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What is Pressing and Stamping?

The Presswork process is a key element of various manufacturing businesses including car manufacturing.  Even though plastics are widely used, they do not always offer the same strength or versatility that metal can and that’s why metal presswork is still key. 

The Press or Power Press represents a specific type of machine tool, essential in the performance of industrial manufacturing processes.

It accommodates both single operation and progression tooling and delivers energy through a force that acts over a distance or stroke. The method and nature by which a press machine will deliver its energy will vary, dependent on its type and tonnage.

At Qutec, we can offer press capacity ranging from 20T through to 500T with bed sizes ranging up to 1m x 1.5m. In turn, a number of our presses are able to feed up to 600mm wide coil on progression. 

Press machines are the primary machine used in metal forming, extrusion and sheet metal fabrication. Hydraulic and mechanical presses can be employed across metal sheet, coils, strips or blanks, producing metal pressings or drawn and formed metal components.

Advantages of pressing/stamping

  • One of the biggest benefits of the presswork process is that it is suitable for a wide range of different applications. Indeed, the presswork process is incredibly versatile.
  • Power presses come in a variety of forms and have evolved over many years of development. Most presses are still mechanical which provides a single blow of defined tonnage and stroke. More modern presses are hydraulic or pneumatic which can offer a variable tonnage with an adjustable stroke. The choice of the press should be dictated by the component required.
  • The pressing process also provides a high level of strength for relatively thin parts. Again, it guarantees that it is possible to deliver a high-quality component that clients want and expect. This doesn’t change based on the presswork machine you choose. They all provide similar characteristics in the component produced on a repeatable basis, regardless of whether the machine is pneumatic, manual, or hydraulic.
  • With suitable tooling, a power press can be used to produce a wide range of components for a variety of industries. Just as we do here at QuTec Pershore Ltd.
  • This process can also be completed at a reasonable price. Despite high energy consumption presswork is often an affordable solution and will fit the budget of numerous businesses.
  • It’s also easy to make parts in various materials and thicknesses. Presswork is usually associated with high-volume production.

Disadvantages of pressing/stamping

There are several disadvantages to be aware of when using presswork.

  • First, a presswork machine needs to be correctly maintained and have the correct safety guards fitted. It also needs to be set-up by a qualified technician. It must also be the correct power press for the application required. That’s why it’s important to choose a business that is using a variety of well-maintained presses like QuTec.
  • It is important to have the correct tooling to install in the power presses to produce the component you require. In most instances, more than one tool will be required. Generally, this is what will require the most investment to manufacture the parts that are required. At QuTec we can offer a design & manufacturing service for press tooling.
  • It’s also important to be aware that these machines are designed to operate at high speeds. As such, the process is largely efficient providing the correct tooling is in place and well maintained. Also, a sufficient quantity of components is required to justify the tooling investment required
  • Presswork is a process that imposes some limitations on the component design. However, the combination of a suitable power press and well-designed press tooling offers an extremely cost-effective method of manufacture.

While there are certainly issues with this particular metal process, it’s clear that the advantages of using presswork certainly outweigh the cons with the right product. That’s why presswork is still a staple of the manufacturing industry today. So, are you fully convinced that presswork is for you? Get in touch today to speak to our friendly staff to find out why QuTec should be your go-to for all your presswork requirements. Call us on +44(0) 1386 555 088 or alternatively email us at production@qutecpershoreltd.com

Welcome to the QuTec Knowledge Centre

This is the UK’s Go-To resource for Metal Pressings and Fabrication and is updated regularly. If we haven’t already written about a particular aspect that you’re interested in, then please submit your enquiry here and one of our Fabrication Specialist will take a look.

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TESTIMONIALS

Anti-Vibrational (UK Purchasing Director)

Our company and QuTec have a long-standing relationship over four decades which continues in strength, year in, year out. What we look for in any supplier is one that truly understands what we need and what we expect. These suppliers are hard to find in the marketplace today, so when they do come along it is important to utilise them. Our Quality requirements have only ever increased throughout the years, and QuTec have taken these on board and continue to work with us to ensure a reliable quality product is delivered into our business on time, every time.

Qutec continue to be competitive, quality driven, reliable and are a pleasure to deal with.

Agriculture (UK Supply Chain Manager)

As an ethical business, we choose and monitor our suppliers extremely carefully. Appropriate supply partners are key to maintaining and developing our business and our strategy of supporting local businesses is an extension of our desire to deal fairly with our key suppliers. QuTec Pershore Ltd have been one of our most important partners for over 25 years.  In this time, they have consistently been a pleasure to work with, being willing to accommodate the ever-changing requirements of a growing SME.  Their ability to offer many different fabrication and pressing methods have been extremely helpful at all stages of product design, development, and production, to ensure cost effective and timely solutions are found and maintained throughout the life of a product. 

I know I speak for my colleagues when I say we enjoy the ability to be able to call up and discuss requests or issues in the knowledge that we will obtain a positive outcome. Overall, we value our supplier relationship with QuTec and look forward to how we can further improve processes and grow our businesses together.

Domestic Heating (UK Purchasing Manager)

QuTec Pershore Ltd have been the major supplier of metal pressings to our company for over 15 years and continue to be rated as a key supplier through our Supplier Assessment Records. Their experience, knowledge and tool maintenance are highly regarded. Over the last seven years QuTec’s willingness to invest in the latest technology has enabled us to source large quantities of fabrication work, using their CNC Laser, Press Brakes, welding services, and Vertical Machining centre facilities. This has proved a great success and provides our company with a ‘one stop shop’ facility for all our subcontract requirements. QuTec continue to be competitive, quality driven, reliable and are a pleasure to deal with.

Flood Defence (Research & Development/Project Manager)

QuTec Pershore Ltd have been a key metal fabricating supplier to our company for the last 3 years. Their previous knowledge and experience in the UK and overseas Flood defence arena has proven invaluable and their ability to offer many different fabrication methods have been extremely helpful at all stages of product design, development, and production. We have come to trust and rely upon QuTec and their willingness to supply everything from prototype parts, one off orders, large, fabricated project pieces as well as continuous batch production of components. Their attention to detail through their entire service process offered is imperative to the quality delivery of many large flood defence fabrication projects they have successfully delivered. 

Domestic Heating (UK Purchasing Manager)

QuTec Pershore Ltd have been the major supplier of metal pressings to our company for over 15 years and continue to be rated as a key supplier through our Supplier Assessment Records. Their experience, knowledge and tool maintenance are highly regarded. Over the last seven years QuTec’s willingness to invest in the latest technology has enabled us to source large quantities of fabrication work, using their CNC Laser, Press Brakes, welding services, and Vertical Machining centre facilities. This has proved a great success and provides our company with a ‘one stop shop’ facility for all our subcontract requirements. QuTec continue to be competitive, quality driven, reliable and are a pleasure to deal with.

Flood Defence (Research & Development/Project Manager)

QuTec Pershore Ltd have been a key metal fabricating supplier to our company for the last 3 years. Their previous knowledge and experience in the UK and overseas Flood defence arena has proven invaluable and their ability to offer many different fabrication methods have been extremely helpful at all stages of product design, development, and production. We have come to trust and rely upon QuTec and their willingness to supply everything from prototype parts, one off orders, large, fabricated project pieces as well as continuous batch production of components. Their attention to detail through their entire service process offered is imperative to the quality delivery of many large flood defence fabrication projects they have successfully delivered. 

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