Page 28 - MetalForming February 2010

Tooling Technology ToolingUpdate
Rollblocks Protect from Overload Conditions
Hilma Div., Carr Lane Roemheld Mfg., Ellisville, MO, introduces its RHS
series roller hydraulic rollblocks,
available for inline or transverse applications. The rollblocks employ
a piston-roller package that pro-
vides independent roller actuation and pro-
tects against potential overloading of the
rollers during metal stamping. The rollblocks
are available in a variety of roller-spacing con-
figurations for customization based on load.
Hilma Div., Carr Lane Roemheld: 800/827-2526; www.clrh.com/hilma
New Ultra-Force Extended Gas Spring
Dadco, Plymouth, MI, has added the new UX.20000 nitrogen gas spring to its Ultra Force Extended Series line- up. The 22-ton UX.20000 fits the standard 10-ton ISO standard-size full-height gas spring envelope with near- ly twice the amount of force on contact, the company says. It has a 195-mm-dia. body, 130-mm-dia. rod, and is avail- able with a stroke length of 25 to 200 mm. The spring has linking ability through its G 1/8 port and comes in a variety of mount options. It directly upgrades ISO 10000 models.
Dadco: 734/207-1100; www.dadco.net
Tooling Change Generates 350-Percent Productivity Increase
Intricate Metal Forming Co. (IMF), Roanoke, VA, performs high-speed progressive stamping of electronic contacts of square, round and rectangular wire, including stamp- ing of 0.009-in. Type 1006 cold-rolled steel to manufacture bandoliers with U-shaped channels that seat the pins for trimming and shaping.
Recently, the firm experienced excessive tooling wear when stamping the bandolier or carrier strip to support the electrical contact. Presses were running at speeds of 1200 strokes/min., yielding 17 coils—at 100,000 parts per coil—before the tool- ing needed to be sharpened. Production manager Larry Rehak turned to tool-steel supplier General Carbide, Greensburg, PA, to help engineer a solution, which came during the third quarter of 2009 when IMF switched to General Carbide’s GC-813CT bi-modal tooling made with additions of chromium carbide and tantalum carbide.
General Carbide produces tungsten carbide preforms and blanks used for wear, cutting and metalforming operations. GC-813CT (rated to a hardness of 90.5 to 91.5
HRa), reports Rehak, has reduced cor- rosion and galling, and has enabled IMF to run as many as 65 coils per tool sharpening and experience a 350-percent productivity increase. With its previous tooling, IMF changed tooling once each day; now, tools remain in the press for four days. GC tooling now runs in three IMF presses.
General Carbide: 724.836.3000;
www.generalcarbide.com
Urethane Tooling for Mark-free Bending
New urethane products from Wilson Tool Intl., White Bear Lake, MN, help press-brake operators avoid sheet mark- ing during bending. Products available include urethane dies for American Pre- cision and European styles; holders and pads, which also reduce tonnage by as much as 20 percent; and rolls—available in two thicknesses (0.015 and 0.030 in.) and in an extra-durable high-density 0.022-in.-thick version—to provide a protective layer across the top of the dies. Wilson Tool Intl.: 800/445-4518; www.wilsontool.com
Die/Mold Shop
Embarks on $1.3-Million
Expansion Project
Industrial Mold & Machine Co., Owensboro, KY, announced plans to invest $1.3 million to expand its facili- ty, acquire new automated machinery and hire five additional employees. The com- pany manufactures plastic and die-cast molds and metal-stamping dies, and performs waterjet cutting, precision machining, custom-EDM work and arc welding.
Industrial Mold & Machine Co.:
www.immci.com
26 METALFORMING / FEBRUARY 2010
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