Selecting a Metal Fabricator and/or Metal Stamping Co! What to look for, and why the combination is best… if you can find one …😉

Selecting (or switching) your supplier(s) of metal fabricated or stamped parts should never be taken lightly. Price is often the main factor or question that jumps to mind. However, the bitterness of poor quality remains long after the sweetness of low price is forgotten!

If that supplier also delivers non-conforming parts or late, price is usually forgotten in the heat of such instances, and in the end, increases the net price given the problems caused by such failures, customer disappointment, or even worse, the loss of customers!
Instead, try to look beyond price, and more toward reliability & value. The following are considerations if you are to have a true strategic relationship or even a partnership with your supplier.

Ask them about;

"The bitterness of poor quality remains long after the sweetness of low price is forgotten."

The above factors are discussed below in further detail, in no particular order of importance, Rather, it is up to you, the customer, to prioritize those which you feel are most important in evaluating and selecting your supplier of metal fabricated & stamped parts:

  • Quality: Find out if/what quality standards the supplier is certified to, e.g., ISO9001, or adhering to, e.g. CSA Standard CAN3-Z299.4-85. Ask what other systems they have in place, their defect rates, how they deal with non-conforming raw material, WIP, and final products. Better yet, visit their facility, to see if what they claim is really happening!
  • Delivery Performance: Ask what their lead times are, and how this compares with their historical delivery performance. Ask for reports to back up any claims.
  • Customer Service: How communicative and timely is the supplier’s Customer Service, from order acknowledgments and replies to inquiries, to shipping information? What is their shipping policy, e.g., do they offer prepaid & charge terms of service? Do they truly look out for you, their customer? Examples include notifying you ahead of time should there be any issue with your order, or keeping tabs of your orders/ trends; reaching out to you if these indicate that you could potentially run out of stock. The bottom line is; in today’s demanding and fast paced world, how easy are they to deal with?!
  • Engineering: Is any engineering support provided? This could be any of the following; review of tolerances, drawing/model support/assistance, and tool design. Please see also Design for Manufacturability (DFM), Part 1.

    DFM is not necessarily limited to a supplier offering suggestions to make the part more manufacturable, but also to;

        – Reduce cost = reduced price to you!
        – Suggest modifications to take advantage of any existing tooling the supplier may have! Please see also Design for Manufacturability (DFM), Part 2.

  • Processes: A metal fabricator typically uses flexible CNC sheet metal equipment such as CNC punch presses, lasers, and press breaks which usually require more labor but little to no tooling, thus are best suited for low-mid volumes. A metal stamper typically uses punch presses, which require less labor, but hard tooling, typically dies, thus are best suited for mid-high volumes. Please see also Metal Fabrication vs Metal Stamping for Sheet Metal Components.

For every 100 metal fabricators, there are approximately 15 metal stampers, and perhaps only 5 that do both, the latter of which is the most advantageous. Why? Because a manufacturer that has both will look at your parts complexities, lot qty(s), and your EAUs, and quote based on the process(es) that work to your best advantage.

Besides being the right and honest thing to do, this is also the smartest way to operate; if that supplier solves your problem for the lowest possible cost, they have a much greater likelihood of having you as their loyal customer… for life! Please see also Hybrid Manufacturing, Options to Metal Fabrication vs Metal Stamping.

  • Marketing: Look at the manufacturer’s website, then challenge them on anything you doubt, they claim, or to address and answer your questions. Look for independent articles or reviews of them, as well as any awards they may have received. Challenge them to back up any claims! 
  • Customers: Ask what markets they serve. Do any align with yours? If so, what are the advantages of working with a supplier who has expertise in your market? Have they offered any customer testimonials? If not, can they provide the contact information of some? 
  • Tooling: Die design, manufacture, maintenance & repair are all critical not only to offer maximum competitiveness, but to also ensure that a customer’s supply is free from defects and the supply chain is reliable. Does the supplier do their own die design? Do they have an in-house toolroom to support all related activities? Do they prioritize maintenance and repairs to ensure uninterrupted and reliable delivery? Please see also The Benefits Of Having A In-House Toolroom.
  • Culture: What are their values? Do they align with your own? These can be anything from workplace safety and environmental sensitivity, to employee apprenticeships, training & advancement opportunities.
  • Sustainability: What environmentally sound practices does the supplier prescribe to? Do their processes create any effluent? If so, how are these recycled or disposed of? Do they recycle wherever possible? What measures have they put in place to reduce energy consumption? 
  • Safety: What priority and practices does the supplier have with respect to worker safety? Is there a safety committee? Does it meet regularly? How often? Are action items documented? Do they meet or exceed all required OSHA or other imposed safety regulations? What is their accident rate or history? Please see also The Importance Of Safety In The Metal Fabrication Industry In 2022.

