamping production line, with each punch’s die corresponding to a separate forming process.

The transfer of materials between the punches is handled through robotic automation.

This method is primarily suitable for product lines with low output demands, limited processing steps, and independent production lines that are highly flexible.

Tandem Automation Method
Tandem Automation Method

-END-

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1 thought on “Automatic Stamping Production Line Basics”

  1. Alexander Junk

    We are looking for a tandem punch / forming line for 3mm cover plates (approx 2000 per week).
    Flat profile 1050x580mm with notched /punched corners. The formed part is 1000x530mm (70mm angled flange)

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