The primary function of Stamping is to transform coils of
steel into sheet metal components for the Camry
and the Avalon.
Take a look around Stamping! Place your
mouse over the image and click to explore.
Steel coils of various sizes and compositions are delivered
as needed to the stamping area.
Overhead cranes load the steel coils onto a coil
cradle. Robots then feed the coils through a series of rollers
to clean and straighten the steel. The flattened steel is
transported to a large press that cuts the steel into the
primary size for the final part. These parts, called "blanks,"
are stacked and taken to a temporary storage area.
Team members transfer the blanks to a press line which stamps
or shapes them into parts. During this process, dies are used
to shape the metal, trim excess,
bend edges and pierce holes. Since dies are changed many times
each day, team members must perform die changes with speed
and accuracy. Team members use forklifts to move the stamped
parts to a temporary storage area until they are needed by
Body Weld.
Die Manufacturing Shop
The TMMK Die Manufacturing Shop is another step to increase
domestic sourcing for Toyotas produced in North America.
Besides making dies for use in the stamping of small interior
parts and external panels for the Camry, Avalon and Sienna,
the Die Manufacturing Shop makes dies for other Toyota plants
in North America and serves as an observation and information-sharing
facility for North-American suppliers.
Die manufacturing is one of the most important processes
in the production preparation procedure for car body parts.
The process requires extensive skilled labor and sophisticated
equipment. Typically, automakers search for experienced die
makers, but Toyota develops the needed skills with candidates
selected from TMMK's existing work force.
The Die Manufacturing Shop is organized around two functional
teams, machining and finishing. The dies must be capable of
withstanding extreme pressure in the stamping of mass-produced
body parts. This capability must be balanced with the continuous
introduction of new technology into the stamping shop.
