Above: Each Stamtec press has its own unique features and benefi ts, giving stampers the fl exibility to match the right technology with the right application
August, 2025- Over the last few decades, metal stamping has undergone a metamorphosis from a largely manual process to one shaped by technology. Increased automation, a shift toward advanced materials, quality control enhancements, press innovations and the integration of IoT sensors for data-driven decision-making have made stamping operations faster, more precise and more efficient. Maintaining a nimble footprint in the face of rapid change has contributed to the longevity of companies like Stamtec Inc.
The Manchester, Tennessee-based company has designed and built metal stamping and forming equipment for more than 70 years.
Lee Ellard has tracked the market’s fluctuations and customers’ evolving needs. The North American sales manager for Stamtec recently marked his 20th anniversary with the company.
“Twenty years ago, customers still maintained in-house engineering and integration capabilities,” he says. “When I started at Stamtec, it was just me and another regional manager. We handled everything from sales to project management. We were selling to people who had an understanding of the equipment.”
With the skills gap and labor shortage, says Ellard, “many stampers no longer maintain the same level of in-house expertise. We are seeing a larger number of customers who need help putting a production stamping line together. Customers are often not buying just a single piece of equipment. They are buying integrated lines.”
As a result, “our team has also grown. We have two project managers dedicated to overseeing these types of projects,” he says.
Stamtec designs its presses to help stampers solve effi ciency problems and prevent costly downtime.
INTEGRATION
A stamping press line integrates components such as decoilers, straighteners and feeders to help eliminate the need for manual handling between processes. Automation can also be added to a line, including robotic or transfer systems to further reduce manual labor, increase throughput and save costs.
According to Ellard, the adoption of automation is expanding as processes get smarter. Customization in stamping presses is also seeing an increase in 2025. Industries such as automotive, electronics and medical devices are seeing greater demand for unique and specific metal parts. As manufacturers and job shops continue to implement Industry 4.0 technologies like IoT and data analytics, customization has become more feasible.
“We’ve made it a priority to accommodate customers’ special requests,” says Ellard. “It’s one of the ways we differentiate ourselves. The flexibility and depth of our product offering also gives us the building blocks we need to meet customers’ needs.”
Stamtec builds stamping presses-mechanical and servo-from 35 tons to more than 3,000 tons. In addition to maintaining 60 standard presses, the company’s auxiliary equipment ranges from coil feeding to quick die change systems, press controls, monitoring tools, transfer systems and press mounts.
Stamtec provides readily available presses or tailor-made solutions to meet customers’ requirements.
The early 2000s saw the introduction of servo press technology. Stamtec, which launched its servo technology in 2011, offers machines that use high-torque, low- RPM servo motors and intuitive press controls with multiple stroke profile capabilities. These features help customers achieve a wide variety of stroke lengths and slide movement profiles while offering full working energy at low speeds. Stamtec’s servo interface is user friendly with a large number of pre-programmed stroke profiles including link motion, coining and pendulum. The company can also special stroke profiles.
THE RIGHT FIT
“Because you can use different speeds without losing working energy and run short strokes at higher speeds, we initially thought a higher number of small to medium-sized servo presses would be sold to job shops,” Ellard says. “Instead, we’ve sold more large specialty servo presses for specific applications.”
Compared to five years ago, he says the “wow factor” surrounding servo presses has diminished somewhat because customers have become more educated about the technology. “They are now focusing on application-driven purchase decisions.”
Stamtec continues to see a strong market for high-speed presses for flat or “no forming” parts. The company is also working to develop its mechanical press line to accommodate flat parts with shallow profiles.
Stamtec’s servo press provides a wide variety of stroke lengths and slide movement profi les while supplying full working energy at low speeds.
“Mechanical presses are still the fastest way to process relatively at parts using progressive dies,” Ellard explains. “Customers want more speed so we are working on being able to provide 200 to 600 strokes per minute.”
A knowledgeable supplier can help stampers determine the right press choice. “It really depends on the process,” he continues. “Whether it’s a mechanical press, an integrated production line or a servo press, choice is still driven by the process and the parts a company is making. We can evaluate parts to analyze which approach would deliver the best ROI.” Sometimes, he says, a servo press can be integrated into a line more effiectively than a mechanical press. “We can also help determine how much automation would make sense and which press control is best.”
Standard mechanical presses represent a large portion of sales, but high-speed and servo press technology remain at the forefront for customers that need them.
“Our team contributes to our ability to grow and thrive,” Ellard says. “We have two fulltime, dedicated project managers. We have little turnover, and our regional sales managers are knowledgeable about our equipment. Having personnel that are technically and mechanically astute has been a real asset.”
Stamtec Inc., 931/393-5050, stamtec.com.
