Metal molds can be classified by material into types such as steel stamping dies, thick steel plate molds, and cemented carbide stamping dies. Based on the forming process and application, metal molds include stamping dies (such as progressive dies, single-stage dies, compound dies, and drawing dies), die-casting molds, and forging dies. Further categorized by specific application, stamping dies are used for sheet metal separation or forming and include blanking dies, bending dies, and deep-drawing dies; die-casting molds are used for pressure casting and include hot-chamber and cold-chamber types; and forging dies are used for forging processes, including closed-die forging molds and open-die forging molds.
The automotive manufacturing industry is one of the largest users of mold designs. More than 95% of automotive components are produced using molds. Stamping dies, in particular, are used to manufacture metal parts such as car body panels, brackets, and chassis components. Molds are also finding increasingly widespread application in industrial sectors such as aviation, aerospace, electronics, machinery, and shipbuilding.