A stapler is a mechanical device that joins sheets of

paper or similar material by driving a thin metal

staple through the sheets and folding the ends.

Staplers are widely used in government, business,

offices, homes and schools.

The word "stapler" can actually refer to a number of

different devices of varying uses. In addition to

joining paper sheets together

A stapler comprises many components, most of which are

metal stampings and spring type parts. Main components

of a typical home or office stapler include the base; the

anvil (the metal plate over which you put the document that

you want to staple); the magazine (which holds the

staples); the metal head (which covers the magazine); and

the hanger (which is welded to the base and holds the pin

that connects the magazine and base). Rivets are used to

keep the parts together, and a pin is the hinge point for the

top and bottom half. There are also rubber and plastic

materials used both in enhancing the product and in

making the stapler cosmetically appealing.

Forming the springsStamping of parts Rivets Creating plastic moldings Making the pin PaintingAssembly

Two types of springs are used in the basic stapler.1. the coil 2. the leaf.

A coil spring is made from metal that has the ability to withstand a constant

pressure and release and still maintain its shape. The coil spring material is

wound around an appropriately

Leaf springs, which resemble a diving board, are typically

made by either bending or rolling a thin piece of steel and then carefully

heating it to a temperature that will cause internal stresses.

Stamping of parts Stampings are typically made of flat sheet metal material of varying

thicknesses that are sandwiched between a punch and die. When the

punch pushes on the material, it "shears" a piece of material (the

shape of the punch) out of the sheet.

Rivets

Creating plastic moldings

A rivet is usually made of a fairly strong steel material, but it must also have

some elasticity. A rivet is designed to hold parts in place just like a screw and

nut, except that the rivet is one piece and cannot be easily disassembled.

One end typically has a head on it (like a nail or a screw), and the other end

is usually hollow

Plastic parts of staplers are made by injection molding, in which a liquified

plastic is injected into a die. The liquid flows into the open void and is then

cooled. As the die cools, the plastic solidifies and takes on the shape of the

die. The die is opened and the part is removed.

Making the pin

Painting

Assembly

The pin is little more than a piece of bar stock, cut off to a certain length

either with a saw or on a machining center. Because the pin is used as a

hinge point for the top and bottom half of the stapler, it is usually made from

a strong, heat-treatable metal.

As required to prevent rust, or for cosmetic reasons, some of the

components are painted. The parts are hung on small racks, set on a

conveyor and passed by a spray nozzle. Some automatic painting

operations employ electrostatic spraying, wherein the parts and paint are

electrically charged.

The pins, stampings, and springs are subassembled in stages and then

assembled together with the upper and lower halves of the stapler frame.

Samples of all the

components are tested

individually as they are

manufactured. A certain

percentage of parts are

thoroughly checked as they

come off of the automatic

machines. Critical

dimensions are scrutinized

and adjustments are made to

the machines or the tools are

repaired/replaced as they

wear out.

Staplers, like most other mechanisms, are continually adjusted

and improved upon. As new materials and processes are

developed, many uses become incorporated into all kinds of

products, the stapler is no exception. Likewise the use for

staplers will continue to increase as one of the latest uses is in

the medical field as a substitute for stitches.