On the micro and macro perspectives of stamping engineering

Sheet metal engineering is a complex, iterative and interactive process. The whole function of stamping engineering is to select the material, devise the process, the tooling, the set-up and the operational support infrastructure to produce the final part shape, subject to part specifications, budget, and time constraints. There is little application of formal engineering science. It follows from this practice that there is a requirement for extensive die tryout and rework and there is usually little confidence that the sheet steel, the process, and tooling have been optimized. This leads to high cost, long leadtimes, schedule delays and, most important, a lack of control of the whole stamping cycle. The paper provides an overview of stamping engineering from the micro and the macro perspectives. The different engineering tasks are reviewed from a system’s perspective. The role of computer modelling is also examined, with emphasis on the applicability of the different computer tools and need for a broad methodology to support the application of the computer tools. The paper concludes by describing some of the efforts at FTI aimed at formalizing and documenting some of the stamping engineering tasks’ expertise. This work reinforces the need and the necessity for a strong relationship and interaction between the steel supplier, the lubricant supplier, the press supplier, the tooling supplier, and the stamping operation team.