Many small parts need tight tolerances and fast production. Traditional stamping setups can slow down production or increase costs. Fourslide metal stamping changes that. It can form complex parts quickly, with fewer tools and setups. This method gives you speed, consistency, and design flexibility.
Many manufacturers use four-slides to lower unit costs and get stable output. Please continue reading to learn how it works and where it excels.
What Is Fourslide Metal Stamping?
Fourslide metal stamping is a forming method that uses four moving slides to shape metal. These slides sit around a central point and move in from four sides. Each one holds a tool that bends or cuts the metal strip. Sometimes, a vertical press head is added to facilitate additional shaping.
The machine has four arms placed in a cross pattern. These arms move in and out with the help of a cam system. Each arm carries a tool, such as a punch or a bender.
As the metal strip moves into the center, the tools strike it one after another. Each slide completes one part of the forming job. This step-by-step approach enables the machine to create complex shapes in a single, seamless cycle. A camshaft controls the timing of each movement. This setup allows for a fast, accurate, and less manual-dependent process.
The Fourslide Stamping Process Step-by-Step
Fourslide stamping follows a continuous sequence from the raw strip to the finished part. Each stage builds on the last to create complex forms with high repeatability.
Blank Preparation and Feeding
The process begins with a coil of flat metal strips. The material is unrolled and straightened. It is then fed horizontally into the four-slide machine.
Feeding is automatic and controlled by rollers. The feed rate is set based on the part size and cycle time. This ensures smooth movement and consistent material positioning before the forming process begins.
Forming, Bending, and Cutting Stages
Once inside the machine, the strip meets the tools on the four slides. Each slide moves in a preset sequence to bend or cut the material.
Some tools bend the strip upward or downward. Others make side bends or end cuts. A vertical press head may punch holes or flatten parts. All actions happen in a single cycle. The cams control the timing so each tool strikes at the right moment.
This step handles most of the shaping work. Complex parts can be made in just one pass.
Finition et contrôle de la qualité
After formant, the parts exit the machine and fall into a bin or onto a conveyor. Some may need trimming or ébavurage. Many parts are ready for use with no extra processing.
Quality checks follow. These include visual checks, measurements, and sometimes fit tests. If necessary, a camera system or gauge can be used to inspect parts during production.
Material Selection for Fourslide
The material choice affects part performance, tool wear, and production speed. Choosing the right metal helps ensure smooth forming and strong final parts.
Suitable Metals and Alloys
Fourslide machines work well with many common metals. These include:
- Acier inoxydable: Used for strength, corrosion resistance, and durability.
- Acier Carbone: Good for general parts with moderate strength needs.
- Laiton: Easy to form and often used in electrical parts.
- Cuivre: Its high conductivity makes it ideal for use in contacts and terminals.
- Aluminium: Lightweight and easy to bend, often used for consumer parts.
- Bronze phosphoreux: Strong, springy, and wear-resistant.
Thickness Ranges and Hardness Compatibility
Most four-slide machines handle material thicknesses ranging from 0.2 mm to approximately 2.0 mm. Thinner strips are more effective for small, intricate shapes. Thicker stock may need slower speeds or extra forming steps.
Soft metals form easily with little tool stress. Harder metals can still be used but may need heat-treated tools. The machine setup must match the material’s retour au printemps and forming behavior to avoid defects.
Advantages of Fourslide Stamping
Fourslide stamping offers clear benefits in speed, accuracy, and cost. It’s a strong choice for small parts that require tight tolerances and fast production cycles.
Haute précision et répétabilité
The cam-driven system moves each slide with fixed timing. This maintains consistent tool motion from cycle to cycle. Once the machine is set, it can produce thousands of parts with nearly identical shapes.
Réduction des déchets matériels
Fourslide stamping forms parts close to the net shape. Since most forming happens without removing large amounts of metal, scrap is kept to a minimum.
Cost Efficiency for Medium- to High-Volume Production
Fourslide setup takes time, but once it’s running, it operates quickly and with minimal interruption. This makes it ideal for parts in the tens of thousands or more.
Applications of Fourslide Metal Stamping
Fourslide stamping is well-suited for industries that require small, detailed metal parts with tight tolerances. It supports fast production and stable quality across many sectors.
Utilisations dans l'industrie automobile
Automakers use four-slide to produce clips, supports, retainers, and spring contacts. These parts must hold their shape under vibration and heat.
