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Tool and Die Tech Cell >
Tool and Die Article List
Tool and die related articles
There are 156 articles related to tool and die.
Proper selection and use of tool coatings in HSLA and AHSS forming applications will extend tool life and yield the best part results.
By: Bernard J. Janoss - The FABRICATOR®, 7/29/08
 This article has been viewed: 180 times.  Printed: 18 times
Determining a part’s forming severity, something that is critical for a successful stamping operation, takes into account various data. This article discusses the different types of data and how each is obtained. It also compares circle grid analysis to square grid analysis.
By: Art Hedrick, Contributing Writer - www.thefabricator.com, 6/17/08
This article has been viewed: 544 times. Printed: 46 times
Answers to frequently asked questions regarding lubricant preparation, lubricant application, and lubricant reclamation.
By: John W. Hayes - www.thefabricator.com, 6/17/08
This article has been viewed: 289 times. Printed: 36 times
Know you need to implement quick die change in your shop, but don't know how? Start here.
By: Mark Scanlan - www.thefabricator.com, 5/13/08
This article has been viewed: 1,073 times. Printed: 47 times
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By: Art Hedrick, Contributing Writer - www.thefabricator.com, 4/29/08
This article has been viewed: 452 times. Printed: 45 times
Forming of galvanized AHSS involves higher contact pressures at the tool-workpiece interface compared to forming mild steel. Under these severe interface conditions, improper selection of lubricants, tool materials and tool coatings may result in high scrap rates and galling in stamping production.....
By: Dr. Taylan Altan - www.thefabricator.com, 4/15/08
This article has been viewed: 414 times. Printed: 51 times
Die design and building is a critical part of a successful extrusion process. ironing—vertically squeezing the metal between the punch and the die to increase the surface area—helps refine the extruding process, as does preforming.
By: Art Hedrick - www.thefabricator.com, 4/15/08
This article has been viewed: 404 times. Printed: 64 times
Sensor-driven errorproofing can help metal stamping shops prevent the production of bad parts. In addition, it can save tens of thousands of dollars in lost production due to crashed dies and downtime. How? Sensors detect the presence of metal—as material being fed into the press, being positioned, ...
By: Dave Bird - www.thefabricator.com, 4/15/08
This article has been viewed: 484 times. Printed: 68 times
Extrusion is the process in which a continuous radial stretch flange is created by expanding a hole. Of all of the factors controlling the success of an extruding operation, material type and its mechanical properties are the most influential. Materials exhibiting good stretch capability and stretch...
By: Art Hedrick - www.thefabricator.com, 3/15/08
This article has been viewed: 78 times. Printed: 9 times
Stamping sensors can go a long way in protecting valuable dies and eliminating downtime associated with repairing dies after crashes. So why aren't more shops using them? Perhaps it's because their misconceptions get in the way of making a wise investment.
By: Dan Davis, Editor-in-Chief - The FABRICATOR®, 3/11/08
This article has been viewed: 588 times. Printed: 71 times
Selecting the right cutting clearance and tool for an application is among the challenges stampers face. Material properties and other factors influence this decision. Following some basic guidelines presented in this article can help you select or design the best tool for your needs.
By: Art Hedrick, Contributing Writer - www.thefabricator.com, 2/12/08
This article has been viewed: 1,442 times. Printed: 109 times
This article introduces beginning toolmakers, die maintenance technicians, engineers, and press technicians to tool and die components and their functions
By: Art Hedrick - www.thefabricator.com, 1/15/08
This article has been viewed: 1,008 times. Printed: 98 times
Diemakers have several options for slug-pulling problems, such as knockout pins, vacuums, punch or die dulling, oil viscosity, wire EDM hole slots, punch/die clearance changes, edge shearing, mechanical grippers, air jets, and cuped-shaped punches. Another method to help stop slug pulling is bell- m...
By: Wilson J Cubides - www.thefabricator.com, 1/15/08
This article has been viewed: 1,161 times. Printed: 97 times
This article in a series about stamping fundamentals is an introduction to deep drawing. It defines drawing and differentiates between drawing and stretching. It also lists and explains basic drawing components. Descriptions of and links to the first 16 parts in this series can be found at the ...
By: Art Hedrick, Contributing Writer - www.thefabricator.com, 12/11/07
This article has been viewed: 2,052 times. Printed: 131 times
Variations in incoming sheet material quality, tool temperatures, press and tool deflection, and lubricant performance result in deviations in formed part quality. Thus, besides initial tryout, adjustments are routinely made during production to maintain formed part quality. Real-time or online mon...
By: Taylan Altan - www.thefabricator.com, 12/11/07
This article has been viewed: 723 times. Printed: 72 times
Successful dieworkers are very methodical and data-driven in the way they approach a problem. They carefully study each problem, determine its root cause, and take both short- and long-term corrective action.
By: Art Hedrick - www.thefabricator.com, 12/11/07
This article has been viewed: 521 times. Printed: 72 times
The demands are increasing for forming with higher-strength work materials, particularly for automotive applications because of their lighter weights. It can be a challenge to find a tool steel material that does not chip, crack, or wear when used on high-strength steels. This article compares vario...
