Small Metal Stamping Parts
Precision Small Metal Stamping Parts
Micro to Mini, ±0.01 mm Tolerance
Connectors, contacts, clips, brackets and micro-formed components. In-house progressive dies, servo presses and 100% CMM inspection — direct from factory.
What Are Small Metal Stamping Parts?
Small metal stamping parts are precision-formed metal components typically measuring under 50 mm in any dimension. They are produced by high-speed progressive or compound dies from thin-gauge strip metal — the backbone of electronics, automotive connectors, medical devices and appliances.
Common Part Types
- Electrical contacts & terminals (0.2–2 mm)
- Spring clips & retaining clips
- Micro brackets & standoffs
- Shielding cans & EMI covers
- Connector housings & lead frames
- Sensor mounting plates
- Heat-sink tabs & grounding strips
- Battery contacts & bus bars
Materials Processed
- Copper alloy (C110, C194, C197) — contacts, busbars
- Brass (C260, C360) — connectors, inserts
- Beryllium copper — high-stress springs
- Stainless steel (301, 304) — clips, springs
- Low-carbon steel (SPCC, DC01) — brackets
- Aluminum 1060 / 3003 — thermal management
- Nickel silver — shielding, decorative
Small Part Stamping Capabilities
High-Speed Progressive Die
Up to 500+ SPM on servo-driven presses. Ideal for connectors, contacts, and clips at 100,000+ pcs/day. Strip widths from 5 mm to 200 mm.
Micro Stamping
Material thickness from 0.08 mm. Feature sizes down to 0.2 mm. Custom tooling for micro-connectors, medical leads, and watch components.
Compound Die
Blanking + piercing in single stroke. Best for flat washers, gaskets, and shim stock where flatness tolerance is ≤0.05 mm.
Fine Blanking
Burr-free, perpendicular cut edges with surface roughness Ra ≤0.8 µm. For gears, cams, and safety-critical small parts requiring no secondary finishing.
Forming & Bending
U-bends, V-bends, Z-bends, and complex multi-plane forms in a single progressive die sequence. Bend radius from 0.1× material thickness.
In-Die Plating Prep
Parts can be tape-and-reel packaged on strip or loose bulk. Post-plating (tin, gold, silver, nickel) available through qualified plating partners.
Dimensional Capability Chart
| Parameter | Standard | Precision | Micro |
|---|---|---|---|
| Material thickness | 0.3 – 3.0 mm | 0.15 – 2.0 mm | 0.08 – 0.5 mm |
| Part envelope | 5 – 50 mm | 2 – 30 mm | 0.5 – 10 mm |
| Punch tolerance | ±0.05 mm | ±0.02 mm | ±0.01 mm |
| Flatness | 0.10 mm | 0.05 mm | 0.02 mm |
| Surface roughness Ra | 1.6 µm | 0.8 µm | 0.4 µm |
| Press speed | 100 – 200 SPM | 200 – 400 SPM | 300 – 600 SPM |
| Min. hole-to-edge | 1× thickness | 0.8× thickness | 0.5× thickness |
Industry Applications
Small stamped metal parts appear in virtually every industry. Our customers span from consumer electronics OEMs to automotive Tier 1 suppliers and medical device companies.
Consumer Electronics
SIM card trays, antenna contacts, USB shields, spring fingers, battery tabs — thin copper and stainless steel.
Automotive
ECU connector pins, fuse clips, relay contacts, ABS sensor brackets — IATF 16949, zero-defect PPAP.
Medical Devices
Surgical instrument springs, implant retainers, diagnostic device contacts — ISO 13485-compatible traceability.
Energy & EV
Battery cell contacts, busbar clips, charging connector pins — high conductivity copper and aluminum alloys.
Telecom & RF
EMI shielding cans, antenna clips, board-to-board connectors — brass, copper, or nickel silver.
Quality Control for Small Parts
At sub-millimetre scales, conventional gauging is insufficient. We use automated vision systems and CMM probes matched to part feature size.
Automated Vision System
100% inline vision checks at press speed. Detects burrs, missing features, misformed tabs, and surface scratches at 0.02 mm resolution. Auto-reject for non-conforming parts.
CMM & Optical Comparator
First Article Inspection (FAI) and AQL sampling on CMM with 0.001 mm probe accuracy. Optical comparator for 2D profile verification — full dimensional report per PPAP Level 3.
SPC & Cp/Cpk Monitoring
Statistical Process Control on critical dimensions. Cpk ≥ 1.67 maintained on key features. Control charts reviewed at every shift change to catch drift before scrap occurs.
Packaging & Traceability
Tape-and-reel, bulk bag, tray, or custom ESD packaging. Each shipment labelled with lot number, date code, and QC sign-off. Full traceability to material heat and die revision.
Design Guidelines for Small Stampings
Minimum Feature Sizes
- Hole diameter ≥ 1.2× material thickness
- Slot width ≥ 1.0× material thickness
- Web between holes ≥ 1.5× material thickness
- Edge-to-hole distance ≥ 1.0× thickness
Bend & Form Rules
- Min. bend radius ≥ 0.5× thickness (copper), 1× (steel)
- Bend-to-hole clearance ≥ 1.5× thickness
- Spring-back compensation built into die design
- Grain direction perpendicular to bend axis preferred
Tolerance Stack-Up Tips
- Specify critical dimensions with bilateral tolerances
- Avoid chaining more than 3 dimensions on small parts
- Reference datum from a punched hole, not a formed edge
- Share DXF/STEP early for DFM feedback before tooling
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the smallest part size you can stamp?
We routinely produce parts with a footprint as small as 0.5 mm × 1.0 mm in copper or stainless steel at 0.08 mm thickness. Contact us with your drawing for a DFM feasibility check at no charge.
Can you do in-die tapping or embossing on small parts?
Yes. Progressive dies can incorporate in-die tapping (M1.0–M3.0), countersinking, embossing logos or part numbers, and lance-and-form tabs — all without secondary operations, reducing cost and lead time.
What is the MOQ for small stamped parts?
Standard MOQ is 5,000 pcs for new tooling projects. For prototype validation runs (NPI) we accept 500 pcs using soft tooling. High-volume orders above 500,000 pcs/month receive priority scheduling.
Do you offer tape-and-reel packaging for SMT assembly?
Yes. We offer EIA-481 compliant tape-and-reel packaging compatible with standard SMT pick-and-place machines. Reel sizes of 7″, 13″, and 15″. Parts can also be supplied on strip or in bulk trays.
How do you control burr height on thin-gauge stampings?
Burr height is controlled through precise punch-to-die clearance (typically 5–8% of material thickness), regular punch sharpening schedules, and 100% vision system checks. Burr height specifications to 0.01 mm are achievable with fine-blanking tooling.