Dissecting Defects is a three-part series.

A new generation of levelers is equipped to meet today's demands to flatten the high-strength materials.used more prevalently in the automotive industry than ever. To tame the coil set, crossbow, twist, and edge camber in high-strength steel (HSS) coil, higher leveling forces and new concepts are needed.

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.

Editor's Note: This article is part of a three-part series. Part I categorizes defect types and discusses the factors that affect formed part quality; Part II covers various destructive and nondestructive tests for evaluating incoming material; and Part III is an introduction to process monitoring systems.

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 various tool steel materials and how they stand up to the challenge.

What should you do to keep your hydraulic press running? Know your press--when it is working properly or when it needs attention. You can extend press life and maximize your investment by keeping your eyes and ears tuned and by performing 8 preventative maintenance steps.