Takumi Testimonial: Metalcraft Impression Die

Over three generations across 55 years, the Stenman family has grown Metalcraft Impression Die of Livonia, Michigan into one of the nation’s premier forging die manufacturers. With the latest in CNC technology, the best flood welders in the industry and a highly qualified engineering staff, Metalcraft delivers a vast array of products like closed dies, wrap dies, open dies, trim sets and hammer parts.
Connor and Bryan Stenman at Metalcraft Impression Die
Connor and Bryan Stenman, 3rd and 2nd generation of family at Metalcraft Impression Die

“We’re a different animal because of what we do,” says Bryan Stenman, President at Metalcraft.
He took over the business from his father in 1993, who started it in 1970. “Our forging dies for the aerospace, defense and construction industries start as blocks of steel weighing up to 25,000 pounds, and we run large tools with aggressive depths of cut.”

Metalcraft’s Go-To Machine Tool? Since 1999, it’s been Takumi.

Ripping Steel

“We need to get a lot of steel out of those blocks quickly, and our Takumis rip,” said Stenman. “The first Takumi we bought in 1999 is still working, still holding tolerance. It’s never been adjusted.”

That original machine is a Takumi V15A: a 50 taper, 3-axis boxway vertical machining center built for the type of heavy-duty cutting that customers like Metalcraft demand. The robust casting, highly rigid frame structure and large boxways provide an ideal platform for tough machining applications.

Over the decades, they purchased five more Takumi 3-axis boxway mills and a bridge mill to keep up with demand.

Takumi H-10 Double Column Machining Center at Metalcraft
The H-10 is Metalcraft’s first Takumi Double Column Machining Center
Takumi H10 and V15A machines at Metalcraft
The newest and oldest Takumi machines at Metalcraft: an H10 Double Column Machining Center (2021) and V15A 3-Axis Boxway Vertical Machining Center (1999)

The H Series Addition

In 2021, they added an H-10 double column machining center to their fleet. H Series machines are built for high accuracy and high speed, featuring an optimized mechanical structure, high response axial transmission system and thermally controlled spindle.

“The H-10 is fantastic,” said Stenman. “It allows us to do smaller dies without polishing, eliminating post processing. We’re running faster feed rates with smaller tools. The machine is smooth, very precise and consistent.”

One Half Century Down. Many More To Go.

“We’ve been doing this for 55 years, and have made it through a lot of ups and downs,” says Stenman. “One key to our success is that we’ve always tried to be at the forefront of technology in our industry.” He’s in the process of passing down two generations of knowledge to his son, Connor.

The formula: multiple generations of skill and knowledge, mixed with high technology and stellar support. It ensures that anyone who needs forging dies from Metalcraft will be well taken care of.

If you, like Metalcraft, can’t settle for anything less than a stellar machine tool experience, reach out to Takumi today.

Forging die being milled on Takumi V Series Machining Center
Massive forging die being milled on a Takumi V Series Machining Center