Frequently Asked Questions

What is metal stamping?

Metal stamping is a manufacturing process that uses a press and tooling (called dies) to shape flat metal sheets into specific parts. The process can include cutting, bending, punching, embossing, and forming — often in one continuous motion using a progressive die.

Here is a video on the basics of metal stamping https://youtu.be/17JQmpoJDL8

How does metal stamping work?

Metal stamping starts with feeding a coil of metal into a stamping press. The press uses a custom die set to form the metal into the desired shape. This high-speed, high-volume process produces consistent, repeatable parts with tight tolerances.

Here is a video on the basics of metal stamping https://youtu.be/17JQmpoJDL8

What are the different types of metal stamping?

• Progressive Die Stamping: A series of operations performed in one pass through the press. Ideal for high-volume runs.
• Transfer Die Stamping: Parts are moved between stations by mechanical transfer, good for large or complex parts.
• Deep Draw Stamping: Forms metal into deeper shapes (like cans or enclosures) without breaking or tearing the material.
• Compound Die Stamping: Multiple operations (like cutting and forming) occur in a single stroke.

To learn more about how to select the correct metal stamper for your project check out our white paper here. https://www.talanproducts.com/resources-and-white-papers/how-to-choose-the-right-metal-stamping-partner-a-buyers-guide/

What materials can be used in metal stamping?

We work with a wide range of metals including:

• Aluminum and aluminum alloys
• Stainless steel
• Cold-rolled and hot-rolled steel
• Copper and brass
• Advanced high-strength steels (AHSS)
• High Strength, Low Alloy steels (HSLA)
• Pre-coated steels Galvanized, Galvannealed, pre painted

Material selection depends on the application, strength requirements, and cost goals.

For more detailed information on the best metals for metal stamping, check out our white paper here https://www.talanproducts.com/resources-and-white-papers/the-best-metals-for-metal-stamping-a-guide-to-material-selection/

What industries use metal stamped parts?

Stamped metal parts are found in:

• Automotive
• Electrical and lighting
• Building products
• Renewable energy
• Appliance and HVAC
• Consumer goods
  At Talan Products, we specialize in high-volume stampings for OEMs in demanding industries.

For more information on metal stamping, and a partial list of industries which use metal stampings check out our white paper here.  We list two dozen industries that join in consuming over $200 billion worth of metal stampings annually.  https://www.talanproducts.com/resources-and-white-papers/an-introduction-to-metal-stamping/

What’s the difference between metal stamping and machining?

Stamping forms parts from sheet metal using dies and pressure, making it ideal for high-volume production. Machining removes material from a solid block and is typically better for low-volume, high-precision components. Stamping is much faster and more cost-effective at scale.

What’s the difference between stamping and forming?

Stamping refers broadly to all press operations, including cutting and forming. Forming is a type of stamping that changes the shape of the metal without removing material (e.g., bending, drawing, flanging).

To see more about progressive die stamping at Talan Products check out this video https://youtu.be/Uj_vqb_NjCM

How much does metal stamping cost?

Cost depends on several factors:

• Volume of parts
• Tooling complexity
• Type and thickness of metal
• Tolerance requirements
  While tooling can be a significant up-front cost, per-part pricing becomes very low at volume. We help customers design parts for maximum cost efficiency.

For more information on why metal stamping is so cost effective, check out our white paper here https://www.talanproducts.com/resources-and-white-papers/why-is-metal-stamping-so-cost-effective/

What is design for manufacturability (DFM) in metal stamping?

DFM is a collaborative process where we help optimize your part design to reduce tooling costs, eliminate production issues, and ensure long-term reliability. Early involvement leads to better parts and lower total cost.  Check out this example of a DFM success we recently had here https://youtu.be/dvTHCxl1m04

What’s the lifespan of a stamping die?

A properly maintained progressive die can produce millions of parts over its life. The lifespan depends on material type, part complexity, and production conditions. Our in-house die maintenance extends die life and ensures part consistency.  We most typically design for a 20 year lifespan of a progressive die.

What are typical tolerances in metal stamping?

Tolerances depend on part design and material but are often within ±0.001″ to ±0.020″. We routinely meet tight tolerances required by OEMs for automotive, lighting, and industrial applications.

How do you ensure quality in metal stamping?

We use a combination of:

• In-line and post-production inspections
• Statistical process control (SPC)
• ISO-certified quality systems
• In-house die maintenance and repair
  Our quality metrics include industry-leading on-time delivery and PPM performance.

At Talan Products we consistently participate in industry benchmarking, to help us know where we stand in our market.  Here is a video discussing our typical results https://youtu.be/HNDP9-WTrq4

What is a progressive die?

