Metal Stamping Insights

Latest tips, trends and best practices in the metal stamping industry

metal-stamping-trends-2023
April 13, 2023
5 Metal Stamping Trends to Watch for in 2023

Navigating the metal stamping industry can be a challenge - but keeping on top of its advancements is critical for OEM manufacturers. This year, ...

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January 30, 2023
Automated vs Manual Self-Clinching Fastener Insertion

Technology has become ingrained in our daily lives, making how we live, work and play easier and more enjoyable with each new innovation that ...

July 27, 2022
Why Copper is Ideal for Industrial Use

When you think of copper, you may immediately imagine a penny or the Statue of Liberty with its well-known green patina. Copper is far more than a ...

aluminum-stampings
June 22, 2022
Deciding if Aluminum is Suitable for a Metal Stamped Part

Choosing the appropriate metal for your stamped part can be tricky. In some cases, there are parts that could be made from several different ...

metal-stamping-materials
May 4, 2022
Choosing the Right Metal Stamping Material

Precision metal stamping is one of the most popular manufacturing processes for various industrial applications because it is quick, accurate, and ...

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April 19, 2022
Copper vs Aluminum Busbars — Which Is Right for Your Project?

There is some debate regarding which material is better for use for busbars—aluminum or copper. Both materials have been used with success, but which ...

January 12, 2022
2022 Forecast for Metal Stamping Materials

The price of nearly every design and construction material or component you can imagine went through increases in 2021. Unfortunately, if you were ...

metal-finishing-techniques
January 28, 2021
Finishing Options for Metal Stampings

When designing and producing precision metal stamped components, engineers and project managers representing the manufacturer, its suppliers, and the ...

busbars
October 7, 2020
Growth in Electric Vehicles Driving Need for Metal Stamped Busbars

Demand is revving up for electric vehicles of all kinds, from cars to trucks to public transport. According to Bloomberg NEF market forecasts, ...

metal-stamping-cleaning
March 10, 2020
Cleaning Metal Stampings Is Critical to Its Finish and Function

Cleaning Metal Stampings Is Critical to Its Finish and Function The metal stamping process leaves residues, such as lubricants, metal shavings, and ...

metal-stamping-heat-treating
February 25, 2020
Heat Treating Techniques to Strengthen Metal Stampings

Heat Treating Techniques to Strengthen Metal Stampings Custom metal stampings may require heat treating after stamping to achieve an OEM’s ...

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December 3, 2019
How Metal Plating Enhances Stamped Parts

A wide range of custom metal stampings require metal plating as part of the finishing process – from large automotive parts to miniature components ...

metal-stamping-coating-SM
November 19, 2019
Powder Coating and E-Coating Improve Corrosion Resistance and Appearance of Metal Stampings

Of the many finishing options available for metal stampings, powder coating and electro-coating (e-coating) are often preferred by automotive OEMs ...

Electropolishing-500x250
November 5, 2019
The Benefits of Electropolishing for Your Precision Metal Stamped Part

Because the metal stamping process puts metal under enormous pressure in order to achieve the desired form, components may require polishing after ...

deburring-metal-stampings-SM
October 22, 2019
Deburring Improves Performance and Appearance of Metal Stampings

The metal stamping process uses heavy tonnage presses to form a wide variety of metal materials, which can produce burrs – excess metal in a rough or ...

KM-Progressive-Die-SM
August 6, 2019
Progressive Stamping Delivers High Speed Production and Lower Costs

Progressive die stamping is a high-volume, high-performance metal stamping process that uses progressive dies, which perform multiple operations in ...

Progressive-Transfer-Stamping-Social
July 22, 2019
Is Progressive Die Stamping or Transfer Die Stamping Best for Your Next Precision Metal Stamping Project?

If you’re responsible for designing or buying precision metal stamped parts, it’s important to understand when to use progressive die stamping versus ...

