The Process Includes:

1. Design
   Engineers use CAD software to create 2D/3D models of the mold, considering part shape, tolerances, blanking layout, and press type.
2. Material Selection
   Tool steel (like SKD11, DC53, D2) or carbide is selected based on part material, quantity, and wear resistance needs.
3. Machining
   The mold components are fabricated using CNC machining, wire cutting (WEDM), EDM, surface grinding, and sometimes heat treatment.
4. Assembly
   After precision machining, upper and lower die plates, punches, dies, stripper plates, and guide pins are assembled.
5. Trial and Debugging
   The mold is tested on a stamping press to verify forming accuracy and ensure it meets production specifications. Fine-tuning may be needed to optimize performance.

Application Areas:

• Automotive: body panels, brackets, clips
• Electronics: connector pins, shielding parts
• Appliances: enclosures, frames
• Hardware: tools, fasteners

Why It Matters:

Metal stamping molds are critical for high-speed, high-precision, and low-cost mass production of metal parts. A well-designed stamping mold ensures dimensional consistency, extended mold life, and stable quality across large production volumes.

What is a Metal Stamping Mold?

A metal stamping mold (also called a stamping die) is a precision tool used in the metal stamping process to form sheet metal into desired shapes through cutting, bending, punching, or forming. It is installed on a stamping press, which applies high pressure to deform the metal sheet according to the mold’s design.

 Key Features:

• Custom-made tool designed to match the geometry of the final part.
• Made from high-strength materials like tool steel (e.g., SKD11, DC53) for durability and wear resistance.
• Can perform single or multiple operations in one stroke (e.g., blanking, piercing, bending, drawing).

Basic Components:

1. Punch – Moves downward and deforms the material.
2. Die (Cavity) – Supports the material and defines the final shape.
3. Stripper Plate – Removes the workpiece from the punch after stamping.
4. Guide Pins – Ensure precise alignment between punch and die.

Common Applications:

• Automotive: brackets, frames, clips
• Electronics: terminals, connectors
• Household Appliances: structural panels, enclosures
• Industrial Hardware: washers, hinges, fasteners

Why It Matters:

Metal stamping molds are essential for mass-producing metal parts with high accuracy, efficiency, and cost control. They enable the creation of consistent, complex parts at high production speeds.

Common Materials for Metal Stamping Mold

Choosing the right mold material is critical to ensuring mold life, wear resistance, and machining accuracy. Below are some of the commonly used materials in metal stamping molds along with their characteristics.

Material	Common Grades	Key Features	Typical Uses
Cold Work Tool Steel	SKD11, D2, Cr12MoV	High hardness, wear resistance, suitable for cold forming	Punches, dies for blanking, piercing
High Toughness Tool Steel	DC53, SKD61	Improved toughness and wear resistance, crack resistance	Progressive dies, bending & forming
Carbide	Tungsten Carbide (e.g., YG15)	Extremely high hardness and wear resistance, long tool life	High-volume blanking, precision punches
High-Speed Steel	M2, M42	Good toughness, heat resistance, and edge retention	Complex forming tools, fine punches
Pre-hardened Steel	P20, 718	Good machinability, moderate hardness, no post-heat treatment	Base plates, mold holders
Alloy Tool Steel	H13, 1.2344 (hot work steel)	Good thermal fatigue resistance, used when heat is involved	Warm forming molds, hybrid operations

Material Selection Tips:

• For high wear conditions, use SKD11 or Carbide.
• For complex forming or bending, DC53 offers better toughness.
• For cost-effective tooling, P20 or 718 is suitable for non-critical parts.
• For high-volume stamping, Carbide ensures long-term dimensional stability.

Metal Stamping Mold Materials & Their Suitable Applications

Material	Suitable Applications	Key Features
SKD11 / D2	Precision blanking, punching, and trimming dies for carbon steel and stainless steel	High hardness, excellent wear resistance, good dimensional stability
DC53	High-strength forming, bending, and compound dies for complex shapes	Superior toughness over SKD11, crack resistance, high wear resistance
Carbide	High-volume blanking, fine punching (e.g., motor laminations, silicon steel)	Ultra-high hardness and wear resistance, ideal for long-life molds
M2 / M42 (HSS)	Micro punches, intricate and small punching dies	Sharp cutting edge, excellent heat resistance, suitable for continuous stamping
P20 / 718	Mold bases, backing plates, and non-forming components	Good machinability, cost-effective, no heat treatment required
SKD61 / H13	Warm forming molds or light-duty hot stamping applications	Great thermal fatigue resistance and toughness, used in thermal operations
Cr12MoV / 1.2379	Blanking and punching under moderate load conditions	Strong wear resistance, minimal heat treatment deformation, cost-effective

Material Selection Tips:

• For high wear conditions, choose SKD11 or Carbide.
• For complex shapes or high toughness demands, DC53 is recommended.
• For long-life and high-speed stamping, use Carbide or HSS (M2/M42).
• For non-working mold components, P20 or 718 provides an economical solution.
• For warm or thermal stamping, SKD61 or H13 is ideal.

Classification of Metal Stamping Molds

Metal stamping molds can be classified based on their function, structure, and guiding method. Below is an overview of the common types:

1. By Stamping Function

Mold Type	Description
Blanking Die	Cuts flat sheet metal into a specific external shape or profile.
Piercing Die	Punches holes or cutouts in the sheet metal.
Bending Die	Bends the sheet metal along straight or curved lines.
Drawing Die	Forms flat metal sheets into hollow or deep-drawn parts.
Forming Die	Performs additional shaping, flattening, or edge finishing to refine the part.
Trimming Die	Trims excess material from deep-drawn or formed parts.
Compound Die	Combines multiple operations (e.g., blanking + piercing) in a single stroke.
Progressive Die	Performs a series of stamping operations in multiple stations with each press stroke, as the strip material advances through the die.

2. By Structural Form

Mold Type	Description
Single-operation Die	Performs only one operation per press stroke; simple structure.
Compound/Multiple Die	Performs multiple operations in one stroke; improves efficiency.
Progressive Die	Multi-stage mold; the material moves station by station to complete various operations continuously.
Transfer Die	The workpiece is transferred between stations using mechanical arms; ideal for large and complex parts.

3. By Guiding Method

Mold Type	Description
Unguided Die	No built-in guiding system; relies on press alignment.
Guided Die	Uses guide posts and bushings for precise alignment between upper and lower die halves; ensures higher accuracy.

Summary

Each type of stamping mold serves different production needs.

• Progressive dies are ideal for high-volume, high-efficiency manufacturing.
• Compound dies save space and consolidate multiple operations into one stroke.
• Drawing dies are used for deep-formed components like cups, shells, or containers.