Making an impression

Read an alphabetical selection of the latest new stamping, tooling, hydroforming and deep drawing innovations in the global market.

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According to analyst Precedence Research, the global metal stamping market size is expected to be worth US$ 223.68 billion in 2025 and is forecasted to hit around US$ 324.70 billion by 2034, representing a CAGR of 4.20% from 2025 to 2034. The Asia-Pacific market size was estimated at US$ 77.50 billion in 2024 and is expanding, said the analyst, at a CAGR of 4.34% during the forecast period. 

Metal stamping, or pressing, converts flat metal sheet (or blanks), as well as coil, into specific shapes. It is a complex process that includes several metal forming techniques such as blanking; punching; flanging; drawing; embossing; trimming; coining and piercing. Stamping dies are the tools that shape and cut sheet metal parts. Key technology advances in metal stamping include the integration of artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning (ML), automation and energy-saving features into presses and stamping operations. 

Some of the most common types of metal stamping machines include mechanical, hydraulic, hydroforming and servo presses that are fitted with multiple dies to cut and shape metal sheets of stainless steel and metals such as aluminium, zinc and copper. Better control, greater speed and versatility, shorter cycle times and higher energy savings are just some of the hallmarks of the latest technologies. In this article, we highlight an alphabetical selection of the latest new global stamping and pressing innovations.

Selected innovations

Italian stamping specialist, AIDA, promoted its range of press technologies at EuroBLECH in Hanover, Germany, last October. This included its DSF-NE2 monoblock servo presses as well as the entire AIDA press line series with servo presses, high-speed automatic presses for lamination and precision forming presses.

The AIDA DSF-NE2 is a monolithic two-point servo press that combines the high rigidity of the monoblock frame with the flexibility of the freely programmable servo movement of AIDA DSF® technology, Direct Servo Former®. AIDA’s AET (AIDA Electronic Transfer) solution enables the movement of blanks and parts in multi-station or interconnected presses. Its DSF-TE4 servo transfer presses (double-column split presses designed for transfer applications) offer high levels of customisation through multiple configurations.

Two product lines that are dedicated to the production of motor laminations are the AIDA HMX Series and AIDA MSP Series presses. The AIDA MSP lamination press is designed for production of precision and high value-added motors such as EV motors, HEV motors and energy-efficient home appliance motors. The MSP-4000-430 high-speed press was launched in early 2024, specifically for die lengths of up to 4,300mm as required for triple-row production. 

AIDA-America’s parent company in Japan has received the 67th annual ‘Ten Greatest New Products Award’ from the Nikkan Kogyo Shimbun for its BEX Series metal separator forming presses. This series is designed to stamp bipolar plates that are increasingly being used in vehicle hydrogen fuel cells and electrolysers. AIDA-America recently welcomed HMS Products Co., an industry specialist in press automation, to the AIDA family.

Press manufacturer, Schuler, has now been renamed ANDRITZ Schuler. “Schuler” will remain as a product brand and will continue to be maintained as ANDRITZ Schuler presses. The names of the Schuler Group companies are now given the prefix, ANDRITZ. This integration, said the company, also documents Schuler's transformation from a press manufacturer to an integrated solution provider in forming and handling technology.

ANDRITZ Schuler, a specialist in single presses and laser solutions, recently introduced its latest innovation in cut-to-length technology, the Laser Blanking Line 1.18 DFT which reduces the number of work steps and increases material utilisation. The system can produce parts next to trapezoids and rectangular blanks for operational efficiency and flexibility.

The company’s presses mint coins for more than 180 countries. Products also include automation; dies; process expertise; digital solutions and service for the entire metalworking industry. Its Digital Suite brings together solutions for networking forming technology and is continuously being developed. The company also offers systems for the mass production of metal bipolar plates for fuel cells. Its MSD series servo presses feature a monoblock press frame. Schuler’s single presses and multi-stage press lines are of modular design (the “TRITON” concept).

“The most powerful line, ServoMAX, can produce many parts cost-effectively. For those who want to take advantage of all the benefits of servo technology but do not require maximum output, we now offer the ServoNEXT press line. The MechNEXT is an additional mechanical press line without servo drive,” explained Andritz Schuler.

