American-Precision-Style Press-Brake Tooling with New Safety Features

Mate Precision Tooling, Anoka, MN, has introduced American-precision-style press-brake tooling featuring the company’s new Maglock magnetic safety system. Compatible with press-brake laser and optical safety systems, this full line of punches and dies is available in lengths from 0.5 to 18 in.

The line features the patent-pending Maglock magnetic safety system, using rare-earth magnets to attach and seat the punch to the holder with no separation between the surfaces. The magnets are specifically and proportionally added along the punch shoulder so that the up-force of the magnet is localized and directed at the contact surface of the punch holder. Installation of a Maglock punch always results in the shoulder seating onto the holder, and the strong yet balanced Maglock connection also makes lateral position adjustments simple, according to Mate officials. Note that once the punches are seated in the desired position, the holder-clamping system must be engaged. Maglock does not claim to be, and is not intended to be, a replacement of the holder-clamping system.

Unlike punches with mechanical designs (buttons, springs or pins) that become unsafe to use if the mechanism is damaged or missing, Maglock’s nonmechanical design works safely all of the time. The technology offers an additional level of safety if electrical, hydraulic or pneumatic power to the brake is disrupted. In lengths greater than 4 in., the tool design includes a lever to facilitate punch removal.

A reversible/symmetrical punch tang design enables the punch to be installed facing forward or backward. With no protrusions, the tang simplicity also makes the punches ideal for front-loading tooling into the press. Designed with a 0.5-in. tang, Mate punches can be used in any holder system that receives a 0.5-in. tang, regardless if the holder is designed for mechanical designs or tools with hooks.

Additionally, Mate punches and dies with a standard profile all feature uniform height, which is important for operator safety when used with laser or optical safety systems. The new tooling also features a “buy-by-the-inch” pricing system that lets users specify and buy the tooling length required by the part design.

See also: Mate Precision Tooling

Technologies: Bending, Fabrication, Tooling

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