IMPACT OF TOOLING DESIGN AND SET-UP ON THE VARIABILITY OF PRODUCTION P/M COMPONENTS

摘要

Dimensional studies of production P/M components and tooling have identified significant sources of dimensional variability in as-pressed (green) P/M components. Initial tooling set-up as well as tooling adjustments made during processing have been observed. The method by which the tooling components create the part feature strongly influences both the repeatability of component dimensions and the time-dependent changes in feature dimensions. Variations in feature dimensions created between upper and lower punches can have dimensional variability that is more than 450% greater than dimensions formed by single tooling components. Understanding the interactions between component geometry, tooling, and machine set-up is the first step toward the creation of design tools for use by process engineers. This paper explores these interactions to assist process planning for pressed P/M components.