Basic Die Making
Basic Die Making
This article is intended to introduce basic tool making knowledge to beginner toolmakers, die
maintenance technicians and press technicians. We will first define what is a stamping die and
difference type of stamping dies exists in the market. Step by step introduce die component and it
function and application. It will also discuss some terminologies use in the stamping industries such
as cutting, forming, lancing, ironing operations etc.
The part that the Die produced is called a piece part (see
Figure 2). Usually, a Die can produces 1 part per cycle
( Stroke ) but some Dies can produces more than one
piece part per cycle and runs as fast as 1500 strokes per
minute with close tolerances up to +/- 0.05mm ( 0.0019
inch ).
Cutting operation
Cutting operation is perhaps the most common operation
performed in a stamping die. The component to be cut is
placing in between the punch and die. Desired shape and
form is cut after two members bypass each other. Usually,
the Die is bigger than the punch to allow smooth enter of
the punch. The sizes difference between the punch and die
are called the cutting clearance.
Cutting clearances change with respect to the type of
cutting operation being performed, the metal's properties,
and the desired edge condition of the piece part. The cutting clearance often is expressed as a
percentage of the metal's thickness. Different clearances applied to different material thickness and
different type of material to be punched. The most common cutting clearance used is about 5 percent
per side of the metal's thickness. In general, the harder the material the bigger the cutting clearance
will be applied.
Example 1. . A steel sheet of 1mm thickness ( 0.0393 inch ). Cutting clearance 5%.
Cutting clearance = 1mm ( 0.0393 inch ) x 0.05 = 0.05mm per side ( 0.00196 inch )
Example 2. A Brass sheet of 1 mm thickness ( 0.0393 inch ). Cutting clearance = 4%
Cutting clearance = 1mm ( 0.0393 inch ) x 0.04 = 0.04mm per side ( 0.0015748 inch )
High punching force is needed to perform the cutting operation. In general, the punching force can be
calculated as follow:F=AXS
Cutting force = Area ( Perimeter of shape to be cut x thickness of material ) x Shear strength of
material
Note : Shear strength = 80% of the tensile strength.