By: Brett Krause - www.thefabricator.com, 12/11/07
This article has been viewed: 792 times. Printed: 87 times
BorgWarner Inc., a drive-train developer and manufacturer of four-wheel-drive and traction control parts for the automotive industry, was having a problem with punches used to deform the ends of shafts (axles) in the reduction carrier and differential carrier.
www.thefabricator.com, 11/6/07
This article has been viewed: 441 times. Printed: 80 times
Slivers are the result of the aluminum interfacing with the cutting sections or punches. To reduce the production of slivers the severity of friction at the point where the two surfaces interface must be reduced. The general rule for cutting materials is the softer the metal the smaller the cutting...
By: Art Hedrick - www.thefabricator.com, 11/6/07
This article has been viewed: 842 times. Printed: 93 times
There is no best tool steel type, coating, or way of keeping the punches from breaking. The best solution for each of these problems can be found by collecting specific data with respect to why each of the problems occurs
By: Art Hedrick - www.thefabricator.com, 10/9/07
This article has been viewed: 802 times. Printed: 101 times
This article continues the discussion of bending in stamping operations. It focuses on rotary and reverse U bending and addresses the advantages and disadvantages of rotary bending. Descriptions of and links to the first 15 parts in this series can be found at the end of this article.
By: Art Hedrick, Contributing Writer - www.thefabricator.com, 10/9/07
This article has been viewed: 2,184 times. Printed: 136 times
The reality is that aluminum is not steel. It doesn’t behave like steel, it doesn’t flow like steel, and it certainly doesn’t stretch like steel. So does this make aluminum hard to form? No, not if you think like aluminum.
By: Art Hedrick - www.thefabricator.com, 9/11/07
This article has been viewed: 1,426 times. Printed: 107 times
Metal bending often is perceived as the simplest metal forming operation. This article describes wipe and V bending and discusses the advantages and disadvantages of both. It also addresses ways to reduce springback. Descriptions of and links to the first 14 parts in this series can be found at ...
By: Art Hedrick, Contributing Writer - www.thefabricator.com, 8/8/07
This article has been viewed: 2,576 times. Printed: 202 times
To stay competitive in today’s market, stampers must build dies from materials that adequately perform with as little maintenance as possible. Appropriate tool steels can be cold-rolled steel to solid carbide. The key is to know when to use a lower-grade steel and when to use a higher-grade tool ste...
By: Art Hedrick - www.thefabricator.com, 8/8/07
This article has been viewed: 852 times. Printed: 104 times
High-strength, low-alloy (HSLA) steels require new ways of thinking about extending punch life. At the same time, there are many tried- and-true techniques that still work.
By: Jerry Dwyer - The FABRICATOR®, 8/8/07
This article has been viewed: 1,592 times. Printed: 139 times
To reduce tooling costs, key items such as high-quality tool steel and quality die components some companies ignore or substitute which usually results in premature tool failure, excessive downtime, and scrap. Sometimes you have to invest a little more in your tooling to be successful.
By: Art Hedrick - www.thefabricator.com, 7/10/07
This article has been viewed: 2,067 times. Printed: 145 times
This is the final article in a series of columns taking the reader step-by-step through the development of forming dies and processes. This final installment covers unfolding a part, developing the blank holder shape, adding addendum features, and simulating forming and die tryout.
By: Art Hedrick - www.thefabricator.com, 6/12/07
This article has been viewed: 1,908 times. Printed: 162 times
Fineblanking and GRIPflow® are cold metal extrusion processes used to produce what appear to be blanked parts. These processes are alternatives to casting, forging, and machining. This article explains these processes. Descriptions of and links to the first 13 parts in this series can be found a...
By: Art Hedrick, Contributing Writer - The FABRICATOR®, 6/12/07
This article has been viewed: 2,735 times. Printed: 217 times
Determining the best die geometry to produce multicontoured formed parts can be difficult. A full understanding of the drawing and stretching process is necessary, as well as a good understanding of all tooling factors related to complex geometries.
By: Art Hedrick - www.thefabricator.com, 5/8/07
This article has been viewed: 2,168 times. Printed: 154 times
Minimizing changeover times is accomplished with effective die change procedures and equipment. Applying quick die change basics is a necessity, such as standardizing die parameters and clamping, prestaging dies, and using proper tools and personnel.
By: Ron Demonet - www.thefabricator.com, 5/8/07
This article has been viewed: 2,442 times. Printed: 159 times
Pinch, breakout, and shimmy trimming are cutting methods often used in stamping operations. This article, which is a continuation of a series on die basics, discusses these processes. Descriptions of and links to the first 12 parts in this series can be found at the end of this article.
By: Art Hedrick, Contributing Writer - www.thefabricator.com, 4/10/07
This article has been viewed: 3,695 times. Printed: 255 times
Determining the best die geometry to produce multicontoured formed parts can be difficult. A full understanding of the drawing and stretching process is necessary, as well as a good understanding of all tooling factors to make complex geometries.
By: Art Hedrick - www.thefabricator.com, 4/10/07
This article has been viewed: 1,440 times. Printed: 134 times
Glacier Vandervell's Bearing Group, a division of Dana, manufactures bearing components—bushings and thrust washers—for the automotive industry. It uses about 40 alloys and encounters many abrasion problems in its stamping operations, especially those involving aluminum. Its die coatings were not sa...
