Die shut height and limit atops for metal stamping dies

Most metal stamping tools have limit stops. Sometimes they are called bump stops, safety blocks or setting blocks (see red blocks on the image on the right). As a general practice, there are four round machined blocks that are bolted to the bottom die shoe. The four blocks' heights are usually ground together to the same length.

These blocks are used to set the shut height of the tool before stamping parts. These blocks set the deepest point that the tool can travel down at the bottom of the stroke. The top die shoe should never hit these blocks. The die shut height should be set about 0.010 or more above these blocks.

When the tool is in storage, the upper unit of the tool could rest on these blocks.

These blocks also have a purpose as safety blocks. They can protect expensive tooling components in case the tool is over stroked and go deeper than intended.

There are unfortunate events when the press could go deeper. This could happen at the setting time by accidentally adjusting the RAM to go too deep. As a result, the press and the tool jams. It is not an easy task freeing the tool and the press. On many occasions, the components require to be cut. Jamming could happen during production as well, even the shut height was set properly before. From impact hits and vibration, the RAM adjustment locking nuts may get loose and the RAM may go further down without being noticed. To undo a jammed tool and press is time consuming and expensive, also resulting in valuable downtime.

Die Shut Height Rod Retainer and
Electronic Die Shut Height Finder

Set the proper shut height for your die sets and mechanical presses to prevent jamming and costly downtimes.

Vortool Manufacturing Ltd.

Unit 240 19358-96 Ave.

Surrey, BC V4N 4C1 Canada

Call: 604-239-7218 | Email

Made in Canada

AirHEAD 5 - 4 ton benchtop pneumatic box frame press

AirHEAD 5 - 4 ton benchtop pneumatic shop air box frame stamping press

• Box frame construction for superior rigidity.


• No electrical power required, only compressed shop air.
 

• The AirHEAD 5 benchtop pneumatic box frame press is equipped with a powerful multi stage pneumatic
cylinder with 4 tons capacity.
 

• The AirHEAD 5 benchtop pneumatic box frame press has a space saving foot print of 10 x 18", suited for bench top applications.
 

• A top of a line FRL is to protect and to ensure long service life of the cylinder.
 

• The AirHEAD 5 benchtop pneumatic box frame press is ideal for fast spaced production, using velocity of up to 120 inches per second.
 

• Custom tooling can be easily mounted to the cylinder’s RAM through 3 easily accessible bolt holes.
 

• The lower mounting plate has 8 threaded holes and 3 dowel holes.
 

• The AirHEAD 5 benchtop pneumatic box frame press is equipped with two push buttons. They require gentle touch to activate, saving the operator from fatigue.

4 ton pneumatic press specifications

Capacity: 3.8 tons @100 psi
Bore: 5”
Stroke: 1”
No. of Stages: 4
Speed: Up to 120 inches/second
Air Intake: Compressed air, up to 125 psi
Air Connection: Standard 1/2” quick connect
Work Space (inside): W14” x D3.1” and 5.6 x H8.3”
Outer dimensions: W18” x D10” x H 31.25”
Weight: 150 lbs

Vortool Manufacturing Ltd.

Unit 240 19358-96 Ave.

Surrey, BC V4N 4C1 Canada

Call: 604-239-7218 | Email

Made in Canada

Ball bearing guided high precision progressive tool for high speed automated production

Stamped metal parts usually require more than one operation. The sample progressive blanking tool produces a high volume mounting bracket that pierces holes, blanks out a shape by cutting the strip into separate parts and finally folds the part into an L shape. At each hit a final product falls off at the end of the tool. It is made for a high production automated punch press using coil and an air feeder for continuous operation.

This progressive blanking tool design includes all the necessary features that any stamping tool should have from ease of use, high accuracy and reliable operation. It includes strip feed and guide, stripping, slug separation, and feeder actuation. As an option the tool can be used as a manually operated tool without the air feeder using strips instead of coil.

Stamped metal parts usually require more than one operation. The sample progressive blanking tool produces a high volume mounting bracket that pierces holes, blanks out a shape by cutting the strip into separate parts and finally folds the part into an L shape. At each hit a final product falls off at the end of the tool. It is made for a high production automated punch press using coil and an air feeder for continuous operation.

This progressive blanking tool design includes all the necessary features that any stamping tool should have from ease of use, high accuracy and reliable operation. It includes strip feed and guide, stripping, slug separation, and feeder actuation. As an option the tool can be used as a manually operated tool without the air feeder using strips instead of coil.

Ball Bearing Guided High Precision Progressive Tool for 

High Speed Automated Production

Vortool Manufacturing Ltd.

Unit 240 19358-96 Ave.

Surrey, BC V4N 4C1 Canada

Call: 604-239-7218 | Email

Made in Canada

Progressive die - two progression blanking tool design

Precision progressive die - two progression blanking tool design

Metal stamping tools are essential for producing components in a cost effective way. In order to reduce the cost per unit, parts must be made faster, more accurately and reliably. This actual project was focused on a criteria that was essential to the design and the building of this tool. This information helps to choose the type and number of features to design as well as selecting tooling components and the right materials to be used etc. As a result, the tool will have all the necessary functions, nothing less and nothing more that will keep the budget under control.

