Hard Tooling – Types

Hard Tooling Types
Catalog Die Set with Shank.
Also shown, various parts.
Types of Dies
Combo Die:

Consists of half male/female and half steel rule or a machined punch. This tool cuts interiors precisely and the exterior at steel rule quality cut.

Full Class “A”:

Cuts with interior & exterior shear cuts and includes stripper plates. This tool cuts both interior and exterior with extreme precision. This tool is the highest accuracy cut you can achieve.

Blanking Die:

Consists only of the male/female portion and is generally intended to cut the slug as the saved part. The Blanking Die has the same accuracy as the Full Class “A” but usually cuts only one shape.
Understanding Hard Tooling Terminology
Bushing Types:
Ball Bearing Used when there is a high tolerance between the male and female to prevent contact. Also, used for long run dies.
Standard Used when a lower tolerance between the male and female is not required and the run is shorter.
Die Life The amount of vertical shape the die has. The greater the die life, the longer distance the slug has to travel before exiting.
Die Shoes:
Lower This plate holds the female.
Upper This plate holds the die punch, males and the stripper plate.
Die Springs Exceptional quality for use in the return of the stripper plate or the return of the upper die shoe.
Female Has the same shape as the male so the male may pass
Lift Rings Used to lift the die while the die is moving.
Male The male is the interior punch which may be a shape or diameter that has to enter into female.
Pin The pin enters the busing for proper alignment before the male(s) enter the female.
Punch The outer portion of the tool, usually a steel rule die or a machined punch.
Parallels To lift the die set for scrap removal when there is no scrap hole in the press.
Retainer Plate Holds all the male puches in location for exact alignment to enter the female.
Shank/Spud Used to attach to the ram of the press.
Shedder Plate A plate in the upper male punch of a Class A die to remove the diecut part and them put it back into the web.
Spring Return Used when the die set is to be returned under it’s own power.Also, eliminates having to bolt the upper die plate to the press.
Stop Blocks To protect the die from overstroking and damaging the tool.
Stripper Plate Solid machined plate backed up by die springs for a positive removal of the die cut part from the punch. Used in Combo Dies and Class A Dies. This part is put back into the web
Stroke (Inches) The amount of movement the press has in vertical motion.
Sub Plate Used to make up distance for the proper shut height.
Four Post Standard
Pin Bushing Die Set

Four Post Ball
Bearing Die Set