By: - The FABRICATOR®, 4/10/07
This article has been viewed: 1,646 times. Printed: 147 times
How tool steel is machined can make a big difference in its performance and life. A poor grinding job might look good, but unseen stress can cause premature failure.With the correct grinding and wire burning techniques, tool steel results can be optimized.
By: Art Hedrick - www.thefabricator.com, 3/13/07
This article has been viewed: 1,763 times. Printed: 179 times
Numerous factors contribute to the premature failure or breakage of piercing and cutting punches. In addition to problems with the punches themselves, such as tool steel and problems with EDM and grinding, the press itself can cause problems through deflection, and bridge strippers also can ...
By: Art Hedrick - www.thefabricator.com, 2/13/07
This article has been viewed: 1,685 times. Printed: 172 times
Excessive fluid on finished parts, which required secondary cleaning operations, and additional cleaning of floors, aisles, and racks in the areas where parts were moved and stored were remedied by installing a roller system with a programmable controller.
www.thefabricator.com, 2/13/07
This article has been viewed: 1,475 times. Printed: 165 times
Part XI of this series covering stamping die fundamentals defined slug pulling and discussed some underlying reasons that it occurs. This article describes some methods for resolving slug pulling problems. Descriptions of and links to the first 10 parts in this series can be found at the end of ...
By: Art Hedrick, Contributing Writer - www.thefabricator.com, 2/13/07
This article has been viewed: 3,501 times. Printed: 280 times
Cutting shear, or the angle ground into the end of a punch, has a big effect on punch deflection and breakage, as well as press tonnage required. Retainers, which hold the punch to the die shoe, also are important. The backing plates, ball lock punch retainers, and headed styles of punches and...
By: Art Hedrick - www.thefabricator.com, 1/9/07
This article has been viewed: 2,203 times. Printed: 172 times
Numerous factors contribute to the premature failure or breakage of piercing and cutting punches. Two obvious factors are operator error and incorrect die cutting clearance.
By: Art Hedrick - www.thefabricator.com, 12/12/06
This article has been viewed: 1,591 times. Printed: 179 times
Forming lubricants always have been a critical component in the metal forming process, but the performance characteristics of these products are even more essential when working with HSS.
By: Paul Bosler Jr., Michael Brown, and Debra Reining - www.thefabricator.com, 12/12/06
This article has been viewed: 1,464 times. Printed: 156 times
This article, Part XI of a series covering stamping die fundamentals, offers an overview of slug pulling—a problem that can damage parts and tools significantly—and explains the different causes. Part XII will cover corrective and preventive actions. Descriptions of and links to the first 10 par...
By: Art Hedrick, Contributing Writer - www.thefabricator.com, 12/12/06
This article has been viewed: 4,281 times. Printed: 285 times
Die changeover is one of the few times when a press isn’t making money. Why do some die changeovers take hours? It might be the press, operator, die, material, lift truck, crane, or the tools.
By: Paul Van Every - www.thefabricator.com, 11/7/06
This article has been viewed: 4,409 times. Printed: 230 times
This article, Part X of a series covering stamping die fundamentals, begins an in-depth look at the metal cutting process. It covers piercing and cutting clearance and discusses some common piercing misconceptions. Descriptions of and links to the first nine articles in this series can be found ...
By: Art Hedrick, Contributing Writer - www.thefabricator.com, 10/10/06
This article has been viewed: 7,807 times. Printed: 458 times
The relationships among part geometry, tool geometry, and control of the processing inputs are significantly different between the net shape and non-net shape processes.
By: Edmund Herman, P.E. - www.thefabricator.com, 9/12/06
This article has been viewed: 3,584 times. Printed: 226 times
This installment in the Die Basics 101 series picks up where Part VIII left off in describing the mechanical properties and behavioral characteristics of metals used in stamping operations. Among the topics discussed are strain, springback, stress, stretch distribution, n value, r value, and surface...
By: Art Hedrick, Contributing Writer - www.thefabricator.com, 8/8/06
This article has been viewed: 5,751 times. Printed: 368 times
A stamping die is a special, one-of-a-kind precision tool that cuts and forms sheet metal into a desired shape or profile. Most dies are constructed of several basic components, including die plates, shoes, die sets, guide pins, bushings, heel blocks, heel plates, screws, dowels, and keys. Dies also...
By: Art Hedrick, Contributing Writer - The FABRICATOR®, 8/8/06
This article has been viewed: 9,345 times. Printed: 361 times
Advanced technology in the metal stamping industry has rendered obsolete traditional methods of selecting, specifying, and supplying material. Using modern technology to quantify materials can reduce the occurrence of material variation exceeding the die and process capabilities and make die develop...
By: Edmund Herman, Contributing Writer - www.thefabricator.com, 7/11/06
This article has been viewed: 2,593 times. Printed: 201 times
In draw forming, measurement and quantification are essential to ensuring part quality for the customer. However, the product requirements and the product input variables have different metrics and different conceptual meanings, which seems to defy direct engineering. Three processing variables can ...
