Progressive Die Stamping
Why choose PROGRESSIVE DIE STAMPING?
At PRESCO, progressive die stamping is a core manufacturing method used to to produce flat parts, bracket parts and deep drawn parts within a single, highly controlled process.
By advancing a continuous strip of metal through a series of stations, multiple operations, such as cutting, forming, and drawing, are performed in sequence, enabling complex parts to be produced at high speed with exceptional repeatability.
Flat Parts
& Bracketry
Progressive die stamping efficiently produces flat and bracket components by integrating blanking, piercing, and forming operations into one automated tool.
This approach is ideal for brackets, clips, and precision flat parts where tight tolerances, consistent feature location, and long-term production stability are critical.
Deep Drawn Components
The same progressive process can also be engineered to include drawing and redrawing operations, allowing flat metal to be formed into hollow shapes such as housings, shells, and enclosures.
This enables high-volume production of deep drawn parts with controlled material flow, smooth surfaces, and repeatable geometry.
The Benefits of Progressive Die Stamping
Because progressive die stamping can accommodate both flat and drawn geometries within a single tooling strategy, it provides a flexible, scalable solution for a wide range of part designs and production requirements.
Other reasons why people use progressive die stamping include:
Cost reduction
By combining multiple operations into a single, automated tool, progressive die stamping minimizes labor, reduces material waste, and lowers per-piece costs at higher volumes.
Repeatability
Once tooled, the process delivers consistent, precise parts across every production run, maintaining tight tolerances and uniform quality over time.
Long-term program stability
Progressive die stamping is built for long-running programs, providing reliable performance, predictable output, and consistent part quality over the life of the tool.
INDUSTRY APPLICATIONS
Progressive die stamping is used in nearly every industry. Here are some practical ways we see progressive die stamping improve our world every day.
Exhaust
Electrical
Sealing rings
HINGES & HARDWARE
HARNESS & BRACKETRY
VALVES & REGULATORS
Is progressive die stamping right for you?
Choosing a metal fabrication process can feel like a journey. This chart shows how progressive die stamping compares to other popular fabrication methods and takes into account some of the top considerations like cost, repeatability, lead time, production volume, and more.
Click to compare (or close)
| Criteria | Progressive Die Stamping | CNC Machining | Casting | Metal Spinning / Line Processes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Best For | Parts with repeatable geometry, relatively consistent wall thickness, and long-life production requirements | Parts that have variable wall thickness throughout | Complex shapes, thicker walls | Axisymmetrical parts with larger size or diameter transitions |
| Piece-Part Cost | Low at volume | High (labor + machine time) | Moderate | Moderate-High |
| Repeatable & Consistent Dimensions | Excellent | Good | Good | Good |
| Typical Annual Volume | Medium-high volume for a single cavity | Low-medium volume | Low–medium for a single cavity | Low–medium volume |
| Tooling Lead Time | ~4 to 8 months | ~1 to 2 months | ~4 to 8+ months | ~1 to 5 months on a line process |
| Lead Time (Production) | Very fast once tooled | Slower | Moderate | Moderate |
| Material Efficiency | High (minimal waste) | Low (significant material removal) | Moderate | High |
| Labor Dependency | Low | High | Moderate | Moderate |
| Best Lifecycle Fit | Long-running programs (3+ years) | Short runs / prototypes | Long-running programs (3+ years) | Transitional or lower-volume needs |
Experience the PRESCO Advantage
- 80+ years of stamping focus
- Long-running programs
- Deep process and tooling expertise
Quality & Process Control Built for Metal Stamping
High-volume progressive die stamping works best when quality systems are as robust as the tooling itself. At PRESCO, quality is engineered into every stage of production.
Advanced Inspection
Every progressive die program is supported by inspection methods selected specifically with the customer for the part’s tolerance requirements, ease of assembly, and functional use.
Quality capabilities
Our approach to quality ensures that parts produced at high speed maintain dimensional integrity, functional performance, and consistency over long production runs.
Programmable Mitutoyo CMM
for dimensional verification and repeatability
Optical comparators
for profile and feature inspection
Surface metrology
to verify critical finishes and contact surfaces
Leak and burst testing
for functional validation where performance matters
Custom attribute gauges and fixtures
developed for every part, ensuring consistent inspection at production speeds
Additional quality controls
as developed and designed for any customer specific requirements
Reach out to talk to our team about progressive die metal stamping.
We’d love to hear your questions and collaborate with you on your ideas. Fill out a form to talk to an engineer or get a quote for your part.