Metal stamping companies can sometimes be tricky to hire. Learn the strategies here of finding the right one.

1. What To Look For In A Metal Stamping Vendor
Choices. In a sense, the marketplace is essentially a network of choices - for products, services, and their associated vendors.
These different choices can highlight innovation and help maintain competitive pricing.
However, the plethora of choices can be overwhelming at times. To succeed, companies must know what to look for among the many vendor choices available in order to maximize results.
This is particularly true when it comes to metal stamping.
This eBook is offered as a guide to the various criteria generally used to select the correct metal stamping vendor for your projects.
The items detailed below will help you make the correct choice for your business.
Detailed Technical Information for Services and Capabilities
The first thing an OEM should do when considering a metal stamping supplier is look at the services and capabilities offered.
Metal stamping suppliers should offer metal stamping – that is a given. In addition, good suppliers also offer secondary and value added services.
The challenge however, rests with the OEM buyer to ask deeper questions.
Metal stamping incorporates a variety of processes including progressive stamping, coining, shallow draw stamping and piercing.
Does the metal stamping provider offer the specific capabilities required to meet the requirements of the product?
As stated previously, many metal stamping suppliers may offer value added services. The question a prospective customer must ask is, “what are these services and how might each benefit our company?”
A company may need assistance with design development, or require services that may include deburring, welding or heat-treating.
Therefore, a metal stamping supplier offering these services in addition to the expected stamping capabilities may help speed the product’s delivery time and reduce cost.

2. Determine the material capabilities of the metal stamping company. Some metal stamping facilities specialize, while others offer a wide range of material options. Some of the more common metals stamped include stainless steel, aluminum, brass, copper and high strength, low alloy steel (HSLA) in thicknesses from 0.005” to 0.188”.
Not every metal stamping company has the ability to assist in the design of a part. If your company requires additional design engineering, it makes sense to ask about the supplier’s capabilities.
Discover the supplier’s range of design services by asking about these services including in- house die design, product and prototype development and even material selection.
Does the supplier use the latest AutoCAD and EdgeCAM software? Learn more about their testing procedures as it relates to material hardness along with destructive and non-destructive testing.
Lastly, while the supplier may offer state-of-the-art technology, it has no value without the experience and skill needed to use it.
Key Manufacturing Equipment List
A dump truck and a police car both qualify as transportation. Still, one would not use the police car to deliver a load of gravel to a construction site, nor would a dump truck work well in pursuing criminals at high speed.
Similarly, the proper stamping equipment makes a big difference in the ability to deliver the project quickly and efficiently.
Technology has improved the efficiency and capabilities of most equipment, including equipment used in metal stamping.
Metal stamping suppliers should have no problem sharing a list of key equipment with prospective customers.
This list reveals whether the metal stamping supplier stays up-to-date with the technology often required to meet customer requirements.
Product Samples and Example Projects
The OEM buyer is always in the driver’s seat and as such should expect a vendor working with technical parts provide samples of the work manufactured at its facility.

3. Having samples a buyer can physically examine speaks volumes about that supplier. Samples afford buyers the opportunity to determine whether the supplier offers the desired level of capabilities and quality required for the project.
It also gives the company’s in-house engineering department an opportunity to perform in-depth testing/quality review, and provide additional information to determine supplier capabilities.
Capacity in Line with your Project
At this point in your appraisal, it is possible that you will find several custom metal stamping suppliers that offer the capabilities and value-added services required.
How can we further differentiate between choices? You should be sure to investigate the supplier’s capacity.
Ensure that your potential vendor can perform at a capacity required for your project, because not every supplier will accept projects of any size.
If you are an inventor, hobbyist, or a similar enthusiast, the scope of your project may not be big enough for a supplier looking specifically for large volume or long runs.
On the other hand, if you’re a procurement agent for a company with a nationwide presence and operations, it may be more difficult to find a supplier that can handle large orders efficiently and on time.
Certifications and ability to meet certain Standards
Does your project require your supplier to meet specific standards? A critical indicator of a supplier’s quality of output, capability, and attention to detail are their certifications and noted standards.
Check your supplier’s website for information regarding any certifications they may carry.
Often suppliers will make their certifications easily available to download, especially important certifications like ISO 9001:2008 or AS9100.
If this information is not readily available to you, be sure to get in touch with the supplier and ask for it at the beginning of the appraisal process.
Established High Quality Practices
Looking at parts reveals a certain level of manufacturing quality. A supplier’s website trumpeting its commitment to quality also serves as an indicator.

4. However, suppliers truly committed to delivering a quality product back up words with actions. Quality is not something that happens once or twice a week.
This is why a buy must look beyond surface-level indicators and discover what quality programs the supplier has in place.
Start by asking about the supplier’s familiarity with industry standards required for manufacturing a specific part.
Another question to ask—does the company perform regularly scheduled tooling maintenance.
Does the supplier have a quality assurance program? In other words, what does the supplier have in place to prevent mistakes or defects?
Suppliers concerned with quality, implement a number of items to ensure quality. Some of these include quality management systems, statistical process control, capability studies and a production part approval process.
What kinds of testing do metal stamping suppliers conduct? Suppliers committed to quality perform extensive testing on manufactured parts such as destructive testing to determine the point at which the part will fail.
There are circumstances however, where destructive testing is not possible. Non-destructive testing allows for a variety of tests without permanently changing the inspected part.
Common non-destructive tests include the use of x-rays, powerful vision equipment and lasers.
Because material hardness often factors into stamped parts, hardness testing based upon the Rockwell range is an absolute testing necessity.
Additional testing using equipment such as high-resolution cameras is extremely helpful for visual and other dimensional measurement tests.
Finally, when testing is finished, ask whether the supplier provides complete and detailed documentation that includes inspection reports for all testing.
Precision and quality require attention to all the details.
Strong Track Record of On-Time Delivery
Today’s world of lean manufacturing leaves little room for disruptions.
As a result, the ability to design and manufacture a quality part does an OEM little good if the parts arrive later than promised.

5. Are you convinced that your potential supplier will be able to consistently deliver your components on time?
Buyers should seek documentation supporting claims of on-time delivery. Because this is an important part of the complete process, suppliers should ideally provide proof based upon multiple projects over the past several years.
One additional area of significance is the supply chain.
Buyers should consider asking about warehouse systems the metal stamping supplier has in place, along with any plans that outlines how the supplier handles disruption within its supply chain.
Satisfied Customers
Third-party validation of a supplier’s capabilities about delivering what they promise can provide that final degree of proof suggested for moving forward.
Can the vendor in question offer any up any customer testimonials? If possible, seek the contact information of people offering their testimonials that appear on the supplier’s website.
It is one thing to read a glowing review online, but talking with that contact allows you to ask specific questions and confirm the information is true.
By following these suggestions, OEMs should have little trouble finding the right metal stamping company for its project.
About American Industrial
American Industrial Company is a 33-year-old metal stamping company serving a variety of industries.
From its modern 25,000 sq ft facility located 30-minutes north of O’Hare Field in suburban Chicago, we can meet and exceed your metal stamping expectations.
For more information or to request a quote, visit our website: http://www.americanindust.com.