What to Look for at Site Visits to Metal Stamping Companies

09 Jun.,2025

 

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 requires site visits to one or more metal stamping companies and a complex evaluation system, where the quality audit checklist is only the start. The technology and equipment at a precision metal stamper can be unfamiliar to even the most seasoned purchasing managers or engineers. But by concentrating on six key areas, OEMs can effectively evaluate whether the metal stamping operation meets their long-term performance standards.

You will get efficient and thoughtful service from SHOUJIA.

  1. Quality Assurance
  2. Staff Expertise
  3. Advanced Technology
  4. Excess Capacity
  5. Financial Stability
  6. Global Competitiveness

1. Quality Assurance

Quality certifications from the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) are the minimum requirement for quality assurance. When touring a metal stamping plant, look for evidence of a total quality assurance program that begins with part design and prototyping and carries through to the end product and packaging.

Evaluate whether the firm has a prevention focus to its quality control, with continual monitoring and detection systems to spot problems quickly. Quality-minded metal stampers use automated inspection equipment, such as in-die sensors and 
video inspection systems, to ensure consistent quality. In fact, sensor technology is effective in preventing problems such as high reject rates and high levels of scrap, as explained in Metal Stamping Sensors Boost Efficiency, Quality.

Metal stamping companies also employ statistical process control systems to track and analyze the variability in the metal stamping process and to monitor manufacturing statistics in real time, in order to spot trends and identify unacceptable variances.

Although it may seem obvious, quality also can be observed in a clean, well-organized manufacturing facility.

2. Staff Expertise

During the tour, talk with the engineers to evaluate the depth of their expertise. Ask whether their engineers are able to provide advice on new part design and production (DFM), including such issues as material selection and cost-effective production volumes.

OEMs also should evaluate the depth of the entire technical team, including the number of tool and die makers on staff. The ultimate quality of the metal stamping depends upon the quality of the custom tool and die the stamper creates for the project. Some metal stamping firms farm out tool and die design to external suppliers.

To ensure that each project runs smoothly from start to finish, the metal stamping company should field a team of technical project managers assigned to specific clients.

It also pays to determine whether the entire staff receives regular training on quality, technological advances and other relevant topics. (See the blog, Continual Training Demonstrates a Commitment to Quality.) In addition, an apprenticeship program that trains new tool and die makers indicates that the company is forward looking and willing to invest in the future.

3. Advanced Technology

OEMs expect their suppliers to keep up with the latest technology, which can speed time to market and cut manufacturing costs. For metal stampers, technological advances may consist of powerful new software or the latest in-die sensing technology to monitor quality throughout the stamping process.

New simulation software, with 3-D tool design, enables metal stampers to perfect part design before prototyping and/or production. The simulation software models the new part with different material options to determine manufacturability and reliability, showing how the part will react in the die and helping in the debugging process to make a more robust part. For more information on simulation software, read How Metal Stamping Simulation Software Saves Money.

As you tour a metal stamping company, ask them to point out any technology they have recently added or new technology in the pipeline. A metal stamping company that is reinvesting in both its technology and its people demonstrates a commitment to quality and innovation.

4. Excess Capacity

As you tour the facility, ask about the total number of presses available to run metal stamping projects and the production volumes that the firm can easily handle. Metal stamping companies should have excess capacity, as well as redundant equipment, in case one press goes down, so that on-time delivery is not jeopardized and changes in demand can be easily accommodated.

A metal stamping firm that has its own on-site maintenance department has an advantage in keeping machinery up and running properly. In-house tool maintenance of existing tools provides similar benefits in avoiding downtime and potential tool problems, although many metal stampers outsource that function.

A site visit should also include touring any secondary operations that are offered in-house, such as mechanical finishing, assembly and custom packaging. 

5. Financial Stability

Although many metal stamping firms are privately held businesses that do not divulge their financial statements, manufacturers can get an idea of the company’s financial stability by requesting D&B reports. It is important to deal with a firm that is not highly leveraged, so that cyclical economic forces do not undermine its long-term operations. Perhaps the most important indication of stability is the number of years that the firm has been in business.

6. Global Competitiveness

Manufacturers continue to evaluate offshore operations in lower cost countries, but metal stamping companies with U.S. operations remain highly competitive in price, quality and on-time delivery, which are the top three demands that OEMs identify for suppliers. The reason is that tool and die makers rely on highly skilled workers with specialized expertise that is not available in many overseas locations. Another major factor in pricing of metal stamping is material costs, where cost differentials among other countries are not significant. As a result, manufacturers often choose to go with a U.S. supplier who can deliver on quality and ship to overseas assembly sites in Europe, Latin America and the Pacific Rim.

