# Stamping Die Tryout and First-Piece Approval Checklist > Source: https://netray.co/tools/stamping-die-tryout-and-first-piece-approval-checklist > Publisher: Netray (netray.co), AI and integration engineering for ERP and manufacturing systems. > Section: Free Tools ## Short answer A structured checklist for die tryout, setup, first-piece approval and release to production on a stamping press. ## Category quality ## Industry Metal Stamping ## Audience - Tool room lead - Quality engineer - Production supervisor ## Tool **Kind:** checklist **Scoring Note:** Every critical item must be complete before releasing the die to production. Any open critical item means the run is held. **Groups:** #### Die and press readiness **Items:** **Text:** Die number, revision and job number match the traveler and the drawing revision **Critical:** true **Text:** Die inspected for damage, missing fasteners, cracked sections and loose buttons **Critical:** true Punch, button and form section condition checked; sharpening records reviewed **Text:** Shut height recorded and within the press adjustment range **Critical:** true **Text:** Press tonnage check done against calculated working load with margin **Critical:** true Die cushion or nitrogen pressure set and recorded Stripper, lifters, pilots and guide pins checked and lubricated **Text:** Die sensors tested: misfeed, short feed, part-out, slug detection, end of stock **Critical:** true #### Material and feed **Items:** **Text:** Coil lot, heat number, thickness and width verified against the traveler and certificate **Critical:** true Coil width and edge condition checked for camber and burrs **Text:** Straightener and feeder set to the progression pitch and recorded **Critical:** true Lubricant type and application confirmed Lead strip threaded with pilot engagement verified Scrap handling and slug chute path clear #### First-piece inspection **Items:** **Text:** First pieces taken from a stable run after the die is up to temperature **Critical:** true **Text:** All critical dimensions on the control plan measured and recorded **Critical:** true **Text:** Burr height measured and within drawing limit **Critical:** true Hole position and size checked, including pierced features from every station Form angles and flatness checked with a gauge or fixture Cosmetic surfaces inspected for scratches, galling, slug marks and die marks **Text:** Measurement instruments are in calibration and identified on the record **Critical:** true **Text:** First-piece approval signed by quality before the run **Critical:** true #### Run at rate and release **Items:** **Text:** Press speed raised in steps to the quoted strokes per minute **Critical:** true Strip stability, feed accuracy and part exit checked at speed Parts per hour measured and compared with quoted rate **Text:** Sample taken at start, mid-run and end per the control plan **Critical:** true **Text:** Operator knows the reaction plan for out-of-tolerance parts **Critical:** true Tonnage monitor limits set if a monitor is fitted Packaging and labels match the customer requirement and lot traceability Setup time, first-piece time and issues logged for the next run Die maintenance request raised for any wear or defect found ## Content **Intro:** Most stamping scrap and customer complaints begin at setup, not mid-run. This checklist walks the die, press, material and first-piece steps so a die only goes into production after the critical checks are done. **Sections:** #### How to use the checklist **Body:** Work through the groups in order at each setup, not only at new die tryout. Critical items mark the checks that must be completed before the run is released; open critical items mean a hold. Record shut height, feed settings and cushion pressure on the setup sheet so the next setup can start from known values. Complete the first-piece group with the control plan open, and keep the signed record with the lot. Export the completed list to PDF for the job file. #### Why these checks **Body:** Sensor and misfeed checks protect the die from the most expensive failures, such as double hits and short feeds. Verifying tonnage against the calculated load prevents stalling and overload on heavy-gauge jobs. First-piece measurements prove that the die produces conforming parts under stable conditions, and the rate run confirms the quoted strokes per minute. The lot and heat check keeps traceability intact if the material later fails. **Bullets:** - Tryout is not complete until a run at rate is stable. - Record die condition so wear trends are visible. - Log setup minutes; they feed your next quote. #### Common mistakes **Body:** Plants often approve a first piece taken while the die is cold, then see dimensional drift as it warms. Others skip sensor tests because they passed at the last setup, but sensors move and wires fail. A third issue is mixing coil lots without noting it, which makes later containment hard. When burrs are measured only on one side of the part, the defect often returns. Use the list as a baseline and adapt it to your control plan and customer requirements. **Cta:** If setup data and first-piece results are kept on paper, we can help move them into your ERP or MES quality records, with the die, lot and operator linked. **Faq:** #### What is a die tryout? **Answer:** A tryout runs a newly built or repaired die in a press to adjust it until it makes conforming parts. It covers shut height, timing, clearances, stripping and feeding, and ends with a run at production rate and a dimensional report. #### What should a first-piece approval include? **Answer:** Measurement of all critical characteristics from the control plan, burr height, visual inspection, correct material and lot, calibrated gauges identified on the record and a sign-off by quality or the designated approver before the run proceeds. #### How often should I do the full checklist? **Answer:** Run the full list at new die tryout and after major repair. At each routine setup, at least do the die, material, sensor and first-piece groups. The rate run is required whenever the quoted speed has not been proven on that die. #### Does this replace a PPAP or AS9102 report? **Answer:** No. It supports daily setup and release. Customer submissions such as PPAP or AS9102 first article reports are separate documents with their own required content. ## Search terms die tryout checklist, stamping first piece approval, die setup checklist stamping, progressive die buyoff checklist, stamping setup sheet, first article stamping inspection, die qualification run at rate, stamping start-up checklist --- Talk to an engineer: https://netray.co/contact?intent=erp_ai | Machine catalog: https://netray.co/agent/catalog.json