A progressive die is a tool used in a stamping press that performs multiple cutting and forming operations in one pass. Each station in the die performs a specific operation until the finished part is cut free. It’s the fastest and most efficient way to produce large volumes of complex parts.  

For more info check out our video on “What is Progressive Die Metal Stamping” here https://youtu.be/17JQmpoJDL8

What size stamping presses do you have?

At Talan Products, we operate over two dozen press lines ranging from 40 to 600 tons, with various bed sizes and strokes to handle small to large part geometries. We match the right press to your part, not the other way around. 

Check out “What size parts do we make using progressive die metal stamping” here https://youtu.be/MYZSN6d_TmM

Why choose a U.S.-based metal stamping supplier?

Domestic manufacturing offers:

• Faster lead times
• Better communication
• Lower shipping and logistics risk
• Easier quality control
  We’ve been helping customers reshore their stamped parts for years and understand what it takes to make it successful.

For more info on the advantages of working with a domestic US metal stamping supplier check out our white paper here https://www.talanproducts.com/resources-and-white-papers/re-shoring-with-talan-the-competitive-advantage-with-domestic-us-metal-stamping-company/

I want to work for Talan products. Are you hiring?

Answer: Visit the employment opportunities section of our website to see what is currently available.

We are an award-winning company. We have won the Weatherhead 100 award 10 times, The ICIC Inner City 100 6 times, the Evolution of Manufacturing award 3 times, The MANNY award 3 times, and many others. Would you like to join our winning team?

We don’t just talk safety here at Talan Products. We have won the Precision Metalforming Association award for Outstanding Safety Award many times and have worked more than one million labor-hours with only a single lost time accident.

We grow our team through training. We promote from within. We spend 3 times our industry average in training hours, and 4 times our industry average in dollars to achieve a superior safety record and advance our people.

Do you operate as a “Green Company”?

Answer: We continuously strive to be as “Green” of a company as possible. We attempt to capture ALL in-process offal (scrap) and recycle nearly 100% of our daily in-plant & office consumables – including paper, cardboard, plastic, metal, etc. We employ a Green Team (championed by the president of Talan) to help keep us abreast of the most relevant green initiatives and to utilize energy as efficiently as possible within the plant and office space to reduce Talan’s effective carbon footprint.

What is an example of our “progressive” management style?

Answer: We employ “open book” accounting with our employees. This helps us provide the atmosphere where we are all on the same team.

Do you make parts for the automotive industry?

Answer: Yes, but we are not primarily automotive.

Review our Case Studies to see the depth and breadth of the impact we’ve made for our customers.

Do you make prototypes and help with design engineering?

Answer: Yes, we offer value engineering services & design for manufacturability assistance. Prototyping is also available.

DFM may start with the use of design tools such as computer aided design (CAD) to evaluate design alternatives, but the process is actually much more involved. Design for Manufacturability requires the optimization of a given product design within the production environment, and includes suppliers, material optimization, material handling systems, packaging, manufacturing processes, labor force capabilities and distribution/logistics systems. The end result of DFM is a part that maximizes cost savings while improving quality, safety, time-to-market, and overall customer satisfaction.

Are you able to produce small quantities of metal stampings or extruded aluminum?

Answer: It depends on what you mean by “small.” We specialize in mid to high volume production runs. For metal stampings, this normally means usages in the tens of thousands to millions of parts per year. For aluminum extrusions, this normally means that we are better suited for jobs that equate to thousands of pounds of product and higher per year.

When in doubt, please inquire with our sales group – see the “Contact Us” page.

What is the thinnest material you work with?

Answer: Typically, .010.” Depending on the material and the nature of the part design, there may be instances where we would work with thinner material.

What are the largest parts you make?

Answer: We specialize in fabricating aluminum extrusions, many of which are over 10 ft long. In addition, we are capable of producing various sizes and shapes of stamped products. Our largest press bed size is 168″ x 54.” The thickest coil size we handle is .500″; maximum coil width is 36″.

At Talan Products, we differentiate ourselves from our competitors by taking our commitment to customers a step further and assist them in Design for Manufacturability (DFM).

How do you inspect complex formed parts and certify tooling?

Answer: We use a Zeiss CMM, 24″ x 48″ x 14″ utilizing calypso software.

The Zeiss CMM is a bridge-type machine, characterized by a granite measuring table and a bridge structure that moves along the X, Y, and Z axes, covering a measurement volume of 24 inches (X), 48 inches (Y), and 14 inches (Z). This size makes it suitable for inspecting medium-sized stamped parts, such as automotive body panels, appliance components, or aerospace brackets, which often have intricate shapes and tight tolerances.

