Stamping is a sheet-metal forming manufacturing process, including blanking, bending, flanging, embossing, punching and coining. This could be a single stage operation where every stroke of the press produces the desired form on the sheet metal part, or could occur through a series of stages. There are two types of stamping. One is transfer die stamping and the other is progressive die stamping.

Transfer die is a simple process. Every stroke of the press produces the desired form on the sheet metal part. A typical part is required a multiple strokes to achieve the desire shape, for example, first step to blank the sheet metal, second stroke to bend or press form into desired shape, third stroke to punch holes in specific locations, and so on. Each stroke uses one unique die, so a typical stamping part will use a series of dies.

Progressive die stamping uses an automatic feeding system to push a strip of metal (as it unrolls from a coil) through all of the stations of a progressive stamping die. Each station performs one or more operations until a finished part is made. The final station is a cutoff operation, which separates the finished part from the carrying web. The carrying web, along with metal that is punched away in previous operations, is treated as scrap metal.

A set of progressive dies to make a Toyota logo plate

(Courtesy Glenn McKechnie from Wikipedia)

Progressive stamping is a very efficient process but with a very high tooling cost because it requires better grade of tool steel and higher accuracy of the mold to ensure smooth operation during the automatic feeding and pressing process. Therefore progressive stamping is appropriate for high volume and relative simple part. For low volume parts transfer die is preferred.

Triton represents multiple stamping shops. The combined capability is listed as following:

Material and Thickness
Carbon/Alloy Steel 0.30~16mm
Stainless Steel 0.10~12mm
Copper 0.10~20mm
Aluminum 1.00~20mm

Press Tonnage: 50T, 80T, 150T, 200T, 350T, 500T, 800T, 1000T
Max Size: up to 1,000mm or 40inches

Most common sheet metal materials are:
Carbon/Alloy Steel: A36, 1010, 1020, 1566(65Mn), SS304,
Aluminum: 6061, 6063, 3003
Brass: C2680, C511
Other material grades may require higher volume (1 ton to 5 tons) or it is pending on market availability.