Is clamping press tools with magnets viable?

[damianbrady]

As part of a QDC project it has been proposed to use magnets to clamp a press tools bottom bolster to the press by magnets. The tools base is 2m long and 0.5m wide and the magnetic field will be reaching 40mm into the feet of the bolster. The magnetic clamps would have to overcome the upward force generated by the bushes splitting from the pillars, so the clamping force required should be minimal.

What are people’s thoughts on this application? Is it safe? Is it legal? Are there any problems that will arise from this if the project is undertaken?

Thank you for any help.

Regards Brady.

 

[ajack1]

I worked with and around tooling for many years and I have never heard of it being done, no idea if it is illegal or not.

Do you need to shed scrap from the tool? If so this could be a problem if it is magnetic.

What do you hope to gain from this, saving time? How long does it take to tighten four bolts, even less if you use pneumatic clamps? Have you looked at other SMED techniques?

Sorry not much help, good luck.

 

[damianbrady]

The press I'm thinking of trying this on first has several diferent tools existing that could be used on it. All of these tools have different footprints, so pneumatic clamping will have more cost in order to standardise the footprint. As for the four bolts, you're right they won't take that long to fix in position, But obviosly if you had a mgnetic portion on the base of the press a fork truck could drop the tool on the press, turn the magnet on then start production. The magnets offer speed with infinite flexibility.

As the magnets I'm thinking of using only have a finite magnetic field, the slugs will be free to drop ftom the tool. The slugs then may stick to the bottom of the tool, but I dont think that will cause any problems.

 

[tygerdawg]

I don't know about stamping press tools, but Staubli Corp

http://www.staubli.com

has been selling magnetic injection mold clamping devices quite sucessfully.

TygerDawg

 

[ajack1]

Even with a magnetic bottom this still leaves the top to be clamped, which is normally the more time consuming and whilst I do agree there should be little force to move the die set it does seem a huge risk for little gain, just in case for example our good friend Mr Murphy were to come along with a fork lift or the like.

There are many ways to cut down time to a minimum and all carry a cost, it is a question of how far you want to go. I would suggest you read up on S.M.E.D if you are not familiar with the idea.

Just a few thoughts that might help,

Do the setters have enough of the right tools that are readily available?
Can shut heights be common?
Is the press a fixed stroke, if not can the stroke be common?
Would gauging help, something as simple as a flat and a V? Especially useful if the tool has to line up with say a coil feeder, transfer arms, air pins or the like, but useful for even bolting slots.
Can all clamping heights be common? Doing away with the need for packing for clamps and one turn of a spanner and the job is done up or undone. Also does away with lots of lengths of studding that always get stretched or damaged.

Anyway I digress and sorry if this post sounds condescending, it is not meant to. Good luck with your quest and please let me know if it works, if you go down that route.

 

[69bonneville]

Try tecnomagnete.com

They are the world's largest mold and die clamping company. I have seen mold and dies clamped in presses as large as 100,000 pounds. They have magnets at Square D, Collins & Aikmen, Valeo, Ford, GM, Chrysler, Delphi, Plastech.