2. 425 Enterprise Parkway • Lake Zurich, IL 60047 • (800) 927-0397 • www.hplstampings.com
The Short Run Stamping Process
Today’s short-run stamping
process is comprised of a
unique tooling method
where low-cost inserts are
used in conjunction with
master holders and fixtures,
thereby taking the place of
conventional die sets.
3. 425 Enterprise Parkway • Lake Zurich, IL 60047 • (800) 927-0397 • www.hplstampings.com
The Short Run Stamping Process
This method allows for:
Low tooling costs – Inserts
are used to take the place of
conventional (more
expensive) die sets.
Flexibility – Designs can be
revised easily.
4. 425 Enterprise Parkway • Lake Zurich, IL 60047 • (800) 927-0397 • www.hplstampings.com
How to Complete Your Prototype in 3 to 4 Weeks
These stamping methods cut
turnaround times
considerably — but to ensure
your prototype is developed in
3 to 4 weeks, it’s helpful to
develop a checklist
and make sure all critical steps
are met.
✓
5. 425 Enterprise Parkway • Lake Zurich, IL 60047 • (800) 927-0397 • www.hplstampings.com
The Checklist for Success
The following checklist will
keep you organized and help
you move a metal stamped
part from drawing to
delivery in 3 to 4 weeks.
6. 425 Enterprise Parkway • Lake Zurich, IL 60047 • (800) 927-0397 • www.hplstampings.com
Step 1: Have a Drawing to Work With
A Computer-Assisted Design
(CAD) is the first item needed to
bring your part from drawing to
delivery.
7. 425 Enterprise Parkway • Lake Zurich, IL 60047 • (800) 927-0397 • www.hplstampings.com
Is the Drawing Correct Dimensionally?
All critical dimensions should be
properly identified and clearly
highlighted.
Additional questions to ask:
• Do all of the numbers add up
properly across all dimensions?
• Are the revisions identified?
8. 425 Enterprise Parkway • Lake Zurich, IL 60047 • (800) 927-0397 • www.hplstampings.com
Step 2: Format the CAD File Properly
Commonly recognized formats within the industry
are:
SolidWorks
Pro/Engineer Wildfire
AutoCAD Inventor
If you use unfamiliar software, time and resources
can be wasted and costs can be higher.
9. 425 Enterprise Parkway • Lake Zurich, IL 60047 • (800) 927-0397 • www.hplstampings.com
Does a Physical Part Already Exist?
If a physical part already exists, show
the part to your manufacturer.
Tell the manufacturer why you aren’t
happy with the part:
Was timing an issue?
Was the quality not good enough?
Was cost too high?
10. 425 Enterprise Parkway • Lake Zurich, IL 60047 • (800) 927-0397 • www.hplstampings.com
Step 3: Schedule a Design Consultation
Design experts can scrutinize the product to
determine if they can:
Cut unnecessary costs.
Better organize/group production steps.
11. 425 Enterprise Parkway • Lake Zurich, IL 60047 • (800) 927-0397 • www.hplstampings.com
Know what to discuss.
While the customer is the
final decision maker, design
experts can provide special
knowledge about:
Tolerance/Standards
Material Options
Functionality
12. 425 Enterprise Parkway • Lake Zurich, IL 60047 • (800) 927-0397 • www.hplstampings.com
Tolerance / Standards
A single decimal place can
make all the difference in the
part’s final cost.
Design engineers can help
determine which dimensions
are critical, and which can be
relaxed (if relaxed means cost
savings).
13. 425 Enterprise Parkway • Lake Zurich, IL 60047 • (800) 927-0397 • www.hplstampings.com
Material Options
Does the part require a
specific aesthetic look?
Does it have to match the
finished qualities of other
parts?
Answer these questions for
your design expert, who may
know of a better material
option for your part.
14. 425 Enterprise Parkway • Lake Zurich, IL 60047 • (800) 927-0397 • www.hplstampings.com
Functionality
Discussing the functionality with a design
expert can reveal what properties are truly
critical to the part — and what aren’t.
The expert may reduce the criticalness of a
dimension — which can save you costs in the
long run.
15. 425 Enterprise Parkway • Lake Zurich, IL 60047 • (800) 927-0397 • www.hplstampings.com
Step 4: Determine Delivery & Shipping Methods
Delivery and shipping methods are often an
afterthought in manufacturing — but are
critical to plan if you want to stick to your
timeline.
Be sure to:
Review in-house shipping methods
Communicate strict deadlines to all manufacturers involved
Verify the companies have a reliable delivery system
A delay in delivery from one vendor to another can add
unexpected and steep costs.
16. 425 Enterprise Parkway • Lake Zurich, IL 60047 • (800) 927-0397 • www.hplstampings.com
Step 5: Review Machine Time & Tooling Required
It’s time to review the flow of the part as it
moves into, through and out of the short-
run metal stamping process.
First, decide if the part’s tooling will be automatic or custom-
made. Much of this choice will be determined by the design’s
complexity.
17. 425 Enterprise Parkway • Lake Zurich, IL 60047 • (800) 927-0397 • www.hplstampings.com
Is Post-Processing Work Necessary?
This stage is also when you need to decide on post-processing
work, which can include:
Countersinking
Drilling
Tapping
Plating
If the shop you used to process the part has finishing services or
secondary capabilities, this can save you in costs and reduction
in shipping and handling.
18. 425 Enterprise Parkway • Lake Zurich, IL 60047 • (800) 927-0397 • www.hplstampings.com
Learn More from Our eBook
Get a more detailed timeline with our
eBook — The Pathway to Completing Your
Metal Stamped Prototype in 3-4 Weeks.
Our step-by-step checklist will get you
prepared for a 3-to-4 week turnaround.
Visit our website to access the free eBook.
19. 425 Enterprise Parkway • Lake Zurich, IL 60047 • (800) 927-0397 • www.hplstampings.com
About HPL Stampings, Inc.
HPL Stampings is the leader in short
run and prototype metal stampings,
sheet metal stampings, and laser
cutting. We also perform secondary
and finishing services — eliminating
your need for multiple vendors.
Visit us on our website today: www.hplstampings.com
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