Calypso is Zeiss’s universal metrology software, designed to streamline the measurement process and handle complex inspection tasks. It’s intuitive, CAD-integrated, and highly customizable, making it ideal for inspecting stamped parts with non-standard geometries.

Have you developed long term relationships within your customer base?

Answer: We still have our first customer from 1986, and our 2nd and our 3rd and our 4th…

We are pleased to report we have retained our three original customers and still produce the first stamped part that started our business. As we move forward we will continue to upgrade our equipment, expand our facilities, and implement systems to improve our organization and service our customers. As one of the premiere metal stamping companies in the USA, let us partner with your organization to produce your engineered products.

To achieve our goals everyone needs to be on the same team. “Partnering”, or being an integral part of our customers business has been a cornerstone of our philosophy since the founding of the company.

The concept of “Partnering” applies to our relationships with suppliers, our employees, and our customers. Mutually successful long-lasting relationships are the result.

How long has Talan Products Inc. been in business?

Answer: We were established in 1986.

Talan Products was incorporated in 1986 and began by building one metal stamping die and running production for a single customer. Since then, our metal stamping company has evolved from a single product niche manufacturer to a diversified operation serving OEM’s in a variety of industries.

Click to see our historical timeline.

The 1990’s was a decade of impressive growth for our organization. We began the decade by moving to a larger facility and purchasing additional equipment to meet the production needs of our growing customer base. Over those years, based on our partnering philosophy, we added one major customer each year.

In 1992 Talan Products received its first award–the Inc 500 List of fastest growing privately held companies in the United States. Numerous awards for excellence in manufacturing and quality followed, and in 1999 we were awarded our ISO Certification.

Who are the owners of the company?

Answer: Steve Peplin, CEO; Pete Accorti, President.

Talan Products was incorporated in 1986 and began by building one metal stamping die and running production for a single customer. Since then, our metal stamping company has evolved from a single product niche manufacturer to a diversified operation serving OEM’s in a variety of industries.

Talan owners remain active in the company’s day-to-day operations:

• Steve Peplin, CEO
• Pete Accorti, President

What types of metals does Talan Products work with?

Answer: We can extrude aluminum within the 6000 series and stamp components out of aluminum, the carbon & stainless steels, and all of the red metals (bronze, copper, etc.).

• Aluminum: Talan Products is a leading manufacturer of aluminum extrusions, offering a range of alloys including 6061, 6063, and 7075, as well as specialty alloys. We provide fabricated aluminum extrusions with secondary operations like cutting, piercing, and deburring.
• Stainless Steel: Our metal stamping services include working with stainless steel, which is noted for producing high-volume stampings with tight tolerances.
• Brass: Talan Products offers metal stampings made from brass, catering to industries requiring custom components with specific material properties.
• Copper: We also utilize copper for metal stampings, providing versatility for applications in industries like electronics and appliances.
• Steel (General): for high-volume progressive die stamping, as part of our early history and ongoing processes.

Read in our Resources & White Papers about Material Selection.

Does Talan Products provide assembly service?

Answer: Yes, we provide mechanical assembly, welding services, finishing, packaging, etc.

Our capabilities as metal stampers and aluminum extrusion suppliers don’t end with just raw materials. If you need complete, finished and assembled parts, we are happy to take your request for quote.

Standard Fabrication & Assembly Capabilities

• PUNCHING / PIERCING
  Shearing, Breaking, Forming, Lancing, Notching, Blanking, Coining, Swaging
• BENDING
  Tubes, Bars, and Custom Shapes
• DRILLING
  Small Bore – Large Bore – Deep Hole
• PRECISION CUTTING AND MITERING
• WELDING
  MIG and TIG
• ASSEMBLY
  Riveting, Pin Inserting
• COMPLETE CNC AND CONVENTIONAL MACHINING

Is Talan Products, Inc. ISO 9001 Certified?

Answer: Yes, we are registered with MCNA of North America to International Quality System Standard ISO 9001:2015, certificate No. 0901007.

Our ISO 9001:2015 certification allows us to perform to all levels of the automotive APQP/PPAP requirements including Ballooned Prints, Dimensional Reports, FAIs, Control Plans, FMEAs, Gage R & R, CAP Studies, Process Flow Maps, 8D, IMDS Registered, etc.

Talan Products external Parts Per Million (PPM) is extremely low compared to other metal stampers and aluminum extruders. This commitment to providing you with on-time delivery of finished parts is reflected in the company’s mission statement and in the following.

View Our ISO 9001:2015 Certificate