Kenmode Feb Blog
February 19, 2019
Three Trends Buyers of Precision Metal Stampings Should Watch in 2019

Now that we’ve settled into the new year it’s the perfect time to reflect on 2018 and think about what trends are likely to influence decisions you ...

KM 3D-simulation-1
December 4, 2018
How Precision Metal Stampers Use 3D Simulation Software to Design Tooling

Today’s precision metal stampers are turning to sophisticated 3D simulation software to produce high quality parts.

KM Steel Price blog image
September 26, 2018
Why Metal Stamping Buyers Are Carefully Watching Steel Prices

US Steel prices are currently the highest in the world. That’s certainly motivation for buyers and manufacturers of metal stamping components to ...

December 6, 2017
Metal Stamping Defects Not an Option for Automotive Stamped Parts

In an increasingly global automotive market, suppliers such as precision metal stamping firms must be able to deliver parts with zero defects and ...

metal-stamping-defects-medical.jpg
July 6, 2017
Metal Stamping Defects Can Spell Disaster for Medical Devices

Defective medical devices are costing manufacturers billions of dollars every year. Even more alarming, defects can lead to patient death and harm. ...

April 18, 2017
Automotive OEMs Save Big with Switch to Metal Stamping

Automotive manufacturers and their suppliers can see significant reductions in piece prices by working with metal stamping engineers to determine ...

January 10, 2017
Implantable Medical Devices Spur Metal Stamping Innovations

The implantable medical device market is growing at a rapid pace globally. As manufacturers develop amazing new therapeutic technologies for ...

August 4, 2016
Ensuring Quality in Metal Stampings from Start to Finish: 13 Critical Steps to Ensure Metal Stamping Success (Steps 8-13)

Manufacturers who require precision metal stampings can benefit from understanding how to optimize the metal stamping process and reduce costs. This ...

June 29, 2016
Planning Can Save Production Time and Costs: 13 Critical Steps to Ensure Metal Stamping Success (Steps 4-7)

In the first part in this series, Metal Stampings Can Impact Your Bottom Line, we covered the first three of 13 critical steps to ensure success in ...

May 17, 2016
Metal Stampings Can Impact Your Bottom Line: 13 Critical Steps to Ensure Metal Stamping Success (Steps 1-3)

Metal stamped parts may appear to be just a small component of the larger product, but they can have a significant impact on a manufacturer’s bottom ...

April 19, 2016
What to Look for at Site Visits to Metal Stamping Companies

Manufacturers who are considering adding or replacing a supplier of precision metal stamping face a daunting task of evaluation. Often, the process ...

April 7, 2016
Progressive Stamping vs. Fine Blanking: Three questions OEMs Should Ask

For manufacturers who require precision parts with tight tolerances, it can pay to compare the options for manufacturing processes. Although fine ...

December 14, 2015
Using Multiple-Up Dies for Metal Stamping to Save Money and Boost Volume

Designing the metal stamping die to produce a new precision part is one of the most important steps to ensuring long-term success in production. ...

November 11, 2015
Metal Stamping Sensors Boost Efficiency, Quality

In precision metal stamping, every stroke of the press exerts tremendous pressure on the metal being formed, which can lead to unpredictable problems ...

October 12, 2015
Steel Market Impacts Metal Stamping Lead Times and Prices

With steel one of the top metals used in metal stamping, global market fluctuations in the supply and demand for steel have been pushing steel prices ...

June 15, 2015
Designing the Metal Stamping Strip to Minimize the Use of Precious Metals

Manufacturers in the automotive, electronics, telecommunications and medical device industries are among the leading users of precious metals such as ...

May 6, 2015
How Metal Stamping Simulation Software Saves Money

Simulation software is a powerful aid to new product development in industries as diverse as automotive, aerospace and medical devices. Finite ...

April 30, 2015
Metal Stampings Have Limitations – Keep Them in Mind when Designing Your Part

Computer-aided design (CAD) is a wonderful technology that can lead product engineers and designers to think that anything is possible. After all, ...

