Transfer Die Stamping

Transfer die stamping forms sheet metal across multiple stations with the part transferred between dies, enabling complex features at high production rates.

Overview

Transfer die stamping forms sheet metal in a sequence of dies, with the part mechanically transferred from station to station rather than staying attached to a strip. It supports multiple forming, piercing, trimming, and restrike operations in one press line, making it a go-to for complex stampings that need more working room than a progressive layout allows.

Choose it for high-volume parts where the blank can be separated early and then shaped through several operations with controlled handling. It can hit fast cycle times and good repeatability, but tooling is expensive and lead times are longer. Transfer mechanisms, part stability during handoff, and scrap strategy drive feasibility.

Tradeoffs: higher capital/tooling cost than simpler stamping, more process development, and sensitivity to material variation and lubrication. It’s less ideal for low volumes, frequent design changes, or parts that cannot be reliably picked and located between stations.

Common Materials

  • Low carbon steel
  • Stainless steel 304
  • Aluminum 5052
  • Aluminum 6061
  • Copper
  • Brass

Tolerances

±0.003" to ±0.005"

Applications

  • Automotive seat bracket stampings
  • Motor and compressor end caps
  • Appliance hinge and latch components
  • Electrical connector shields
  • Structural reinforcement brackets
  • Small enclosures and covers

When to Choose Transfer Die Stamping

Best fit for high-volume production of stampings that need multiple operations after the blank is separated, especially when the geometry won’t stay stable on a carrier strip. It works well when you need several forming and trimming steps with controlled part orientation between stations. Expect meaningful tooling investment and a process tuned for consistency and uptime.

vs Progressive Die Stamping

Choose transfer die stamping when the part can’t stay attached to a carrier strip or needs major forming that would distort a progressive strip. Transfer layouts give more open access for deep forms, side features, and post-blank operations, with better control of part orientation between stations.

vs Deep Drawing

Choose transfer die stamping when the part needs multiple forming modes—draw plus trimming, piercing, flanging, embossing, or restrike—in a defined sequence. It’s also a better fit when the shape isn’t a single dominant draw but a combination of features built over several stations.

vs Blanking & Piercing

Choose transfer die stamping when flat blanks aren’t enough and you need subsequent forming, flanging, coining/embossing, or restrike operations with tight feature-to-feature relationships. Blanking & piercing is typically limited to 2D profiles and holes without significant 3D shaping.

vs Coining

Choose transfer die stamping when coining is only one step among several operations and must be integrated with forming, trimming, or piercing. Transfer lines can apply localized high-pressure features while maintaining overall part handling and location control across the full process.

Design Considerations

  • Provide clear datum surfaces or pilot features so the part can be positively located at each station after transfer
  • Avoid tall, unstable intermediate shapes early in the sequence; stage the forming so the part can be reliably picked and set down
  • Use generous radii and consistent bend directions where possible to reduce tonnage, splitting risk, and die wear
  • Call out critical features with functional datums; don’t over-tolerance non-critical edges that will be trimmed or coin-restruck
  • Specify material grade, thickness, temper, and coating clearly; small changes can shift springback and transfer reliability
  • Allow room for trim scrap and carrier/handling clearances; tight external profiles can force complex scrap management