Dies and punches are paired stamping tools used together to shape materials under pressure. A die is a stationary element that defines the lower contour of the product, while a punch is a moving component that presses or extrudes the material to form the required geometry.
The use of dies and punches makes it possible to manufacture parts and structural elements, create technological holes, and apply markings. These tools are widely used in presses and press brake equipment for the production of automotive and railway components, construction elements, and electrical and electronic enclosures.
Dies and Punches | Classification
Depending on their properties and functional characteristics, punches can be:
- piercing and punching — used to create holes of specified sizes and shapes in sheet material;
- blanking — cut out part contours, separating them from the base material;
- piercing (for blind holes) — form blind holes in sheet material;
- bending — used for bending blanks at a specified angle. Bending punches can be U-shaped, with sharp, right, or obtuse angles;
- forming — give a sheet blank a three-dimensional shape and are used to create shaped parts;
- compound — used to perform several technological operations simultaneously or to create complex contours;
- special — include roller or polymer inserts for forming specific types of working surfaces.
Dies | Main Types
- simple and complex — defined by the number of parts that can be produced using such dies;
- U-shaped — used for forming parts with a large radius and for supporting the workpiece material;
- radius dies — form a specified radius and help prevent cracking of the workpiece material;
- combined — used for quick changes of bending angles and to reduce setup time;
- segmented — applied for manufacturing complex parts and assembled from several individual components;
- spring-loaded — used to level the workpiece material and, due to their special design, ensure uniform pressure distribution.
Materials for Manufacturing Dies and Punches
The main materials used for manufacturing dies and punches include:
- tool steel — characterized by high strength, good hardenability, and corrosion resistance;
- alloy steel — used for large-scale production due to its high wear resistance;
- carbon steel — applied for small-batch production due to its limited service life;
- aluminum alloys — used for manufacturing vacuum forming dies in serial production;
- fiberglass — resistant to aggressive environments. Manufacturing dies from fiberglass makes it possible to create complex shapes for small-batch production.
Production is carried out using CNC equipment, certified consumables, and components. All work is performed by specialists with practical experience in delivering projects related to the manufacturing of stamping tools of varying structural complexity.