Two-Piece Guide Pin for Metal Forming Dies
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current metal forming dies are labor-intensive and costly to design, manufacture, and modify due to the need for custom, precision-machined components and complex assembly processes, which results in high lead times and inventory requirements.
Innovation Solution
A two-piece guide pin system is introduced, comprising a guide pin body and head made from elongate solid bars with specific diameters, where the guide pin head is threaded onto the guide pin body to create a durable, modular assembly that simplifies the manufacturing process and reduces costs by eliminating the need for precision machining and nitriding processes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If one-piece guide pins are used with precision machining and nitriding processes, then manufacturing precision and durability are improved, but manufacturing time and costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The guide pin is divided into two separate pieces: a guide pin body and a guide pin head. The body is made from pre-hardened stock with a finished exterior surface, while the head is formed separately and threadedly connected to the body. This segmentation eliminates the need for time-consuming nitriding and hand-polishing processes on the body, reducing manufacturing lead time while maintaining precision through the use of pre-hardened, pre-finished stock.
Solution Approach 2:
The guide pin body stock is selected with a predetermined outside diameter that already has a hard and smooth finished exterior surface, and the guide pin head stock is selected with a predetermined outside diameter substantially greater than the body stock. These preliminary selections of pre-processed materials eliminate the need for subsequent nitriding and polishing operations, significantly reducing manufacturing time while ensuring the required precision and surface quality.
2Strength
If one-piece guide pins are used with hardening processes, then durability is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The guide pin is segmented into a body and head made from different stocks with different properties. The body is made from pre-hardened stock that already possesses the required durability and surface finish, while the head is made from separate stock. This segmentation eliminates the need for complex post-machining hardening processes, reducing manufacturing complexity while maintaining the durability of the body portion.
3Manufacturing precision
If custom precision-machined components are used, then manufacturing precision is improved, but ease of manufacture deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The guide pin body stock is selected with a predetermined outside diameter that already has a hard and smooth finished exterior surface, and external threads formed adjacent to one end. The guide pin head stock is selected with a predetermined outside diameter substantially greater than the body stock, and an internally threaded recess formed in one end. These preliminary formations of threads and finished surfaces on the stock materials eliminate the need for complex custom precision machining operations, significantly improving ease of manufacture while maintaining the required precision through the use of pre-processed stock with tight tolerances.
Data Source
AI summary
A two-piece guide pin for metal forming dies includes a guide pin body formed from a cut length of an elongate, solid bar of stock having a cylindrical shape and a hard and smooth finished exterior surface with an outside diameter selected for close reception and reciprocal motion in an associated die bore. An alignment member is formed on a first end of the guide pin body. A guide pin head is formed from a cut length of an elongate, solid bar of stock having an outside diameter that is substantially greater than that of the guide pin body, and is rigidly connected with the second end of the guide pin body in a generally concentric relationship to define an enlarged head that positively limits travel between an associated die shoe and die pad.