If it wasn’t already evident, choosing (or switching) your supplier(s) of metal fabricated or stamped parts should be about much more than price and even quality. Challenge them on all the above points before taking the plunge or making a switch! 

Ben’s 100th Birthday!

Ben’s 100th Birthday!

May 23rd sets another milestone in Tripar’s history. Ben Sevack, founder of Tripar, is 100 years old!

Ben, born in London in 1923, grew up assisting his father in his photographic studio. When World War II began, he turned his technical skills towards manufacturing surgical instruments for the war effort and joined the Home Guard. Enduring the relentless bombings of "the Blitz," his hometown was attacked 71 times over 267 days, culminating in the devastation of his own home.

In 1942, Ben was called up for service and recruited by the Royal Engineers due to his technical background. After basic training, he specialized in maintaining field surveying instruments. Despite the army's need for frontline soldiers, a perceptive Brigadier recognized Ben's tradesman experience and allowed him to proceed to Naples.

After the war, Ben embarked on a transformative journey to Canada, determined to forge a new path for himself. In 1949, fueled by his determination for success, he seized the opportunity to establish Tripar in Montreal, the city that welcomed him. Interestingly, the initial press Ben acquired had a fascinating history—it still held the die used for manufacturing ammunition shells.

Little did he know that this fortuitous encounter would shape the destiny of his venture and become an integral part of his legacy.

Ben has always been a passionate traveler, deriving immense joy from exploring new destinations and immersing himself in diverse cultures. His adventurous spirit extends to horseback riding, a passion that allowed him to connect with the natural world and experience new adventures. Language acquisition is another area where Ben excels. Having mastered five languages, several while stationed during the war; besides English, he also speaks Italian, German, Spanish and French, effortlessly communicating and connecting with people from various linguistic backgrounds. These hobbies not only showcase Ben's versatility but also reflect his insatiable curiosity and thirst for knowledge in different aspects of life.

He has three grandchildren and 4 (soon to be 5) great-grandchildren whom he is very proud of and deeply cherishes and loves. It was lovely spending his birthday all together.

New Capabilities, Stocked Items & Employees Testimonials

New Capabilities: 3 x Trumpf TruPunch 1000

We are pleased to announce our increased CNC capabilities thanks to the acquisition of two additional Trumpf TruPunch 1000 machines.

These CNC Punch Press Machines punch and form sheet metals, such as Galvanized, Cold-Rolled, and Stainless Steel & Aluminum up to 10 gauge (0.140”) thickness.

Stocked Items

Looking to find out what items Tripar stock? A green “In Stock” logo was recently introduced to our online catalog to identify these. If you're looking for a specific item, and you see this green logo, it means that we can supply and ship those items within 48h of receiving your purchase order.

Employee Testimonials

Ever wondered what it’s like to work at Tripar? Visit our Employee Testimonials page.

Metal Fabrication vs Metal Stamping for Sheet Metal Components

Overview

When needing to produce a component out of sheet metal there are many options, but the two most commonly used manufacturing processes are metal stamping and CNC metal fabrication. Sometimes the decision between the two options is a clear-cut choice, other times it may be more difficult with arguments being made in favor of one manufacturing processes over the other. Below we will take a look at what is entailed in both metal fabrication and metal stamping processes. Additionally, we will provide some helpful advice for determining which manufacturing process is best suited for your needs.

Metal Stamping

Metal stamping is most often used to transform flat sheet metal into the required 2D or 3D shapes. Metal stamping is typically done using mechanical or hydraulic presses of increasing tonnage, and one or more metal stamping dies are used to form many or all features of a sheet metal part. Some of the techniques used to achieve the desired results are blanking, punching, coining, bending, embossing, drawing, deep drawing, and more.

