Page 12 - MetalForming-Apr-2018-issue

Tech Update
Advances in Bunter Tooling and More
Improve Ammo Production
duced by Wilson Tool, are created using a patented manufacturing process that reportedly
Better brass, higher-quality tools and an understanding of machine assets and limitations all help ammunition manufac- turers produce premium parts with less downtime.
Made from stamp- ing tools called head stamps or bunters, brass casings notori- ously bring inherent manufacturing chal- lenges. Because brass is malleable, ensuring consistency in the brass quality is imperative for creating premium ammu- nition. Consequently, poor quality can adversely affect tooling as well, causing premature tool wear and breakage.
can increase tool life by 500 to 800 percent as compared to similar tools produced via traditional processes. If an ammuni- tion manufacturer produces 1200 rounds/min. and the production line shuts down for 5 min. to change a worn or broken bunter, that lost time translates to 6000 lost rounds. A higher-quality bunter or head stamp gar- ners savings in longer-lasting tools and reduced downtime. Keep in mind that traditional methods for creating branded or otherwise labeled characters on brass casings include burning
That’s the message from Jeremy Edson, stamping product manager at Wilson Tool International, White Bear Lake, MN. Here he details how materials, advanced tools and machines can come together to create casings that meet the stringent demands of the military, law enforcement and sports enthusiasts.
Brass quality and unnecessary down- time, along with tool breakage and wear are some of the many challenges ammu- nition manufacturers face. When the firing pin hits a brass casing, a timer sets off the gunpowder, which then forces the bullet out of the casing through the barrel of the gun and to the target. Subpar casings increase the likelihood of misfires.
One solution is high-
er-quality tooling paired
with higher-quality brass,
which helps mitigate the challenges in working with the malleable material. Bun- ters (pictured) or head stamps, both pro-
10 MetalForming/April 2018
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