| Little is known about this process, what type of | | | | This article expounds on the use of the |
| machinery it uses or how it benefits our lives. The | | | | bandoliering technique for manufacturing various |
| truth is simple. The process of metal stamping | | | | types of precision metal components. Specifically, |
| and the products it produces are virtually unlimited. | | | | the following will be discussed: (1) the benefits of |
| Today, this process helps your car operate, | | | | bandoliered components, (2) examples of various |
| medical equipment function and supplements other | | | | applications that can employ bandoliering, and (3) |
| key components of our daily life. | | | | various manufacturing options that can be |
| Metal stamping operations utilize leading precision | | | | incorporated into this process. |
| stamping presses including Bruderer, Kyori, Ingyu, | | | | First, the benefits of producing a precision metal |
| and Minster with sizes ranging from 5 tons - 220 | | | | component in a bandoliered configuration (mainly |
| tons. Materials used in the process include | | | | for high volume applications) are threefold: (a) |
| Beryllium Copper, Phosphorous Bronze, Stainless | | | | reduced unit cost, (b) repeatable quality, and (c) |
| Steel & Copper and Cold Rolled Steel with | | | | in-line post-processing. Unit cost can be reduced |
| thickness ranging from 0.002" to 0.180". As a | | | | due to the fact that the stamping operation is |
| result, manufacturers have the capability to | | | | performed in a progressive precision metal |
| provide services and products for a wide variety | | | | stamping die, and also because of the fact that |
| of industries. | | | | the bandoliering process allows for time-saving |
| The Metal Stamping Process is put to use for a | | | | secondary operations (such as assembly), which |
| number if industries, including: | | | | reduce overall unit cost. Quality is inherently |
| * Automotive parts stamping | | | | repeatable in a progressive stamping die. The |
| * Medical stamping | | | | most significant benefit of the bandoliering process |
| * Stamping for mobile devices | | | | is related to the fact that the stamped |
| * Stamped and drawn shields for industrial and | | | | components all exit the die in an "ordered" |
| electronics industries | | | | configuration, ready for an assembly process |
| * Bandolier | | | | (either manual or automated) or for other |
| * Bandolier wire | | | | secondary operations while still on the band |
| * Header pins | | | | (carrier). Related to this benefit is the fact that |
| * Contact pins | | | | this process also lends itself to other |
| * Terminals | | | | manufacturing operations that can be performed |
| * Sleeved terminals | | | | inside the die (discussed later). |
| * Reel to reel | | | | Second, the types of applications for which |
| * Precision miniature stamping | | | | bandoliering may be employed are numerous. The |
| * High speed | | | | following are examples of various industries that |
| * Micro | | | | could employ this process: Medical devices (e.g., |
| * Stainless steel | | | | surgical components), Orthopedic components |
| * Medical Stamping | | | | (e.g., pins), Electronic connectors (e.g., connector |
| In addition, several types of metals are used in | | | | pins), Military components, as well as many other |
| the process, including: | | | | industries/applications. |
| * Aluminum | | | | Lastly, a bandoliered process can provide for |
| * Beryllium | | | | various manufacturing operations to be performed |
| * Brass | | | | either inside the precision metal stamping die, or |
| * Bronze | | | | outside of the stamping die (while the |
| * Cold Rolled Steel | | | | components are still located on the bandolier). |
| * Copper | | | | Some examples of in-die operations that can be |
| * Mylar | | | | performed include: coining, sharpening, machining, |
| * Phenolic | | | | assembly, and welding. Examples of secondary |
| * Stainless Steel | | | | operations performed outside of the die (while the |
| * Teflon | | | | precision formed components are still on the |
| * Titanium and more! | | | | band) include: cleaning, coating, heat-treating, and |
| The process of bandoliering involves the use of a | | | | automated assembly. |
| delivery member (a "band", or "carrier") that | | | | High volume applications for stamped metal |
| conveys components from one point to another. | | | | components should be evaluated to see if a |
| In the precision metal stamping arena, bandoliering | | | | bandoliered application could be used, especially if |
| has been used extensively for manufacturing | | | | the need is present for secondary operations |
| components such as pins assembled into | | | | such as assembly, or other operations as |
| electronic connectors. Bandoliered components are | | | | discussed above. |
| formed by a special type of precision metal | | | | The parts manufactured during the metal |
| stamping die (referred to as a progressive | | | | stamping process vary from tiny parts in material |
| bandolier die), which is operated in a mechanical | | | | as thin as .05mm to larger frames and heavy |
| press (typically 60 ton, or greater). Raw material | | | | duty metal components. Precision presses vary in |
| in the form of wire (ferrous or nonferrous) is fed | | | | size from 5 tons to 220 tons, and with speeds up |
| into the die to be formed (stamped) into the final | | | | to 1,500 per minute. Stamping services also have |
| desired component, and raw material in the form | | | | skiving equipment to contour metal thickness and |
| of strip is introduced into the die to be formed | | | | configuration as required. |
| into the bandolier to carry the final component. | | | | |