Metal Fabrication

CNC (Computer Numerically Control) fabrication is a manufacturing process whereby computer software is pre-programmed to control the necessary machines movements and tools that are needed to create the desired end product. This process encompasses machinery including punch presses (often called a “Strippit”), CNC Punch Press, CNC Lasers, or CNC Punch/Laser Combination machines, followed by bending if/as required using CNC Press Brakes. Learn more about the capabilities of CNC machines.

Which Manufacturing Process Is Right for You?

Depending on the task at hand, it can be difficult to decide which manufacturing process would best suit your needs and deliver the results you expect. Below you will find a general overview of when CNC fabrication vs metal stamping are recommended for your sheet metal manufacturing needs, including their potential limitations.

Metal Fabrication

Best suited for:

  • Lower-mid range quantities
  • Short product lifecycle
  • Quicker to get the new part to market (days or a few weeks)*
  • Easier to adapt or change the design*

*Due to little to no tooling

Limitations:

  • Higher labour content so higher unit price
  • Slower production speed

Metal Stamping

Best suited for:

  • Items with mid-high production quantities
  • Obtaining the lowest possible unit part cost
  • Long product lifecycle
  • Better & more consistent quality and lower scrap rate

Limitations:

  • Tooling can be costly
  • Leadtime to design and produce dies means longer to get the new part to market (months)

Hybrid Manufacturing

Luckily, there is the potential to get the best of both worlds, and this is a term we have coined as Hybrid Manufacturing. This manufacturing process marries the benefits of both metal stamping and CNC fabrication, allowing them to support one another and improve overall production. With hybrid manufacturing, a component can be either fully or partially metal stamped for economies of scale, and then customized to pinpoint accuracy on CNC fabrication equipment. With this option, you are able to get a combination of the benefits from both manufacturing processes while reducing the limitations experienced by only using one. Learn more about the incredible benefits of hybrid manufacturing today.

The United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) Impacts Canadian Metal Stamping and CNC Fabricators

United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) Impacts Canadian Metal Stamping And CNC Fabricators

The United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA), which went into effect in 2020 replaced the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). NAFTA had largely eliminated tariffs on trade between the three North American countries, and the USMCA not only preserves free trade but also updates the rules to accommodate changes in the world since NAFTA went into effect in 1994. 

Canada exports $319.4 billion worth of goods to the US each year and imports $293 billion worth of goods. That’s more than the next 11 trade partners combined, so it was essential to allow the trifecta of countries, including metal stamping and CNC fabricators to compete in the North American market. In total, two million manufacturing jobs alone depend on North American trade.

The Impact US Tariffs Have On Steel And Aluminum Imports

It is important to note that the tariffs that the US imposed on steel and aluminum imports from sources outside the USMCA countries in 2018 (as part of Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act) is evolving.

As of Jan. 2022, the EU is exempt from these tariffs and the US and Japan are in discussions about removing the tariffs. As such, it is important to monitor these tariffs and potential knock-on effects for USMCA manufacturers.

Metal components are required for a wide range of industries including Lighting, HVAC, Automotive, Consumer Electronics and Aerospace. Therefore, USMCA allows for Canadian sheet metal fabricators and metal stampers to source the raw materials in North America, manufacture a product and then ship the finished product to the U.S. or Mexico without tariffs.

The Importance Of Safety In The Metal Fabrication Industry In 2022

The Importance Of Safety In The Metal Fabrication Industry In 2022

Metal fabrication and metal stamping processes typically shear, punch, form, cut and shape thin sheet metal; leaving sharp edges on the workpieces as well as the scrap emanating from them.

Metal fabricators and metal stampers should take all necessary precautions to protect their staff and meet or even surpass all government-imposed safety regulations, but sadly, not all do.

These safety regulations include:

  • Requiring personal safety protection: glasses, safety footwear, hearing protection & not allowing loose clothing or jewelry.
  • Safety Light curtains that if interrupted, instantly stop any automated machinery
  • Physical barriers on automated machinery that are not equipped with safety light curtains
  • Two-hand controls for all non-automated machines
  • A Total Preventive Maintenance Program that identifies any irregularities and corrects them ahead of any breakdown or accident.
  • Magnetic grippers or suction cup lifters for handling large or heavy sheets/parts.
  • Maximum personal weight limits that should never be exceeded
  • Proper ventilation and personal protection for welding, deburring, & finishing operations (e.g. painting)
  • Proper and well-maintained material handling equipment, lift trucks, forklifts, cranes, carts, docks, etc.
  • Proper storage and disposal of all chemicals
  • MSDS training with up-to-date product information.
  • A material handling training & certification process (e.g. lift truck & crane operators)
  • A safety committee, with a representative from each department & management, that also meet regularly to address any safety issues.