By: Edmund Herman, P.E. - www.thefabricator.com, 6/16/06
This article has been viewed: 2,996 times. Printed: 248 times
In stamping operations, wet (oil-based) or dry film lubricants are used to protect the surfaces of the sheet blanks, reduce friction during deep drawing, and minimize required surface treatments before assembly.
www.thefabricator.com, 6/13/06
This article has been viewed: 2,284 times. Printed: 219 times
All metals, both ferrous and nonferrous, have mechanical properties that must be considered when determining which stamping dies, production processes, and equipment to use to form them. This article discusses basic properties, including tensile strength, ductility, elongation, yield strength, and h...
By: Art Hedrick, Contributing Writer - www.thefabricator.com, 6/13/06
This article has been viewed: 5,378 times. Printed: 363 times
Like the molds he repairs, Five Star Tool Welding owner Joe Canfield finds that the welding equipment he uses at his company is getting smaller and smaller. Over the years GTAW equipment has evolved to better meet the needs of its tool and die welding users.
By: Stephanie Vaughan, Contributing Writer - The FABRICATOR®, 5/15/06
This article has been viewed: 3,017 times. Printed: 213 times
A die transport system may be needed if current production requirements cannot be met with existing presses, and opportunities for additional contracts are limited by current equipment production volumes; parts can be produced competitively in large batches, but not if the part count is smaller; an...
By: John Massenburg - www.thefabricator.com, 5/9/06
This article has been viewed: 1,994 times. Printed: 216 times
Draw forming is one of the net shape processes, and, as a result, many of the technology advances in the general field of manufacturing have not been as beneficial to draw forming as one would expect. All too often, such advancements as lean manufacturing, statistical process control, just-in-time, ...
By: Edmund Herman, P.E. - www.thefabricator.com, 5/9/06
This article has been viewed: 2,446 times. Printed: 236 times
Although many metals are used in stamping, all fall into one of two basic categories—ferrous and nonferrous. All metals have certain characteristics that must be considered when determining which stamping dies, production processes, and equipment to use. This article introduces the most basic me...
By: Art Hedrick, Contributing Writer - www.thefabricator.com, 4/11/06
This article has been viewed: 6,168 times. Printed: 477 times
Conveyor jam-ups or slow-downs can offset machine tool productivity and damage high-production equipment. The solution: a reliable conveyor system that promotes a smooth, uninterrupted production flow.
By: Dan Zimmerman - www.thefabricator.com, 4/11/06
This article has been viewed: 2,637 times. Printed: 283 times
In-die tapping units, rotary benders, pierce nut units, HYDROCAM®s, and thread-forming punches/buttons are among the specialty dies that can help reduce the number of required operations and costs to produce holes in stamped parts. This article discusses these components and their applications.
By: Art Hedrick, Contributing Writer - www.thefabricator.com, 2/7/06
This article has been viewed: 8,315 times. Printed: 479 times
In January 2006, a new 13 SEER mandate for appliancemakers takes effect. Although it isn't the only thing driving change in manufacturers' product designs, it is providing a springboard for manufacturers to make changes in their products that will help meet increasing customer demands.
By: Stephanie Vaughan, Contributing Writer - The FABRICATOR®, 2/7/06
This article has been viewed: 2,561 times. Printed: 251 times
Stamping dies comprise many components. Continuing the discussion of common stamping die components began in Part IV of this series, this article focuses on pads, including stripper, pressure, and drawing; the methods used to secure them—spools, shoulder bolts, keepers, and retainers; and spring...
By: Art Hedrick, Contributing Writer - www.thefabricator.com, 12/13/05
This article has been viewed: 8,254 times. Printed: 474 times
Unnecessary die repair stems from several basic shortcomings, namely poor die design, setup procedures, tool design, and maintenance techniques.
By: Art Hedrick, Contributing Writer - www.thefabricator.com, 11/8/05
This article has been viewed: 6,568 times. Printed: 372 times
In recent studies, dry-film lubricants have been shown to give better lubrication conditions when compared to oil-based liquid lubricants. This factor, as well as savings in the amount of lubricant used, has helped increase the use of dry-film lubricants in the automotive industry for forming of alu...
By: Taylan Altan - www.thefabricator.com, 11/8/05
This article has been viewed: 2,880 times. Printed: 256 times
"Okay Industries, New Britain, Conn., serves diverse market segments including medical, automotive, electronics, defense, and specialty industrial. The stamper produces a roller finger follower for automotive applications. There are 14 stations on the die. The TD process is used on three of them," ...
By: Todd Earl - The FABRICATOR®, 11/8/05
This article has been viewed: 3,102 times. Printed: 238 times
Through the use of such tools as T-tables, die carts, and rolling bolster systems, stamping companies can help increase the uptime of their pressroom operations, increase levels of operational safety, and improve their bottom lines.
By: Mark Cairney - www.thefabricator.com, 11/8/05
This article has been viewed: 3,595 times. Printed: 263 times
Stamping dies can comprise many components. This article discusses the basic components, including die plates, shoes, die sets, guide pins, bushings, heel blocks, heel plates, screws, dowels, and keys.
By: Art Hedrick, Contributing Writer - www.thefabricator.com, 10/11/05
This article has been viewed: 7,870 times. Printed: 517 times
The Ironing test developed at the ERC/NSM reproduces production conditions of contact pressure up to 94 kilo pounds per square inch (KSI) and temperatures up to 300 degrees F to quantitatively evaluate lubricant performance.
www.thefabricator.com, 10/1/05
This article has been viewed: 1,837 times. Printed: 248 times
Spray systems often are regarded as simple on-off valve and regulation systems. In reality, though, spray nozzles are precision components designed to yield very specific performance under specific process conditions. Just because nozzles are spraying doesn't mean that they are spraying precisely, a...