The design was based on a low to medium production amount of 8,000 - 32,000 parts to be stamped per month. The plan was to cut the parts from CRS (Cold Rolled Steel) strips that were sheared from sheets. The material type, the operation method and the required monthly usage gave the basic guidelines. Not only that but what features the tool should have and to meet or exceed the minimum requirements. Other factors were also taken into considerations such as easy operation, and eliminate operator error that could be costly if the tool was damaged from improper use. To further reduce the cost of the unit price of the stamped parts, the customer requested that they would build the tool in house at their facility. It is a great way and a proven method that Vortool Manufacturing has developed over the years to help customers with their projects.

A special package was created with super detailed shop drawings, a Bill of Material and special illustrated instruction pages how to build the components properly and then the best way to operate the tool once in production. As an addition there were instructions about punch press preparations and set up information that ensures trouble free production time after time.

Based on European precision and decades of experience, any tool design produced by Vortool Manufacturing is the most comprehensive design method that any company could ask for. The tool will fit the press or presses with no surprises.

We always have a press mock up made with the essential dimensions, shut height stroke and adjustment information, mounting, etc. to ensure that the tool will fit the first time and will operate within the specifications of the press regardless of its type and origin. With the help of the great features of possibly the best CAD software SolidWorks, the 3D models are always put in motion to simulate the movement of the press and the tool. A number of design verifications ensure that the tool is put to the test before it was even built, regardless of the complexity. It is either a simple two step progressive tool like this one or a sophisticated sixteen progression tool. The result is the same. You expect it to run trouble free. This is why you should choose Vortool Manufacturing.

Vortool Manufacturing Ltd.

Unit 240 19358-96 Ave.

Surrey, BC V4N 4C1 Canada

Call: 604-239-7218 | Email

Made in Canada

Corner skin form tool for low volume metal stamping production

Corner skin form tool and design

Low volume products such as this "Corner Skin" require cost effective tooling to keep the budget under control yet keep the quality high to be competitive on the market.

The flat parts also known as flat blanks were laser cut and then inserted into the single station two post die set to form the edge of the specified angle and dimension.

Low Production Metal Stamping

The tool consists of a form punch, a form die and a heavy spring loaded pressure plate to ensure that the part remains flat where needed. This should allow the part to be pressed against the form cavity by the upper punch.

As a result the outer rounded edge of the part formed upward in an angle, that became a perfectly smooth geometric shape for this flange.

Vortool Manufacturing Ltd.

Unit 240 19358-96 Ave.

Surrey, BC V4N 4C1 Canada

Call: 604-239-7218 | Email

Made in Canada

Modular press using multiple punch stations

Modular press using multiple punch stations

The modular press using multiple punch station product line by Vortool Manufacturing Ltd. contain a number of individual (portable) presses that are linked together and activated as one.

• For generic or budget oriented projects C frame presses are the most suitable.

• Other models may be used as well as custom solutions that are designed for the specific need of the process.

• Modular presses are excellent to process aluminum extrusions with great lengths and multiple holes, slots, etc. to be punched at once at the full length of the extrusion.

• The process time is minimal, compared to conventional methods where individual holes had to be drilled or punched one at a time. The quality is more predictable and repeatable.

• Multi axis power unit mounts are available to work horizontally or in an angle within the same machine.

• Drilling units can be also used to work along with the cylinders.

• Extrusion positioning and clamping can be automated. The function can be monitored by a PLC to ensure trouble free operation and keep the required quality under control.

• Safety devices may be installed, depending of your company or government requirements.

Vortool Manufacturing Ltd.

Unit 240 19358-96 Ave.

Surrey, BC V4N 4C1 Canada

Call: 604-239-7218 | Email

Made in Canada

Ball bearing guided high precision progressive metal stamping tool and die for high speed automated production

The picture shows the bottom die set and 

some of its components are being inspected,

aligned and assembled.

Ball bearing guided high precision progressive tool for high speed automated production

Stamped metal parts usually require more than one operation in one. This progressive metal stamping tool produces a high volume mounting bracket that pierces holes, blanks out a shape by cutting the strip into separate parts and finally folds the part into an L shape. At each hit a final product falls off at the end of the tool. It is made for a high production automated punch press using coil and an air feeder for continuous operation.

This progressive die design consists all the necessary features that any stamping tool should have from ease of use through high accuracy to reliable operation for a long time. It includes strip feed and guide, stripping, slug separation, and feeder actuation. As an option the tool can be used as a manually operated tool without the air feeder using strips instead of coil.

The cutting components are designed to be made of hardened tool steel that ensures the long usability. Choosing the right alloy for the application and the proper design of the tool can greatly effect the life of the tool. As a result it can operate trouble free for longer, saving on maintenance. It can also reduce or eliminate downtime and minimize costs that are associated with the value of the final product.
The progressive tooling was designed using SolidWorks 3D CAD. Shop drawings, and files generated from the models are seamlessly fit into any machine shop or tool room's profile.

Vortool Manufacturing Ltd.

Unit 240 19358-96 Ave.

Surrey, BC V4N 4C1 Canada

Call: 604-239-7218 | Email

Made in Canada