Stamping

Several types of presses, mechanical, pneumatic or hydropneumatic, can be used as stamping Press Machine in small, medium, or large series. Stamping is a technique used in a wide variety of applications where many parameters are involved.

As with our presses designed for other applications, EMG designs presses that can be modified to suit different types of production, as well as to the safety and comfort of the operator at his workstation by considering each of the specific parameters of its customers.

What Is Stamping?

Stamping (or embossing/deep drawing) is a sheet metal forming process that transforms a flat metal blank (sheet or strip) into a three-dimensional shape by plastic deformation. The principle is based on the plastic deformation of the material, which consists of stretching or shrinking the sheet to obtain the desired shape. A distinction is made between:

• Cold stamping : carried out at room temperature. This is the most widely used technique for large and very large production runs, particularly for parts that require a powerful, single-sided action on the sheet. It is the standard process for mild steel, aluminium and stainless steel in the automotive, hardware and consumer goods sectors. The implementation of this type of tool is quite fast and allows the production of parts as soon as the tool is installed and adjusted on the press table.
• Hot stamping : carried out with the part heated ; typically to approximately 800°C for mild steel, to reduce the forming force required and improve the ductility of materials that are difficult to cold-form, such as high-strength steels. Hot stamping is a more specialised process that requires specific equipment and handling, which is not manufactured by EMG.

The preparation and design of a sheet metal stamping operation begins with a needs analysis: definition of the part specifications (shape, thickness, material), followed by the design of the stamping tooling, during which parameters such as material tensile strength, required drawing depth and press gooseneck depth must be taken into account. The goal is always to obtain the desired shape, thickness and dimensional accuracy with a minimum of scrap.

What Is a Stamping Press Machine?

A stamping press machine is a machine tool capable of delivering high, rapid force to compel the metal to conform to the shape of a tooling set composed of a punch (upper part, fixed to the ram) and a die (lower part, fixed to the press table). The press must manage severe mechanical constraints: the sharp energy release at impact, the resistance of the material to deformation, and the need to maintain perfect alignment between punch and die throughout the full stroke.
Several key parameters define the suitability of a press for a given stamping application:

Our stamping Press Technologies

The choice of technology for a stamping application depends on three primary parameters: the force required (driven by material thickness, tensile strength and draw depth), the production volume (strokes per day / per hour), and the level of process control required. EMG offers three complementary technologies covering the full range of industrial stamping requirements.

Mechanical Eccentric Presses : The Reference for High-Cadence Stamping

EMG mechanical eccentric presses are the reference technology for high-volume sheet metal stamping. The motor drives a flywheel continuously via belts. The kinetic energy accumulated by the flywheel is transmitted, via an air clutch, to a crankshaft which — through a connecting rod — controls the travel of the ram. The full power required for the stamping action is thus developed and delivered at the point of impact, with a force and speed profile that is determined by the press geometry and adjustable settings.

EMG has developed a range of mechanical eccentric presses from 6 to 80 tonnes, particularly adapted to the stamping of all types of sheet metal. They are also adapted to the cutting/forming of complex parts, thanks to easy management of the force and control of the pressure exerted throughout the operation.
 

Shop premium mechanical eccentric presses

Pneumatic and Hydropneumatic Presses — Flexibility for Light and Medium Stamping

For stamping operations at lower force levels, or for production contexts where flexibility, quick changeover and precise force control matter more than maximum cadence, pneumatic and hydropneumatic presses are the appropriate choice. They are used for operations that are less intensive or that require finer control of the force throughout the stroke, and they can be integrated directly into the workstation or a production line.

Pneumatic bench presses — up to 6 tonnes, light stamping and small series

EMG pneumatic bench presses are designed for low-tonnage stamping of soft metals (aluminium, copper, thin mild steel sheet) and small to medium series. Force is proportionally adjustable from 3 to 6 bar, giving the operator direct control over the forming force without tooling changes. Approach speed and work speed are independently adjustable, allowing the ram profile to be tuned to the material and drawing depth.

All EMG pneumatic cylinders are manufactured in-house: chrome steel ram, guided on bushings and secured against rotation by a key, ensuring permanent lateral rigidity under load; the same requirement that applies to stamping as to assembly. The piston slides smoothly in the chrome-plated cylinder; seals ensure perfect cylinder integrity.

Hydropneumatic presses — up to 100 tonnes, precise deep drawing

When stamping force requirements move beyond the pneumatic range (thicker sheet, harder alloys, deeper draws) the hydropneumatic press delivers up to 100 tonnes with the precision of a hydraulic end-of-stroke and the speed advantage of an air-driven approach. The working principle: rapid air-driven approach, then hydraulic multiplication at contact for the forming phase, then air-driven return. This profile (fast approach, controlled force over the working stroke, clean return) makes hydropneumatic presses particularly well suited to deep drawing operations where a slow, controlled forming phase is required to prevent tearing or wrinkling.

