Stock Ejector Assembly with Ring Stripper for Metal Forming Dies
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current metal forming dies are labor-intensive and costly to design, manufacture, and maintain due to custom components and adhesion issues between stock and die parts, which require frequent replacement of small spring plungers and result in surface marking and increased wear.
Innovation Solution
A stock ejector assembly with a large exterior spring and increased surface area contact, utilizing a ring-style stripper and flange nut assembly to reduce adhesion and marking, while maintaining a compact footprint and extending product life.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If small diameter springs are used in threaded spring plungers, then the ejector can break lubricant tension and remove stock, but the spring is prone to fail quickly and requires frequent replacement
Solution Approach 1:
The ejector assembly is divided into modular components: a reusable threaded body with aperture and a separate spring-plunger assembly. This segmentation allows the durable threaded body to be retained while only the worn spring and plunger need replacement, significantly improving overall system reliability and reducing maintenance frequency.
Solution Approach 2:
The spring and plunger are extracted as a removable sub-assembly from the threaded body. The aperture in the threaded body is designed to receive and retain the spring-plunger combination, allowing easy removal and replacement of the spring component without replacing the entire ejector assembly, thus extending product life.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If threaded spring plungers are used to break lubricant tension, then stock can be removed from die parts, but the pointed tip can leave marks on the stock if spring pressure is too great
Solution Approach 1:
The plunger tip is designed with a specific local geometry that balances the need for sufficient spring pressure to break lubricant tension with the need to avoid excessive pressure that would mark the stock. The localized contact area and tip shape are optimized to distribute force appropriately.
Solution Approach 2:
The spring pressure parameter is carefully controlled and optimized. The spring is selected with appropriate force characteristics to provide sufficient pressure to break lubricant adhesion while maintaining pressure below the threshold that would cause stock marking, thus resolving the contradiction between necessary force and harmful effects.
3Manufacturing precision
If custom-designed components are used in metal forming dies, then the die can be precisely tailored for specific parts, but the die is very expensive to design, manufacture and repair
Solution Approach 1:
The threaded ejector body with its aperture and retention features serves multiple functions: it provides the mounting interface, contains the spring-plunger assembly, and integrates with the die structure. This multi-functional design reduces the number of separate custom components needed, lowering manufacturing complexity and cost while maintaining precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The threaded body design with its aperture and retention features enables self-contained assembly and easy maintenance. The spring-plunger can be serviced or replaced without requiring complex disassembly or specialized tooling, reducing repair costs and lead time while maintaining the precision required for custom die applications.
4Manufacturing precision
If precision holes and recesses are machined in the die set for mounting components, then components can be precisely positioned, but the process is quite labor intensive and requires substantial lead time
Solution Approach 1:
The threaded body is pre-manufactured with the aperture and retention features already integrated into its structure. This preliminary preparation eliminates the need for on-site machining of precision holes and recesses during die assembly, significantly reducing setup lead time while maintaining precise component positioning through the pre-engineered aperture geometry.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The improved stock ejector assembly effectively reduces adhesion and marking, increases product life, and simplifies assembly and maintenance by using a larger spring and increased surface area contact, thereby reducing costs and labor intensity.
Implementation Method 1
a spring member with a generally hollow interior that is received over the outer end portion of the flange nut and the inner collar portion of the stripper. The outer end of the spring member is oriented toward the stock strip and engages the radially oriented shoulder of the stripper.
Data Source
AI summary
A stock ejector assembly and method for metal forming dies includes a stock ejector with a large spring and a ring-style stripper. The ring-style stripper provides a larger surface area for contacting the stock. The large compression spring is preloaded and when a load is applied, the stripper retracts and the spring pressure increases. When the dies separate, the stock ejector pushes the part off flat surfaces, separating surfaces sealed by adhesion, including but not limited to oil or lubricant adhesion.