In the field of metal processing, the quality and performance of Press Brake dies are of paramount importance. It directly affects the accuracy, appearance and production efficiency of the product. For Specific Press Brake dies Inc. in the United States, continuous exploration of more advanced processing technologies to meet the growing needs of customers is the key to its continued development.
This article will introduce in detail the excellent performance of laser hardening machines in processing Press Brake dies, and combine it with the actual case of Specific Press Brake dies Inc. to demonstrate the tremendous changes brought about by this advanced technology.
Case study using laser hardening machine
Specific Press Brake dies Inc. is a bending die manufacturing company with a high reputation in the United States. They are committed to providing high quality Press Brake dies to various industries to meet the specific needs of different customers.
The company’s molds come in a wide range of sizes, starting from 1/2″ in width to large molds or 4-way molds up to 24″ in width, up to 290″ in length, and weighing up to 4,000 pounds. In material selection On the machine, they mainly use 4150 steel, which has high strength, good toughness and wear resistance, and is very suitable for manufacturing bending dies.
(1) Case background
As market competition becomes increasingly fierce, Specific Press Brake dies Inc. realizes that traditional flame hardening methods can no longer meet customer requirements for mold quality and performance. In order to improve the competitiveness of their products, they decided to introduce the advanced technology of laser hardening machine.
(2) Selection of laser hardening machine
When selecting a laser hardening machine, Specific Press Brake dies Inc. considered several factors, including the equipment’s performance, price, after-sales service, and more. After multiple comparisons and inspections, they finally chose a laser hardening machine with stable performance, high processing accuracy and reasonable price.
Working principle and characteristics of laser hardening machine
(1) Working principle
The laser hardening machine uses a high-energy-density laser beam to quickly irradiate the surface of the mold, causing the surface temperature to rise rapidly. When the temperature reaches above the phase transition point, the internal structure of the material changes. Subsequently, through rapid cooling, ahardening layer with high hardness and good wear resistance is formed on the surface of the mold.
(2) Features
- High precision: The laser hardening machine can precisely control the energy and scanning speed of the laser beam to achieve high-precision hardening of the mold surface. The thickness and hardness of the hardening layer can be adjusted as needed to ensure the dimensional accuracy and surface quality of the mold.
- High hardness: Laser hardening can form a very hard hardening layer on the surface of the mold, and its hardness is usually much higher than traditional hardening methods. This greatly improves the wear resistance and service life of the mold.
- Good uniformity: The laser hardening machine can achieve uniform hardening of the mold surface, avoiding the uneven hardness that easily occurs in traditional hardening methods. This makes the mold more stable during use and reduces wear and damage caused by uneven hardness.
- Small heat-affected zone: Laserhardening is a local heating method, and the heat-affected zone is very small. This reduces the impact on the mold base material and reduces the risk of mold deformation.
- High processing efficiency: The processing speed of the laser quenching machine is very fast, which can greatly shorten the processing cycle of the mold. At the same time, since laser hardening is an automated processing method, manual intervention is reduced and production efficiency is improved.
Advantages of laser hardening machine in processing Press Brake dies
(1) Improve the quality and performance of molds
- Wear resistance: The surface hardness of the mold after laser hardening is high and the wear resistance is good, which can greatly extend the service life of the mold. During the bending process, the friction between the mold and the plate will cause wear on the mold surface. Laser quenching can effectively improve the wear resistance of the mold and reduce wear, thereby improving the accuracy and stability of the mold.
- Hardness uniformity: Laser hardening can achieve uniform hardening of the mold surface and ensure that the hardness of the mold is evenly distributed. This is especially important for large molds and molds with complex shapes, because it is difficult to ensure hardness uniformity in these molds using traditional hardening methods. Uniform hardness can improve the overall performance of the mold and reduce local wear and damage caused by uneven hardness.
- Dimensional accuracy: The laser hardening machine can accurately control the thickness and hardness of the hardening layer to ensure the dimensional accuracy of the mold. In bending processing, the dimensional accuracy of the mold directly affects the quality of the product. Laser hardening can improve the hardness and wear resistance of the mold without affecting the dimensional accuracy of the mold, ensuring the production of high-quality products.
(2) Improve production efficiency
- Fast processing speed: The processing speed of the laser quenching machine is very fast, which can greatly shorten the processing cycle of the mold. Compared with traditional hardening methods, laser hardening can complete the hardening process of the mold in a shorter time and improve production efficiency.
- High degree of automation: Laser hardening machines usually adopt automated control systems, which can achieve precise control of the processing process and unattended operation. This reduces manual intervention, improves production efficiency, and also reduces labor intensity.
(3) Reduce costs
- Extend mold life: Laser hardening can improve the wear resistance and service life of the mold, reduce the number of mold repairs and replacements, thereby reducing production costs.
- Reduce the scrap rate: Since laser hardening can improve the accuracy and stability of the mold, it reduces the scrap rate caused by mold problems. This not only reduces production costs, but also improves product quality and market competitiveness.
Aking Press Brake Dies With A Laser Hardening Machine Involves Several Steps
Here’s a general outline of the process:
1. Design the press brake dies: Use computer-aided design (CAD) software to create the design for the press brake dies. Consider the material, dimensions, and shape of the dies.
2. Select the material: Choose a suitable material for the press brake dies, such as tool steel or another high-strength alloy that is compatible with laser hardening.
3. Prepare the material: Cut the material to the required size and shape using a cutting machine or other appropriate tools.
4. Laser hardening: Use a laser hardening machine to heat and harden the surface of the press brake dies. This process involves focusing a high-powered laser beam on the surface of the dies to rapidly heat and then cool the material, creating a hardened layer.
5. Precision machining: After laser hardening, the press brake dies may require additional machining to achieve the final dimensions and surface finish.
6. Quality control: Inspect the press brake dies to ensure they meet the required specifications and quality standards.
Conclusion
As an advanced processing technology, laser quenching machine has significant advantages in the processing of Press Brake dies. It can improve the quality and performance of molds, improve production efficiency, reduce costs, and bring huge economic and social benefits to enterprises. Taking Specific Press Brake dies Inc. as an example, we can see that the application of laser hardening machines has brought new development opportunities and competitive advantages to the company.
It’s important to note that the specific details of making press brake dies with a laser hardening machine may vary depending on the equipment and processes used by the manufacturer. Additionally, working with laser hardening machines requires expertise and safety precautions to ensure proper operation and protection of personnel. If you are not experienced with this process, it’s advisable to seek guidance from professionals or experts in the field.