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More from Art Hedrick
- From The Fabricator
Die Science: What makes a topnotch metal stamping plant?
- By Art Hedrick
- Jan 11, 2017
- Bending and Forming
- Article
Some stamping plants and die-building facilities are far more productive and efficient than others. Each shop typically has its own niche, as well as its own strengths and weaknesses. So what are the key decisions managers make that result in a successful stamping or die-building shop? Staffing...
- From The Fabricator
Die Science: Estimating die cost
- By Art Hedrick
- Dec 2, 2016
- Bending and Forming
- Article
Before receiving a contract to design and build a die, the building shop must quote a price to the customer. Because every die usually is a one-of-a-kind tool, the process of quoting tooling cost is not always easy. The person estimating this cost must have a good understanding of sheet metal...
- From The Fabricator
Die Science: The basics of troubleshooting die problems
- By Art Hedrick
- Oct 10, 2016
- Bending and Forming
- Article
In my career as a consultant, I have experienced numerous die-related problems. Some were complex, and some were easy to solve. But most were solved by following basic die design and troubleshooting guidelines. For a stamping die to function properly, you have to follow three basic die design...
- From The Fabricator
Die Science: How many hits does it take to get to the end of a tool’s life?
- By Art Hedrick
- Jul 7, 2016
- Bending and Forming
- Article
Recently I was asked at a training session to state the average life of a stamping die. The person asking was from the costing department of a large automotive firm. He said he needed to know because he was getting different answers from different individuals in the organization—anywhere from...
- From The Fabricator
Reading progressive die strip — Part II
- By Art Hedrick
- Jun 16, 2016
- Bending and Forming
- Article
Editor's Note: This is the second part of a two-part article about reading progressive-die strips. Part I, which appeared in the May issue, covered the causes of pilot hole distortion and mismatched cuts. Hard marks, otherwise known as coin marks, occur when metal is severely squeezed between two...
- From The Fabricator
Die Science: Developing forming dies - Part III
- By Art Hedrick
- Jun 16, 2016
- Bending and Forming
- Article
Editor's Note: This is third installment of a three-part series that discusses die development for producing nonuniform, contoured parts by breaking the process down into eight steps. Part I covers the part material, its form, and its function. Part II discusses length-of-line analysis and tip...
- From The Fabricator
Die Science: Developing forming dies - Part II
- By Art Hedrick
- Jun 16, 2016
- Bending and Forming
- Article
Editor's Note: This is first installment of a three-part series that discusses die development for producing nonuniform, contoured parts by breaking the process down into eight steps. Part I covers the part material, its form, and its function. Part II discusses length-of-line analysis and tip...
- From The Fabricator
Die Science: Solving punch breakage problems - Part III
- By Art Hedrick
- Jun 16, 2016
- Bending and Forming
- Article
Numerous factors contribute to the premature failure of piercing and cutting punches. In addition to problems with the punches, such as tool steel or problems caused by EDM and grinding, the press can cause problems through deflection, and bridge strippers also can cause punch breakage.
- From The Fabricator
Die Science: Designing dies 2-D or 3-D?
- By Art Hedrick
- Jun 16, 2016
- Bending and Forming
- Article
Both 2-D and 3-D die design packages have advantages and disadvantages, which are discussed here, but true success lies in the designer's ability, not the software's.
- From The Fabricator
Die Science: Fundamentals of drawing
- By Art Hedrick
- Jun 8, 2016
- Bending and Forming
- Article
Columnist Art Hedrick goes back to basics about drawing, offering a comparison of drawing and casting, an explanation of flow and control.
Cómo destruir un dado en 7 sencillos pasos
- By Art Hedrick
- Mar 23, 2016
- Bending and Forming
- Article
La construcción de un dado conlleva mucha destreza técnica y trabajo especializado, pero algunos malos hábitos pueden causar fácilmente la destrucción de todo ese arduo trabajo. He aquí una lista de cosas que no se deben hacer en el cuarto de prensas.
- From The Fabricator
Die Science: Understanding deep-drawing and stretching variables for best results
- By Art Hedrick
- Mar 4, 2016
- Bending and Forming
- Article
Numerous variables affect the success of a deep-drawing or stretching process. Some are major and some minor, but you’ll need to take all into consideration when designing, building, and troubleshooting a drawing or stretching operation. Sheet and Coil Material Material is a major...
- From The Fabricator
Die Science: How to destroy a die in 7 easy steps (or, how to work every Sunday)
- By Art Hedrick
- Jan 7, 2016
- Bending and Forming
- Article
Art Hedrick applies humor to a not-so-funny problem.
- From The Fabricator
Die Science: How to destroy a press
- By Art Hedrick
- Jan 6, 2016
- Bending and Forming
- Article
It’s amazing how many stampers and tool and die shops negate the importance of the press. Shops often “maintain” a press when it stops working. In other words, they repair the press, but they don’t maintain it regularly. I could have just as easily named this article “How to select...
- From The Fabricator
Die Science: Training new tool- and diemakers
- By Art Hedrick
- Nov 27, 2015
- Bending and Forming
- Article
I must get two or three calls a week from companies needing tool- and diemakers, die maintenance specialists, or die repair specialists. The demand for skilled labor has skyrocketed in the last year or so. Unfortunately, most of the time I can’t help them. The Dwindling Talent Pool...
- Podcasting
- Podcast:
- The Fabricator Podcast
- Published:
- 04/16/2024
- Running Time:
- 63:29
In this episode of The Fabricator Podcast, Caleb Chamberlain, co-founder and CEO of OSH Cut, discusses his company’s...
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