November 4, 2014
How Tight of a Tolerance Do You Need for Your Metal Stamping?

How tight of a tolerance do you need for your metal stamping? That’s a good question. The answer isn’t complex, nor is it simple and straightforward.

October 14, 2014
The Advantages and Disadvantages of Running Metal Stamping Family Dies

Family tooling is a method in which a manufacturer designs and builds a die that is able to simultaneously produce multiple components in different ...

October 1, 2014
Can U.S. Metal Stamping Companies Compete with Lower Cost Markets?

With significant gains in U.S. productivity in recent years, U.S. manufacturers are seeing an overall cost advantage when using U.S. suppliers, as ...

September 2, 2014
Why a Single-Source Metal Stamping Company Might Be the Right Decision

When a metal stamping company develops your product from design through production in-house, there's a greater chance you'll get your parts on time ...

June 18, 2014
Four Tips for Keeping Metal Stamping Costs Down and Inventory Flowing During an Uptick in Sales

Many manufacturers are experiencing steady increases in sales. In fact, according to the Manufacturers Alliance for Productivity and Innovation ...

June 10, 2014
Prevent Inventory Shortages - Consider Material Lead Times

Due to the uptick in business and the prior slowdown at the mills, we are seeing precision metal stamping material lead-times increasing ...

July 23, 2013
Two Key Factors for Picking Quality Metal Stamping Suppliers

Every manufacturer’s goal is to have a zero-defect production line, but OEMs and their suppliers alike know that problems are inherent in any ...

July 9, 2013
What Factors Affect the Prices OEMs Pay for Metal Stampings?

With more and more suppliers becoming more competitively priced, pressures to use lower cost parts are rising. Keeping the following factors in mind ...

January 15, 2013
Move It or Lose It. How to Smoothly Transfer Tools to a New Metal Stamping Supplier

From economic downturns to natural disasters to industrial accidents, the huge upheavals in the global manufacturing supply chain in recent years ...

September 17, 2012
Continual Training Demonstrates a Commitment to Quality

This is the tenth and final post in Kenmode's blog article series entitled "10 Metal Stamping Quality Indicators for Medical Device Manufacturers" ...

September 4, 2012
How Using Effective Corrective and Preventive Actions (CAPA) Can Reduce Medical Device Quality Issues

This is the ninth in Kenmode's blog article series entitled "10 Metal Stamping Quality Indicators for Medical Device Manufacturers" to help medical ...

August 22, 2012
Quality Improves with Careful Supplier Selection, Monitoring, and Evaluation

This is the eighth in Kenmode's blog article series entitled "10 Metal Stamping Quality Indicators for Medical Device Manufacturers" to help medical ...

August 16, 2012
Avoid Quality Issues by Implementing a Change Control Process

This is the seventh in Kenmode's blog article series entitled "10 Metal Stamping Quality Indicators for Medical Device Manufacturers" to help ...

August 10, 2012
Prevention and Detection Systems Improve Quality Control

This is the sixth in Kenmode's blog article series entitled "10 Metal Stamping Quality Indicators for Medical Device Manufacturers" to help medical ...

July 31, 2012
Medical Device Firms Improve Quality Through Robust Launch and Qualification Process

This is the fifth in Kenmode's blog article series entitled "10 Metal Stamping Quality Indicators for Medical Device Manufacturers" to help medical ...

July 24, 2012
Costs of Quality Failure Makes Risk Management a High Priority

This is the fourth in Kenmode's blog article series entitled "10 Metal Stamping Quality Indicators for Medical Device Manufacturers" to help medical ...

July 19, 2012
In-House Engineering, Design, and Tool Build Expertise Improve Metal Stamping Quality and Reliability

This is the third in Kenmode's blog article series entitled "10 Metal Stamping Quality Indicators for Medical Device Manufacturers" to help medical ...