Total stroke: 50 to 300 mm. Working stroke (powered phase): 6 to 60 mm. Quiet operation, low maintenance, economical energy consumption relative to pure hydraulic machines of equivalent tonnage.

Why Choose an EMG Stamping Press Machine?

EMG Presses (ETS LONG SAS) has been manufacturing mechanical eccentric, pneumatic and hydropneumatic presses in France since 1950. ISO 9001 certified since 2000, the company manufactures its presses from A to Z at its facility in Marigny-Saint-Marcel, Haute-Savoie, using a fleet of over 40 machining centres. Mechanical presses are fabricated, machined and assembled entirely in-house (including the frame, crankshaft, connecting rod and ram) with all adjustments hand-scraped by skilled operators.

Production Line Integration : From Stand-Alone Bench Press to Fully Automated Lines

EMG designs a complete range of production lines around its mechanical and pneumatic presses: strip feeder lines, wire feeder lines and length cut-out lines, with a wide range of decoilers and straighteners adaptable to any material type and strip dimension. For the 6T mechanical press, the line can operate at up to 240 strokes per minute — making it the most productive available technology for strip-fed stamping and cutting operations.

Mechanical presses can also be equipped, at the customer's request and according to specifications, with any special adaptations required to optimise production:

• Strip feeding systems: decoilers, straighteners and servo feeders for continuous or indexed strip stamping.
• Lubrication systems: automatic lubrication of the strip prior to forming; essential for deep drawing and thin-gauge materials.
• Part ejection: lower and/or upper ejection systems (pneumatic or mechanical) to release the formed part from the die after every stroke.
• Part blow-off: compressed-air blow-off systems for removing formed parts from the work area; important for high-cadence automated lines.
• Scrap cutting systems: scrap chopper or waste cutting systems to manage strip skeleton waste in progressive die operations.
• Protective guarding: automatic mobile screens protecting the operator during the forming stroke; dimensioned on risk assessment per ISO 12100.
• Part and scrap evacuation control: automated monitoring of formed part evacuation and scrap removal at the press output.
• Geometry-specific guarding: protective systems specially designed to accommodate the geometry of the manufactured parts.
• Intelligent safety systems: smart protections that guarantee operator safety and automate press cycle release.
• Variable ram speed:  adjustable slide speed during the striking phase; once selected, the speed is held constant throughout the stroke. Approach speed before striking is independently adjustable.
• PLC integration: adaptation of a programmable logic controller to manage the press within its environment in a complex production line.

We can also meet your specific needs by designing a special machine and custom-made equipment for you.
 

Process Control : Force and Displacement Monitoring

100% in-cycle quality control for stamping operations

This monitoring approach is only available on pneumatic EMG presses.

EMG offers force and/or displacement monitoring solutions compatible with its pneumatic press range, designed for permanent quality control, process monitoring, complete traceability and production tracking. At the end of each cycle, the system generates an automatic OK/NOK decision (visual and audible indicators) and can export data to PC for statistical process control and audit trail.

Three evaluation levels are available: threshold monitoring (was the required force reached?), window monitoring (was force within a defined band at a defined stroke position?), and full envelope curve evaluation (does the complete force–displacement signature stay within a tolerance band throughout the stroke?). The last method provides maximum sensitivity, detecting gradual tooling wear, material batch variation or lubrication inconsistency before they generate scrap. 
 

Custom Engineering : Special Machines and Bespoke Tooling

Thanks to its in-house design office and full machining workshop, EMG undertakes the design and manufacture of special machines and custom-made equipment for specific stamping applications. The company has designed complete bespoke stamping lines — including a 15T mechanical press equipped with a custom bending/cutting line for electronic connectors — and a wide range of special press configurations such as customised protective enclosures and remote control panels for the 80T mechanical press.

We adapt our machine tools so that your stamped objects will take the desired shape, thickness and diameter with a minimum of scrap. Easy to operate, our presses are robust and guarantee impeccable production, even for large-scale production.

In fact, at EMG, we offer special designs to meet our customers' requirements, for example for the creation of a production line into which a press can be inserted.
 

Stamping Applications with EMG presses — From Precision Components to Structural Parts

Stamping is present throughout industrial manufacturing, from the smallest embossed detail on a decorative component to full structural panels in automotive body construction. The process parameters — force, speed, draw depth, material grade — vary enormously across these applications, which is why the correct selection of press technology, tooling geometry and process parameters is critical. EMG's technical and testing centre exists precisely to validate these choices on actual sample parts before production commitment.

Cold Stamping — The Dominant Production Process

Cold stamping covers a broad spectrum of operations: shallow embossing (logo marks, stiffening beads), cup drawing, flanging, coining and ironing. Each operation has specific requirements in terms of press stroke, force profile and ram speed — all of which are adjustable on the EMG mechanical and hydropneumatic ranges.

Drawbacks and limitations of sheet metal stamping

Stamping nevertheless encounters constraints to be aware of, such as wear and tear on dies and punches which are subjected to high pressure, the need for additional technology to overcome the limitation concerning the stamping of certain geometric shapes and the potentially high cost concerning the design of specific tools.

