Close  
Worker moving sheet metal rolls
Automotive Manufacturing: Press Shop & Stamping

Automotive Manufacturing: Press Shop & Stamping

  • Turning sheet metal into usable parts requires careful planning and metal fabrication expertise. Though it may be done in-house or at a tier partner, quality is critical as even the smallest panel or part defects may not show up until further down the process which means getting it right the first time is a must.

    3M’s automotive manufacturing solutions for the press shop and stamping area are used around the world and by many OEM assembly plants.  Centered around industrial abrasives and power tools – our  optimized are designed to help the process work faster and more efficient while helping drive down area operating costs.

Typical Process Steps

  • Two workers in press shop
  • 1. Tool & Die Fabrication

    Machining tools are created that are used to cut or form material into the desired shape

    2. Blanking / Cutting

    Metal coils or sheet metal is fed into the press where flat, geometric shapes are created

    3. Heat Treatment

    The blanks are then heat treated – a process to make them stronger

    4. Forming & Shaping

    Metal parts are formed and shaped

    5. Metal Finishing

    Metal parts are cleaned up and finished before moving to the Body Shop


Featured Applications in the Press Shop

  • Operator cutting metal with a cut-off wheel
  • Die Maintenance

    Panel defects can often be traced back to defects in the die. 3M offers a variety of solutions that help clean and maintain metal dies to reduce the need to rework newly stamped panels.

  • Designed with a high power-to-weight ratio to help you get more work done in less time – and with less strain. Great for grinding, blending, weld leveling, metal prep and other metal fabrication applications.

  • Superior solution for tackling metalworking applications where flexibility is required, such as weld grinding, beveling, flame-cut edge clean-up and deburring.

  • Built for low- to medium-pressure applications that require edgework. Its small size makes it nimble and maneuverable, so operators can get in, over and around intricate parts. The dual combination of backing and weight add strength to the disc.

  • Effectively remove rust, paint, mill scale, coatings and adhesives from surfaces without significantly altering the base material. The high-strength fibers are highly conformable, resist chunking and loading, and perform well on edges.


  • Operator repairing automotive panel
  • Panel Repair

    Removing defects prior to body shop receival. Defect size and quality requirements determine if 1, 2, or even 3 repair steps are needed:
     

    • Body filing
    • Blending
    • Burr removal & refining

    *Application also may take place in Body Shop

  • 3M Xtract Pneumatic Random Orbital Sander
    Coming Soon: 3M Xtract™ Pneumatic Random Orbital Sander

    Our 3M Xtract™ Series Random Orbital Sanders deliver the power and features you need in your panel repair process.

  • 3M Precision-Shaped Grain in this film disc makes quick work of sanding and blending.

  • Combines flexible fibers with outstanding cut to help you accomplish tough cleaning jobs or produce fine finishing results, use after use. It is an excellent alternative to steel wool, wire brushes, sandpaper, and other non-woven products for cleaning or finishing tasks. The Hookit™ backing enables convenient attachment on a random orbital sander.

Two workers in automotive assembly plant
Contact a 3M Process Expert

 Let’s talk about your assembly process.

CONTACT US