When it comes to metal forming processes, carbide dies are one of the best options available in the market. Tungsten carbide is the main ingredient of these dies, which gives them superior hardness and resistance to heat and friction. Unlike steel dies, carbide dies have multiple features that can benefit your manufacturing processes and product quality, such as greater longevity, higher speed, more precision, and less upkeep. In this article, we will explain what carbide dies are how they work and why you should use them for your metal forming needs.
Carbide dies are tools that are used to form metal parts by applying pressure or heat or both. They feature a gap or an aperture that aligns with the expected shape of the final product. The metal component is placed into the die hole and then squeezed, drawn, pushed out or trimmed to produce the required form. Carbide Dies vary in shapes depending on their use and configuration. Some instances are:
Extruding type dies: These dies squeeze out metal pieces through a smaller slot than their original size. This contracts their cross-sectional area and elongates their length and toughness. Drawing type dies: These dies drag metal components through a narrower gap than their initial size. This also shrinks their cross-sectional area but preserves their length and enhances their surface finish.
Forming type dies: These dies deform the metal parts by using a punch and the cavity of the form die. This creates complex shapes and patterns on the metal surface without changing its cross-sectional area or length. Cutting type dies: These dies trim off surplus metal from the components after they are shaped or pulled. This eliminates burrs, flash, or other flaws from the metal surface and enhances its look and quality.
Carbide dies work by using a combination of pressure and heat to form metal parts. The stress is applied by a machine that compresses or draws the die against the metal piece or vice versa. The heat is generated by friction between the die and the metal part or by external sources such as induction coils. Depending on the kind of die the metal component may go through one or more phases of die cutting to attain the required shape and dimension. For example, a drawing type die may be followed by a trimming type die to remove excess metal from the edges. Some dies can execute multiple tasks in one process, such as shaping and trimming at once.
Carbide Dies are a superb alternative for your metal moulding needs because they offer many benefits over steel dies or other instruments. Some of these benefits are: Longer lifespan: Carbide dies are much more durable than steel dies because they can resist wear and tear better. They can last up to 20 times longer than steel dies depending on the material and application. Better performance: Carbide dies are much more efficient than steel dies because they can operate at higher speeds and pressures. They can produce more parts per hour with less waste and less energy consumption.