Depending on the shape of the furniture parts or products, furniture hardware stamping involves a variety of different processes, each with its own unique approach. These processes are used to achieve the complex and intricate designs of furniture hardware pieces and products. With the vast array of furniture hardware types, it's usually not feasible to manufacture all hardware parts with a single stamping process, as each process is tailored to create a specific design.

 

Many stamping techniques involve processes like extrusion, drawing, and embossing. Each technique involves a mix of various processes to achieve the desired parts. All these methods are carried out at room temperature, typically involving minimal or no heat. Hardware stamping is a classic cold forming manufacturing process, involving the use of several tools and equipment, such as stamping machinery (presses), dies, etc., to form complex shapes and appearances.

 

Here are six common hardware stamping processes often used by furniture hardware manufacturers:

 

1. Punching

Punching, a major category in hardware stamping processes, involves fixing a metal sheet on the work surface and then using specific tools and machines to create a series of hollow areas on the sheet. The characteristic of this process is that after punching, the punched parts are removed and not used further.

 

To ensure the stability of the metal sheet's shape, the punching process must be continuous, and the areas around the punches need to be precisely designed. The machines used for this process are typically made of high-carbon steel and require strict maintenance to prevent sheet deformation due to dulling.

 

2. Blanking

Blanking, similar to punching, differs in that the sheet after punching is still used as the final product part. Many stamping companies use blanking processes at the beginning of a project, followed by other stages such as extrusion and bending. Blanking is particularly suitable for mass production because it is simple to operate and can achieve high-quality, high-precision cutting.

 

In some cases, the metal sheet may produce unnecessary edges or burrs, which are usually addressed through thermal deburring, manual deburring, or vibration methods.

 

3. Drawing

In hardware stamping, drawing is one of the techniques commonly used by manufacturers. This process involves fixing the ends of a metal sheet and using a die with a specific cross-sectional shape to stamp it. The punch from the die pushes the sheet against the machine, deforming it into the desired cross-sectional shape. Drawing can be divided into deep drawing and shallow drawing, both aimed at achieving the required depth on the metal sheet.

 

In shallow drawing, the radius of the metal sheet is equal to the depth of drawing, while deep drawing focuses on forming a cup-shaped cut on the sheet to create various products.

 

4. Extrusion

Extrusion is a typical process in hardware stamping used to manufacture products and parts with an extruded shape. It uses a closed die manufacturing technique, involving two separate dies gradually coming together at the ends of the metal sheet to form the desired shape. The advantage of extrusion is its efficiency and reliability, enabling the quick and accurate manufacturing of various metal parts and products with different tolerance requirements.

 

This technique also gives parts or products high physical wear resistance and impact resistance.

 

5. lancing

lancing is quite different from blanking and punching. It uses a unique hardware stamping process to create a deep slit on the metal surface without removing any metal pieces. The purpose of this process is to reduce the generation of metal waste, such as metal plugs that need to be processed in the later stages.

 

lancing is often used to manufacture parts and components that require openings, vents, labels, etc., as it helps create various unique and customized designs using different types of metals.

 

6. Embossing

Embossing is another technique for designing a raised surface in specific areas of a metal sheet. It can be achieved through a set of dies or machines, mainly used to create parts and components for various applications, depending on the complexity and form of the required design. Common applications for embossed parts include metal covers, engine hoods, engine casings, door frames, and checkered steel plates.

 

In the embossing process, aluminum is one of the most popular types of metal due to its ease of processing, durability, and lightness, which helps improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the process.

 

Key Factors in the Hardware Stamping Process

Hardware stamping technology plays a significant role in the field of metal manufacturing. Various stamping processes are applied at different production stages depending on their technical complexity.

 

For example, simple and straightforward processes like blanking and punching are often used in the initial stages of a project, followed by other processes to form the final product. Complex stamping procedures like deep drawing, lancing, extrusion, and embossing are more often used to create complex designs and reduce the need for processing throughout the production cycle.