It is easy to get lost in the sea of carbide die and trimming die possibilities, and much more challenging to zero in on the one that is right for you. When making a long-term investment in your company, you should not let price be the deciding factor only because costlier solutions tend to be better. It is essential to take into consideration both your one-of-a-kind requirements and your financial constraints when choosing a carbide die or a trimming die.
When choosing a carbide die, you should first consider the size and shape of your part. For example, if you are cutting a square or rectangular part, then you will want a square die. If your part is round, then you may want to look into round dies. When designing your part, keep in mind the depth and width of the cuts that will be made. In the case of components that are unusually shallow, one can use a circular trimming die instead of an extended trimming tool to achieve a clean cut all the way through the component by reaching all the way down into it. Trimming a cylinder of metal requires a tool that is long enough to reach from end to end, but for deeper cuts, you will need something even longer.
Carbides include tungsten carbide, silicon carbide, and cubic boron nitride. Tungsten carbides are harder than silicon carbides, which makes them more resistant to wear; however, they are more expensive than silicon carbides. While tungsten carbides are hard and durable, silicon carbides are softer and less expensive to produce. Carbide dies can also be made from cubic boron nitride. Since CBN is more durable and less likely to wear out in high-performance settings, it is often used in these places. On the other hand, due to the fact that this particular type of carbide die is relatively recent, there is not much information available about it.
The finish of your die is critical for ensuring that your final product is smooth and attractive. Plated, polished, bright-finished, rough machined, black oxide, and ground are some of the most common types of finishes. If you want your products to have a more polished appearance and a more delicate feel, you should use dies that have been polished or plated. Rough machined or black oxide dies are appropriate options to go with if you require something that is more robust and will maintain its shape while being compressed. Polished, plated, or bright-finished dies are the tools of choice when burrs, scratches, or tool marks must be removed from a completed edge.