In-House Tool & Die Services

Tool design and building is one of our core capabilities, not a subcontracted step. We approach each stamping project individually to assess part features, tolerance requirements, and material characteristics so the stamping operations chosen and the punches and cutting or forming tools used will best support the component being stamped. Because there may be multiple ways to create the same part, our design engineering team works with you to understand the application and its design intent to meet your requirements and minimize waste or rework.

We operate stamping presses with tonnages ranging from 30 to 1,000 tons, and stroke speeds up to 1,200 strokes per minute. Our equipment can also hold tight tolerances to within 0.001 in. or less, based on your specifications.

Progressive, Transfer, Single-Hit, and Secondary Dies

• Progressive tooling. Progressive dies include multiple stamping operations in a specific sequence on a single die. As the strip of material advances through the press, new part features are formed, and finished parts exit the press. This process is fast and well-suited to high volume stamping.
• Transfer dies. This stamping process includes a mechanized system that transfers single stampings between multiple stations, each one performing a different operation. It is often used with larger parts than progressive stamping can accommodate.
• Single-hit dies. This type of die performs a single operation on a workpiece, such as piercing, coining, blanking, or notching. Many parts require the use of multiple different single-hit dies to create a finished stamping.
• Secondary dies. Adds coining, forming, embossing, or finishing after the primary hit to tighten features and dimensions.

Evaluating parts and stamping processes for manufacturability and how likely different operations, features, or materials may be to result in errors or part failure. Because there is often more than one way to form the same part, the choice of operations and their sequence as well as how tooling and dies are built, have a big impact on part success.

What’s more, in order to maintain efficient production, presses must keep running and tooling must hold tolerances over many cycles to avoid unplanned downtime for maintenance or repair. Our comprehensive approach to tool manufacturing includes:

• Stamping material characteristics: Assessing how hardness, thickness, springback, etc. influence stamping operations and sequence.
• Tooling material: Choosing tool steel, high-speed steel, carbon steel, carbide, or other materials based on the project requirements, production volume, desired wear resistance, speed, stamping material, etc.
• Tonnage: Determined by material type, thickness, hardness, and other factors.
• Precision manufacturing techniques: CNC machining, wire EDM cutting, drilling, countersinking, tapping and reaming are all used to build reliable tooling.
• Production speed and volume: Both impact maintenance, lubrication, and tool material choice.
• Tolerances: Our experts can determine how tool design adjustment can help keep parts within acceptable tolerance ranges for a longer period of time, which reduces tool maintenance or replacement.
• Validation and future scalability: Testing to verify that stampings meet requirements, making needed adjustments to tools and operations, and planning for volume increases over time.

Improving Part Consistency and Press Performance

In metal stamping, most part variation begins with the condition of the die. Over time, die sets may become misaligned, cutting edges get worn, tooling sticks more frequently, and other cumulative problems cause stampings to fall out of tolerance. Because we perform all repair and maintenance on our tooling and dies in-house, fixing these problems and getting back to in-tolerance production is faster and delays that impact your expected timeline are avoided.

Regular maintenance and repairs are unavoidable in stamping, and we work hard to keep these interruptions brief and infrequent. Because we repair tooling in the same facility that runs your parts, fixes happen in alignment with your project schedule, not an outside shop’s queue. Our maintenance capabilities include:

Our maintenance capabilities include:

• Preventive maintenance: We track wear using cycle counts and inspection indicators.
• Emergency repairs: From swapping out worn cutting tools to replacing bushings and beyond, we can restore performance during active runs when time is critical.
• Die modifications: We can update tooling to support design changes and new requirements.
• Performance optimization: We improve output based on real-time production feedback.

When a die fails mid-run, every minute counts. Our team responds in hours, not days, protecting your output and keeping deliveries on track.

When a stamper outsources tooling operations, they create greater opportunities for risk to part precision, production schedules, communication, and cost. When dies sit at an external tool shop awaiting repair or adjustment, your project sits idle, subject to their priorities and capacity. In contrast, a stamper that handles tooling design, manufacturing, and repair in-house, like Evans Tool & Die, cuts your risk, reduces waste, and avoids unnecessary costs.

Partnering with us benefits your project in many additional ways:

• Prototype-to-production capabilities: Test, refine, and stamp at scale, all under one roof.
• Continuity: Keeping every aspect of design and production together improves communication and responsive service.
• Compliance and quality: We are ISO 9001:2015-certified, ITAR-registered, and aligned with NIST 800-171.
• Domestic supply chain support: We help you keep stamping programs on US soil to support reshoring efforts.
• Supplier diversity: We maintain a network of local and regional, vetted suppliers for reliable access to materials and supplies.

Evans Tool & Die is a certified Woman-Owned Small Business (WOSB) with 30 years of experience serving customers in the automotive, defense, appliance, medical, construction, furniture, and other industries with expert design and manufacturing services. In addition to our fully-equipped tool and die design and building capabilities and metal stamping services, we also provide sheet metal fabrication, laser cutting, machining, welding, and finishing services.

Contact us to discuss your next stamping project and to share your part prints, specifications, and production volume, or request a quote to get started today!