Features
Hydraulic Press with Special Die Produces Family of Large Parts by Donald L. Dobbins, Editor
The Shadyside, OH, stamping plant of Mayflower Vehicle Systems is producing three super-sized stampings for use as the outside shell on counterweights for CAT Excavators. All three parts are formed using one set of adjustable tooling and a versatile, triple-action 1800-ton hydraulic press.
Deep drawn from 0.118 in. thick steel, the stampings weigh approximately 300 lbs., 280 lbs. and 260 lbs., respectively. The largest part is 3 m x 1 m with a 420 mm deep draw. The 35-ton set of tooling was built by Whiston Industries Limited, Cradley Heath, England.
Deep Drawing Large Parts in Four-Cylinder Presses By Dennis J. Taylor, President, Taylor Made Solutions, Monroe, NC.
Today, control technology for a four cylinder press allows the user to smooth out or eliminate draw lines as well as control the forming process completely through the press. As discussed in this article, four-cylinder presses are presses that have four cylinder functions in a vertical plane, two from the top and two from the bottom.
Using this type of equipment offers significant advantages in deep draw press operations. Parts often can be completed without annealing, because moving the metal through two and three reduction stages without letting it cool provides that effect.
How
Near Zero Stamping, Inc. is Shaping the Auto Industry's Competitive Future By Jon E. Jenson, President, Precision Metalforming Association, Richmond Hts., OH.
"Near Zero Stamping, Inc." may sound like the name of an ordinary stamping company specializing in high precision products. But it's much more that that--and there's nothing ordinary about it. In actuality, Near Zero Stamping, Inc. is a joint venture research and development program that employs both government and private funding, along with the combined expertise of 24 companies in the Auto Body Consortium--including the Big Three domestic auto producers and five research institutions--in pursuit of design and processing advances that will translate into unprecedented levels of metalforming accuracy and efficiency.
Creative Recruiting Strategies for Finding Qualified Employees By Barbara Jordan, Jordan Training & Consulting, Grand Rapids, MI.
In addition to competing for customers, most companies recognize that they also are in a fierce battle to attract and hire qualified employees. If companies want to win the battle, they will put the same energy into improving the quality of their recruiting, selection and retention efforts as they do into improving the quality of their processes and products. In fact, the two are tied closely together; each feeding upon the success of the other.
Good employees will be more likely to produce quality products and services. Quality products and services create a solid reputation and sense of job security that will help to attract and retain good employees.
Stamper
Designs New Plant Layout for JIT Hit-to-hit time is reduced significantly thanks to a closed-loop die change and storage/retrieval system, supplied by Atlas Technologies, Fenton, MI, that serves three presses at Volunteer Engineering's new automotive stamping facility in Manchester, TN.
Just a few years ago, manufacturers might have cringed at the thought of having to supply high-production parts to its customer with a one-day turnaround. However, just-in-time (JIT) delivery now has gone beyond being just a theory. Today, it is a critical practice for many manufacturing companies.
One of Volunteer's's strategies was to implement a JIT-approach first used by Toyota, called Kanban, which "pulls" the necessary units in the necessary quantities at the necessary time. Kanban cards are used to trigger raw material orders and production runs. In some cases, raw material becomes a stamping within 24 hours.
The Internet & MetalformingPart One of a multi-part article discussing ways in which the metalformer can use the Internet to benefit its day-to-day operations. Most people don't really know what it is, let alone how it works, and more importantly how to apply it.
A complete understanding of Internet benefits can be
realized only by learning more about the Internet itself and its different components. The
advantages the Internet holds for any given company are limited only by the imagination
and willingness of the user to explore something new.
New Standard Draw Scale Simplifies Lubricant Ranking Lubrication is a vital ingredient in the metalformer's quest for part quality, machine productivity, tooling life and, in the final analysis, profit. As a researcher and developer of proprietary lubricants designated for deep drawing, forming, blanking and piercing a variety of materials, IRMCO felt the need to be proactive in the establishment of a universal standard for rating potential lubricant performance with a lab instrument.
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