Metal stamping is set to have a great year in 2018—even beyond the already impressive year the sector experienced in 2017. This growth in precision metal stamping may largely be attributed to growth in the U.S. economy, which is set to experience an additional 2% GDP growth this year. Across the United States, new markets are opening up, providing a wide range of opportunities for various manufacturers, including the metal stamping industry.
Industry Growth
The metal stamping industry has seen significant growth in the aerospace, defense, and automotive verticals, which have all contributed directly to the substantial growth metal stamping experienced in 2017 and 2018.
- Aerospace/Defense
The aerospace sector is making technological advancements at a record pace, leading to rapid growth––particularly when it comes to the defense and commercial aviation sectors. This expansion has resulted in greater demand for sheet metal fabrication worldwide, as metal stamped components make up a significant portion of defense and aviation equipment and vehicles. This demand has been most noticeable among the commercial and military aircraft market divisions.
- Automotive
The automotive industry is also projecting significant growth in metal stamping demand. Metal stamping plays a critical role in automotive applications, as metal stamped components are widely used in everything from vehicle bodies to engines and fuel systems. The flexibility of metal stamping makes it an ideal process for automotive manufacturers, allowing for a wide variety of custom shapes and sizes that meet the various specifications of each model’s unique design.
In the midst of a strong economy, the demand among consumers for new vehicles has also grown. Increased production of passenger vehicles has steadily driven growth in the automotive metal stamping market.
The Asia Pacific region is experiencing the largest revenue growth in the automotive metal stamping market. Europe and North America follow, and growth in coming years is expected in Latin America, the Middle East, and Africa as well.
Five Major Processes for 2018
Metal stamping is known for its versatility, due to the wide range of processes that stamping equipment is able to perform. This versatility enables stamped metal components to be used in almost any application and setting. Of the numerous stamping processes available, there are a few that are expected to stand out in 2018.
The five major processes for 2018 are:
- Blanking
- Embossing
- Bending
- Coining
- Flanging
Metal Fabrication Trends
To accommodate the steady growth demonstrated by the precision metal stamping sector, manufacturers are considering new processes to increase the efficiency, accuracy, and speed of current metal stamping procedures. The following metal stamping trends are currently growing in popularity:
- Automation
Manufacturers are increasingly incorporating automated processes and robotics into their metal stamping operations as a way to enhance productivity and further increase the precision of metal stamped parts and components.
- 3D Printing
3D printers have been a common tool for prototyping for several years. Many 3D printing providers already offer metal-printed parts, but the process is currently not cost-effective for large production runs. Recent advancements in this technology suggest that 3D printed metal components and parts will become far more cost competitive across metal fabrication sectors.
- Reshoring
Rising costs for outsourced overseas manufacturing operations have made moving back to the United States more appealing than in years past, and metal stampers are taking notice. American manufacturers are taking advantage of new technologies and automated processes to build efficient and affordable operations on their home soil.
Learn More
American Industrial is a leading U.S.-based metal stamper, specializing in precision metal stamping and assemblies. For almost 30 years, our company has been ahead of the pack, using state-of-the-art technologies to provide our clients with customized solutions that can deliver precision metal stamped components and parts for any application. With our ongoing dedication to quality, we are committed to creating only the best products for our customers.
2018 is shaping up to be a big year for metal stamping. To learn more about this year’s trends, download American Industrial’s newest eBook, Made in America: Metal Stamping 2024 Trend Report.