Several methods to improve the durability of stamping molds

   Stamping molds are essential process equipment in the stamping production process, playing a decisive role in improving product quality, extending product life, and increasing production efficiency. However, due to frequent wear and tear during the production process, stamping dies lose their working size, making it difficult to meet production needs. Therefore, improving the durability of stamping molds is crucial.   

There are generally several methods to improve the durability of stamping molds:

Improve the design of stamping molds

The rationality of stamping die design is the basis for improving the durability of stamping dies. Therefore, effective measures should be taken to address adverse conditions during product forming when designing stamping dies, in order to improve the durability of stamping dies. For example, the lifespan of small hole stamping dies is often reflected in the convex dies used for punching small holes. For this type of stamping die, the length of the small convex die should be shortened as much as possible during design to increase strength. At the same time, a guide sleeve should be used to strengthen the small convex die for protection.

In addition, in the design of stamping molds, factors such as the form of the mold frame, the fixing and guiding methods of the convex and concave molds, the determination of the pressure center, and the rigidity of the upper and lower templates should be fully considered. Especially for punching dies, selecting the gap value has a significant impact on durability. When designing, the gap of the stamping die should be selected reasonably, and its gap value cannot be too small, otherwise it will affect the service life and durability of the stamping die. Practice has proven that enlarging the gap appropriately can greatly improve the durability of stamping molds without affecting the quality of stamped parts, sometimes even increasing it by several times or tens of times.

Correct selection of stamping die materials

Different stamping die materials have different strengths, toughness, and wear resistance. Under certain conditions, the use of advanced materials can increase durability several times. Therefore, in order to improve the durability of stamping molds, it is necessary to choose good materials.

The Toolox series material is a new type of pre hardened tool steel with high toughness, high wear resistance, and minimal internal stress And it has a very high purity, with very small grain size, very low S and P content, and low precipitation of carbides, which are very uniform Due to its special composition design, the Toolox series materials have excellent surface treatment properties. Among them, the surface hardness of Toolox44 after nitriding can reach HRC65 or above, the surface hardness of Toolox40 can reach HRC62 or above, and the surface hardness of Toolox33 can reach HRC58 or above, with a maximum depth of 1.8mm.

The above characteristics possessed by the Toolox series materials give them special advantages in the application of some stamping molds.

1) Stamping molds for thicker steel plates (with a typical punching and shearing thickness of 35mm), stainless steel plates, and non-ferrous metal plates, such as air conditioning fin molds.

2) Stretch mold, stainless steel stretch mold.

3) Cold extrusion mold Cold extruded 304 stainless steel with a thickness of over 0.5mm, replacing materials such as DC53, has a very good effect.

4) Large stamping templates with high dimensional stability requirements.

Reasonably carry out forging and heat treatment of stamping die parts

One of the main ways to improve the durability of stamping dies is to require reasonable forging and heat treatment for materials of the same material but different properties while selecting high-quality stamping die materials. For example, during quenching, if overheating occurs during heating, not only will the workpiece become too brittle, but it is also prone to deformation and cracking during cooling, resulting in reduced durability. Therefore, when manufacturing stamping molds, it is necessary to have a reasonable grasp of the heat treatment process.

Toolox material is a quenched and tempered steel that is directly pre hardened by steel mills, without the need for heat treatment. With appropriate surface treatments (such as nitriding), the high toughness of the Toolox matrix material, combined with the high hardness of the surface layer, can achieve excellent results.

Reasonably arrange the manufacturing process of stamping molds and ensure machining accuracy

The machining accuracy of stamping molds has a significant impact on their durability. Due to uneven assembly clearance in the punching die, the concave die is often bitten under shear force, which affects the service life of the punching die. Meanwhile, if the surface smoothness of the stamping die is too low, it will also reduce the durability of the stamping die. Therefore, during processing, it is necessary to pay full attention to the size of the hole spacing, the perpendicularity of the convex mold to the fixed plate support surface during assembly, the uniformity of the spacing between the stamping dies, and the guiding accuracy level of the guide sleeve and guide column. The higher the manufacturing and assembly accuracy and the higher the surface roughness level of the working part, the higher the durability of the stamping die.

Choosing the right press machine

In order to improve the durability of stamping dies, a press with high precision and rigidity should be selected, and its stamping tonnage should be greater than 30% of the stamping force. Normally, using a servo punch can increase the lifespan of the mold by several times to tens of times or more.

Reasonable use and maintenance of stamping molds

In order to improve the durability of stamping dies, operators must use and maintain stamping dies reasonably, and regularly repair stamping dies to prevent them from working with problems.

The above are several common methods we have compiled to improve the wear resistance of stamping molds. Improving wear resistance not only increases the service life of stamping molds and reduces production costs for mold companies, but also ensures the quality of the products produced and improves production efficiency.