Understanding Primary and Secondary Operations With Precision Metal Stamping in Minneapolis, MN

October 19th, 2017 · No Comments

Every operation involved in producing a high-quality precision stamped part is key to a comprehensive process. Despite this, there are some stages that are considered more significant to the finishing of a part over others. This consideration places some of the stages involved in the metal stamping process into the primary operations category, while others are placed in the secondary operations category. This distinction may separate the operations involved in precision metal stamping in Minneapolis, MN, but at Thomas Engineering Company (TEC) we maintain an emphasis on the value of all operations.

Starting with a metal blank, TEC cuts, shapes, and alters the material into a fully finished part with primary and secondary production operations.

Primary Operations

  1. Prototyping: Before we can begin some fabrication operations, our engineers work with the client to produce a part prototype. Our rapid prototyping abilities provide quick approaches to begin work on high precision micro-miniature, miniature, medium-sized, and ultra-thin stamped parts.
  2. Stamping: The most significant delineation of operations is between precision metal stamping stages and all others. With progressive stamping, and single stage stamping machinery, TEC engineers and technicians can quickly perform cutting, bending, slotting, lancing, trimming, and other stamping operations to fabricate an unfinished part form.

When our rapid prototyping and metal stamping stages are complete, TEC can move on to providing our comprehensive value-added services. These secondary operations serve to fully finish a part and ready it for seamless integration into your product or systems.

Secondary Operations

  1. Welding: Our welding operations piece together any additional sections that may be needed on a part. This includes general spot welding and in-die spot welding.
  2. Tapping: Tapping operations form threads on female parts, finishing them for final use. TEC offers off-line tapping as well as in-die tapping processes.
  3. Staking: TEC also provides off-line and in-die staking operations for full part assembly.
  4. Heat Treating: Our enhancement of metal properties with heat treating can be an important secondary operation to bring a material to its full potential in a part.
  5. Plating & Finishing: Depending on the use of a part, plating and finishing operations can be necessary for effective part use. For example, parts that need heat or electricity conductive surfaces benefit greatly from this secondary operation.
  6. Deburring: During the stamping process and with some other secondary operations, burrs, slivers, and crumbs of material can build up on a part. Our deburring process removes these unwanted bits for a full finish.
  7. Riveting: This secondary operation is important for permanent connections between or within a part structure.
  8. Sub Assembly: Parts that require smaller attachments or other sections for a full finish will be completed during the subassembly stage.
  9. Packaging: General and specialty packaging (i.e., Tape & Reel Packaging) provided at TEC ensure a safe delivery of a finished order.

To learn more about our primary and secondary production operations, contact Thomas Engineering Company at (763) 533-1501 for more information about metal stamping in Minneapolis, MN.

Tags: Precision Metal Stamping ·


 

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