- FMA
- The Fabricator
- FABTECH
- Canadian Metalworking
Our Publications
Categories
- Additive Manufacturing
- Aluminum Welding
- Arc Welding
- Assembly and Joining
- Automation and Robotics
- Bending and Forming
- Consumables
- Cutting and Weld Prep
- Electric Vehicles
- En Español
- Finishing
- Hydroforming
- Laser Cutting
- Laser Welding
- Machining
- Manufacturing Software
- Materials Handling
- Metals/Materials
- Oxyfuel Cutting
- Plasma Cutting
- Power Tools
- Punching and Other Holemaking
- Roll Forming
- Safety
- Sawing
- Shearing
- Shop Management
- Testing and Measuring
- Tube and Pipe Fabrication
- Tube and Pipe Production
- Waterjet Cutting
Industry Directory
Webcasts
Podcasts
FAB 40
Advertise
Subscribe
Account Login
Search
More from Art Hedrick
- From The Fabricator
Die Science: Ramifications of reducing blank sizes for drawing and stretching operations
- By Art Hedrick
- Apr 3, 2018
- Bending and Forming
- Article
Making blank size changes without understanding how they will affect metal flow can result in serious drawing and stretching failures.
- From The Fabricator
Die Science: Piercing, cutting aluminum without slivers
- By Art Hedrick
- Feb 22, 2018
- Bending and Forming
- Article
Slivers are the result of the aluminum interfacing with the cutting sections or punches. To reduce the production of slivers the severity of friction at the point where the two surfaces interface must be reduced. The general rule for cutting materials is the softer the metal the smaller the cutting clearance.
- From The Fabricator
Die Science: How to solve cutting punch failures
- By Art Hedrick
- Feb 1, 2018
- Bending and Forming
- Article
Art Hedrick explains the numerous factors that can affect the life and performance of cutting die sections and pierce punches.
- From The Fabricator
Die Science: Making a pitch for the pitch notch
- By Art Hedrick
- Dec 8, 2017
- Bending and Forming
- Article
Art Hedrick explains that the cost of extra material to accommodate a pitch notch can be a good investment in the long run.
- From The Fabricator
Die Science: Die maintenance felonies and misdemeanors
- By Art Hedrick
- Oct 13, 2017
- Bending and Forming
- Article
In my 36-year career in the tool and die industry, I have seen amazing metal forming and cutting techniques. I’ve also seen shops that make me wonder how in the world they ever even make a part. What a contrast! I have been in stamping shops so clean that you could almost eat off the floor, and I...
- From The Fabricator
Die Science: Deep drawing step by step
- By Art Hedrick
- Sep 5, 2017
- Bending and Forming
- Article
Drawing can be defined as a forming process in which the flow of metal into a cavity or over a post is controlled. Perhaps one of the biggest misconceptions about deep drawing is that the metal is stretched into the part geometry. While it’s true that a lot of the parts (including automobile...
- From The Fabricator
Die Science: Progressive die design features for smooth feeding
- By Art Hedrick
- Sep 4, 2017
- Bending and Forming
- Article
One of the most important things to keep in mind when designing a progressive die is how the metal will feed through it. All too often the process for making the part is adequate,but the die’s ability to feed metal accurately and smoothly from station to station is very poor. This poor feeding...
- From The Fabricator
Die Science: Understanding and calculating draw reductions
- By Art Hedrick
- Sep 1, 2017
- Bending and Forming
- Article
Splitting, wrinkling, and surface defects are common problems in drawing, a process in which metal flows into a die cavity. Often these problems result from incorrect performance of the draw reduction process. A draw reduction is a multistep process in which the surface area of the original blank...
- From The Fabricator
Die Science: Successful extruding techniques
- By Art Hedrick
- Sep 1, 2017
- Bending and Forming
- Article
Attempting to produce an extrusion or flanged hole often can be a frustrating process. You must constantly battle geometric features such as roundness, flange height, and diameter. In fact, preventing the flange from tearing is one of the most common problems associated with extruding. Numerous...
- From The Fabricator
Die Science: Preventive die maintenance procedures
- By Art Hedrick
- Aug 31, 2017
- Bending and Forming
- Article
Die maintenance. Die repair. What’s the difference? If you find your daily activities include task such as fixing broken pads, welding a damaged die section after a dowel falls out of the upper half, digging two parts out of a draw die, or replacing pilots that have pierce holes in a progressive...
- From The Fabricator
Die Science: Solving stretch flange problems
- By Art Hedrick
- Aug 30, 2017
- Bending and Forming
- Article
One of the most valuable tools that I have used when processing or troubleshooting stamped parts, especially parts with difficult geometries or features such as long stretch flanges, is called a rubber skin. It is a simple rubber model of a part, constructed using readily available products and...
- From The Fabricator
Die Science: Understanding, designing, and fitting draw pads (Part II)
- By Art Hedrick
- Aug 30, 2017
- Bending and Forming
- Article
Draw Pad Shape Depending on the part shape, draw pads can be different shapes, sizes, and thickness. Parts with a great deal of contoured shape and curvature often use a pad that is curved with respect to the part shape; square or rectangular parts with flat bottoms usually use a flat pad (see...
- From The Fabricator
Die Science: Carrier design for progressive dies, Part II
- By Art Hedrick
- Aug 29, 2017
- Bending and Forming
- Article
One of the common problems associated with progressive dies is the inability to feed smoothy. Carrier strips often are too weak to support the weight of the strip, and this lack of strength is compounded when the strip begins to be fed through the die. Obviously, if the strip cannot be fed...
- From The Fabricator
Die Science: Busting Myths (Part I)
- By Art Hedrick
- Aug 28, 2017
- Bending and Forming
- Article
I love watching the show “MythBusters” on TV. In this reality show, two crazy guys go out an blow up stuff, burn stuff, and break and crash stuff, all in the interest of providing or disproving a myth. A lot of the information that we learn as toolmakers s passed down to us and, unfortunately,...
- From The Fabricator
Die Science: Controlling metal flow with a blank holder
- By Art Hedrick
- Aug 28, 2017
- Bending and Forming
- Article
The key to any successful metal drawing or stretching operation is the ability to control the metal’s flow. Numerous factors influence how much stretch and flow take place during a metal forming process, including the mechanical properties of the metal being formed, the geometry of the part being...
- Podcasting
- Podcast:
- The Fabricator Podcast
- Published:
- 04/30/2024
- Running Time:
- 53:00
Seth Feldman of Iowa-based Wertzbaugher Services joins The Fabricator Podcast to offer his take as a Gen Zer...
- Industry Events
Pipe and Tube Conference
- May 21 - 22, 2024
- Omaha, NE
World-Class Roll Forming Workshop
- June 5 - 6, 2024
- Louisville, KY
Advanced Laser Application Workshop
- June 25 - 27, 2024
- Novi, MI
Precision Press Brake Certificate Course
- July 31 - August 1, 2024
- Elgin,
- Upcoming Webcasts
Navigating Change: The Manufacturer’s Guide to Change Management with ERP Implementation
- May 16, 2024
- Sponsored
- Presented By: ECI Software Solutions, M1
Managing Dangerous Dusts from Metalworking
- June 26, 2024
- Sponsored
- Presented By: Camfil Air Pollution Control