FORMING TECHNOLOGY
FORMING TECHNOLOGY
Forming Technologies for Footwear & Bag Hardware: Stamping, Die Casting, and CNC Machining
In the footwear and bag industries, metal hardware parts may be small, but they play an essential role. From eyelets and rivets to decorative buckles, D-rings, and strap adjusters, every piece of hardware impacts the product’s usability, quality, durability, and overall style. Below are the primary forming technologies used in footwear and bag hardware—Stamping, Die Casting, and CNC Machining—along with their processes, advantages, limitations, and ideal applications.
Introduction to stamping technology
The metal stamping process is one of the most widely used manufacturing methods for footwear and bag hardware. Using high-precision molds and automated press machines, metal sheets—such as copper, iron, stainless steel, zinc alloy, and aluminum—are shaped through pressing, drawing, and punching to achieve the required form and thickness.
Stamping Process Steps: Mold Design → Feeding → Forming → Deburring
- Design and develop the stamping mold
- Load the metal sheet into the press machine
- High-speed punching and forming to create the final shape
- Deburring, vibratory finishing, polishing, and surface preparation
- Suitable Materials: Copper, aluminum, stainless steel, iron
- Advantages: Ideal for high-volume production, cost-efficient, excellent for thin metal hardware parts
- Disadvantages: Limited complexity in shapes, higher mold investment, less suitable for highly detailed designs
Advanced stamping lines often use automatic feeding systems and progressive dies to complete multiple forming steps in one cycle, increasing production efficiency and reducing material waste. After stamping, components are processed through deburring and surface smoothing to ensure strong adhesion for plating, PVD, or polishing. Accurate control of this stage is essential for producing high-quality metal hardware used in footwear, leather goods, and bags.
Introduction to Die Casting Technology
Die casting is a manufacturing process in which materials such as zinc alloy and aluminum alloy are melted at high temperatures and injected into steel molds under high pressure. This rapid filling and cooling process creates metal components with fine surface details, high density, and a solid overall structure.
- Characteristics: Capable of forming complex shapes and detailed 3D structures in a single process; excellent surface definition; high-density parts with a solid, premium feel.
- Advantages: Ideal for intricate designs, smooth surface finish, compatible with plating, painting, and multi-color surface treatments.
- Limitations: Not suitable for components requiring high tensile strength or heavy load-bearing performance.
In die casting production, mold design precision and alloy composition control are critical to ensuring stable quality. After demolding, the parts typically undergo deburring, grinding, and surface finishing to achieve corrosion resistance, enhanced gloss, and an attractive final appearance—making die-cast hardware widely used in footwear, leather goods, and bag accessories.
CNC machining and lathe eyelet manufacturing technology
CNC Machining plays a critical role in high-end metal hardware manufacturing, especially in the production of Lathe Eyelets. This process uses computer-controlled cutting tools to perform high-precision turning, internal and external diameter finishing, and chamfering on metal rods or tubes. CNC ensures consistent hole dimensions, smooth edges, and stable structural strength, making it ideal for premium footwear and bag hardware.
CNC Machining Capabilities
- High precision tolerance (±0.01mm)
- 3D cutting, contour milling, and professional chamfering
- Excellent surface flatness and refined finishing
Compared with traditional stamping, CNC-turned eyelets deliver superior dimensional accuracy, enhanced appearance, and better durability. This makes CNC machining the preferred solution for luxury bags, precision hardware, and customized small-batch production.
CNC vs. Stamping / Die Casting
| Forming Technology | Cost | Precision | Shape Capability | Suitable Product Types |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stamping | Low | Medium | Sheet-type components | Eyelets, rivets |
| Die Casting | Medium | Medium–High | 3D complex shapes | Logos, decorative buckles, snaps, loops, accessories |
| CNC | High | High | Precision components | Lathe eyelets, premium hardware |
| Evaluation Criteria | Stamping | Die Casting | CNC |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cost | Lowest | Medium | Highest |
| Production Speed | Fast | Medium | Slow |
| Strength | Medium | Medium | High |
| Design Flexibility | Low | High | Very High |
| Material Compatibility | Copper, iron, aluminum sheet | Zinc alloy | Copper, stainless steel, aluminum alloy |
Common FAQ
Yes. We accept samples and drawings for development. We can also convert your design sketches into formal engineering drawings (2D/3D) and provide recommendations for mold structure.
Yes. We will evaluate the product size, shape complexity, required strength, and estimated order quantity to provide professional recommendations.
Stamping is suitable for thin-sheet buckles; die casting is ideal for 3D-shaped buckles.
Not always, but electroplating improves corrosion resistance and enhances appearance. It is the most common finishing method.
Yes. Stamping: suitable for simple line designs. Die casting: ideal for detailed 3D logos. CNC: best for small-volume customization and high-end precision styles.
CNC and die casting support small-batch customization. Stamping, due to higher mold cost, is more suitable for mass production.
Zinc alloy itself does not rust easily, but poor surface treatment may cause white oxidation. With high-quality electroplating or coating, the hardware can last 3–5 years or longer.
Yes. We offer nickel-free plating, lead-free alloy options, and can provide XRF metal composition reports.