By: William J. Kohley, Ph.D. - www.thefabricator.com, 9/13/05
This article has been viewed: 3,645 times. Printed: 353 times
In stamping operations, wet (oil-based) or dry film lubricants are used to protect the surfaces of the sheet blanks, reduce friction during deep drawing, and minimize required surface treatments before assembly.
www.thefabricator.com, 9/1/05
This article has been viewed: 2,192 times. Printed: 238 times
Many factors must be considered when choosing a production method for stamping. This article discusses and explains the advantages and disadvantages of line dies, transfer dies, and progressive dies.
By: Art Hedrick, Contributing Writer - www.thefabricator.com, 8/9/05
This article has been viewed: 7,886 times. Printed: 1,002 times
Overseas competition, high material costs, just-in-time schedules, demanding quality requirements, stringent safety standards, and industry consolidation are the forces driving trends in the quick die change industry, industry experts say. These forces have intensified the need for quick-die-change ...
By: Kate Bachman, STAMPING Journal® Editor - The FABRICATOR®, 8/9/05
This article has been viewed: 4,328 times. Printed: 365 times
Reducing die changeover times is mandatory to become a world-class stamping operation. The most practical way to accomplish it is through careful evaluation of pressroom needs, and the implementation of cost-effective die change equipment and procedures. In today's manufacturing environment, lean bu...
By: Ron Demonet - www.thefabricator.com, 7/12/05
This article has been viewed: 3,394 times. Printed: 504 times
In the 1990s, Polaris Industries Inc. realized it needed to rethink the way tube fabricating was done at its Osceola, Wis., facility. Laser tube cutting proved to be the answer.
By: Dan Davis, Editor in Chief, and Eric Lundin, Editor, TPJ-The Tube & Pipe Journal® - The FABRICATOR®, 7/12/05
This article has been viewed: 5,256 times. Printed: 751 times
This article—Part II of a series covering stamping die fundamentals—discusses different forming operations. Part I explained what a die is and described several metal cutting operations.
By: Art Hedrick, Contributing Writer - www.thefabricator.com, 6/14/05
This article has been viewed: 11,651 times. Printed: 756 times
When considering a die lubrication method, you should be sure to evaluate its effect on your entire operation. While most of us focus on how lubrication affects just the manufacture of parts, a close look reveals that it affects many other aspects of running a plant. However, many of them are not ob...
By: Steven Rainwater - The FABRICATOR®, 6/14/05
This article has been viewed: 3,830 times. Printed: 457 times
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By: Frank Martin and Gary Gathen - www.thefabricator.com, 5/10/05
This article has been viewed: 3,522 times. Printed: 428 times
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By: Steve D. Benson, Contributing Writer - www.thefabricator.com, 5/10/05
This article has been viewed: 3,317 times. Printed: 394 times
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By: Art Hedrick, Contributing Writer - www.thefabricator.com, 4/11/05
This article has been viewed: 17,576 times. Printed: 1,093 times
Editor's Note: This article is adapted from Yury Madorsky's and Matthew Thompson's workshop "New Developments in Wear-resistance Tool Coatings for Stamping Applications" presented at the 2nd annual STAMPING Journal® Forum: Competing to Win With Less, May 11-12, 2004, Detroit.
By: Yury Madorsky and Matthew Thompson - www.thefabricator.com, 3/8/05
This article has been viewed: 9,730 times. Printed: 710 times
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By: Kate Bachman, STAMPING Journal® Editor - The FABRICATOR®, 2/8/05
This article has been viewed: 3,121 times. Printed: 753 times
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By: Kate Bachman, STAMPING Journal® Editor - www.thefabricator.com, 1/11/05
This article has been viewed: 2,767 times. Printed: 416 times
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By: Art Hedrick, Contributing Writer - www.thefabricator.com, 1/11/05
This article has been viewed: 3,033 times. Printed: 403 times
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The FABRICATOR®, 12/7/04
This article has been viewed: 3,740 times. Printed: 504 times
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By: Art Hedrick, Contributing Writer - www.thefabricator.com, 12/7/04
This article has been viewed: 4,194 times. Printed: 523 times
How do you choose a store-bought cam for your stamping operation? Hundreds of cam designs are available today from numerous suppliers. Choosing the one that best fits your needs, as well as your budget, sometimes can be very confusing.
By: Art Hedrick, Contributing Writer - The FABRICATOR®, 12/7/04
This article has been viewed: 5,359 times. Printed: 471 times
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By: Greg Dickerson, Contributing Writer - www.thefabricator.com, 11/9/04
This article has been viewed: 3,135 times. Printed: 450 times
Never before has competition been greater in the metal stamping industry, both domestically and worldwide.
By: William Pfister, Contributing Writer - www.thefabricator.com, 10/12/04
This article has been viewed: 5,306 times. Printed: 447 times
Establishing a good buying procedure is a critical aspect of the tool purchasing process. All too often tool supplier expectations are not communicated and executed effectively. Miscommunication can cause you to purchase a die that doesn’t produce good parts, needs constant attention, wears out prem...
