Enjoying consistent growth is not something that many stamping operations can claim over the last three years, but Waukesha Metal Products is not a typical metal forming company. It is relying on servo press technology and its talented workforce to stand out amongst its peers.

Metal stampers that produce to print aren't positioning themselves for a prosperous future. They are providing a simple function—one that most shops can provide easily. Today stampers need to offer up expertise along with metal forming capabilities. They need to be able to recognize an opportunity where they can influence product design so that development and manufacturing costs can be minimized. They need to prove their value to customers so that the customer is reluctant to go looking for more value from another competitor. Eagle Wings Industries Inc., Rantoul, Ill., has some ideas on how to do just that.

The air-powered gripper feed was once the standard press feeding device in most stamping operations. It was simple and cost- effective. Servo-powered roll feeds have emerged as an attractive alternative, especially as the technology has proven itself over the years and the cost has fallen with its wider adoption.