Tooling & Design

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A progressive die has multiple stations, or places where work is performed and the finished part is created in steps as it progresses through the die. We start with a strip of steel, aluminum, copper, or most any metal. 

 Compound dies produce a complete blank in one station at every stroke of the press. Basically, these dies perform one or more operations at the same time. For instance, they can blank (cut the outer form) and pierce (cut the inner form) of a shape simultaneously 

Draw dies create the part shape by controlling metal flow into a cavity and over the forming punch. Draw dies utilize a special pressure-loaded plate or ring called a draw pad or blank holder to control the metal's flow into the cavity. This plate prevents the metal from wrinkling as it flows into the cavity 

 A moulding die is a tool used in the injection moulding process to create the desired shape of a component. 

 Gravity die casting, sometimes known as permanent mould casting, is a means of die casting high-quality components in a range of low temperature metals. Unlike pressure die casting, gravity die casting involves a simple pouring of the molten metal into the mould without any additional force applied. 

 Jigs are tools that hold a cutting tool in place or guide it as it performs a repetitive task like drilling or tapping holes. Fixtures, on the other hand, do not guide a cutting tool, but hold a workpiece steady in a fixed position, orientation, or location.