Page 36 - MetalForming September 2010

Tooling
Technology Punch Performance
shims, gauges or calipers, simply by adjusting the integral length adjust- ment mechanism,” says Long. “This is very important with our short runs for maximum machine uptime and pro- ductivity.”
Operators Hit the Snooze Button on Tool-Life Alarm
Relaying one specific experience with the tooling, Long describes use of a 0.2 by 2.8-in. parting tool. “We use that tool to cut straight lines for parts that need assembly and welding along the edges,” he says.
“The tool has a roof-top shear, allowing less tonnage and punching force to pen- etrate the material cleanly. We’ve put several million hits on that tool (and several others) without having to resort to the tool grinder. When the press tool
alarm reminds us to check the tool for chipping and wear (every 500,000 hits), our operators go ahead and inspect the tool and, without fail, go ahead and reset the alarm and run another half million hits.”
Summarizing the fabrication-shop success with the tooling, Long adds: “The efficiencies we’ve experienced with the prolonged tool life comes via the cost savings from no lost time due to tool damage and not having to replace tooling due to short life span. How many hits does it take to wear out these punches? We may never know.” MF
Article submitted by Mate Precision Tooling, Anoka, MN: 763/421-0230; www.mate.com.
Design features of the turret-press tooling used by Owens Prod- ucts optimize punch-point stability, according to Mate Precision Tooling, eliminating part-damaging saw-toothing. The result is precise, smooth tool-to-workpiece contact that ensures sheet flat- ness, “very important to the quality of our products,” says plant manager Joe Long, “even when producing closely located holes.”
Joint 2010
PMA Annual Meeting
and
NTMA Fall Conference
Amelia Island Plantation Amelia Island, FL
Register Now to Attend
PMA members | October 7-9, 2010
6363 OakTree Blvd. | Independence, OH 44131 216-901-8800 | Fax 216-901-9190 | www.pma.org
NTMA members | October 6-10, 2010
9300 Livingston Road | Fort Washington, MD 20744-4998 301-248-6200 | Fax 301-248-7104 | www.ntma.org
www.pma.org/annual/
32 METALFORMING / SEPTEMBER 2010
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