Page 41 - MetalForming July 2016

Tooling by Design
to lance-form the edge of the coil stock instead of trimming it entirely away when creating a pitch notch. Here, the formed edge provides rigidity while the lance-cut edge serves as a pitch notch.
Heavy parts in large progressive dies require greater force to move the strip through the die. Fortunately, the weight of the part usually is the result of using a thick material, much stiffer than thin a material. A word of caution: Tool and die designers often design carriers in thick materials that are too stiff to easily flex when a flex carrier is desired.
Stock Guiding and Lifting
Designers must ensure the use of sufficient stock lifters, so that the coil stock will move freely when progressed forward. If the coil material sags between stock lifters, it will encounter resistance when progressing to the next station. This resistance can cause the carriers to buckle, resulting in a short feed.
When round spool lifters are spaced too far apart, especially when running thin materials, it can be difficult for the carriers to remain flat. This condi- tion can cause the parts to be pulled too far out of progression for the pilots to properly locate the strip in the next station. Here, a bar lifter may provide better stock support to prevent sagging.
It is generally more difficult to start a coil of material through outside spool lifters than it is to route it through out- side rail lifters. The addition of an inter- nal bar lifter makes it easier to feed the material through outside spool lifters, since a lifter bar can span the space between two or more parts.
Regardless of how well a progres- sive-die carrier is designed or how well the stock guiding and lifter systems function, there always remains the pos- sibility of a short feed or misfeed occur- ring in a progressive die. Therefore, take care to design and install all of the equipment necessary to reliably detect short-feed and material-buckle conditions. MF
RAMPING UP PRODUCTION?
THE BIG NAMES TRUST US. THE SMALL ONES TOO.
Our clients know they can always expect custom solutions from us, whether they are big or small. A highly qualified team is always ready to provide effective answers to any need because we control the entire production process. Sensors for force, position, pressure and temperature measurement; indicators, power and temperature controllers; automation platforms and industrial inverters: whatever your need, you can trust us.
GEFRAN INC
8 Lowell Avenue Winchester, MA 01890 - Toll free 1-888-888-4474 info.us@gefran.com - www.gefran.com
RESISTANCE WELDING MACHINERY & MORE, READY FOR IMMEDIATE SHIPMENT. TJSNOW.COM | USEDSPOTWELDER.COM | (800) NOW-SNOW
Cimatron is now part of 3D Systems THINGS ARE GETTING BIGGER AND BETTER
As one of the early pioneers developing CAD/CAM software for manufacturing, Cimatron will continue its 33 year legacy going forward as part of 3D Systems.
Look forward to new opportunities for MANUFACTURING THE FUTURE!
For more information go to:
www.3dsystems.com www.cimatrontech.com
www.metalformingmagazine.com
MetalForming/July 2016 39