Metal Stamping Die Components Explained: From Die Plates to Retainers

A metal stamping die is a tool that cuts and shapes a metal sheet when a press exerts pressure. But when you look more closely at what a die is made of and how it works, it's easy to become lost in the details.

Basic Die Components and Functions

Die Plates

Die plates, also known as die shoes and die sets, are the foundation onto which additional die tools and components are attached. They keep many of the other items on this list in place. Die plates among Stamping Die Parts are normally composed of steel, however, aluminium is a viable alternative. It is lightweight and may be mixed with alloys to increase strength.

Die guide pins and bushings.

Die guide pins operate with guide bushings to precisely position the upper and lower die plates. They are built with tolerances to guarantee proper alignment.

Die guide pins are classified into two types: friction and ball-bearing pins.

Straight guide pins are somewhat smaller than their equivalent bushing's inner diameter.

Ball-bearing guide pins move along a series of ball bearings within an aluminium ball cage. This permits the bearings to revolve while keeping them from falling out.

Die Punches

Die punches are the instruments that push into and alter metal sheets. They are secured within the die retainer. Their snout form determines whether they can bend or punch a hole through the metal. Nose shapes include round, oblong, square, rectangular, hex, flattened-round, and customised. Aside from nose form, die punches are available in a variety of shank diameters and lengths.

Die Buttons

Die buttons are die punches' equivalents. They offer the opposing cutting edge, into which die punches are put. Like die punches, die buttons come in a variety of forms, shapes, and tolerances. They are, however, typically 5-10% bigger than the punch nose in terms of penetrated material thickness.

Die Springs

Die springs are helical springs with high compression forces. They provide the necessary force to keep metal sheets in position while they are being changed by the die.

Die springs are classified into several categories, the two most prevalent being mechanical and nitrogen gas die springs.

Mechanical die springs, or wire coil springs, are the most common form of die spring.

Nitrogen gas die springs employ pressurised nitrogen gas housed within a cylinder to impart force on the die.

Die Retainers

Die retainers among Stamping Die Parts China are used on die plates to keep cutting and shaping die components in place. They occur in a variety of forms that fulfil distinct functions. Some prominent options include:

• Ball-lock
• Shoulder
• Retractable trumpet head