CEP Technologies Corporation specializes in progressive die stamping of miniature to small parts at medium to high annual volume production runs of 25,000 to 100,000,000. We serve customers in a variety of industries and supply high-precision parts stamped from metal coil materials or small blanks. We also provide comprehensive finishing services, plating, coating, technical cleaning, and custom packaging.
Learn more about precision stamping for achieving tight tolerances and minimal part variation from CEP.
About Small Parts Stamping and Tight Tolerance Manufacturing
An efficient method of stamping extremely small or intricate parts is progressive stamping, in which a series of stamping operations are performed in a specific order in rapid succession. The result is fast production of highly uniform parts within tight tolerances, which makes it an ideal method for high-volume manufacturing.
Applications for small parts stamping include:
- Automotive battery contacts, clips, spark plug terminals, and more
- Electronic contacts and switch components
- EMI shields
- Appliance contacts, clips, and small connectors
- Medical device components
At CEP, we stamp a range of metal coil material in thicknesses from 0.002” to 0.080”, including pre-plated materials if required. Metals include, but are not limited to, aluminum, stainless steel, nickel-plated steel, pre-galvanized steel, high- and low-carbon cold rolled steel, brass, phosphor bronze, and copper.
Tight Tolerance Manufacturing: The Realm of Microscopic Accuracy
Tolerances are the degree to which a part feature can measure larger or smaller (in terms of length or angle) than specified by the part print. Tolerances have a cumulative effect and even a single out-of-tolerance feature can cause others, or the whole part, to become out of tolerance. This results in wasted time, material, and money.
CEP brings years of experience to CAD modeling, tool and die building, and progressive stamping to achieve tight tolerances without compromising part manufacturability or design intent.
Precision Miniature Stamping Basics
Miniature stampings are commonly made from thin, narrow metal strips that are fed into a specialized press from a coil. They may also be made from a thin piece of metal called a blank. Coiled material is usually used for multi-operation progressive stamping, where blanks are generally used for single-operations or multiple operations that are carried out at different presses.
Common stamping operations include bending, coining, flanging, shearing, piercing, and notching.
Techniques for Stamping Micro Metal Components
Depending on the application, there are several types of stamping that can be used to create these tiny parts.
Progressive Stamping
This is a highly efficient stamping process in which a metal strip is advanced through a press and repeatedly struck by upper and lower dies. With each stroke of the press, the strip advances and each part is created step by step in rapid succession. Dies also align the strip as it travels, making it possible to achieve very tight tolerances, often to within hundredths to thousandths of an inch.
The finished parts are automatically knocked out from the carrier web strip and exit the press into a collection bin.
Deep Drawing
Drawing is the process of pulling material into a cavity in the die to create depressions, hollow shapes, and recessed features. Drawing operations can be made to different depths and are referred to deep or limited-depth drawing depending on specifications.
Fine Blanking
Blanking is performed on thin pieces of metal and is often used to produce components with smooth edges and superior flatness. CEP can accommodate fine blanking operations with material up to 6 in. by 6 in.
Piercing and Cutting
These are two common stamping operations that can be performed as part of a series of steps in progressive stamping or separately on individual parts. They are used to puncture holes, cutouts, or sheared edges.
Precision Metal Small Parts Production by CEP
CEP is a complete solution for small to miniature stampings from rapid prototyping and engineering support, to tool and die manufacturing and progressive stamping, through finishing and packaging. We are IATF 16949:2016 and ISO 14001:2015 certified with TUV Rheinland of North America, and committed to continuous improvement, superior customer service, and expert workmanship. Contact us to learn more about our capabilities, or request a quote to get started on your next project.