Page 42 - MetalForming March 2023 - PMA Chairman Jeff Aznavorian
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 we used to sharpen the D2 details week- ly, and the deeper cuts when sharpening added up to 16 hr. of weekly tool main- tenance. With the new matrix-steel tools, we’re running 4 weeks between sharpenings and only 8 hr. needed per sharpening. At the end of the day, we’ve reduced tool-maintenance time by more than 56 hr./mo.”
More Out-of-the-Box Thinking
The team at Gecom, a subsidiary of Japan-based Mitsui Kinzoku ACT, sees the tool-steel investigation as just another continuous-improvement project among many performed in recent years.
“With the economy the way it is and labor tight,” says Bishop, “we’ve been tasking our engineering department to find ways to make all of our opera- tions more efficient and productive.”
This mindset is evident throughout the company's activities ranging from completing research, design and inhouse fabrication of an autonomous
Gecom stamps locking mechanisms for automotive applications, such as the side-door lock striker shown here (and its accompanying form tool), from Type 4130 Cr-Mo steel, which can take a toll on die details machined from conventional tool steels. To improve die life, the firm has been trialing new matrix-grade high-speed tool steels from Diehl Tool Steel, with great results to date.
THREE-PART SERIES
JULY 11—Precision Stamping
JULY 18—Automation in the Pressroom JULY 25—Fabrication for Metal Stampers
New Die Steel Reduces Wear on Form Details
scanning door-striker inspection cell to working with partners to develop wire forming robotic cells.
“The drive toward innovation and lower costs has led to an impressive revamp of our tooling department,” Bishop says, noting that the toolroom runs two Haas machining centers (with one operator managing and program-
ming both) as well as four conventional mills, two CNC lathes and an EDM room with two sinker machines and four wire machines.
“We have always performed 99 per- cent of our tooling maintenance inhouse, but now we can operate as a job shop providing assembly and engi- neering as well.” he adds. MF
APRIL 25—LIVE ON THE SHOP FLOOR
Case studies showcase automation of press tending and of secondary processes including cold heading, coining and piercing at Clips & Clamps Industries. Also on the agenda: a press-tending robot at work in the pressroom of Sukup Manufacturing Co., Sheffield, IA. There, a six-axis robot destacks blanks and tends to two stamping presses.
An expert-panel discussion will follow.
For information and to register visit: https://www.metalformingmagazine.com/event/?/metalforming-live
www.metalformingmagazine.com MetalForming/March 2023 39
MFLIVE2023 HH 4C.indd 1 2/17/23 12:17 PM
ON THE SHOP FLOOR














































































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