/image%2F1027916%2F20140501%2Fob_98230e_10156103-10203833637268152-85049596742.jpg)
Morgan Hooper from Extec in New Zealand has answered my first 3 questions about the perfect extrusion die.
I know that these are some tricky questions and I thank Morgan for having answered them with such honesty.
Question 1: When do you consider an extrusion die to be successful?
Answer: Firstly success for me depends on a die reaching a customer on time and fulfilling the order on hand.
The ongoing life depends on many factors, but it is mainly down to the three T’s Temperature Temperature Temperature.
As every die is different, alloys vary and wall thicknesses vary the life of the die is variable. Some dies can extrude 20 tones while others can extrude 120 tonnes.
Of course Nitriding frequency also has a direct impact on die life.
Question 2. What is the most important factor or factors in the process of manufacturing a successful die?
Answer: The most important factor in manufacturing is the design.
There are many machine shops worldwide that could copy a die reasonably successfully, but the design of the die is key.
The most beautifully made die in the world will fail dismally if it is designed poorly. Design is usually a collaboration between die maker and die corrector, due to the invaluable knowledge they can pass on to enable the die maker to make a die suited to there press and process.
Good communication between the two can add vastly to the success and profitability of a die and the resulting extrusion.
Question 3. When a die fails in production, what would you consider to be the most common cause?
Answer: Failure in production is usually caused by the process used in extrusion.
If the die has successfully passed trial and fails on production then the first thing I look for is temperature.
Failing that die deflection can be a major cause due to trial speeds being usually lower than production speeds, causing the die to react differently when on production.
Again support tooling and temperatures can play a big part in reducing, if not eliminating this issue
You can contact Morgan in private here: morgan@extec.co.nz
About Morgan Hooper
My background as a toolmaker and ultimately a customer to the diemakers prompted me to look for better dies. At the time the quality of dies being manufactured was very poor and often led to costly pre correction before they could go to the press. Hence an opportunity to buy a struggling die maker and turn it around to produce some of the best dies in the south pacific was an opportunity I could not pass up. Since 1992 Extec has grown from a fledgling die maker to the largest in New Zealand, supplying customers world wide. My commitment to listening to the customer and talking to the die correctors has produced many rewarding moments and ultimately dies that produce superior performances.
I look forward to showing you the Extec Difference
