1. Die and Punch Design:

• Die: The die is a hardened steel or carbide mold with a negative shape of the desired part. It acts as a female part of the forming process.
• Punch: The punch is a hardened steel or carbide tool with a positive shape that fits into the die. It acts as the male part of the forming process.

2. Material Preparation:

• The material to be formed, such as sheet metal or plastic, is placed between the die and punch.

3. Press Operation:

• The press applies force to the punch, causing it to move downward into the die.
• As the punch descends, the material is forced to conform to the shape of the die.
• The die and punch work together to form the desired part.

Operational Factors:

• Material Thickness: The thickness of the material will determine the required press force and the die and punch design.
• Material Properties: The material's properties, such as hardness, ductility, and formability, will influence the forming process.
• Die and Punch Design: The design of the die and punch will determine the shape and quality of the formed part.
• Press Force: The amount of force applied by the press will affect the forming process.
• Lubrication: Lubricants can help reduce friction and improve the forming process.

Types of Die and Punch Makers:

• Progressive Dies: These dies have multiple stages that form the part in a single operation.
• Compound Dies: These dies have multiple stages that form different features of the part in a single operation.
• Single-Stage Dies: These dies form the entire part in a single operation.

Applications:

• Metalworking: Forming metal parts, such as automotive components, appliances, and industrial machinery.
• Plastic Forming: Forming plastic parts, such as toys, consumer goods, and automotive components.
• Stamping: Producing stamped metal parts, such as coins, medals, and decorative items.