By: Art Hedrick, Contributing Writer - www.thefabricator.com, 10/12/04
This article has been viewed: 3,198 times. Printed: 639 times
New requirements for clean, dry parts drive the need for efficient, flexible workcell parts cleaning.
By: Brad Jeffery, Contributing Writer - www.thefabricator.com, 9/14/04
This article has been viewed: 2,813 times. Printed: 541 times
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By: Art Hedrick, Contributing Writer - www.thefabricator.com, 8/10/04
This article has been viewed: 5,114 times. Printed: 677 times
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By: Ferdinand Oppel, Dr. Thomas Terzyk, and Chris Kane Contributing Writers - www.thefabricator.com, 7/13/04
This article has been viewed: 3,052 times. Printed: 489 times
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By: Art Hedrick, Contributing Writer - www.thefabricator.com, 6/8/04
This article has been viewed: 6,325 times. Printed: 664 times
Quick die change is not just a way of setting up dies; it’s a mindset for the elimination of waste.
By: Herb Kamphausen, Contributing Writer - www.thefabricator.com, 5/4/04
This article has been viewed: 3,599 times. Printed: 458 times
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By: Art Hedrick, Contributing Writer - www.thefabricator.com, 5/4/04
This article has been viewed: 5,461 times. Printed: 600 times
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By: Ed Severson and Brett Krause, Contributing Writers - The FABRICATOR®, 4/6/04
This article has been viewed: 5,580 times. Printed: 621 times
Successful metal forming, stamping, and deep drawing depend on three basic elements: the metal substrate, tooling, and lubrication.
By: Bob Trivett, Dale Elenteny, and Joe Manfreda, Contributing Writers - www.thefabricator.com, 4/6/04
This article has been viewed: 5,051 times. Printed: 477 times
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By: Art Hedrick, Contributing Writer - www.thefabricator.com, 4/6/04
This article has been viewed: 4,443 times. Printed: 565 times
2-D, or not 2-D; that is the question. Whether ’tis nobler to venture out into a brisk, bold, new world of 3-D or to stick with old, reliable methods in 2-D.
By: Robert W. Harper, Contributing Writer - www.thefabricator.com, 3/11/04
This article has been viewed: 3,073 times. Printed: 574 times
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By: Art Hedrick, Contributing Writer - www.thefabricator.com, 2/12/04
This article has been viewed: 4,642 times. Printed: 538 times
As steel prices rise and offshore competition increases daily, steel and overhead optimization are driving U.S. metal stamping and forming companies. Companies that survive and thrive are taking a different approach to managing change and cost and are discovering savings in areas never seriously con...
By: Brad Jeffery, Contributing Writer - www.thefabricator.com, 2/12/04
This article has been viewed: 3,211 times. Printed: 593 times
To thrive and experience growth and healthy profits, a stamping company must have systems in place that allow flexible manufacturing and minimize press downtime. Changing from one job to the next in the least amount of time possible is one of the primary factors impacting productivity and a company&...
By: Said Lounis, Contributing Writer - www.thefabricator.com, 1/13/04
This article has been viewed: 4,582 times. Printed: 475 times
Author's Note: Before I begin, I would like to take this opportunity to express my sincere thanks to thefabricator.com's readers. I hope you have enjoyed the stamping articles, and I am excited about writing for 2004. I also would like to wish all of you a great holiday season as well as a prosperou...
By: Art Hedrick, Contributing Writer - www.thefabricator.com, 12/11/03
This article has been viewed: 4,198 times. Printed: 570 times
All businesses tied to the metal forming industry are scrambling to find areas in which they can lower costs without sacrificing quality. Adding to this burden are a tight cash flow and a lack of financial resources to invest in process improvement equipment. Therefore, the savings must come from do...
By: Brad Jeffery, Contributing Writer - www.thefabricator.com, 10/9/03
This article has been viewed: 2,192 times. Printed: 499 times
Bend angles are among the most frustrating geometric features to control in metal stamping. This is due primarily to two factors – the inconsistency of the mechanical properties in the metal being bent and the die design.
By: Art Hedrick, Contributing Writer - www.thefabricator.com, 10/9/03
This article has been viewed: 7,074 times. Printed: 753 times
The most disruptive type of failure in any tooling application is when the tool cracks. To prevent this type of failure in cold-work applications, it’s important to select the correct steel.
By: Thomas Hillskog, Contributing Writer - www.thefabricator.com, 9/25/03
This article has been viewed: 6,496 times. Printed: 545 times
Stretching or embossing, not to be confused with drawing, is the process in which the part’s geometry is obtained by stretching the metal into a forming cavity.
By: Art Hedrick, Contributing Writer - www.thefabricator.com, 8/28/03
This article has been viewed: 4,066 times. Printed: 624 times
It is not unusual for me to perform a few magic tricks when holding a conference on stamping die drawing, troubleshooting, or processing. Later on, I may disclose the magic behind the trick. I do this for a couple of reasons: first, to entertain the conference attendees, and second, to show them tha...
