Metal stamping is a critical aspect of many OEMs’ manufacturing processes. As such, it’s of course extremely important to choose the right metal stamping supplier—one who has the experience and expertise to provide quality work at an affordable price.
But with the abundance of choices out there, how do you know who to choose? While there are many factors that make a metal stamping supplier great, here are the top three considerations when looking for the best metal stamper for your needs.
Do your research and be sure the stamper provides you with these important factors:
1) Detailed Technical Information for Services and Capabilities
Naturally, your choice in a metal stamper is only as good as the services and capabilities they offer. Chances are, in addition to metal stamping, you need secondary and/or value added services. So don’t be afraid to ask questions: does the metal stamping provider offer the specific capabilities to meet the requirements of the product? Does the supplier use the latest AutoCAD and EdgeCAM software? What material options are available, and do they offer in-house die design, and product and prototype development?
A supplier who offers all of these services may help speed the product’s delivery time while reducing cost.
2) Capacity in Line with Your Project
You may find that there are several custom metal stampers that offer what you need—but what many people don’t realize is that not all can perform at the capacity required for your particular project. Not every supplier will accept projects of any size, so you should be sure to investigate the supplier’s capacity and make sure they can and will handle your specific capacity needs, for both now and potential future recurring jobs.
3) Established High Quality Practices
At the end of the day, it’s all about quality; this is what sets suppliers apart, and what will, in turn, set you apart. Quality is not something that occurs occasionally, which is why you should look beyond surface-level indicators and discover what quality programs the supplier has in place. Again, ask questions: does the supplier have a quality assurance program? Do they perform regularly scheduled tooling maintenance? What kinds of testing do they conduct? Make sure their practices ensure consistent quality.
These are three important factors to consider when choosing a metal stamping supplier. However, just as metal stamping is multi-faceted, so are the aspects of a great stamper.
Therefore, we’ve put together a comprehensive eBook entitled “What to Look for In a Metal Stamping Vendor” that lists—in detail—the eight crucial factors to consider. We’ve taken our extensive knowledge and experience and put it into an informative, easy-to-read guide in order to make the decision easier for you.
If you’d like to download your free copy, simply visit our website today. And feel free to contact us should you have any additional questions!