Key takeaways
- Multi-slide machines form a small part with cam-driven tools that approach from several directions.
- They make complex bends and loops from strip or wire with lower tool cost than a progressive die.
- The process suits small electrical parts at high volume, not large parts or tight flatness.
- Tooling is quick to change, so multi-slide also works for families of similar parts.
What multi-slide stamping is
Multi-slide stamping is a forming process for small parts. A strip or a wire is fed into a machine, blanked or cut, and then formed by a set of slides that move in from different directions. Each slide carries a tool that bends, curls, twists or coins the part. The slides are driven by cams on a central shaft, so their motion is fixed by the cam profile and repeats every cycle.
The name covers several machine layouts. A four-slide machine has four slides at right angles. A multi-slide machine has more slides, often arranged vertically and horizontally, and can combine strip and wire feeding. The common idea is that the part is formed around a central tool by several small tools rather than by a single closing die.
The cycle of a multi-slide part
A multi-slide cycle is short and highly repeatable. The machine feeds a measured length, cuts or blanks the stock, and then the slides close in a set order. Because the order is set by the cams, the tool designer can sequence bends that would be impossible in a single closing die.
- 01
Feed
The strip or wire is straightened and advanced to a stop. Feed length sets the developed length of the part.
- 02
Blank or cut
A blanking tool cuts the profile from strip, or a cut-off tool severs the wire. The blank is held by the transfer or the forming tool.
- 03
Form
Slides move in sequence to bend, curl, loop or twist the part around a central mandrel or tool.
- 04
Coin and set
A final slide may coin a contact area, set a bend angle or flatten a leg. This is where the fine detail is added.
- 05
Strip and discharge
The finished part is ejected or blown clear. Scrap is separated and collected.
Four-slide and multi-slide: what changes
A four-slide machine is the simpler layout. Four tools approach the part from the front, back, left and right. It is well suited to a part with bends in two planes and a modest feature count. Setup is fast and the tooling is relatively simple, which makes it useful for a family of similar parts and for moderate volumes.
A multi-slide machine adds more axes and can combine operations that would otherwise need a second machine. It can feed strip and wire, punch holes, form several bends and assemble a small sub-component in one cycle. The tooling is more complex and the setup takes longer, but the cycle can produce a part that is closer to finished. The choice between them follows the feature count and the volume, not the machine name.
Multi-slide versus a progressive die
A progressive die is built around a strip that travels in one direction. Multi-slide tooling approaches the part from several directions and can form bends that would need a cam or a side action in a progressive tool. For a small part with a loop, a curl or a bend in more than one plane, multi-slide is often the simpler tool.
The tool cost is usually lower than a progressive die because the tools are smaller and there are fewer stations. The trade-off is that multi-slide is not a high-precision process in the same way. The part is held by a tool rather than a strip, so the tolerance stack is different, and flatness is harder to hold on a thin part. A progressive die is usually better when the part is flat and the hole positions are critical.
| Criterion | Multi-slide | Progressive die | Wire forming |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stock | Strip or wire | Strip | Wire |
| Part size | Small | Small to medium | Small to large |
| Bends in several planes | Yes, by slide sequence | Needs cams or side actions | Yes, by tool path |
| Tool cost | Lower | Higher | Low to medium |
| Cycle time | Short | Short | Moderate |
| Flatness | Harder to hold | Good | Not applicable |
| Best volume | High | High | Prototype to high |
Qualitative comparison. The right route depends on the feature count, the tolerance and the annual volume.
Parts that suit multi-slide
Multi-slide is common in electrical and electronic components because those parts are small, thin and produced in large numbers. A contact that needs a curl, a terminal with a folded tab and a clip with a loop are natural multi-slide parts. The process can also make small springs, battery contacts, connector pins and shielding clips.
The parts that do not suit it are large, flat or thick. A bracket that needs a tight flatness call is better in a progressive die. A part that needs a deep draw is better in a draw tool. A part with a single bend and a loose tolerance may be cheaper as a wireform or a simple bend operation.
