As reported by The Fabricator in their article “Try out, debug dies on-screen,” traditional die design and debugging processes involve designing and building a die, followed by physical tryouts in a press. The goal is to run a strip or blank through the die successfully on the first try. However, errors are often discovered during both assembly and the initial tryout, leading to delays and increased costs.
Common issues, such as mismatched holes for socket head cap screws or strip feeding problems, often arise during the die assembly and tryout phases. These errors necessitate additional adjustments, consuming time and resources.
The introduction of tryout and debugging software marks a significant advancement in die building. This software enables virtual die tryouts on computer screens, allowing designers to add motion and detect dynamic interference during the design stage. As a result, dies can be delivered more quickly and cost-effectively.
Several companies have developed software specifically for trying out and debugging dies virtually, integrating these tools into die design software. While mainstream 3D CAD modeling software has long included animation tools, these generic tools were often inadequate for the unique motions of stamping dies. Modern software, designed with stamping die motions in mind, has matured into efficient tools for the industry.
Common Motions in Die Design:
- Press Ram Motion: The up-and-down motion of the press ram, which has evolved to include traditional crank presses and servo presses.
- Material Feeding: Known as pitch or progression, material feeding involves moving the material through the die. Progressive dies typically have a single progression value, while transfer dies may have different progressions for flat blank creation and forming stations.
- Strip Lift and Part Lift: In progressive dies, the strip lift is a common motion, whereas transfer dies involve part lifts.
Leveraging advanced die design software to simulate these motions, enhancing the efficiency and accuracy of die tryouts. By identifying and resolving potential issues virtually, manufacturers can reduce errors, save costs, and speed up production timelines.
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Article with all rights reserved, courtesy of thefabricator.com
