In a previous article, we discussed why using the shortest stroke possible yields the best results for the parts formed on a stamping press. Many stamping operations don't operate to their full potential. If it gets the job done, why change anything, right? Not exactly... In this article, we'll explain some common reasons for these less-than-ideal conditions as well as ways to overcome obstacles to implementing improvements in your stamping operations. Reasons for less than optimal conditions Biases and assumptions in the tool design or equipment selection are causes that are difficult to detect and change. More obvious reasons for less-than-optimal stamping processes are: Equipment is not used for its intended purpose: Make a job work on equipment available Purchased equipment that “would do the job” Purchased new equipment at discounted price Repurposed existing equipment 2. Operating conditions/Trade-off values have changed dramatically: Production Volumes/Lot sizes have changed significantly Product Specifications/Part tolerances have been tightened Production requirements for quality, certifications, packaging, and delivery have changed 3. Equipment is outdated: Newer technology not utilized Automation Lack of spare parts Decreased serviceability 4. Equipment lost its precision from when it was new: Damages due to operating error Material fatigue, improper repairs Normal wear Past modifications How can stamping processes be improved? Efforts to optimize start with an open mindset and a willingness to allow discoveries to effect change. It requires an environment where assumptions are replaced with reason, and prior decisions are re-evaluated based on changes in the operating conditions. Hiring an outside expert that provides unbiased analysis and technological insights can be helpful. Sometimes simple remedies can make a significant difference. If this article was helpful, please let us know by subscribing to our newsletter to get instant notifications whenever a new blog post is published. Our sales team is always happy to answer any questions and discuss your stamping needs. Contact us today!
One of the most fundamental and commonly overlooked aspects of the metal stamping process is the use of the shortest possible stroke for a given application. Many stampers state that they are aware of the importance of this factor, but do not quite understand the benefits behind it. The Stroke Length Dilemma in Stamping Too often we hear from customers that they are in search of a press with a longer stroke than what is required for the tooling of a particular application all for the sake of ensuring flexibility in their operation. While yes having a longer stroke gives you the capability to run multiple jobs in the same press, stampers tend to not think of the consequences associated with this line of thinking. In this article, we'll break down some of the main reasons why using the shortest stroke for stamping processes is the best. But first, let's take a look at how stampers are often hurting their bottom line by ignoring this fundamental concept. The Hidden Costs of Using A Longer Stroke Than Necessary Using a longer stroke than what is needed can be detrimental in many ways regarding your process. It is important to understand the impact longer strokes can have on your process such as: Wasted Time - When using a longer stroke there is a great deal of wasted time and motion in the stroke, which leads to inefficiencies in throughput and quality. More time is spent on the ram traveling to the working portion of the stroke than in the working portion of the stroke. Increased Press Wear - Utilizing a longer stroke will have a detrimental effect on the life of your press. If the ram has to travel further than what is necessary there will be additional wear on the guides and the internal structure of the press, which will lead to more frequent maintenance and downtime. As we all know time is money in this industry, and maintenance can sometimes be expensive for mechanical issues. Increased Tool & Die Wear - When using a longer stroke there is greater impact velocity when the upper tooling makes contact with the material. High-impact velocities can lead to the tooling either becoming worn much faster than usual or even breaking prematurely. This will lead to more downtime due to waiting for the tooling to be sharpened or replaced, so this not only leads to more expenses for maintaining the press but also for keeping your tools in working shape. Decreased Part Quality - With the points above in mind, you will see the quality of the finished parts begin to drop off. More parts will be out of tolerance or not up to the customer standards equals more wasted time, effort, and ultimately money. While the idea may sound appealing in theory or when looking towards the future expansion of your business, you must keep in mind that there are a great deal of hidden costs. In summary, when you purchase a press with a stroke that is longer than what you need just to obtain added flexibility