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Sample Die Design Standards

Statement

It is the Tool Source's responsibility to insure that all tools are in compliance to the latest OSHA standards.  The following design standards do not supercede OSHA requirements.  By accepting a P.O. the tool source is responsible for recognizing any discrepancies between OSHA standards and our guidlines, and to notify our responsible personnel.
Consideration of the method of feeding, removing parts from the die and scrap shedding provision is of the utmost importance.  Safety, ergonomics and efficiency must be given priority during tool design and build.

Safety Specifications

1.  There will be provisions for clearance for part handling, safe scrap removal, and safe part ejection.

2.  Manual handling of scrap will not be permitted without written authorization.  Shedding trimming of scrap should be away from operator.

3.  Die lubrication requirements and their safe applications must be approved upon die design review.

4.  Clearance for slugs will be designed into the die as well as a method to remove them from the die.  Example: slug shakers

5.  Whenever possible, dies will be designed to permit visual inspection by the operator for scrap and slug removal.

6. Guide pins should be long enough to remain in the ball cage during the entire stroke whenever possible.

7.  All exposed springs must be contained for safety in case of failure.  It is recommended to use spring guards with windows to an operator can see if a spring is broken.

8.  All auxiliary devices must be located to eliminate the possibility of being damaged during die setting operation.

9.  All dies must have a designated flat area to support safety blocks for repair while the die is in the press.

10.  Escaping air from blow-off system are to be vented away from the operator.  Air blow-offs are to be used as a last resort to part ejection and must be approved during die design review.

11.  Provision shall be made in both the upper and lower shoe for securely mounting the die to the bolster and slide incorporating JIC standards.  Please see Figure 1.

12.  All secondary operation dies will be provided with a means of stripping parts from the punch and out of the die with a means of automatic ejection, except with written authorization.

13.  All progressive dies will be designed and built so that parts eject at each stroke.  Chutes are to be used when parts fall free at die level.  Chutes are to be designed as part of the die where practical.

14.  Use a caution tag near nitrogen gage stamped "Not to exceed XXX P.S.I."

15.  Nitrogen control panel will be accessible in press, for adjustment and fill, at the front of the die.

Die Component Requirements

1.  Air vents will be provided at all guide bushings.

2.  All standard punches are to be heavy duty (M2) high speed steel ball lock ejector punches.

3.  All standard buttons are to be heavy duty (M2) high speed steel, headless, press fit.  Unheaded design buttons for other than round, should have locating flats to be keyed from the die surface.

4. Strippers are to be of three types.   Nitrogen strippers are preferred.  They will be used wherever heavy stripping or positive holding force is required.  Self contained nitrogen gas springs are acceptable, manifold systems are preferred.  Spring strippers should only be used in simple stripping operations.

5.  All manufactured punch details will have an ejector mechanism whenever possible.  All new tooling will be free of welds.  Sections welded during development must be replaced with new sections.

6. Tooling will be designed so that part removal does not mix with scrap or slugs.

7.  All large puunch and die details should incorporate shear or staggered to reduce tonnage requirements and snap-thru shock.  Consideration must be given for ease of maintenance and flatness requirments.

8. Symetrical parts are to be stamped with part number, unless otherwise specified.  Symetrical parts should be further identified as "right' and "left".

9. Jackscrew holes will be used in die sections and retainers, and will be removable in the press.

10.  All sections will be mounted with tapped holes in die set or mounting plates.

11. Retainers that are used to locate trim punches and sections must be hardened and ground.

12. 90 degree wipe steels and inside forms will be made with inserts if practical.  All form wipe punches are to be designed to set radius and to be heeled before start of form.

13.  A shedder pin will be installed in the stripper at cut off to prevent the part from sticking to the pad.

14.  Stripper pads are to have minimum 5/8 handling holes for removal with eye bolts if size warrants.

15. All die sets should have 2 handling holes on front and rear edges and on top and bottom.  1"- 8 for dies up to 10,000 lbs.  Use 1 1/4-7 tap for die up to 20,000 lbs, and use 1 1/2-6 for dies over 20,000 lbs.

16. All pierce dies will have adequate means for slug ejection.  This must be approved before die build.

17. Stop blocks will be mounted over parallels.  Minimum of 2" between stop blocks and guide bushings.  Stop blocks should not be in the way of part discharge, or first stop when used.

18.  Slug ejectors will be provided on all notch and pierce punches.

19. All pierce retainers for material over .062  will have hardened (RH'C' 50-54) backup plates with shims provided for sharpening.

20. Positive strippers will be screwed and doweled separate from die sections.

21. Screws that are subject to vibration and abuse will be nylock or equivalent to prevent them from coming loose.

22. Die springs will not be compressed more than manufacturers specifications for average spring life.

23. All spring pockets in die shoe  will have drain holes.

24. Notching, forming and cutoff sections will be properly heeled and keyed.

25. Scrap cutters must be incorporated.

26. A slides, pad keepers, wear plates, and heeling surfaces will be provvided with grooves for lubrication and necessary means of lubricating those areas.

27. On cam dies or cam stations, spring cages  or guards will be provided to contain springs in case of failure.

28. Form steels are to be supported over parallels.

29. 1/2" diameter screws are preferred for retaining die sections.  Blind dowel holes will not be used.

30. A minimum of 1.5" x 3" stop blocks will be provided at two places, if possible, with a .050" deep by 1/2" wide lead slot.  Stop blocks should be clear by .010" with die fully loaded at bottom of press stroke.

31. Pad balance blocks will be used when possible.

Die Set Requirements

1. Precision ball bearing die sets are to be used.

2. On progressive dies, parts must either be blanked through the shoe or cut off on the end of the shoe.  Feed progression should not be used as a means to eject a part.  The end of the die shoe should be angled or have an ejector to aide the removal of the part.

3. Clamping. . . . . see Figure 1.

Progressive and Blanking Dies

1. Pitch notches are to be incorporated for stock advance.  A pitch notch on both sides of strip is preferred.

2. All dies to have a start line on bottom sections, visible from front side of die.

3. Progressive dies will be provided with chutes to assist in leading material into stock guides and die.

Parallels

1. All clamping parallels must be a minimum of 2" wide with a 7/8" bolt slot thru clamping foot.

2. If parallels are used on top die shoe, they must be bolted up through top shoe into parallels.  Bolts for paralles are to be countersunk into die set.  Bottom parallels must be bolted down through shoe into parallels.

3. Parallels not intended for clamping may be a minimum of 1.25" thick and fastened with 1/2" bolts.

4. Bottom parallels must have minimum 6" space for fork lift forks.  If this is not possible, lifting lugs must be provided.

Tool Identification

1. Information to be stamped on punch and die:
a. Part Number (on die and punch)
b. Stock thickness and progression
c. Shut height
d. Top die shoe weight
e. Total die weight
f. Nitrogen working pressure
g. Customer job number or asset number

2. All the die steels will be stamped with detail number, type of steel, and hardness on a nonfunctional surface and located in an area that will not be ground away.