When reviewing estimates from U.S. and off-shore metal stamping facilities, manufacturers should compare the all-in price of part production and shipping, and consider such issues as access to customer service, shipping timeframes and potential country risks such as currency fluctuations.

Want more information on Metal Stamping Service? Feel free to contact us.

Choose the perfect metal stamping company with expert guidance

The Key Considerations to Pick the Right Metal Stamping Manufacturing Company

Metal stamping is the manufacturing process employing a specialized press along with a tool and die set to form sheet metal into its specified size and shape. The industry experts employ metal stamping processes to generate a range of industrial products and parts.

When looking into metal stamping manufacturing companies, there are various considerations to keep in mind. You have to vet a company delivering the best value to your project.

The following details offer a complete overview of the main factors you should consider while selecting a metal stamping company. In addition to the ability to perform metal stamping, there are qualities such as a wide selection of other finishing and fabrication services, higher quality standards, and extensive industrial experience that indicate great value.

Partner vs. Supplier

Whenever you source a metal stamping company, it is vital to know the difference between a supplier and a partner. The supplier has metal stamping abilities to meet the project demands and your stamping manufacturing partner offers the requisite metal stamping services.

The latter has to offer you customized solutions, including assistance in design and engineering, finishing, and manufacturing services. These help in reducing the timelines to production and minimizing the cost of production. 

Advanced Stamping Capabilities

Specialization is a preferred attribute. For instance, a few projects do not overtly indicate the kind of metal stamping process required. The metal stamping companies offer various capabilities available in-house, that are best for accommodating these projects. But, for every project needing advanced metalworking, it is important to operate with a specialist to ensure greater precision and accuracy of the finished parts.

Tooling Design & Development Services

The metal stamping firms that maintain their in-house tooling design and development team have greater control over the part and processing quality. They can create custom tooling for every project as they can ensure adherence to the requirements of the products. 

Also Read- Benefits of Using Combination Die For Your Metal Stamping Project

Capabilities & Services

You need to find out about the potential of the stamping manufacturing vendor and explore their services and capabilities. Stampings, for sure, are one of the best capabilities; however, they should be able to perform other processes like piercing, coining, progressive stamping, shallow draw stamping, etc. that you require.

It is vital to understand exactly the type of services offered by the metal stamping company, mainly when a few companies offer ancillary services that lower the cost of delivery along with the turnaround time.

There are a few pertinent questions you can ask the metal stamping company; whether they have the right capabilities for meeting the project requirements that you need, along with other specific services offered to benefit your organization. Lastly, always be sure to inspect whatever testing procedures they use for the material stiffness along with destructive and non-destructive testing processes.

Tracking the Record of Deliveries

The other vital thing you should look at the metal stamping manufacturing company is their track record in terms of their deliveries. A sound metal stamping vendor can offer you better documentation, which displays that they meet the deadline for the requirements of the clientele.

You should always ask to check out the documentation instead of accepting their assurances to meet the deadlines. You should also enquire them about their policy to offer on-time deliveries in tight delivery timelines without disruptions to the supply chain.

High-quality Practices

Generally, one of the primary things you need to consider in the metal stamping company you are selecting is if they manufacture goods of high quality. A reputed vendor is committed to the production of quality items and has programs in place along with the help they get under the process controls, various quality assurance programs, and capacity studies.

To know more about the specifics of the commitment to high quality, you should always know whether the industry standards apply to the manufacturing of parts you wish to get done. You should inquire how often they perform the tooling maintenance and how long they are testing the parts produced under their facilities.

Also Read- The Important Function of Metal Stamping Dies

Closing Thoughts

You should always evaluate the capacity whenever you are planning to select the best metal stamping manufacturing companies. A few vendors are inclined to deal with the massive volume of customers, and if you have a smaller volume requirement, it may be difficult to find the right vendor to meet your needs.

When considering their associate’s capacity, you should always ask the vendor candidate about their capacity performance. Be satisfied with all these aspects before selecting a metal stamping company.

The company is the world’s best progressive die design supplier. We are your one-stop shop for all needs. Our staff are highly-specialized and will help you find the product you need.