The process delivers consistent shapes and produces output quickly. That makes it a good choice for both interior and engine-related components.
Electronics and Connector Components
Fourslide stamping is widely used for terminals, contacts, grounding tabs, and shielding parts. These parts require precise bends and smooth edges to function correctly.
The process handles thin strips of copper, brass, and phosphor bronze easily. It also provides precise control over bend angles and spacing.
Fabrication de dispositifs médicaux
Small medical clips, precision springs, and support frames are often made with four-slide machines. The process helps maintain tight part dimensions for reliable performance.
Stainless steel and biocompatible alloys are the standard materials used in these parts. Fourslide machines can handle both while meeting cleanroom standards.
Biens de consommation et appareils ménagers
Fourslide parts appear in battery clips, fixations, et hinges for everyday products. Makers of tools, toys, and kitchen devices use it to reduce costs while keeping parts accurate.
The fast cycle times and low material waste help keep production efficient for mass-market items.
Design Considerations for Fourslide Stamping
Designing for four slides means thinking ahead about shape, size, and material behavior. A well-designed part reduces tool wear, speeds up production, and maintains stable quality.
Géométrie et complexité des pièces
Fourslide works best for small to medium-sized parts with multiple bends. It handles complex shapes as long as the material can be formed in sequence.
However, deep draws or tall features may not work well. The forming tools move horizontally, making it difficult to reach features that block tool paths. Parts with several tight bends in close areas are a better fit.
Tolerances and Precision Requirements
Fourslide machines produce tight and repeatable tolerances. However, like any process, there is a range.
Bend angles, hole placement, and cut lengths are all consistent. Typical bend tolerances range from ±0.1 mm to ±0.25 mm, depending on material and thickness. Smaller features require a more precise tool design to stay within specifications.
Design Tips for Optimal Production Efficiency
- Keep all bends in a single plane when possible. This speeds up forming.
- Avoid sharp corners or very narrow slots. These can wear tools quickly.
- Use consistent bend radii that match tool profiles.
- Choose materials with stable forming behavior—less spring back means better accuracy.
- If possible, design the part to be self-locating during the forming process. This keeps the positioning steady without the need for extra guides.
Comparing Fourslide Metal Stamping to Other Metal Forming Techniques
Choosing the right forming process depends on the part’s shape, volume, cost, and tolerance requirements. Here’s how four slides compare to other standard methods.
Fourslide vs. Progressive Die Stamping
Estampage progressif uses a single-direction press with a die set that performs multiple steps as the strip moves forward. It’s fast and reliable for flat parts with consistent shapes.
Fourslide allows forming from multiple sides, making it better for complex parts with side bends or various planes. It also uses less space, and tooling is often cheaper to modify.
Progressive dies can run faster for very high volumes, but four-slide offers more flexibility in part design.
Fourslide vs. Multi-Slide Stamping
Multi-slide and four-slide machines are similar. Both use cam-driven slides to shape the part. The main difference is in layout and flexibility.
Fourslide machines usually have four main forming slides. Multi-slide machines can have more slides and tooling angles, allowing even more complex forming. However, they often cost more and take longer to set up.
Fourslide is usually more straightforward and more cost-effective for medium-complexity parts.
When to Choose Fourslide Over Other Methods?
Use four-slide when:
- The part needs bends from multiple directions.
- You want to combine bending, cutting, and punching in one step.
- The production volume is medium to high.
- You need design flexibility or the ability to make fast changes to the tooling.
Conclusion
Fourslide metal stamping is a forming method that uses four sliding tools to shape metal from different directions. It works by feeding a metal strip into a machine where the tools bend, cut, and form the part in a set sequence. This process handles complex shapes, maintains tight tolerances, and runs at high speed.
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Hey, je suis Kevin Lee
Au cours des dix dernières années, j'ai été immergé dans diverses formes de fabrication de tôles, partageant ici des idées intéressantes tirées de mes expériences dans divers ateliers.
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Kevin Lee
J'ai plus de dix ans d'expérience professionnelle dans la fabrication de tôles, avec une spécialisation dans la découpe au laser, le pliage, le soudage et les techniques de traitement de surface. En tant que directeur technique chez Shengen, je m'engage à résoudre des problèmes de fabrication complexes et à favoriser l'innovation et la qualité dans chaque projet.
