Patent ID: 7712396

Claim:
A method of making a stamping tool, comprising the steps of: a) providing a plurality of planar steel sections, the plurality including at least one low carbon steel section selected to withstand repeated stamping operation impact and at least one high carbon steel section, the step of providing the plurality of planar steel sections including: i) laser cutting the plurality of planar steel sections; and ii) hardening a part-forming edge of the at least one high carbon steel section without heat treating the part-forming edge, the part-forming edge being constructed to separate a stamped shape from material stock during use of the stamping tool; b) aligning the planar steel sections to form a tool body, wherein a laser-cut edge of one of the planar steel sections defines the part-forming edge; and c) securing the aligned planar steel sections relative to one another to define one of a punch body and a die body.