DFM, tolerances and quality
How do I read a metal stamping tolerance chart?
Answer
Metal Stamping Tolerances · DFM · Quotation Metal Stamping Tolerance Standards: How To Read A Drawing Before Quoting Published September 16, 2026 · Balford Technical Team Most quotation arguments are tolerance arguments in disguise. A drawing that applies a blanket ±0.05 mm to every dimension — including formed walls, radii and hole positions produced by different stations — cannot be quoted honestly, because the tolerance that governs the price is not stated. How to read a tolerance block on a drawing
Sources
- Metal Stamping Tolerances: Reading A Drawing Before QuotingHome › Blog › Metal Stamping Tolerances · DFM · Quotation Metal Stamping Tolerance Standards: How To Read A Drawing Before Quoting Published September 16, 2026 · Balford Technical Team Most quotation arguments are tolerance arguments in disguise. A drawing that applies a blanket ±0....
- Metal Stamping Tolerances: Reading A Drawing Before QuotingMetal Stamping Tolerance Standards: How To Read A Drawing Before Quoting Which tolerances a stamping tool can hold, which ones need machining, and how to read a drawing so the quote matches the part you actually need. Most quotation arguments are tolerance arguments in disguise. A drawing that appli...
- Sheet Metal Gauge Chart - Gauge to mm and inchTwo other traps come with the number. A gauge is nominal: the mill tolerance on cold-rolled sheet is not zero, so a "1.2 mm" coil can arrive a few hundredths either side of 1.2 mm. And gauge says nothing about the material condition or the direction of the strip, both of which affect how the part fo...
- Sheet Metal Gauge Chart - Gauge to mm and inchState the thickness tolerance or the standard you want it held to, for example EN 10131 normal or special tolerances. Say whether the thickness is measured on the finished part after coating, and where on the part it is measured. If the part is drawn, say where the wall thickness is checked - most d...
- Metal Stamping Tolerances: Charts & Standards | BalfordWhat is the standard tolerance for sheet metal parts? There is no single number, because it depends on the feature. For a normal press tool the practical working figure is ±0.1–0.2 mm on cut features and ±0.5–1° on bend angles, with general-tolerance standards such as I...
- Metal Stamping Blog | Balford Manufacturing InsightsCovers GB/T13914-2002 dimensional tolerances for flat and formed stampings, including tolerance grades and practical shop-floor controls. Read More Newer posts Page 1 Page 2 Page 3 + More × Request a Quote Name * Company Country * Email * WhatsApp / Phone * Estimated Quantity Project Details *...
What an engineer still needs from you
- material and material condition (grade, temper)
- material thickness, plus the key diameter, height and wall thickness
- tolerances, burr direction and the visual acceptance standard
- annual volume - it decides whether tooling is single-hit, progressive or transfer
- surface finish, and any secondary machining, annealing or plating
Next step. Send the drawing for a manufacturability review, or send the part data for a process and cost route.
Submit a drawing / RFQDFM review
Submit a drawing / RFQDFM review
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This page is an engineering answer, not a quotation and not a dimensional acceptance. It is generated from Balford's published material and held to the verified company fact sheet.