Content tagged with "tool-and-diemakers"
Results: 26
Article
September 24, 2009
Accelerating Diemaking
Rather than die cutting or EDM-working components for a custom die, diemakers just use standardized components and machine a template to specific part prints. Photo courtesy of S.B. Whistler & Sons Inc., Akron, N.Y. Pressure to shorten the time from order to manufacture has never been... Read more...
Article
August 1, 2009
'Bad' steel — the ultimate scapegoat
What the heck is "bad" steel? It seems like every time there is a problem making a good part, the steel is blamed. Cracking problems? It's bad steel. Wrinkling problems? It's bad steel. Springback problems? It's bad steel. Cold and rainy outside? It's bad steel. You get the idea.
As a tool-... Read more...
Article
September 30, 2008
Carbide in tool and die
With numerous possible combinations of metal binder content and grain size, carbides are used in a range of applications. The word carbide generally describes a group of materials characterized by high hardness and metallic properties. The first carbides, developed in 1921, were extremely... Read more...
Article
June 17, 2008
Article
May 1, 2008
Reading progressive die strips — Part I
Editor's Note: This is Part I of a two-part series discussing causes of distorted pilot holes and mismatched cuts. Part II, which discusses hard marks, poor die design, and coil-related problems, will appear in the June issue.
Figure 1
Strips can use stretch carriers, or an extra... Read more...
Article
April 15, 2008
Successful Extruding: Part II
Figure 1 Click to view image larger A good extrusion die design. Editor's Note: This is Part II of a two-part series. Part I explored the effects of the working material as well as the edge condition of the prepierced hole. This article discusses the effects of die design and the... Read more...
Article
March 15, 2008
Successful Extruding: Part I
Editor's Note: This is Part I of a two-part series discussing critical variables controlling the success of an extruding operation. Part II discusses the effects of the die design and the use of ironing and preforms. Extruding a hole sounds like a reasonably easy process. Just pierce a... Read more...
Article
March 11, 2008
Coming to your sensors
The most difficult aspect of implementing a stamping sensor program is figuring out where to place the sensor. For example, in this application, two stamping sensors on opposing ends of the die face each other and communicate across an air gap that runs the length of the die. (Photos and... Read more...
Article
January 15, 2008
Controlling slug pulling with hole lapping
Ever since the invention of the die and punch, the die industry has been plagued by punched slugs pulling up as the punch leaves the die. These slugs embed themselves into the hole cavity that was just made, impeding the forward advancement of the strip. High speed and thin materials can... Read more...
Article
January 15, 2008
Stamping 101: Die basics
Piece parts stamped in transfer dies are transferred via traveling rails mounted within the boundaries of the press.Image courtesy of Batesville Tool & Die, Batesville, Ind. Processing, designing, and building a stamping die can be very complicated. This broad overview of stamping... Read more...
Article
December 11, 2007
Why is it Dieology, not Dieologism?
Note: Before I begin with the technical portion of Die Science, I would like to thank all of my loyal readersand wishyou a happy holiday season. I am looking forward tocontinuing this column in 2008. If you have anytopics that you would like to have covered, please contact me. As a dieologist,... Read more...
Article
November 6, 2007
Piercing, cutting aluminum sans slivers
I have had a few consulting jobs in which the primary focus was on cutting aluminum. Slivers and burrs were the main problems. To address metal stamping problems such as slivers and burrs, the process engineer, tooling designer, or troubleshooting technician must have a reasonably good... Read more...
Article
November 6, 2007
Seeking tooling longevity
BorgWarner Inc. is a drive-train developer and manufacturer that specializes in blanking and finishing of shafts, gear and spline rolling, grinding operations, and assembly. The Muncie, Ind., manufacturer of four-wheel-drive and traction control parts for the automotive industry was having a... Read more...
Article
October 9, 2007
Finding, addressing the root cause of die galling failures
As a consultant, I spend a great deal of time answering questions about die galling failures: What's the best tool steel I can use to prevent this galling problem? How can I prevent these punches from breaking down? What's the best tool steel coating? The truth is that there is no single... Read more...
Article
September 11, 2007
Lean tool and die solutions
Editor's Note: This article is adapted from Gary Gathen's conference that will be presented at FABTECH® International & AWS Welding Show, Nov. 11-14, 2007, Chicago, © 2007 by the Fabricators & Manufacturers Association Intl. (FMA), the Society of Manufacturing Engineers (SME), and... Read more...
Article
September 11, 2007
Stamping aluminum
Figure 1 Depending on the type, aluminum has a good strength-to-weight ratio and is well-suited to the deep-drawing process, as well as multiple draw reductions. I remember distinctly my very first experience with building a die that was supposed to draw a sheet of aluminum into a deep,... Read more...
Article
August 8, 2007
12 ways to boost punch life
High-strength, low-alloy (HSLA) steels are revolutionizing the automotive and construction industries, and stainless steel is tremendously popular in appliances. These steels are stronger, tougher, and often more advanced than traditional materials. To be successful, manufacturers must be... Read more...
Article
July 10, 2007
Cutting tooling costs: Part I
Editor's Note: This is Part I of a two-part series that discusses how to cut tooling costs without sacrificing die quality. Part II, which will appear in the August issue, will examine tool steels and using special die engineering software to save money.
To be competitive, metal stampers... Read more...
Article
June 12, 2007
Developing forming dies Part III
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... Read more...
Article
June 12, 2007
Article
May 8, 2007
Developing forming dies Part II
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... Read more...
Article
May 8, 2007
Stop wasting time!
Figure 1 Refurbished die carts are in the standby position by the press, ready for the automatic changeover sequence. Staying competitive in today's manufacturing environment is a challenge that all stampers are trying to manage. Running lean is a way of life, and most successful companies... Read more...
Article
April 10, 2007
Developing forming dies Part I
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... Read more...
Article
December 12, 2006
Live or die making tools
In a state of transition, the Niemela family business still bears its former tool and die name—NTE for Northern Tool & Engineering—and Laser North, the name of its new, repositioned company. Leo Niemela's business style is a product of his upbringing. Niemela recalled his... Read more...
Article
May 15, 2006
Microwelding: Then and now
Five Star Tool Welding General Manager Steve Coleman repairs damaged areas to a plastic mold insert. Joe Canfield is a grateful tool and die welder. That's because he gets to use gas tungsten arc welding (GTAW) and micro-GTAW—a major upgrade from the original version of tool and... Read more...
Article
November 8, 2005
Quick die change and the trend toward larger presses
Flexibility and change have become critical components for success in U.S. manufacturing. Increasingly for contract stampers, these changes include the acquisition of larger mechanical presses. It now is quite common for stampers to use presses with capacities from 800 to 2,000 tons and... Read more...
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