A new process for hot stamping aluminium is now being used on its hydraulic presses in which the light metal is heated, formed and simultaneously cooled within a very short time. The result is high-strength components with low weight. At EuroBLECH 2024, Schuler presented a new development for the hot stamping of large components with a space- and energy-saving rotary furnace, along with many other innovations. The innovations presented also include the fully automated production of efficient electric motors using Backlack technology and various digital solutions such as “Intelligent Notifications” for monitoring machine conditions or “DigiSim Unlmtd” for simulating the parts flow in transfer presses. These and other applications are now bundled in the Metris platform from ANDRITZ.

At EuroBLECH 2024, Swedish press specialist AP&T introduced its latest innovation, AP&T® SkyLines – a compact and efficient press-hardening line, specially developed to handle large and complex components. 

AP&T celebrated sixty years in operation in 2024. Its global offering includes complete production lines with presses, linear automation, tools, heat treatment systems and services such as maintenance, spare part provision, optimisation and rebuilds.

It has introduced a new version of its servo-hydraulic press with even lower energy consumption than before. The new version is primarily intended for progressive die stamping which requires large numbers of strokes per minute and for other types of forming requiring precision such as embossing, punching and deep drawing. It has also introduced a new Android-based tool that simplifies remote problem solving and reduces the risk of misunderstandings and downtime.

Italian manufacturer Balconi Presseccentriche S.p.A. produces transfer, blanking and servo presses as well as presses for progressive tools, impact extrusion presses and fin die presses. Its press model 4DMRF-LD-2000 has a 2,000kN cushion and three-axis electronic transfer. The press can produce up to 27 strokes per minute. 

Boldrini (part of the FACCIN Group) is a manufacturer of hydraulic dished-end presses, flanging machines and manipulators.  The presses feature high speeds including approach, return and, particularly, pressure build-up timing that, it told ISMR, results in a substantial increase in head production.

Its heavy duty four-column dual use hydraulic deep drawing press has a capacity up to 5000 tons. The ROTEX design combines a hot forming press with a hot flanging machine capable of forming heads of up to 200mm in thickness. The Boldrini RIBO series flanging machine is used to manufacture dished heads for pressure vessels, steam boilers and equipment for the oil and chemical industries

Its manufacturing line includes specially designed hydraulic presses with one or more independent cylinders used for folding, straightening and shaping of components for naval, aircraft and aerospace applications. Hydroforming and/or air forming presses, used for multiple purposes, are also available.

Swiss stamping specialist, Bruderer AG, employs some 500 people all over the world, 390 of whom work at its Frasnacht site in Switzerland, where all its high-performance stamping presses are produced. Around 95% of the company’s products are manufactured for the export market. Its stamping presses include the BSTA 710-220 and BSTL 350-88 models (the latter for customers involved in volume production of small and miniature components)

“As a fixed-stroke press, the BSTL uses up to 30% less energy when compared to older machine models. It comes with a new-generation servo feed unit,” commented Bruderer. The BSTA 710-220, said Bruderer, offers “the longest bed length (2.2 metres) of its machine type in the world.” With automatic stroke adjustment and various options such as different stroke lengths, shut heights and press force monitoring (for example), the press can be configured for individual customer requirements.

Bruderer UK has just opened a new 10,000 square-metre ‘centre of manufacturing excellence’ in Hortonwood (UK).

Taiwanese manufacturer Chin Fong’s stamping presses range from 20-ton single crank presses and up to 3200 metric tons of capacity to four-point eccentric gear-driven, large panel and multi-stage transfer presses. Forging presses are further diversified by cold, warm and hot forging processes. It has also developed an intelligent single-crank press with a crank mechanism used for blanking, drawing, bending and partial forming. Its straightside double-crank power press, with 400-ton capacity, has a bed area of 2.5m x 1m and can produce metal stampings from material measuring up to 400mm wide and 3.5mm thick.

Established in 1948, Chin Fong now has offices in Taiwan, China, Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand and the USA as well as representatives in numerous countries around the world. Its A0 tandem press line for the automotive industry includes stages such as deep drawing, trimming, piercing etc. Chin Fong has further boosted its sustainability credentials with the award of certification from SGS for ISO 14064-1 greenhouse gas and ISO 14067 Carbon Footprint for its C-frame press products.