By: Art Hedrick, Contributing Writer - www.thefabricator.com, 8/14/03
This article has been viewed: 5,404 times. Printed: 533 times
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By: Steve D. Benson, Contributing Writer - www.thefabricator.com, 7/24/03
This article has been viewed: 4,065 times. Printed: 518 times
A blank, stamped in the first station of a progressive stamping operation, usually is subject to subsequent forming processes to form a designated part. If the blank is subject to straining, deformation, bending, stretching, or lateral expansion in later stations, its edge condition should be carefu...
By: Young Seo, Contributing Writer - www.thefabricator.com, 7/24/03
This article has been viewed: 5,907 times. Printed: 648 times
Market pressures to reduce tooling costs are pressing the tool and die industry to seek lower-cost tooling solutions. This column discusses different build approaches and the merits of an integrated build for trying out stamping dies (and molds) as part of the manufacturing validation process.
By: Jay Baron, Ph.D., Contributing Writer - www.thefabricator.com, 6/26/03
This article has been viewed: 4,510 times. Printed: 600 times
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By: Steve Chamberlain and Rodney Hewitt, Contributing Writers - The FABRICATOR®, 6/26/03
This article has been viewed: 3,970 times. Printed: 514 times
One of the cornerstones of an efficient stamping operation is its ability to perform die changes in less than 10 minutes. Retrofitting an entire stamping operation for quick die change can require a very costly investment. Justifying such a large amount of money in a short payback scenario can be im...
By: Gary Zunker, Contributing Writer - www.thefabricator.com, 5/29/03
This article has been viewed: 3,460 times. Printed: 439 times
The two main reasons for applying die lubricant are to reduce friction and dissipate heat. Heat can build up between the tool surface and metal, causing the lubricant to break down. This results in metal-to-metal contact and galling.
By: Stan Reinke, Contributing Writer - www.thefabricator.com, 4/24/03
This article has been viewed: 3,819 times. Printed: 565 times
Setting up a stamping die is one of the most critical steps in a successful stamping process. It's a fact: More damage is done to a die, especially a progressive die, in the first 10 hits than in the next 10,000 hits. Most die damage happens during initial setup, when the material is being fed into ...
By: Art Hedrick, Contributing Writer - www.thefabricator.com, 4/10/03
This article has been viewed: 6,109 times. Printed: 1,016 times
Perforating is defined as a process of making a hole by removing a slug. During perforating in a stamping operation, a punch shears and breaks a slug out of the part material and then pushes the slug into a matrix (die bushing). The matrix hole is larger than the punch point. A clearance must be mai...
By: Nick Tarkany, Contributing Writer - www.thefabricator.com, 4/10/03
This article has been viewed: 4,819 times. Printed: 627 times
If you're a die designer, a standard precision progressive die can present countless challenges for you. Some of these dies have to produce thin slots, small holes, or tricky coins.
By: Chester J. Punicki, Contributing Writer - www.thefabricator.com, 3/13/03
This article has been viewed: 3,725 times. Printed: 487 times
With the tooling trade in its current challenging economic situation, some tool companies are being forced out of business, losing money, or entering into highly competitive markets.
By: Robert Harper, Contributing Writer - www.thefabricator.com, 3/13/03
This article has been viewed: 4,831 times. Printed: 567 times
Today more than ever, the metal forming industry is economically challenged. Everyone is scrambling to find new ways to lower process costs without sacrificing quality. In the case of metal formability, a lot is at stake. With metal prices and operating overhead continuing to rise, any downtime or w...
By: Brad Jeffery, Contributing Writer - www.thefabricator.com, 2/27/03
This article has been viewed: 2,955 times. Printed: 433 times
Most automobile manufacturers have looked for alternatives to the steel traditionally used in car production; hence, the introduction of high-strength steel.
By: Art Hedrick, Contributing Writer - www.thefabricator.com, 2/13/03
This article has been viewed: 6,090 times. Printed: 677 times
Modern toolmaking methods and materials have reduced production time, cost, and headaches significantly over the last 20 years. But the rapid pace of the tooling revolution, coupled with extremely complex manufacturing technology, has left many people confused and misinformed.
By: Steve Chamberlain, Contributing Writer - www.thefabricator.com, 1/16/03
This article has been viewed: 4,268 times. Printed: 527 times
Over time negative tonnage can cause significant press and die damage. Understanding the factors that influence the amount of negative tonnage can help you control it.
By: Art Hedrick, Contributing Writer - www.thefabricator.com, 11/21/02
This article has been viewed: 6,045 times. Printed: 753 times
Quick die change equipment is a capital investment, and i competes for funds with other capital investments. Therefore, it's critical to understand the benefits of implementing quick die change.
By: Olav Vangstad, Contributing Writer - www.thefabricator.com, 11/21/02
This article has been viewed: 3,793 times. Printed: 512 times
One of the most valuable high-tech tools introduced in the last decade has been finite element analysis (FEA) simulation software that stamping tool makers can use to test forming conditions and design dies in the virtual world. This reduces tooling and product design time and saves costs of prototy...
By: Art Hedrick, Contributing Writer - www.thefabricator.com, 10/24/02
This article has been viewed: 4,666 times. Printed: 511 times
Keeping a couple key tips in mind can help you turn aluminum stamping from a source of frustration to a source of income and satisfaction in a hurry.
