This is perhaps the most common question we get from prospects.
“When and why should I invest in progressive dies?” So without further ado, here’s our answer.
For the why, it’s simple. Progressive die stamping is more cost effective than CNC fabrication.
When should I invest in progressive dies?
Well, there are 3 main factors to consider:
- Annual volumes
- Part complexity
- Part sizes
While annual volumes is a key reason to tool up, two other factors are often overlooked.
The second factor is the complexity of the parts. Dies are essential for parts that are too complex or costly to produce by CNC alone. For example, parts needing multiple operations (like blanking and bending) or small pieces that are difficult to handle can significantly benefit from dies.
Use cases for progressive dies
As a sheet metal fabricator for 75+ years, we’ve seen it all. And you know what? There is no magic quantity or formula for investing in dies. It’s really case by case.
For example, a simple part like a 2″ x 4″ bracket can cost under $5000 for tooling. It can be justified at lower annual volumes as the part cost can be as low as 30% compared to CNC fabrication. CNC methods often requires cutting or punching the blank first, followed by bending as a secondary step, which takes more time and costs more.
Another example: it may take several dies to yield a given part. It may be that our dies are used for the first and second operations, serving as the foundation of your part, only requiring you to pay for the third and final die.
If you are unsure about if dies are right for you, that’s okay. Consider working with a hybrid manufacturer that offers both CNC Metal Fabrication and Metal Stamping capabilities. Share your designs, lot qty(s), and Estimated Annual Usage (EAUs). A good partner will always look for ways to save you money on your projects. See our Hybrid Manufacturing Approach.
How much do progressive dies cost?
The cost of dies can range from $10,000 to $100,000, while highly complex dies can exceed $100,000 or more. Factors like part complexity, size, and required forming steps all play a major role in the die costs.
Material also affects cost. Dies used to cut stronger metals need tougher steel tools, adding to the price. Despite the initial investment, progressive dies are ideal for mid-to-high volume production while reducing your unit costs.
Own your dies and store them at Tripar ($7500/Year FREE)
At Tripar, we own 1600+ opened tooled dies that any OEM client can use to build their parts.
If we have an existing die that yields a part similar to your design, and you are flexible with your design criteras; you may benefit from that die, potentially only paying for die modification costs. If together we can find a way to modify your design to take advantage of our dies, you can save tens of thousands of dollars vs. the cost of building a new die. Use what we have and only pay for the die modifications. That’s the advantage of working with a flexible open tooled die manufacturer like Tripar.
The best part? When you invest in Tripar’s in-house toolroom and die manufacture, we will maintain our client’s dies for as long as you keep ordering the parts that use them. We will store, maintain, fix and repair your dies free-of-charge as our service to you. That’s the AAA tooling service we offer every client. You can enjoy Tripar’s in-house toolroom without the headaches of dealing and repairing your own dies. We handle it all.
Wondering if your business is ready for progressive dies?
