Metal Stamping & Deep Drawing FAQ
Answers to the questions engineers and buyers ask us most often before they send a drawing. Every answer starts with the short version, followed by the numbers and conditions behind it. Figures are typical ranges; the exact answer for your part comes with our quote and DFM review.
What is your minimum order quantity (MOQ)?
It depends on the material and the part. Typical ranges: stainless steel 5–10 pcs for prototypes and 200–500 pcs for production; copper and brass 10–50 pcs for prototypes and 500–2,000 pcs for production; aluminum 50–200 pcs for prototypes and 2,000–10,000 pcs for production. Small, simple parts can sit at the low end; parts that need multi-stage progressive tooling sit at the high end.
Is stamping or deep drawing worth it for only 10–100 pieces?
Usually not. Stamping and deep drawing need a die, and the die cost only pays off over larger quantities. For 10–100 pieces of a part such as a small screw-top container or a bracket, CNC machining or laser cutting plus bending is normally cheaper overall. We tell you which route makes sense in the DFM review, and we can start with machined parts and move to tooling when volumes grow.
How long does tooling take, and who owns the die?
Tooling normally takes 15–25 days after the drawing is approved, and the dies remain your property after the first production run.
What are your prototype and production lead times?
Prototypes typically take 7–14 business days from an approved drawing. Production typically takes 20–35 business days for stainless steel and 20–30 business days for aluminum and copper parts after tooling is approved. Shipping time is added on top and depends on the destination and the shipping method.
What should I send to get a quote?
Send a 3D file (STEP or IGS preferred) and a 2D drawing (PDF, DWG or DXF) with tolerances, plus the material, the quantity per order, the surface finish and the delivery country and required delivery date. SolidWorks files are also accepted. We reply with a quote and a DFM review within 24 hours.
Which materials do you stamp and deep draw?
Stainless steel (SS304, SS316, SS316L and duplex grades), aluminum (1060, 3003, 5052 and 6061), copper and copper alloys (C11000 copper, brass, phosphor bronze and beryllium copper), and carbon steel such as SPCC and Q235 galvanized steel up to 4 mm thick.
How thin and how precise can you go?
Minimum wall thickness is about 0.05 mm for stainless steel, 0.08 mm for copper and 0.1 mm for aluminum. Draw depth goes up to 400 mm, and drawn aluminum parts can reach a depth-to-diameter ratio of up to 10:1. Tolerances down to ±0.01 mm are achievable on critical dimensions; we confirm the tolerance for your part in the DFM review.
Which surface finishes are available?
Anodizing (Type II and Type III, standard and custom colors), electropolishing, passivation, PVD, gold, silver, tin and nickel plating, sandblasting, brushing (#4 satin), mirror polishing, powder coating, silk-screen printing and laser marking.
Can you match a specific gold anodized color?
Yes, as closely as the alloy and surface allow. A physical sample is the most reliable color reference; a Pantone or RAL code is a useful starting point but not an exact target on anodized metal. We confirm the color on finished parts before bulk production. See our guide to specifying gold anodized aluminum for details.
Which inspection documents do you provide?
Material certificates (mill certificates) for each batch and dimensional inspection reports are standard; CMM reports, certificates of conformity, first article inspection (FAI), PPAP and RoHS/REACH documentation are available on request.
Will you sign an NDA before reviewing my drawings?
Yes. An NDA is available on request and can be signed before we review your drawings.
Where are you located and how do you ship?
We are based in Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China. Small orders and samples usually go by express courier such as DHL, UPS or FedEx; larger orders go by air or sea freight. Tell us the destination and the date you need the parts, because the shipping method affects both the delivery date and the total cost.
Send your drawing for a quote
Send a STEP or PDF drawing with material, quantity, finish and delivery country. We reply with a quote and a DFM review within 24 hours.