By: Art Hedrick, Contributing Writer - www.thefabricator.com, 10/10/02
This article has been viewed: 12,943 times. Printed: 1,055 times
Most metal forming operations use lubricants to protect the tooling and part from excessive wear caused by scuffing, scratching, scoring, welding, and galling. Four lubricant families are commonly used in pressworking, and thousands of formulations are available within each chemical family. The phys...
By: Joseph Hough, Contributing Writer - www.thefabricator.com, 9/26/02
This article has been viewed: 4,383 times. Printed: 535 times
Take this old maxim to heart: A stitch in time saves nine. The same goes for die maintenance and repair.
By: Art Hedrick, Contributing Writer - www.thefabricator.com, 6/26/02
This article has been viewed: 4,823 times. Printed: 488 times
This article outlines how operational changes, planning, and combinations and adaptations of existing technologies are upgrading quick die change. Die standardization and new technologies, such as mechanical die lifters, box-style lifters rolling bolsters and programmable logic controllers, is makin...
By: Patrice A. Kelly, Contributing Writer - www.thefabricator.com, 5/30/02
This article has been viewed: 4,291 times. Printed: 534 times
Learning how to get every bit of flow out of your metal while minimizing scrap -- doesn't that sound like a good idea?
By: Art Hedrick, Contributing Writer - www.thefabricator.com, 3/14/02
This article has been viewed: 4,967 times. Printed: 578 times
This brief article describes how tool galling occurs in stamping and describes results of tests on how TiCN, Hard-Cr, and CrCN were used on sample parts to help reduce galling.
By: Peter Hodgson, Georgie Kelly, Dan Fabijanic, and Michael Cardew-Hall, Contributing Writers - www.thefabricator.com, 3/14/02
This article has been viewed: 4,392 times. Printed: 490 times
This brief overview discusses rules for aluminum stamping involving: die clearance, die radius, punch radius, minimum bend radii, round cups, rectangular box parts, and overhang limit.
By: ERC/ NSM, Taylan Altan, Contributing Writers - www.thefabricator.com, 2/2/02
This article has been viewed: 12,585 times. Printed: 784 times
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By: ERC/ NSM, Taylan Altan, Contributing Writers - www.thefabricator.com, 2/2/02
This article has been viewed: 5,986 times. Printed: 568 times
Various shape defects can be encountered in flat-rolled ferrous and nonferrous strip. Knowing their mechanics and origins and how to correct them can be very useful in times of need.
By: Art Hedrick, Contributing Writer - www.thefabricator.com, 1/31/02
This article has been viewed: 6,169 times. Printed: 667 times
Federal government and U.S. automakers to develop technologies for a new
generation of vehicles to triple fuel efficiency without sacrificing performance, affordability, or safety.
By: ERC/ NSM, Taylan Altan, Contributing Writers - www.thefabricator.com, 1/31/02
This article has been viewed: 4,118 times. Printed: 536 times
Liquid impact forming, a patented process developed by Greenville Tool & Die Co., Greenville, Mich., uses a conventional stamping press with a liquid medium to manufacture parts that otherwise would require hydroforming.
By: Art Hedrick, Contributing Writer - www.thefabricator.com, 1/24/02
This article has been viewed: 3,474 times. Printed: 497 times
The author relates his experience as preventive maintenance (PM) coordinator at a Big 3 automaker. The purpose of preventative maintenance is to gain control of the processes. This begins with data collection on die sets, die failure and material handling damage that will identify weak areas in the ...
By: Tom Ulrich, Contributing Writer - www.thefabricator.com, 11/29/01
This article has been viewed: 6,428 times. Printed: 766 times
Reducing the time it takes to change dies it important to all stampers, especially for custom stampers that run small-quantity jobs. This article summarizes the ways in which automation has helped in this process and then covers two die change methods that are used in a quick change system: the stan...
By: Patrice A. Kelly, Contributing Writer - www.thefabricator.com, 11/29/01
This article has been viewed: 3,059 times. Printed: 417 times
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By: Gerry Nord and Kevin J. Coughlin, P.E., Contributing Writers - www.thefabricator.com, 11/29/01
This article has been viewed: 3,694 times. Printed: 479 times
You might be able to gain a competitive edge by learning how to reduce the amount of engineered scrap, or that material that was inteded to be scrap rather than scrap created because of defective piece parts.
By: Art Hedrick, Contributing Writer - www.thefabricator.com, 11/15/01
This article has been viewed: 4,193 times. Printed: 522 times
While cryogenics has been around for awhile, alot of shops don't know how to use the process to their advantage. Knowing a few basics may help your shop turn that around.
By: Bill Bryson, Contributing Writer - www.thefabricator.com, 10/25/01
This article has been viewed: 4,303 times. Printed: 488 times
Recent changes in tooling technologies, material specifications, part quality requirements, and inventory levels have driven the demand for new developments in the way a mechanical press operates. This article discusses how link motion and bridge-frame structures help stampers. This includes a descr...
By: David G. Stone, Contributing Writer - www.thefabricator.com, 10/25/01
This article has been viewed: 3,558 times. Printed: 497 times
Knowing how steel tends to react when it is bent in a single operation can help you do the job right the first time.
By: Art Hedrick, Contributing Writer - www.thefabricator.com, 10/11/01
This article has been viewed: 4,684 < |
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