Engineering Definitions

A

Adapter Lower

A purpose made steel section or piece, intended to allow two dis-similar shaped portions of the tool to fit together, usually by bolts.

 

Adhesives

Bonding agents placed between the inner and outer panels.

Source: The OHIO State University

An adhesive, or glue, is a mixture in a liquid or semi-liquid state that adheres or bonds items together. Adhesives may come from either natural or synthetic sources. Some modern adhesives are extremely strong, and are becoming increasingly important in modern construction and industry. The types of materials that can be bonded using adhesives are virtually limitless, but they are especially useful for bonding thin materials. Adhesives usually require a controlled temperature to cure or set. They can be electrically and thermally conductive or non-conductive.[1][2] The earliest date for a simple glue is 200,000 BC[3] and for a compound glue 70,000 BC.[4]

Source: Wikipedia

Aerial Cam

A cam attached to the upper half of the die with a driver on the bottom half of the die. Also called flying cam, dog leg cam, or walking cam.

Source: The OHIO State University

Air Bend Die

Angle-forming dies in which the metal is formed without striking the bottom of the die. Metal contact is made at only three points in the cross section: the nose of the male die and the two edges of a V-shaped die opening.

Source: The OHIO State University

A device for forming metals in which only the two edges of the lower section are in contact with the metal.

Source: Answers.com

Air Cushion

An air-actuated die cushion.

Source: The OHIO State University

Air Draw

A draw operation performed in a single action press with the blankholder pressure supplied by an air cushion.

Source: The OHIO State University

Air Hardening Steel

This grade of steel has a high chromium content which helps minimise distortion during heat treatment. Other characteristics are good machinability and wear resistance. It is commonly used for forming and trimming tools

Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tool_steel#Air-hardening:_the_A-series

Alloy

A substance that has metallic properties and is composed of two or more chemical elements of which at least one is an elemental metal.

Source: The OHIO State University

An alloy is a partial or complete solid solution of one or more elements in a metallic matrix. Complete solid solution alloys give single solid phase microstructure, while partial solutions give two or more phases that may be homogeneous in distribution depending on thermal (heat treatment) history. Alloys usually have different properties from those of the component elements.

Source: Wikipedia

Annealing

A process involving the heating and cooling of a metal, commonly used to induce softening. The term refers to treatments intended to alter mechanical or physical properties or to produce a definite microstructure.

Source: The OHIO State University

Annealing, in metallurgy and materials science, is a heat treatment wherein a material is altered, causing changes in its properties such as strength and hardness. It is a process that produces conditions by heating to above the re-crystallization temperature and maintaining a suitable temperature, and then cooling. Annealing is used to induce ductility, soften material, relieve internal stresses, refine the structure by making it homogeneous, and improve cold working properties. In the cases of copper, steel, silver, and brass this process is performed by substantially heating the material (generally until glowing) for a while and allowing it to cool slowly. In this fashion the metal is softened and prepared for further work such as shaping, stamping, or forming.

Source: Wikipedia

Treatment of a metal, alloy, or other material by heating to a predetermined temperature, holding for a certain time, and then cooling to room temperature, done to improve ductility and reduce brittleness. Process annealing is carried out intermittently during the working of a piece of metal to restore ductility lost through repeated hammering or other working, if several cold-forming operations are required but the metal is so hardened after the first operation that further cold working would cause cracking (see hardening). Full annealing is done to give workability to such parts as forged blanks destined for use in the machine-tool industry. Annealing is also done for relief of internal stresses in metal and glass. Annealing temperatures and times differ for different materials and with properties desired; steel is usually held for several hours at about 1,260°F (680°C) and then cooled for several hours. See also heat treating, solid solution.

Source: Answers.com

Anvil Steel

The lower steels or adapter against which-the hem steel finishes or flattens the hem.

Source: The OHIO State University

Arbor Press

A press originally developed for forcing arbors or mandrels into holes and similar assembling.

Source: The OHIO State University

An arbor press is a small hand operated press. It is usually used to do smaller jobs, such as staking, riveting, installing and removing bearings and other press fit work. They are usually rated by the maximum load they can apply.

Source: Wikipedia

An arbor press is a small hand operated press. It is usually used to do smaller jobs, such as staking, riveting, installing and removing bearings and other press fit work. They are usually rated by the maximum load they can apply.[1]

Source: Answers.com

Automatic Press

A stamping press with some degree of automation, such as a robotic transfer system or any mechanism which eliminates human labor from the stamping process.

Automatic Press Stop

(1) A device for positioning stock in a die. (2) A mechanism that initiates the stopping action of a press after its complete cycle. (3) A device which initiates the stopping action of a press at the start of operating troubles for protecting either the die or the operator, such as misfeeding, buckling of strip stock, or non-discharge of blanks.

Source: The OHIO State University

Axisymmetric Drawing

The drawing of shapes having an axis of symmetry such as cones and round cups. See Figure A1 for several examples of axisymmetric drawn parts.

Source: The OHIO State University