A progressive die (also known as a continuous die) consists of multiple stations, each performing a distinct operation in a sequential manner, thereby completing a series of different stamping processes within a single press stroke. After the stroke is completed, the press feeder advances the material by a fixed pitch; this allows multiple operations-such as piercing, blanking, bending, trimming, and deep drawing-to be performed using a single die set.
The design of the progressive die strip primarily involves connecting the stamped parts to the strip itself, enabling the semi-finished products to be fed at equal intervals to the various processing stations. The strip serves as a structural framework for feeding the parts through the die, while pilot holes ensure the accuracy of the feed distance. The size and method of the connection between the strip and the finished part are determined based on the specific characteristics of the stamped product, and the scrap areas are designed to be sheared off either in a single step or across multiple stages.