Stamping dies designed to perform multiple functions, including cutting, notching, piercing, shearing, trimming, and lancing. Each operation requires specific tooling parts. Discover the best info about Precision Carbide Mold Parts.
Die-working components are constructed of tool steels chosen based on the types and volumes to be cut or formed. Lower-end tools might utilize A-2 cutting or forming steels, while high-volume mass-production tools might use higher-grade metals.
Heel Blocks
Heel blocks are special steel blocks attached to both upper and lower die shoes by means of screws or dowels; sometimes, welding may also be employed. They contain wear plates designed to absorb any side thrust caused by cutting or forming operations in metal stamping processes; they also help keep guide pins from colliding against one another and misaligning necessary cutting and forming components within a die.
Heel blocks are precision-machined to ensure they are in their appropriate positions. Wear plates made of different materials reduce friction between the heel block and die shoe, such as steel on one side and aluminum bronze or tungsten carbide on the other. Graphite plugs may also be added to further decrease wear between heel plates and die shoes.
All progressive dies must be equipped with a heel block on their lower shoes to ensure proper strip start-up or when colliding parts into the die. The block must also allow enough clearance for scrap removal during processing and for lifters to lift parts squarely when the press closes.
Keys
Stamping die components designed for tool guiding ensure relative positioning between the upper and lower die during relative movement, and punch and die inserts have even clearance, thus improving stamping parts quality. Guide components may include the main guide pillar and post, sub-guide pillar/post combinations, guide bushings, or springs.
Progressive die stamping is an intricate and delicate process. It relies heavily on multiple factors, such as material grain direction and operator skill level, so it’s vital that you partner with an organization with sufficient expertise and capabilities to meet your production goals.
The volume of metal stamped during a production run also plays a significant role in cost estimation. Since setup and changeover costs are spread among more units, the per-unit price tag is reduced. Furthermore, more production means reduced wear and tear on equipment.
Progressive die stamping is used across various industries to manufacture metal components. Automotive firms use it to craft panels, clips, and brackets; electronic device makers employ it to produce connectors and sockets; and construction firms rely on it for fasteners and hinges.
Pilot Components
Progressive dies utilize a punch that creates a pilot hole or pierces the metal strip before moving through several die stations for operations such as forming, bending, coining, or embossing to complete the transformation into the final part. The number of stamping stations has an enormous effect on how fast and well this part is produced.
Pilot components like bushings and guide pins help ensure that both the upper and lower parts of a die are aligned correctly, similar to how a captain uses their rudder to maintain precision and accuracy during navigation. This is important as stamping processes may damage dies if they close improperly in relation to where they should close on a strip.
Pressure pads and hold-downs serve as peacekeepers during the stamping process, helping prevent any movement or slippage that might lead to defects or inaccurate results. They’re attached securely using various methods, including shoulder bolts, spools, or keeper screws – keeping metal strips secure during their journey into being stamped into shape.
Inductive proximity sensors like the NBB2-8GM30-E3 use pilot holes embedded into a die to detect when strips move through it. If any sensor detects the presence of a strip at a specific spot, it sends a signal back to the control system to begin bends, cuts, or punches at that location.
Upper and Lower Shoe
Stamping dies are precision tools designed and constructed according to precise standards. Used with various sheet metal stamping presses, stamping dies cut and form sheet metal into components using computer-aided design (CAD) software. Skilled diemakers then build stamping dies based on these designs’ prints.
Underlying any working die set is an upper and lower die shoe secured with guide pins, and its thickness is determined based on the anticipated force during cutting and forming operations – for instance, coining dies require thicker upper/lower shoes than simple bending dies.
Guide pins or pillars work in combination with guide bushings to precisely align both upper and lower die shoes. The bushings are constructed from hardened tool steel and typically lined with wear-resistant material like aluminum-bronze; additional graphite plugs may also help reduce friction.
Screws fasten working components to both upper and lower die shoes, with socket head cap screws being the preferred method due to their superior strength and durability. Dowels may also be employed, though their healing capability is limited; their primary use lies in anchoring die sections or components in place.
Spools, shoulder bolts, and keepers can be used to fasten pads to the top or bottom of an upper or lower die shoe. Spools are particularly popular among large dies as their load-bearing capacity surpasses other fasteners.
