Surface-enhancement process makes durable tools

Shown for the first time in the UK at Metalworking 2002 is a new coating for press brake tooling that dramatically increases service life.

Shown for the first time in the UK at Metalworking 2002 is a new coating for press brake tooling that dramatically increases the service life, lowers frictional resistance during the bending process and reduces any problems associated with galling and surface marking on the material during bending.

Developed by Wilson Tool International, the new Nitrex-coated tools are easily recognised due to their shiny black appearance.

The "high-endurance surface-enhancement" process creates a surface hardness of HRC-60 on the tooling with a high lubricity that lowers the coefficient of friction between tool and material as it slides over the shoulder of the V-opening on the die.

Nontreated press brake tools will tend to wear the radii on the top and die shoulders which can sometimes be seen after just 100 parts are processed.

As wear increases, the tooling no longer matches the dimensions of other tools and is especially problematical when multiple tool set ups of the same type are used on the machine.

This tends to create setting and quality problems when bending materials such as perforated or stainless steels.

Even soft materials such as aluminium or galvanised steel can be affected by press brake tool problems such as galling when a small material deposit builds up on the tool surface and creates surface marking on the component.

Wilson's standard and Nitrex coated press brake tooling range can be specified in 835 and 415mm lengths with optional horns.

Section widths are 10, 15, 20, 50, 200 and 300mm.

A wide range of special tooling can be made to order.

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