The company has moved onto multi-press connections and cloud computing, linking ERP management and even AI computing systems to analyse Big Data. It offers machine selection consulting services, combined with its “iForming PMS - Intelligent Forming Productivity Management System” solution. It has also implemented scanning code and fingerprint authentication to meet workplace safety requirements, as well as facial recognition and an iris recognition system. 

COSKUNÖZ KALIP MAKINA SANAYI VE TICARET A.S. offers turnkey solution to OEMs for stamping tooling, with upstream and downstream services which include engineering feasibility at vehicle design stage; HLTO services; die repair and maintenance; prototype dies/parts and project management.

DEES Hydraulic Industrial Co., Ltd. is a hydraulic press manufacturer with factories in Taiwan and China. Its main products include presses such as custom triple-action; die spotting; die tryout; deep- drawing; transfer; servo controlled; tandem press line; hot forming four-post; hemming; C-frame hydraulic presses etc. Its focus is on three main stamping areas: servo motors, higher speed of the hydraulic press and higher productivity for presses, using accumulators for shorter strokes. DEES Hydraulic has also successfully developed a closed loop, hydraulic, servo-controlled die spotting press.

DEES has introduced a 24-hour 2,500-ton tandem line customised for automotive manufacturing industry. The hydraulic monoblock system is powered by a motor and pump set. The moving bolsters are enhanced with a QDS system (quick die-change system) to make the heavy die change easier and faster. Users can adjust pressure, speed, daylight and stroke distance. 

The high-speed technology of the HD series developed by DEES is controlled by the accumulator. Its pressing speed is between 30-150mm/second, with an approaching speed of 800mm/second or faster and return speed of 600mm/second or faster. With the cushion system function to knock out the parts, all speeds and strokes including the slide and cushion systems are adjustable. DEES’s self-developed HD-FASTech technology has been designed to improve deep drawing/production efficiency.

DIEFFENBACHER showcased hydraulic forming presses and complete press lines for sheet metal forming and the production of high-quality stainless-steel parts at EuroBLECH 2024 in Hanover Germany. Digitalisation and sustainability solutions, along with service and automation expertise, were also highlighted. The company celebrated its 150th anniversary in 2023.

Examples of applications produced with Dieffenbacher equipment include battery housings, battery boxes and underbody covers for many e-mobility applications such as drones and electric cars, and bicycle components such as frames and rims. AT JEC2024, it showcased processes including Sheet Moulding Compound (SMC) and GMT and its Tailored Blank Line, including tape-laying and consolidation technologies. The company’s core competence, the hydraulic press, plays a major role in all these processes. Its press lines feature press forces of up to 32,000kN. 

The manufacturer’s digitalisation platform, EVORIS, uses artificial intelligence to make production lines faster and more efficient. Its tailored press can reduce energy use by up to 70%, depending upon the application. Variable-speed pump drives minimise unnecessary energy consumption. DIEFFENBACHER’s embossing press stamps plates for stainless-steel heat exchangers. 

ebu Umformtechnik (ebu) designs automatic punching machines, presses and automation from the conveyor system to parts management. Its HMI (human-machine interface) features a Siemens Unified Panel. The HMI is cloud- and web-ready and multi-touch gestures as well as zooming functionality is possible.

Fagor Arrasate, headquartered in Spain, offers presses, coil cutting and processing lines, and complete systems for manufacturing complex metal parts. It also specialises in composite forming, hot and cold forging systems, and press hardening. It is part of the Mondragon Corporation. It acquired a 70% stake in Spanish company, Ribinerf, which specialises in industrial robotics, 3D vision and artificial intelligence to automate part quality control, sorting, picking and racking processes.

Fagor Arrasate designs and manufactures presses and stamping systems from 630KN up to 150,000KN using mechanical, hydraulic or servo-driven technology. It has been supplying transfer presses for more than 30 years as well as manufacturing large transfer presses of more than 3,500 tons. 

Its presses are fully automated, with its own automated systems such as transfer systems or pick-up destackers. It also offers one single control architecture for an entire press line. Its high-speed press line (WaveLine concept) has been developed to transfer large, stamped parts (such as body side, hood, roof and double-door units) through large tandem press lines. Fagor Arrasate has also incorporated Danobat’s coil laser-cutting technology into its press lines. It offers a modular and scalable coil-fed laser blanking concept.

To read the rest of this article in the June 2025 issue of ISMR, see https://joom.ag/Rqsd/p46