  At Tripar, We Aim To Be A Gold Standard For Safety In Metal Fabrication!

As a metal fabricator and metal stamper, we take the utmost pride and care in prescribing to all of these and beyond. Proof of this is perhaps best demonstrated by Tripar being a finalist in a Quebec ‘CNESST’ (the Quebec equivalent of OHSHA) competition twice and receiving a safety award:

  • In 2016, for developing a concept whereby an operator could hitch a heavy metal components storage container to one of our electric pallet trucks to safely relocate it where required; see https://www.triparinc.com/tripar-newsletter-january-2017/.

  • There was also another instance where we developed a motorized box lifter, that allowed an operator to slide a loaded box from the machine they were working on, onto a small platform, and wheel it to an awaiting pallet. The platform was then lowered or raised to the required (and increasing) height as boxes were successively placed, so each box could be slid and placed on the nearby pallet, without ever being lifted.

It is all these practices that keep our team safe at Tripar. In fact, we just went over 400 days without a single accident; a testament to anyone who knows the inherent risks in a manufacturing plant like ours!

The Benefits Of Having A In-House Toolroom

The Benefits Of Having A In-House Toolroom

While submitting an RFQ, customers and prospects often ask if the die is made in Canada. Currently, Tripar owns 1,600 dies. The overwhelming majority are “open tooled” dies (available for all customers’ use) which were all designed and fabricated at our facility.

Thanks to our in-house toolroom, we can also assist during modifications and maintenance to accurately and efficiently meet all needs and requirements. We’re very proud to offer this service in North America. Our toolroom team is highly skilled and designs the dies respecting the limitations of our capabilities along with the specification of the customized item. If this cannot be achieved, we propose our own design to match & offer the best solution.

What Is The Stamping Process?

The die is a fundamental element of the metal stamping process. Metal stamping involves placing a high-quality piece of sheet metal, in either coil or blank form, into a metal stamping press. While in the press, a tool and die surface form the metal into the required shape. Some of the more common stamping techniques include:

  • punching
  • blanking
  • bending
  • forming
  • drawing & deep drawing
  • coining
  • embossing
  • flanging

All of the above are used to shape the metal based on the design, for which die design and build is carried out using CAD/CAM engineering technology.  

Advantages Of Metal Stamping

Metal stamping is a low-cost high-speed manufacturing process that is able to produce a high volume of identical metal components and is suitable for medium to long production runs. The benefits of stamping include:

  • Cost efficiency
  • Lower secondary costs (e.g., cleaning and plating),
  • Faster production rates as compared to CNC fabrication processes
  • Greater precision & accuracy
  • Reduced labour time

Disadvantages Of Metal Stamping

The disadvantages of stamping include:

  • Longer lead time to design & build the die, thus,
  • Longer lead time for the first production run
  • Die maintenance may be required during the various production runs

Customer Owned Dies

It is important to know that for customer-owned dies (that which a customer initially paid for), Tripar maintains the die for life, or for as long as that customer keeps ordering parts that use it. Such maintenance is normally sharpening, or repairing a broken punch should that occur, but also applies to any catastrophic failure. In fact, the only time a customer will know of die maintenance or repair is if it is of such a nature that may delay a shipment. We will of course work with that customer to alleviate as much inconvenience as possible.

Tripar’s Internal Process And In-House Toolroom

Tripar has an internal process to quickly react to any production issue. Indeed, having an in-house toolroom allows us to always be on top of any problems that may occur, supporting production efficiently & quickly.

If a die goes down, whether the repair requires sharpening, machining of a new die component, heat treating, or wire EDM cutting (an ultra-precise CNC machine process that can cut hardened die components), we are in full control as to what priorities these take, without having to rely on subcontractors, their schedules, and lead times.

We invite you to read our TriparTech if you’d like to discover more about the following subjects:

Knockouts 101

This TriparTech provides an overview of knockout requirements in luminaires, which are governed by UL1598, Standard for Safety for Luminaires.

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