Slug free dies for fast and easy tool selection
Mate Precision Tooling, Northampton, announces the launch of Thick Turret EasyView Slug Free Dies, which are designed to aid lean visual management.
The new design allows the user to assign visual identification to the tool to signify a specific feature or use of the tool. This is accomplished with a coloured O-ring designed to provide clear and instant identification of the specific feature or use of the tool. Examples include a material type the tool is to punch or a machine the tool is to be used.
To use the die system, the user simply installs an O-ring by colour that identifies the assigned feature for that die. The O-ring is easily positioned in the special grove on the outside diameter of the die. The simple operation speeds up tool selection and setup in keeping with maximally efficient, lean visual tool management processes.
The dies aim to eliminate slug pulling, which occurs when the slug returns to the top of the sheet during the stripping portion of the punching cycle. The slug becomes trapped between the punch and the top of the sheet on the next cycle. This causes damage to the piece part and the tooling. The dies also aim to increase tool life.
Andy Spence-Parsons, VP Operations, states: ‘The time saved with EasyView Slug Free dies improves profitability. By eliminating the wasted motion of searching for the correct tool, setup time is reduced. The tool pays for itself within the first month of use.’
Mate’s EasyView Slug Free dies are available as an option for thick turret ½ Inch A through 4-1/2 Inch E station dies. The colored identification rings are available separately in: red, green, yellow, white and black for each thick turret station.
