Pressing is a processing method where a flat material is sandwiched between convex and concave tools (dies). Strong pressure is then applied to shape the product and bend, pierce or cut the material. Since it is suitable for mass-producing products of the same shape, the process is widely used for everything from familiar household goods to industrial machinery. A typical example we are all familiar with is the automobile. Most car bodies, metal fuel tanks and many other parts are made by pressing.

Presses can be broadly divided into stand-alone “tandem presses” and “transfer presses” which can group several dies in a single press. Since car body panels have complex shapes, stamping is divided into several separate processes. Transfer presses dramatically improve productivity by automatically transferring panels between the dies grouped in the machine, and in recent years they have become the main production method used in Japan.

Although regular steel is the material most often used, various other materials such as aluminum and stainless steel can be combined with appropriate stamping methods to explore the infinite potential of press processing.