July 13, 2012
ISO 13485 Demonstrates a Supplier’s Knowledge of the Specifications and Requirements unique to Medical Devices

This is the second in Kenmode's blog article series entitled "10 Metal Stamping Quality Indicators for Medical Device Manufacturers" to help medical ...

July 5, 2012
Top Management's Commitment to Quality Spreads Throughout Organization

This is the first in Kenmode's blog article series entitled "10 Metal Stamping Quality Indicators for Medical Device Manufacturers" to help medical ...

June 26, 2012
10 Metal Stamping Quality Indicators for Medical Device Mfrs

Quality is the #1 concern for OEM engineering and purchasing managers in all industries, but nowhere is quality more critical than in the ...

October 5, 2011
Silver May be Low-Cost Solution for Plating Electronic Connector Stampings

Not long ago we featured a blog article about the use of palladium as an alternative to gold for plating electronic components due to the rising ...

June 27, 2011
Sorting Out Quality Best Practices for Medical Metal Stampings

Highly specialized and regulated industries, such as the medical device industry, demand adherence to their own preferred standards for ...

precision-metal-stamping-quality
June 15, 2011
Kenmode Precision Metal Stamping Quality in Action! [Video]

Kenmode Precision Metal Stamping's commitment to quality is evident in this new video. Get a behind-the-scenes look at the people, processes, and ...

April 28, 2011
Does Your Precision Metal Stamper Practice MSA? Ask!

The Importance of Following MSA and GR&R Quality Standards It’s tempting to think that all precision metal stamping companies and component ...

April 1, 2011
Starting DFM Early with Metal Stamping Companies Limits Part Failure Risk

Design for Manufacturability (DFM) is a very important tool in the quality toolbox for manufacturers of complex products. All too often, however, ...

February 18, 2011
Metal Stamping Companies Adopt Automotive Industry Best Practices

Quality Matters: Learning from the Turnaround in the U.S. Auto Industry For decades, the U.S. auto industry lagged behind foreign brands in ...

December 8, 2010
5 Tips to Smooth Transition from Medical Device Design to Manufacture

A common obstacle to a successful market launch is the transition of medical products from design to manufacture, with issues often leading to ...

November 9, 2010
Why Risk Poor Precision Metal Stamping Quality? Automotive Industry Averts Risk with APQP.

Precision metal stampings are a critical component of so many products. Automotive components, medical devices, electronic parts – all contain metal ...

October 5, 2010
Want consistent precision metal stamping quality? Insist on SPC.

SPC. You’ve heard the acronym. Some customers, especially in the automotive industry, require it. But do you know why it’s critical for metal ...

September 24, 2010
Precision Metal Stamping Quality -- Acronyms You've Got to Know.

As an engineer or designer, you expect precision metal stamping manufacturers to provide uncompromised quality. Zero defects is no longer a goal; it ...

August 19, 2010
Precision Metal Stamping Industry Sees Big Swings in Metal Prices

Precision metal stamping manufacturers are finding metal markets increasingly unpredictable. The industry has experienced wild swings both up and ...

August 9, 2010
A Must-Have Reference for Precision Metal Stamping Projects

Are you a design engineer, specifier, or buyer of precision metal stampings? Then you can't afford to be without this must-have reference.

June 30, 2010
WOW -- Metal Stamping Business Has Changed in 50 Years!

The precision metal stamping industry has changed just a bit in the last 50 years.

June 1, 2010
It's Time to Consider Palladium for Electronics Plating -- Again.

Author: Vince Azzano, Director of Technical Sales, Precision Plating Company Fabricated gold prices are at an all-time high, and traders and analysts ...

May 11, 2010
Limit Scrap - A Surefire Way to Reduce Precision Metal Stamping Costs

Are you looking for ways to reduce costs on your precision metal stamping projects? One of the first places to look is on the factory floor. How ...