Die Basics 101

Parts I - XVII

By Art Hedrick

October 10, 2006

Editor's Note: "Die Basics 101" is a 17-part article.

Part I provides an introduction to stamping.

Part II covers various forming operations.

Part III discusses several production methods used to make stamped parts.

Part IV and Part V cover common stamping die components.

Part VI explains specialty die components.

Part VII provides an overview of metals used in stamping, and Part VIII continues this discussion.

Part IX covers the mechanical properties as well as behavioral characteristics of metals.

Part X begins an in-depth look at the metal cutting process.

Part XI defines slug pulling and common causes.

Part XII describes methods for resolving slug-pulling problems.

Part XIII discusses various specialty metal cutting methods used in stamping operations.

Part XIV explains fineblanking and GRIPflow®.

Part XV describes several bending methods—wipe, coin relief, pivot, and V bending.

Part XVI continues the discussion of bending in stamping operations, focusing on rotary and reverse U bending. It also addresses the advantages and disadvantages of rotary bending.

Part XVII discusses the fundamentals of drawing and stretching.