Since Qualtek Manufacturing invested in its servo presses several years ago, it has been gradually building up a working knowledge base--specific stroke recipes, tooling tweaks, and other information--that has turned out to be valuable intellectual property.

When developing a lubrication strategy for QDC, companies should never consider a component in isolation. Instead, shops should ensure that various elements--including lubricant dilution, nozzle placement, quick-change devices, and intelligent process control--work in concert to prevent errors and shorten press setups.

Ball-bearing die-set guide components are a critical part of the stamping operation. Properly selected, lubricated, and positioned, they improve tool operation and promote longer component life. If they aren’t properly maintained, excessive press downtime may result.