- Crimp terminals and male or female contacts
- Battery contacts and spring clips
- Small connector pins and receptacles
- Retaining clips and wire loops
- Shielding fingers and grounding springs
The limits to check before quoting
The material thickness for multi-slide usually runs from about 0.05 mm to 1.5 mm, with some machines going thicker. Very thin strip needs careful feeding and tension control, because a loose strip will misfeed and a tight strip will stretch. The part width is limited by the strip width and the slide access, and the part length by the feed stroke.
Tolerance is the other limit. A multi-slide part can hold a bend angle and a leg length, but the repeatability is not the same as a progressive die. If the part has a critical hole position or a flatness call, the drawing should say so and the supplier should confirm the capability. A tolerance that is tighter than the process can hold will be met on the first article and lost in production.
The finish also limits the design. A plated strip can be formed, but the coating has to survive the slide contact and the bend. Tin is soft and can be marked by a tool; a sharp slide corner will leave a witness mark on a visible face. If the part has a cosmetic surface, say which face must stay clear and allow the toolmaker to polish or radius the contact. Post-plating avoids the marking problem but adds a handling step and a risk of plating build-up in a small hole.
Ask for a capability check on the critical bend
A multi-slide tool can be adjusted to hit a bend angle on the sample. The question is whether it holds that angle across a production run. Ask for the tolerance the supplier will guarantee, not the tolerance on the drawing.
Tooling and changeover economics
The economic strength of multi-slide is the tool. A set of slides and cams costs less than a progressive die with the same feature count, and it can be changed in a few hours. That makes the process viable at volumes that would not justify a progressive tool, and it makes a family of similar parts practical because the machine can be reset between variants.
The piece price is driven by the cycle time, the material and the scrap. A multi-slide cycle is fast, often tens to hundreds of parts a minute depending on the part and the machine. The scrap rate depends on the strip layout and the blanking tool, and on how well the slides clear the part. A part that is difficult to eject will slow the machine and raise the reject rate.
Changeover is short enough that a family of parts can share a machine. That is useful when a programme has several variants of a terminal or a clip, because the tooling can be reused with a different cam set or a different forming tool. Ask the supplier how many variants the tool can cover and what changes between them. A family approach can lower the tool cost per variant, but it only works if the parts share a stock width and a basic geometry.
What to send for a multi-slide quote
Send the drawing with the developed length, the material grade and thickness, the finish and the annual volume. Add the critical dimensions, the bend angles and the areas that must not be marked by a tool. If the part has a loop or a curl, say which direction it must open and whether the inside surface is functional.
Ask for the tool concept, the slide sequence and the cycle time. A supplier who can describe the sequence has designed the part. A supplier who quotes only a price may be planning to make it another way. The difference matters when the first samples arrive.
- Drawing at the current revision, with the developed length
- Material grade, temper and thickness range
- Critical bend angles, leg lengths and hole positions
- Finish, contact areas and cosmetic faces
- Annual volume and release size
- Inspection level and any functional test
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between four-slide and multi-slide stamping?
A four-slide machine has four tools at right angles. A multi-slide machine has more slides, often in several planes, and can combine strip and wire feeding with more operations. Four-slide is simpler and cheaper to tool; multi-slide handles more features in one cycle.
What part sizes suit multi-slide stamping?
Multi-slide is used for small parts, typically under about 100 mm in the longest dimension, in material from 0.05 mm to 1.5 mm thick. The exact limit depends on the machine, the strip width and the slide access.
Is multi-slide cheaper than progressive die stamping?
The tool is usually cheaper because there are fewer stations and smaller tools. The piece price depends on the cycle time and the scrap. For a small part with bends in several planes, the total cost is often lower than a progressive die with cams.
Can multi-slide hold tight tolerances?
It can hold bend angles and leg lengths to a practical band, but it is not the process for a tight flatness or hole position call. Ask the supplier for the tolerance they will guarantee across a production run, not just on the sample.
Sources and further reading
- ISO 2768-1:1989, General tolerances, linear and angular dimensions
- DIN 6935, Cold bending of flat steel products
- Qumek tooling reviews for four-slide and multi-slide parts
Qumek Engineering Desk
Engineering team
The engineering team behind Qumek drawings, DFM notes, tolerances and inspection standards. Every guide is reviewed against the drawings and processes used on live programmes.
Have a small part with several bends?
Send the drawing and the annual volume. The engineering desk will compare multi-slide with a progressive die and a wireform route.
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