Automotive Components

Sheet metal stamping is indispensable in automotive manufacturing. Precision and speed of production are essential requirements that mechanical eccentric presses address directly:

• Lower production costs: thanks to mechanical or hydropneumatic presses, parts can be mass-produced at low unit costs, the flywheel energy recovery mechanism of mechanical presses makes them particularly economical per stamped part at high cadence.
• High precision: punch and die tooling enables complex shapes to be created with excellent dimensional quality and uniform sheet thickness across the batch.
• High volume capability: body panels, brackets, cups, shields and structural stamped parts all benefit from the speed and repeatability of mechanical eccentric presses integrated into strip-fed production lines.

Applications: body panels (doors, bonnets, boot lids), reinforcement brackets, heat shields, suspension cups, gear selector forks, fuel system pressed components.

Aeronautics and Defence

Aeronautical stamped components combine demanding material specifications (high-strength aluminium alloys, titanium, stainless steel) with strict dimensional tolerances. The relatively lower production volumes in this sector (compared to automotive) favour hydropneumatic presses for their precise force control and flexibility in tooling changeover. EMG has developed a dedicated range of high-capacity rack-and-pinion and special presses for the aeronautical market, with configurations specifically adapted to the forming of lightweight, high-resistance alloy components.

Watchmaking, Jewellery and Precision Mechanics

EMG mechanical eccentric presses are performance-oriented in watchmaking, jewellery, mechanical optics, electrical and electronic machines; sectors where the combination of high precision and high cadence is the primary requirement. The very rigorous unit accuracy of EMG mechanical presses, combined with the power reserve of each model, allows the most meticulous and precise tasks to be carried out reliably over extended production runs.

Find out about success story of a EMG press adapted to the specific work of a watchmaker

Hardware, Electrical Goods, Toys and Locksmithing

In the hardware and consumer goods sectors, stamping covers a broad range of components: housings, covers, caps, brackets, contacts and formed fixings in steel, aluminium, copper and zinc alloy. Production volumes are typically high and part geometries diverse; the flexibility of EMG mechanical presses (adjustable stroke, headroom and speed) and the option of rapid tooling changeover make them the preferred platform for this type of production.
 

EMG's range of presses

EMG designs and manufactures presses for the full spectrum of sheet metal and component processing. If your production line requires cutting operations upstream or assembly operations downstream, EMG also offers cutting presses for blanking, piercing and trimming, and assembly presses for press-fitting, crimping and bearing mounting. All built to the same standards of rigidity, repeatability and process control as the stamping range.

Frequently Asked Questions

What tonnage press is needed to stamp stainless steel?

The answer depends on four variables: the thickness of the sheet (mm), the tensile strength of the specific stainless steel grade (austenitic grades such as 304/316 have higher tensile strength than mild steel — typically 500–700 MPa versus 250–400 MPa for mild steel), the projected area of the part being formed, and the draw depth. A simple theoretical calculation can be used to estimate the minimum required force for a given cutting or stamping operation — EMG's technical team can provide this calculation on request.

As a general orientation: thin-gauge stainless (≤ 0.5 mm) can often be cold-stamped on a pneumatic press in the 1 to 6 tonne range. Medium-gauge stainless (0.5–2 mm) typically requires a mechanical eccentric press in the 6 to 25T range. Thicker gauges or deep drawing operations may require the hydropneumatic range up to 100T. The strongly recommended approach is to bring sample parts and material specifications to EMG's testing centre for a validated press selection before any production commitment.

What is the difference between stamping and cutting/blanking on an EMG press?

Both operations use the same press and, often, the same machine, mechanical eccentric and pneumatic presses are used for both. The difference lies in the tooling and intent: stamping (drawing, embossing, coining) deforms the metal plastically into a three-dimensional shape without separating material; cutting/blanking (punching, blanking, trimming) separates material by shearing. Many progressive die operations combine both in a single strip-fed line, part of the strip is blanked at one station and drawn at the next. EMG's mechanical eccentric presses handle both operations, and the company has designed numerous combined cutting/forming lines for customers in the connector, hardware and automotive sectors.

How do I choose between a mechanical eccentric press and a hydropneumatic press for stamping?

The key decision criteria are production volume, force requirement and draw depth. Mechanical eccentric presses (6–80T, up to 240 strokes/min) are the choice when production volumes are high and cost-per-part is the primary metric — their flywheel energy storage makes them fast and economical at scale. They are the standard technology for strip-fed automotive, hardware and precision mechanics production.

Hydropneumatic presses (up to 100T, 50–300 mm total stroke, 6–60 mm working stroke) are preferred when the forming operation requires a slow, controlled force profile over the working stroke; deep drawing of cups and shells, forming of complex three-dimensional shapes, and applications where the force needs to be precisely modulated throughout the draw. They are also the more practical choice for lower volumes, rapid tooling changeover and flexible workstation integration. Bring sample parts to EMG's testing centre for a definitive recommendation.