Patrice A. Kelly

This article outlines how operational changes, planning, and combinations and adaptations of existing technologies are upgrading quick die change. Die standardization and new technologies, such as mechanical die lifters, box-style lifters rolling bolsters and programmable logic controllers, is making quick die change more efficient and cost effective.

Reducing the time it takes to change dies it important to all stampers, especially for custom stampers that run small-quantity jobs. This article summarizes the ways in which automation has helped in this process and then covers two die change methods that are used in a quick change system: the standardized clamping system and the V-notch, or key, system.