Stamp-forming system and method

A stamp-forming system for forming a blank, comprising:

• an upper die formed of rigid material and having an upper die bottom side having an upper die contour;
• a lower die formed of elastomeric material and having lower die lateral sides that define a lower die outer perimeter and a lower die top side having a lower die contour that matches the upper die contour;
• a die wall having a die wall top side and a die wall inner perimeter that has a constant cross-sectional shape that is open on the die wall top side and which is no smaller than the lower die outer perimeter, and configured to encircle the lower die lateral sides, and move vertically relative to the lower die;
• wherein:
• the upper die is configured to move between an open position in which the upper die is separated from the die wall and the lower die, and a clamped position in which the upper die is in direct contact with the die wall and applying clamping pressure to a blank against the lower die, to thereby form the blank into a formed article;
• and
• the die wall is sized and configured to prevent lateral expansion of the elastomeric material of the lower die when the lower die is vertically compressed by the clamping pressure of the upper die.

A method of stamp forming a blank into a formed article, comprising:

• positioning a blank between a lower die and an upper die in an open position, the lower die is formed of elastomeric material, and has lower die lateral sides that define a lower die outer perimeter and that are encircled by a die wall that is vertically movable relative to the lower die and which has a die wall top side and a die wall inner perimeter having a constant cross-sectional shape that is open on the die wall top side and which is no smaller than the lower die outer perimeter;
• moving the upper die from the open position in which the upper die is separated from the die wall and the lower die, to a clamped position in which the upper die is in direct contact with the die wall, and is applying clamping pressure to the blank against the lower die, to thereby form the blank into a formed article;
• and
• preventing, using the die wall, lateral expansion of the lower die when the lower die is vertically compressed by the clamping pressure applied by the upper die.