you must also consider the costs associated with doing so. Advantages of Using the Shortest Stroke Possible Using the shortest stroke in your stamping process is one of the simplest ways to improve your operational efficiency. Metal Stampers should understand what they can gain by employing the shortest possible stroke for a given process which includes the following: Reduction in Wasted Stroke - By having a reduced stroke there is less wasted motion. These more efficient strokes dedicate more time to forming, which is essential for producing high-quality in-tolerance parts. For example, consider two presses stamping material at 50 strokes per minute with a thickness of 0.25 inches, one press has a 12-inch stroke and the other uses a 6-inch stroke. The press with a 6-inch stroke notices a 42% increase in forming time over the press with a 12-inch stroke. Less Dynamic Forces in the Press - When moving the ram and upper die up and down over a shorter distance in a given amount of time you will see less harmful forces being imparted on the press frame and the drive system. Not only does this impact the drive system and the frame, but it will also preserve the integrity of the guides within the press. This leads to a longer lifespan for the mechanical components and structure of the press, meaning less downtime and maintenance will be required to keep the press performing optimally. Increased Effective Tool Life - When you shorten the stroke of your press to only what is needed the upper die has a decreased impact velocity as it makes contact with the material when compared to a longer stroke. The decrease in impact velocity will drastically improve the durability of your tooling and cut down on the occurrence of punches or guides breaking prematurely. This equates to less time and money spent on maintaining and fixing your tools which is another source of downtime. When comparing the two strokes the press with the press with the shorter stroke shows a 30% decrease in forming time. To summarize there are many advantages to utilizing the shortest possible for a given metal stamping application. Not only can you improve the throughput from a more efficient stroke, but you will also see drastic improvements in the life of your tooling and the press itself. These advantages will add more money back to your business's bottom line while also cutting down on the expenses required to maintain your equipment. The Most Optimal Stroke is Always the Shortest Stroke Based on the hidden costs of using longer strokes in your process, it is safe to say that it is well worth a company's time and effort to use the shortest possible stroke for a given process. To determine what the shortest stroke possible is for your application you must take the finished part and the time needed for feeding into account. Once these factors are examined you can gain insight into what the shortest stroke needed will be and can respond accordingly. Sangiacomo Presses Americas is ready to help you optimize your stamping operations with our adjustable stroke press. Still considering your options? Our team will gladly answer any questions or concerns you may have. Contact us today at 256-275-4701 or email us at info@sangiacomo-presses.com.
In case you missed it, René Zwahlen--president of Sangiacomo Presses Americas and Director of Operations for Bruderer Machinery, Inc.-- spoke about the mechanisms of high-speed stamping processes at the last PMA Technical Webinar. In his presentation, Zwahlen went over the key aspects of high-speed stamping presses that are generally overlooked or not well understood. High-speed stamping presses can operate at 2000 strokes/min. and more. At these production speeds, dynamic forces and thermal influences dramatically affect the stamping process. He took listeners on a journey of understanding the mechanisms to counteract these influences and explained why these types of presses are more precise than conventional stamping presses. Below is a video recap of the Q & A portion of the webinar where audience members submitted questions. Check it out! Video Summary How do you determine the proper stroke height for your part? A: Primarily by shape and size of the part. As a starting point, you want to double the height of the part when determining the proper stroke height. However, whatever your stroke height is, it's crucial to use the shortest stroke in order to optimize your stamping speed. In a high-speed stamping press, what's the best way to thread a strip through the die? A: First, you'll need to troubleshoot the cause for misthreaded strips. Check alignment in relation to the die. Next, consider how level the strip is fed through the die. Lastly, consider your oil seal barriers. Is stroke height a fundamental feature of the press itself? A: Yes, that's correct. This feature would have to be mechanically adjusted. Sangiacomo makes an adjustable stroke press for this very reason. If you liked this post, don't forget to subscribe to our blog to see more content like this!
