We use metal every day, often without even thinking about how it’s shaped into the things around us, like electrical boxes, car panels, kitchen appliances, and small brackets. One of the most common ways metal is formed into these useful parts is through a process called metal presswork. If you’re new to this term, don’t worry. This guide will walk you through the basics of metal presswork in simple language, and by the end, you’ll have a good understanding of how it works and where it’s used.

What is Metal Presswork?

Metal presswork is a process where flat sheets of metal are shaped into different forms using a press machine. This shaping is done by applying pressure with a tool called a “die,” which forces the metal into a specific shape. The result is a finished or semi-finished part that can be used in all sorts of products.

You can think of presswork as using a stamp on a piece of metal. Just like a cookie cutter shapes dough, press tools shape presswork metals into useful items. The metal starts as a thin sheet and ends up as a formed component, ready to be assembled or used on its own.

Why is Metal Presswork Important?

Metal presswork is an important part of manufacturing because it allows businesses to make large quantities of parts quickly, with great precision and low cost. Since the process is fast and repeatable, it’s widely used in industries like:

• Automotive (for car body panels and engine parts)
• Electrical (for boxes, covers, and brackets)
• Construction (for metal frames and fittings)
• Appliances (for washing machines, ovens, and fans)
• Furniture (for metal handles, legs, and frames)

If you’ve ever opened a washing machine or looked under the hood of a car, you’ve seen sheet metal pressings made by metal presswork machines.

At Kirmell Ltd, we understand how essential metal presswork is to modern manufacturing. That’s why we offer reliable and high-quality presswork services for businesses in the EU across the continent in China, Asia and the Americas. Whether it’s short-run batches or full-scale production, our team is equipped to deliver durable, cost-effective components.

Want to learn how we can support your project? Contact us today at sales@kirmell.co.uk or fill out the contact us form. 

How Metal Presswork Works – Step by Step Guide

Let’s break down how metal presswork is done in a simple, step-by-step process:

• Designing the Part

The process begins with a detailed design of the part. Engineers or designers use CAD (Computer-Aided Design) software to create a digital drawing that shows the size, shape, thickness, and any holes or features the part should have. This drawing also helps in planning the press tools needed to form the metal correctly. In many cases, the design phase includes collaboration with clients to ensure the part meets exact performance and fitting requirements.

• Selecting the Metal

Next, the right presswork metal is chosen. This is usually in the form of a flat metal sheet or coil. Common materials include steel, aluminium, copper, and brass. Each material has its own strength and flexibility, depending on what the final part is used for.

• Setting Up the Press

The press machine is set up with the correct die (tooling). The metal sheet is placed between the top and bottom halves of the tool. Once everything is ready, the machine is powered on.

At Kirmell, we have a fully equipped toolroom and skilled engineers who design and manufacture press tools in-house. This allows us to respond quickly to tooling needs or repair requests, making the setup process smooth and efficient for every project.

• Applying the Pressure

The press pushes down with force onto the metal, shaping it into the form of the die. Some presses use slow, heavy pressure, while others use high-speed stamping. The method depends on the size, shape, and material of the part.

• Removing the Finished Part

Once the metal is shaped, the machine opens, and the new part is removed. It may go through further steps like trimming, hole punching, or bending. Then it’s cleaned, inspected, and sent for finishing or assembly.

Types of Metal Presswork Processes

Here are different techniques used in metal presswork.

Blanking

Blanking is when the press cuts a flat shape out of a sheet of metal. Think of it like cutting a cookie shape out of dough. This is usually the first step in making a part.

Piercing

Piercing is used to punch holes into the metal. These could be round holes, slots, or special shapes needed for assembly.

Bending

Bending forms the metal into an angle or curve. For example, bending a flat strip into an L-shape or U-shape is common in brackets and channels.

Deep Drawing

Deep drawing is used when the part needs to be pulled into a deeper shape, like a metal cup, can, or kitchen sink. It stretches the metal without tearing it.

Forming

Forming combines bending and stretching to make complex shapes. It’s often used for parts that need to fit into other components or that have detailed designs.

While presswork involves shaping metal using force and dies, other technologies like laser cutting use high-precision beams to cut materials without contact, ideal for detailed and intricate designs. Read more about these technologies in our separate blog. 

Kirmell Ltd provides custom-made metal pressings across all major presswork techniques, including blanking, bending, piercing, and forming. With a fully equipped toolroom and a skilled in-house team, we can develop new press tools, maintain existing ones, and manufacture everything from stamped washers to precision-formed parts using mild steel, aluminium, spring steel, and more.

Need high-quality metal pressings? Contact Kirmell today at sales@kirmell.co.uk to learn how we can support your production needs.

What Are Sheet Metal Pressings?

Sheet metal pressings are the final parts created by the presswork process. These parts are made from thin sheets of metal and are shaped by pressing, bending, cutting, or stretching. They are usually made in large numbers and used in everyday products and machinery.

Examples of sheet metal pressings include:

• Car door panels
• Metal enclosures for electronics
• Lighting fixtures
• Wall brackets
• Electrical boxes
• Furniture frames

Because pressings are consistent in shape and size, they’re perfect for mass production and make products more affordable to manufacture.

How Can Kirmell Help You With Presswork Projects?

At Kirmell, we specialise in delivering high-quality presswork metals and sheet metal pressings for businesses worldwide. Whether you need medium to heavy-duty parts, deep-drawn components, or short-run custom work, our workshop is equipped with CNC-assisted and traditional presswork tools.

We also assist clients in early-stage design and can help with prototyping, tooling support, and batch production—all certified under ISO 9001:2015 and EN1090 quality standards.

From single components to complete assemblies, we provide flexible manufacturing that supports your business’s changing needs.

Where is Metal Presswork Used?

You’ll find presswork metal parts in many places, such as:

• Vehicles: Cars, buses, and bikes all use pressed metal parts in their structure.
• Buildings: Windows, doors, and metal roofing components are often pressed.
• Electronics: Metal frames and covers are made using presswork.
• Household Appliances: Washing machines, ovens, and fans all include pressed metal panels and parts.
• Furniture: Metal legs, arms, or handles are shaped through pressing.

It’s one of the most common and useful ways to make strong, low-cost, and neat-looking parts.

Is Metal Presswork Right for Your Project?

If you’re designing a product or part and need strong metal pieces in large numbers, metal presswork could be the ideal choice. It’s fast, reliable, and perfect for repeated production. If you’re unsure whether presswork is right for your product, speak with an expert at Kirmell to explore your options. We also offer other metal cutting and manufacturing services like CNC machining, which provide great flexibility for complex or low-volume parts

Conclusion

Metal presswork is a powerful process that helps shape the world around us. From simple brackets to complex car panels, it turns flat metal sheets into strong, useful components. By using machines that press metal into moulds or dies, manufacturers can make large numbers of parts quickly and accurately.

Whether you’re new to manufacturing or just curious about how everyday products are made, understanding the basics of metal presswork gives you insight into one of the most important parts of modern industry. And if you ever need help turning a design into a real part, presswork could be the solution.

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