Consider These Options Before Deciding What is Right for Your Application

As metal formers increasingly take on a greater variety of jobs with smaller production quantities, there's a growing interest in quick die change solutions. Many are seeking to fully automate the clamping process, envisioning a scenario where they can simply hit a button and the clamps engage or disengage swiftly. Stampers have various options at their disposal, including hydraulic, magnetic, or combination clamping systems, but determining the most suitable option requires thorough investigation rather than assuming one is inherently superior to the others.

The key lies in the execution.

With single-minute exchange of dies (SMED), stampers should prioritize optimizing the movement of the die in and out of the press. This is where they can have the most significant impact on reducing die-change times. Utilizing a set of ball or roller-die lifters can dramatically transform a once hour-long changeover process, previously reliant on a lift truck, into a streamlined 10-minute procedure—unclamping and rolling out one die, rolling in the next die set, and securely clamping it in place.

However, it's equally important to consider the method of clamping.

Many stampers still rely on manual clamping of their dies, which can lead to inconsistencies as different personnel may use varying numbers and types of clamps during setup. Inadequate torque applied to clamping bolts can compromise setup integrity, while excessive torque can result in bolt failure.

Consequently, some stampers are seeking to eliminate the human factor from the clamping process entirely. Hydraulic or magnetic clamping systems are the two primary methods to achieve this level of automation.

On the other hand, some stampers prefer manually positioned and torqued clamps, as it provides them with the assurance that the clamps are properly secured. In such cases, a hydromechanical clamp with a preload indicator pin may offer a suitable solution.