2022 marks the 66 years anniversary for the parent company of Sangiacomo. CMBB started producing presses in 1956. It became later part of the SECCO group until it was split off in 1972, where it continued to operate under the Sangiacomo name. Over the decades, tens of thousands of machines have been sold, predominantly in the European market, showcasing the robust reputation our presses have garnered. About Us Since the inception of Sangiacomo, the primary goal has been to produce high-quality presses at a reasonable price. All of our mechanical press parts are designed and machined at the Sangiacomo facility in Vittorio Veneto, near Venice, Italy. This ensures each press provides the user with unmatched flexibility, quality, and reliability. The elephant in our logo, serves as a universal symbol of strength, and encapsulates our unwavering commitment over decades to superior machine design and excellent quality. This emblem underscores our serious dedication to uphold and deliver robust, reliable machinery. Since 2014, Sangiacomo Presses Americas has been the Official Distributor for the North and South American continents. Our in-stock presses are available for viewing at our showroom in Huntsville, Alabama. Spare parts and service technicians are dispatched from the Huntsville facility, while our sales and support offices in New Jersey, California, Indiana, and Sao Paulo (Brazil) ensure prompt service. Our Presses We specialize in mechanical presses with adjustable stroke lengths and custom add-ons for all your press needs. We offer c-frame/OBI and straight side presses as well as complete production solutions by providing presses, feeding systems, molds, and conveyors. Our dedication to quality extends to the selection of purchased components. Our electrical controls feature products from leading brands such as Schneider, SIEMENS, PILZ, and Allen-Bradley. Adjustable Stroke Length A distinctive feature of Sangiacomo presses is the adjustable stroke length, ranging from very small, well-suited for blanking, to impressively long for draw forming applications. The benefits of our adjustable stroke feature include faster die changes, increased productivity and flexibility, reduced downtime and repair costs, and a 50% longer tool life. Changing the stroke is straightforward and takes only minutes. The NC control option on larger press models (T80 and up) provides a fully automated stroke length change based on the setting stored in the tool programs. Integrated Safety Mechanisms All presses manufactured by Sangiacomo include standard safeguarding mechanisms. The front doors open for point-of-operation access and are redundantly interlocked. The side guards can be swung open to allow full access to the die area. They are also interlocked with electromagnetic sensors. Many safeguarding options, such as light curtains, are available. Guards can also be custom configured to enclose a feeder or extra-large dies if needed. All presses are CE Certified and comply with the most stringent European norms as well as ANSI, OSHA, and Canadian standards. Custom Add-ons Looking to tailor your Sangiacomo press to align perfectly with your stamping requirements? We offer a variety of add-ons, such as tie rods for increased frame strength, rapid die tooling for expedited tooling changeovers, among others. Given that the frame is crafted in Vittorio Veneto, customizations are seamlessly executed, expanding the horizon of possibilities. Sales and Service At Sangiacomo our sales and technical service team work closely with you before, during, and after the sale to ensure your needs are addressed and exceedingly met. Replacement parts are commercially available worldwide, ensuring minimum replacement cost and high serviceability for your presses. PLC programs are stored on SD cards. Thus, replacements are as easy as transferring a memory card. We are here to help you with all of your stamping needs! Please contact us at any time to talk to one of our experts, and take the first step towards experiencing the Sangaicomo advantage.
Welcome to our Blog! Thanks for stopping by to check out Sangiacomo Presses Americas. We are the official distributor of c-frame and straight-side mechanical stamping presses in North, South, and Central America. All of our presses are equipped with adjustable (or variable) stroke lengths. We specialize in adjustable stroke presses and are dedicated to educating the industry about how this one feature significantly improves production efficiency, reduces tool changeover times, and saves money in the long run. You can learn more about the benefits of adjustable stroke length here. Don't forget to subscribe to our blog in order to stay up to date on all the educational topics we post, as well as big announcements and company updates! Some topics we plan to cover: Stamping Presses 101 Precision Metal Stamping Tools & Dies The technology behind Adjustable Stroke Lengths Case Studies Customer Testimonials Industry 4.0 In the meantime, feel free to get familiar by following us on Facebook, LinkedIn, and Youtube. Please leave any ideas, suggestions, or concerns in the comments below!