Should I count parts or feed cycles?

Count feed advances. A die can release several parts per advance, and startup strokes may advance strip without releasing any finished part.

Is mean feed speed the peak speed?

No. The feeder accelerates and decelerates within the window, so its instantaneous peak is higher. Compare with verified capability for the actual feed length and motion profile.

Where does the feed window come from?

Use the approved tool and press timing after clearance and before pilot engagement. Feed and material-release timing must let the pilot correct position.

Can a correct average pitch still cause misfeeds?

Yes. An average can conceal individual feed errors, slip or inconsistent release. Check individual advances and pilot registration when validating the setup.

Sheet Metal Stamping & Press Lines calculator

Feed Pitch Calculator

Find strip advance per feed cycle and the mean speed needed during your feed window. You need measured travel, cycle count, stroke rate and approved timing and feeder limits.

What this calculator does

Measure strip advance per cycle and check average feed speed within the available timing window.

Formula used

Feed pitch = measured strip travel ÷ completed feed cycles
Feed window (s) = 60 ÷ stroke rate × available degrees ÷ 360
Required mean feed speed (m/min) = pitch (mm) × stroke rate × 360 ÷ available degrees ÷ 1,000
Speed headroom = approved mean speed limit − required mean speed

Inputs explained

Measured Strip Travel: Strip displacement across the completed feed cycles from a ruler.
Completed Feed Cycles: Counter total of feed advances during the travel measurement.
Press Stroke Rate: Approved press speed from the job setup sheet.
Available Feed Window: Allowed feed angle after tool clearance and before pilot engagement.
Approved Mean Feed Speed Limit: Verified feeder capability at this pitch, material and timing window.

How to use the result

Best suited to feed setup measurement, feed timing capability review.
Mean speed does not model acceleration, peak speed or settling time. Does not set pilot release or prove positional accuracy. Variable servo motion requires measured window time; this angle-based estimate does not apply.

Current U.S. benchmarks

The producer price index for steel mill products stands at 381.162 (BLS, Aug 2026), up 23.4% from a year earlier. Quotes priced off last quarter's material cost miss this move.
U.S. iron and steel import customs value ran $2.2B in Aug 2026 (Census International Trade). The U.S. ran a trade deficit of $0.6B in the category that month. This dollar total mixes price, quantity, product mix, origin, and timing; it does not measure physical import volume or prove a tariff or reshoring effect.
The U.S. has 53,790 fabricated metal products establishments employing about 1,441,471 workers (Census County Business Patterns, 2023).

Common questions

Should I count parts or feed cycles? Count feed advances. A die can release several parts per advance, and startup strokes may advance strip without releasing any finished part.
Is mean feed speed the peak speed? No. The feeder accelerates and decelerates within the window, so its instantaneous peak is higher. Compare with verified capability for the actual feed length and motion profile.
Where does the feed window come from? Use the approved tool and press timing after clearance and before pilot engagement. Feed and material-release timing must let the pilot correct position.
Can a correct average pitch still cause misfeeds? Yes. An average can conceal individual feed errors, slip or inconsistent release. Check individual advances and pilot registration when validating the setup.

Last reviewed 2026-10-06.