Reducing Punch Mold Wear: Helpful Tips for Long-Lasting Tools

Metal punching molds play an important role in the production process of metal products with high precision. However, the long-term use of punching molds can lead to wear and tear and reduce the life of the mold. Therefore, it is extremely important to learn and apply ways to reduce wear and increase the service life of punching molds. This article will provide you with the basics of metal punching molds, including the concept, punching mold construction, classification and basic requirements. In addition, the article will share tips for using metal punching molds to increase the service life, methods of preserving punching molds and things to keep in mind when choosing to buy a punching machine.

1. What is a metal punching mold?

1.1. Concept

A metal punching mold is a device used in a metal punching process in which metal raw materials are placed between two punching dies and force is applied to create the desired shape and size for the metal part.

1.2. Structure

The structure of the metal punching mold includes the following components:

• Mold frame: is the main bearing part of the mold, designed to hold raw materials and create punching force to process metal parts.
• Punching mold: is a part shaped in accordance with the part to be machined, placed on the mold frame and connected to the punching machine to create punching force.
• Sub-molds: are additional parts used to hold and shape raw materials during the punching process.
• Punching springs: are springs placed between the punching mold and the mold frame to reduce the pressure on the punching mold when the punching force is applied, so that the punching mold and punching machine are protected and the service life is longer.
• Damping system: used to absorb shock and vibration when punching force is applied.
• Other parts: including protective elements, locks, precision regulators, cooling systems, cleaning systems, etc.

1.3. Classification

Metal punching molds can be classified according to various criteria. Here are some common classifications:

• According to the shape and size of the machined part: The punching mold can be classified according to the shape and size of the part to be machined, including flat punching mold, bent punching mold, arch punching mold, cylindrical punching mold, rectangular punching mold, etc.
• By punching mold quantity: Punching molds can be classified according to the number of punching molds in the machining process, including single and double molds. Single molds use only one punching die to process the part, while double molds use two punching dies, each punching mold creates half of the part.
• By processing material: Punching molds can also be classified according to processing materials, including metal punching molds, plastic stamping molds, wood punching molds, etc.
• According to the structure of the punching mold: The punching mold can be classified according to the structure of the punching mold, including simple punching mold, punching mold, automatic punching mold, etc.
• By production technology: Punching molds can also be classified according to production technology, including mechanical processing punching molds, CNC machining punching molds, 3D printing punching molds, etc.

1.4. Basic requirements of punching molds

The basic requirements of metal punching molds include:

• High durability: Punching molds must be designed and fabricated with high durability to ensure continuous operation over a long period of time.
• Precision: The punching mold must be precisely machined to ensure the product created to the required accuracy.
• Good adhesion: The punching mold must have good adhesion to the material to be punched to ensure the punching product is of good quality.
• Appropriate design: The punching mold design must match the characteristics of the product to be punched to ensure the ability to punch the product with high accuracy and not cause product defects.
• Easy to use and maintain: Punching molds must be designed to be easy to use and maintain to minimize machine downtime and maintenance costs.

2. Tips for using metal punching molds to increase service life

To increase the service life and durability of metal punching molds, the following tips can be applied:

• Use good quality materials: Use good quality metal materials and ensure good hardness and strength to minimize the wear of the punching mold.
• Regular punching mold maintenance: Punch stamping mold maintenance by regularly cleaning and lubricating the punching mold. This removes dirt and impurities, avoiding affecting the accuracy and strength of the mold.
• Using good quality punching die springs plays an important role in the punching process to ensure better precision and durability.
• Appropriate punching pressure adjustment: The punching pressure needs to be adjusted to suit the product to be punched to avoid mold deformation or breakage.
• Choosing the right gauge to check the product dimensions: Use the correct gauge to check the size of the punched product. This minimizes errors caused by errors during punching.
• Use a punching machine with good quality: Using a good quality punching machine, ensure continuous and stable operation, which increases the service life of the punching mold.

3. Punching mold preservation method

To ensure the longevity and durability of the metal punching mold, the preservation of the punching mold is very important. Here are some methods of preserving metal punching molds:

• Proper storage: When not in use, punching molds need to be stored properly to prevent damage. Punching molds should be stored in a cool, dry environment and avoid direct exposure to the sun and corrosive substances.
• Regular cleaning: During use, the punching mold needs to be cleaned regularly to remove dirt, dust and grease from the surface of the punching mold. If these substances remain on the punching mold for a long time, they can cause wear and tear and reduce the service life of the punching mold.
• Proper use: Punching molds need to be used properly and comply with manufacturers’ use, storage, and hygiene procedures and regulations. Misuse may cause damage or reduce the life of the punching mold.
• Routine repair and maintenance: Regularly inspecting and repairing broken or worn parts on punching dies will help increase service life and reduce future repair or replacement costs.
• Use protective accessories: Using protective accessories such as drill bits, cutting tools, saw blades, and other protective materials can help protect the punching mold from strong impacts and reduce wear and tear of parts.
• Handle the punching mold with care: During the use and storage of the punching mold, it should always be handled with care to avoid damaging or shortening the life of the punching mold.

4. What to pay attention to when choosing to buy a punching machine

When choosing to buy a punching machine, you should keep the following factors in mind:

• Punching Mold Compatibility: The punching machine must be compatible with the punching mold you use to ensure efficient operation.
• Accuracy: The accuracy of the punching machine is an important factor when choosing a purchase. The higher the accuracy, the more stability and reliability are ensured.
• Pounding power: The pounding power of the punching machine needs to match the hardness of the material that you are using. If the beating force is too weak, then it will be difficult to break through the hard material.
• Speed: The speed of the punching machine is also important. Too slow a speed will increase the production time, while too fast a speed will reduce the accuracy and reliability of the punching process.
• Safety: The punching machine must ensure high safety to avoid unnecessary accidents occurring.
• Brand: The brand of the punching machine is also an important factor. It is recommended to choose reputable brands, which are highly appreciated in the industry to ensure the quality and reliability of products.

5. Summary

Punching molds are an important component in the manufacturing process of metal products, helping to produce precise and uniform parts during mass production. In order to ensure the performance and service life of the punching mold, we need to follow the proper processes of storage, use, and punching mold manufacturing.